North Shore Fest

BC Marathon Series # 2

This was one of the races I was excited about for this year. It’s the only one where the race is in the trails that are out my back door that I know very well and has some great fun technical riding!!

After days and days of rain – the weather gods were looking out for us and brought in some great sunshine just for this one day! We all gathered at the start line. I saw a couple of girls I had not seen before, all decked out in Trek gear with bikes I never knew could come as light as they were!

The start proved a surprise for everyone where we had to drop our bikes and run in the other direction. About a 400m run back to the bikes, then straight onto the newly built bmx track for some fun on the burms and jumps to a tough little climb – the pack was getting spread out already and heart rate was up to 181 already!

We went into Richard Juryne Trail for a tough climb. A trail that can be mostly ridable on a fresh day on your own. But with a line up of riders, made it tough, so it was mostly a hike a bike. This race was going to prove to be no time for recoveries. We moved into Circuit 8 trail and dropped down to the river over to Bridle. Was a clean good start and the pack spread out really well. Worked hard through bridle and the new trail and over to old buck 20min climb to Severed. My back was killing me and didn’t climb so well.

Severed downhill was in a pretty wet and tough state but managed to have a clean run down and was stoked with how I was going. This lead into a tough hike-a-bike. I felt like I needed an extra lung!! Heart Rate still over 178. I was coming into bottle top, knowing Richard was going to be waiting at the bottom for me to come out. Another clean run. I hit fishermans trail, and found out I was in third with the 2 girls ahead being the Trek Girls, with one only 30 secs ahead. Richard climbs homestead with me – a tough steep climb. I was hurting but could see her ahead. I pushed hard knowing the finish was almost here. She saw me coming and was pushing hard too. At the top of the climb we both took off, she enters the last trail still in sight. I work hard back up Richard Juryn trail, for the last decent ….. 12 seconds behind her in the finish line with a time of 2hr 25mins …. So close!!

The girl that won, was 6 mins ahead, to find out she came 2^nd at the last Canada Cup and is on the Canadian National Team! So was all good with that …. Lol! Was impressed with both of their technical riding considering they were not locals and probably not familiar with these trails. I was happy with my 3^rd place finish.

2 weeks until Test of Metal – the next big one.

Top 3 Results:

Mical Dyck 02:22:04 (Trek Canada) Victoria
Joanna Harrinaton 02:28:24 Whistler
Megan Rose 02:28:36 (John Henry Bikes) North Vancouver

Nimby Fifty

This event came on the radar only about a month ago. A new event in a new location that I heard has some great trails - Pemberton.

Drove up on Saturday morning - pouring rain the whole drive up! It managed to calm down to light rain by the start. There were about 250 riders lined up at the start in the middle of grass field, and I was super excited to ride the trails that I had heard about over the last few weeks.

The start was actually for once great! Threw a couple of mud puddles just to get us all dirty from the start and a flat start for about the first 5mins then into a 10min climb that I actually felt stronger then normal. The field spread out pretty well by the first single track. About 30mins into the race we start the single track climb - I heard about this 1hr+ single track climb with 101 switchbacks! Was loving it but it was tough. Tight switchbacks, technical sections, where you could look up and see a line of riders on all the switchbacks ahead of you. I could see a couple of girls in sight and that was my aim now - to either keep them in sight or catch them by the top of the climb. I was closing in slowly. I passed and few about 15mins we kept swapping positions depending on who would dab and get caught off balance on the climb.



They managed to both be in front on the start of the the descent, much to my disappointment, but Joele went down and the other girl past. She was ripping it, so I just tried to hang on to her wheel on what was some amazing downhill trails, so much fun. Trying to put a gap between us and Joele. We were all fighting for 3rd place. I managed to gap the other girl on the next climb, it was tough and steep and then we went into the last loop before heading to the finish. At the time I wasn't sure how far there was too go. This loop included some sharp painful hike a bikes, that was crushing me into the ground!

I caught and past Wendy Sims, she was having some mechanicals, but with no effort she took back off ahead. So I am now working to hold my 3rd place finish. We go into the last descent, wow what a bunch of fun!

I cross the finish line 25mins behind Catherine Pendral (the current world cup leader) and 2 mins behind Wendy Sims. What a great race.



We were covered head to toe in mud - no hose, creek or water to be found. We wipe ourselves down with a towel, change, put our disgusting muddy bikes on our car and head to the beer and band. We hung around for the evening and party of a fire, some hay bails, a band and some great company to camp there the night.



We headed back to Vancouver in the morning after breakfast at the wildwood and stopping in at Whistler to get a few runs in on the Whistler Bike Park - what a great weekend!!

Top 10 Results:

1 Pendrel , Catharine 02:29:31 Kamloops
2 Simms , Wendy 02:52:32 Nanaimo
3 Rose , Megan 02:54:15 North Vancouver
4 Guynup , Joele 02:57:46 Victoria
5 Heisterman , Brandi 02:58:03 Brackendale
6 Paquette , Fanny 03:02:36 Whistler
7 Short , Katherine 03:05:34 Halfmoon Bay
8 Robichaud , Linda 03:07:02 Victoria
9 Allen , Sylvie 03:13:29 Pemberton
10 Bell, Page 03:17:31 Pemberton

BC Marathon Series # 1

ORECRUSHER RACE - SQUAMISH

There are 2 series in BC this year, BC Cup Series and the Marathon Series. I will be doing most of the races from the Marathon Series, although you need to race the last race to be able to be eligible to win the series, and I will be away with Cyclebetes then - oh well, will do what I can.

So orecrusher was a pretty flat by rooty rough technical course. So with no significant climbs and a more challenging course - this was my kind of race.

After arriving earlier enough to prepare and get a good warm up in and ride the course, I stood in line at registration for 45mins .... my plan was out. I now just had time for a quick 10 min warm up!

It was a lemons start (eg run 300m to go and get your bike to start the race). Heart rate straight up to 180. So it was about a 40km race - we had 6 laps to complete, each lap about 6.5km's. First lap I moved into 2nd and stayed with Ann. My aim was to stick with her and see how I felt about half way through. I pushed to keep with you her on the slight climb of the course, then past her on the fast flowy section. Into 2nd lap, she past me on the climb again - I figured this was how it was going to be for the 6 laps! My heart rate was still through the roof, my stomach was in knots, I had to back off and let my heart rate settle as I knew I couldn't maintain this. I backed off a bit, it settled half way through the 2nd lap. Ann had a big fall at the end of the 2nd. We chatted for a bit into the 3rd, she was hurting. I moved into the single track and now just pushed to keep her behind me. I was feeling strong and was able to keep my pace on the slight climbs. I kept pushing hard thinking she was right behind me.

I pulled through first place! woot woot.

Was stoked with how I felt and how the Norco Faze 1 didn't skip a beat on the rough course!

Top 3 Elite Women Results:

Megan Rose - North Vancouver - John Henry Bikes - 02:16:17
Ann Yew - North Vancouver - Team Whistler - 02:20:13
Linda Robichaud - Victoria - Team Whistler - 02:24:41

I was waiting for some pics to put up, but haven't found any yet!
M

BC Cup # 1

3rd Race for the year. The BC Cup Series was about to start with the first race kicking off on the Sunshine Coast of BC. I headed over with Ann. After a short ferry ride, quick stop for food, we got to the start and geared up. I just came from 9 days off the bike on a holiday in Japan, so not sure how the legs were going to take this!



I remember this course from last year, a brutal long climb and a super fun downhill. We had 3 laps to complete. After a 2km hill climb to the start we were ready. A steep hill climb start to our first downhill, I had a little too much air in my tires and was just trying to adjust being thrown around a little more then usual. At the bottom of the downhill there was a creek crossing, last year I managed to ride straight through it, although not able to get around the person in front of me, I actually fail to unclip and find myself sitting in the cold cold creek!!

After a battle with another girl to take 4th place, I now got a lead on her by the 2nd lap, so was chasing 3rd. Back was feeling great compared to last year and legs were feeling stronger! Although each climb I was getting a little slower with fatigue, but each descent I was getting a little faster keeping my lap times very consistent. I was on the last 10+min downhill to the finish and was giving it all I had to try and catch that 3rd place, but had no-one in sight, I come across 4th place, to find I was only 37 sec off getting the 3rd place finish to the girl I had beat by only a few seconds in Cumberland.



Had a great race though, tough but fun course. Felt 100 times better after the race in Cumberland a few weeks ago, was a lot more coherent and not so destroyed, so that was a great thing!

Elite Women Results

1. McKirdy , Jean Ann 01:47:22
2. Yew, Ann 01:53:13
3. GUYRUP, Joele 01:54:40
4. Rose , Megan 01:55:17
5. Short , Katherine 01:57:37
6. COLLINS, Karen 02:08:46
7. Melanson , Julie 02:20:13
8. Lynch, Christine 02:22:56
9. Armstrong , Paula 02:27:05

Island Cup Series # 3 - Cumberland

Second race of the year. I decided to head over to the Island to Cumberland to race. Cumberland was my favorite day of BC Bike Race last year, so I had to return for more fun on the amazing network of trails they have there.

6.30am ferry over. Met up with some Team Whistler guys and we got picked up by Joe at the other end to drive us up to the race. We got a decent warm up in and was ready to go for 12pm.

The line up of riders was great and a good show of girls. There were a couple of top riders there - eg Wendy Sims - international level rider. So I was now aiming for 3rd place and I knew it would be a battle to beat Karen - that I was up against at BC Bike Race last year. 30km mountain bike race, 10km laps - 3 laps to complete.

Nice climb off the start into single track, back out onto a significant fire road climb. The sun was beating down and it truly felt like summer already. Karen was in front on the climb. Into some flowy single track, to another short climb before some some wicked xc trail riding. Caught Karen on the downhill. It was a little sketchy with only 1 brake (my front brake pads were toast).

Into Second lap, I got the call that the girls were ahead by 3mins. I was now aiming to hold my 3rd position. 2nd lap felt better - more warmed up and in the flow and had a clean run with no one in front of me. Back aching!!
I go into 3rd lap - I get the call that the next girl is only ahead by 1min. I hit the last lap as hard as could. My brakes fluid had pumped up a bit so I now have 2 brakes working and more control!
About 2km from the finish I spot her ahead, lucky for me we are still in technical single track so I am gaining on her. I hit it hard pass and pull through to the finish in 2nd !!!

What a tough race, I was worked. Average heart rate of 173 and max of 181. We hung around for a bit after the race then head back to the ferry. To miss it by 2mins. We now had a 2hr wait until the next one, arriving home at 9.30pm - what a long day - but great one! .... And come home to home cooked meal of Salad, Chicken and Yam fries that Richard had all ready when I walked in the door - Oh Yeh - Im one lucky girl !!

Hopefully some photos are to come but they are not up on their website yet.

Top 10 Results:

Expert Women
1	Wendy Simms		2:23:21.00
2	Magan Rose		2:26:03.00
3	Joele Guynup		2:26:31.00
4	Karen Trueman		2:34:05.00
5	Sarah Seads		2:36:31.00
6	Glenowyn Carlson		2:37:09.00
7	Karen Collins		2:46:15.00
8	Nikki Licht		2:51:06.00
9	Julie Melanson		3:00:00.00
	Melissa Dekker

Megan

Dirty Duo

First race for the year - a fun local event to get the legs burning and lungs pumping again ready for riding season.... and well this race sure did that - with an average heart rate of 173, there sure wasn't time to relax and smell the rose's!

The course has been in perfect conditions for most of the winter with absolutely no snow that allowed us to keep our bikes out for the entire winter - but well this is dirty duo, so of course down came the snow just 2 days out, followed by a perfect amount of rain to make the course a mud pit on the lower trails and an icy slush pit on the higher trails. This just made it all that much more fun!

After a quick trip for emergency repairs to John Henry and hour before the race to fix my locked on brake, Jeff had me all fixed up and on time to the race. Thanks Jeff! and with my tubeless now all set up, my Norco was all ready to go.
We were off at 11am, straight up hill, lungs blowing up within the first 5 mins and a nice little technical climb up Richard Juryn Trail. Over to circuit 8 and drop down to the creek and into Bridle, covered head to toe in mud already. Battling back and forth with some of the 25km runners on bridle between the short up and downs of the trail, we hit old buck climb - backs killing me, I stop for a quick stretch. Push on up old buck and pass Tutti cheering us on! (or was he yelling at me that I was going to slow??!) Up baden powell and now hit the snow, with persistence I keep trying to ride up it, but finally give in and walk the last part in ankle deep snow. Ok we are now at the top - NEDs trail here we come, fun but sketchy with the layer of snow and wetness. I hold on for the ride my Norco is about to take me on! I am thankful for the 5 inch of travel on the front of this new race bike!

After an endo on bottle top - I am crossing the creek for the last section. back up and down Richard Juryn and I am at the finish line in first place and placed 4th in the men's division. I am happy with my first race for the year!

Thanks to John Henry and Norco for getting me and my bike to the beginning of the 2010 biking season.

M

IT'S TIME....

Well with the warmest February on record for Vancouver, biking season is off to an early start..... and with the excitement of me receiving my new 2010 xc race bike yesterday - a Norco Faze 1. This year I will be racing as
"John Henry Bikes / Norco"

After being destroyed on a ride in Squamish on Saturday by a few of the Team Whistler boys, I got inspired to get myself back in action!! Plus I have a super fun line up of events and races this year, so had better get a head start on getting this body ready! I am going to be working hard to keep this ITB injury under control and actually gain some strength back in the legs this year - I'm pumped!

Quick night ride with Richard last night to test out the new ride. Feels great, rides smooth! Looking forward to making a few tweaks and setup adjustments and getting back out on the trail in about an hour with Ann Yew and giving it a bigger test!

Ok so here is my 2010 line up - give or take a few:

March:
Dirty Duo
EV Road Spring Series

April:
Possible Sea Otter MTB California

May:
BC Cup # 1: Sunshine Coast
BC Marathon Series # 1: Orecrusher
BC Cup # 2: Nanaimo
BC Cup # 3: South Surrey

June:
BC Marathon Series # 2: North Shore Fest
Sunshine Coast MTB trip with the girls!
BC Marathon Series # 3: Test of Metal
24hr of Light MTB: Yukon

July:
Chil Coltins Trip

August:
100 miler Bend Oregon
Cyclebetes 3 weeks across Canada

September:
Granfondo Giro 120km Road Race
Crank the Shield: 3 day MTB stage race, Ontario

Stay tuned for more updates...

M