Gear Jammer
The last few weeks turned out quite different then planned. Ann and I had planned a road trip to drive and do a mountain bike Canada Cup in Edmonton on July 11th and then drive to do Canada National Champions in Canmore the following weekend. I was excited to race at the next level. This all changed when I heard rummors that you had to be a Canadian Citizen to race at Nationals. I confirmed this to be true and we figured to then drive all the way to Alberta to Edmonton to just do the one trip wasn't really worth it.
Disappointed, but not much I could do. I filled the weekends with fun stuff and fun rides locally, which then led me to doing Gear Jammer - race # 4 of the BC marathon series. I was currently winning the series, but unfortunately you need to be at race # 5 to be able to win the series and I will be traveling across Canada for work during this time.
So Gear Jammer. Ann and I rode most of course the week before, so that helped with knowing the route a little better. I decided to start out not red lining it, and kept the pace off a little until after the first hour as this was going to be a 3hr+ race. The first hour was actually surprisingly ok and enjoyable. I had wonderful Richard supporting crewing for me today, so after an hour in to it, he was there waiting to give me a few fresh bottles of water.
It was now time to turn up the dial a bit and start making up places. We had the rolling hills heading over the back of the course and I caught 1 girl and we now had the heat of the day beating down on us. Through the first water aid station and the steep climbs started. She dropped to small ring and I attempted to stay in mid ring - to my surprise I passed about 10 people on the first climb. Me passing people on the uphill very rarely happens!! I was pumped. This lead to the single track Skookum climb, I kept it in mid ring for half of it and passed another bunch of people. Still in disbelief and wondering if this was going to blow me up!!
The downhill starts, smooth ride, but dusty and hard to see. We head over to another short steep climb to the top of Recycle. I catch Karen, and attempt to pass but got blocked and we both fall. I jump back on and continue. I catch another girl on Pseudo downhill and am loving the flow and work they have done to this trail, I am really enjoying it. I pop out on the gravel road and see Richard again with another full bottle for me - what a treat !!
Short road climb and I am still in rhythm. I drop down to the Darin's Foot Bridge crossing with some speed - within a flash, I find had clipped my handle bar on the bridge and had launched myself half way over the railing and was now looking at the rapids of of creek below and my bike jammed in the bridge .... shit !! I untangle myself, jump on, and continue - sore knuckles but felt ok, just a bit shaken up.
I pass another girl on the climb to Plunge. My ride down the plunge was pretty average - could have been better and probably lost a minute or two. Ok - just crumpet and a few other trails to go. Compose myself. I hit the first climb on crumpet and feel my first real bonk. I drop to granny gear and all I can hear is my front brake rubbing - extra resistance is not what I needed. In the crash, I broke my front shock remote, bent my brake lever and I guess caused my front brake to rub. I have my last swig of gel and by the time I reached the top I got a little energy back.
Over to Seven Stitches and a few hike a bikes. The last part took forever - I wasn't familiar with these trails. I pull through the finish line in 3rd place in 3hrs 4mins 30secons.
I was done, but had a really great race and was stoked with my climbing today. I was one lucky girl to then get a stretch and ITB rub from Richard at the finish line.
We head back, shower and head over to Ann's for a BBQ and beer in the setting sun for the day.
1 Brandi Heisterman 02:57:14.6
2 Ann Yew 03:01:19.6
3 Megan Rose 03:04:30.3
4 Kari Studley 03:06:25.9
5 Karen Trueman 03:07:24.9
6 Katherine Short 03:09:28.0
7 Linda Robichaud 03:23:31.9
8 Julie Melanson 03:47:10.8
9 Nicole Price 04:05:10.6
10Tonja Dwyer 04:16:11.4
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