Day One, BC Bike Race Challenge course was a blast. The early morning evolved first with a bus trip to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. I sat with a gentleman from Switzerland named Bat (pronounced Baet). Immediately I popped the question, “Are you racing or are you riding?”
This was the first of many similar overhead comments.
“I’m riding it.”
So starts the day. While there was some grumbling over not beginning in Nanaimo, one guy put it right.
“Ferry rides do a lot for reducing the pace of life.”
I was lucky as somehow I managed to make it to the front of the line for the Island Breakfast and the rock star view on the Coastal Renaissance. A nice breather to begin the day.
Heading out of Departure Bay ferry terminal was a hoot. The rock n’roll blasted and there were yips and yeahs heard as we heaved to over the start line. An 8 km roll to the trails.
I’m riding the Challenge Course, which is a first for BC Bike Race and half the distance of the Epic. For all the deets go to www.bcbikerace.com
I met another Challenger in line. Deborah from Texas. She claimed nerves. I didn’t see it. We both agreed, ride it smooth and steady. Have fun.
We’re almost to the trails and some fellow says he’s a member of the Tortoise Club. Perfect. That’s better then the BPC (Back of the Pack Club).
I have to say one of the funniest things I overheard en route was, “Anyone else burping up sausage?”
Once in the single track a little stop and go snail moves before the pack spread out a bit. What a ride. I’m telling you. There was rooty rocky technical single track with picturesque rocks, the trail so named the Abyss. And lots of power moves!I was grateful for the power date bars I was given by my pal, Tamsin. Perfect slow release of sugar that kept me givin’er.
Near the end the Challengers broke off to the Glory Hole. Solely constructed for the BC Bike Race finish. (Rumoured to not exist.) There was some testy sketchy downhill. I walked. Glad I did as I came upon a magical waterfall. Then the Uni started to catch up to me. Had to give’er again. No way was I going to get passed by an Unicyclist! Me on two wheels forged the last 2 km to the roundabout finish on the track in Nanaimo.
I heard, Andreas Hestler over the loud speaker after he sneaked in claim it was the best course he’d ever ridden. Bar none.
“It was hard, it was fun it was the ultimate single track experience.”
Day One BC Bike Race done. Wow, what a day!
