The Glow Day!

Melanie McQuaid on the left (Leader of the Epic Course Solo Women), myself on the right. BEFORE I found out I'd podiumed!

The crowd near the results must of thought me a freak. I did one big happy dance when I took a glance at the postings. I so didn’t know what to expect.
The day started beautifully in Squamish. Us Challengers were to follow the Red Bull car up, up, up, and way up.
When my head popped up over the Red Bull to the sky I saw the forest range looming in the distance. Pretty high.
Challengers were told there was an Aid Station soon in on the course. It was about 30 minutes in. I popped off for a banana. Thinking I could pack it in my Bento Box, it was small enough. Grabbed some water and a few oranges and off I went.
In Victoria at Hartland aka the ‘Dump’ there is a new trail called Torpedo. Real pumpish. Super flowy for the dh’ers. Once we did a mash of climbing we entered into a longer Squamish version called the Half Nelson. Hootin’ and hollering it was a banger. Until the Epics rolled up. It was honking. Staying tight to one side I let them giver.
Felt a little out of control I have to say.
Once down we, you guessed it, did some more climbing then hit combos of rock gardens and gashin’ freakin’ switchbacks. Goal today, steady, have fun and remain tight.
We were told 30 kilometres for us today. Epics were doing 60.
Had the pleasure of being passed twice by the Epics. The likes of Wendy Simms, Melanie McQuaid, Andreas Hestler. I would roll to the side if it was a grinder so I didn’t slow them down.
Aid Station two, which I didn’t think there was one for us Challengers saw me quaffing a banana. Somewhere on the Half Nelson I’m sure I lost the one I’d picked up at the first stop. No surprise.
Surprisingly I felt really good. I’d taken some Wild Oregano Oil with me luckily as I’d been fighting the stomach flue for three days. Seemed to be back on track today. The climbing was fine. I didn’t beat myself up. My legs felt good. I went as steady as I could.
As usual I challenge myself (no pun intended) at the finish to gun it. I rolled over the line and once again thanked my bike. My new 2008 Devinci Moonracer. She took a lot of pounding out there. Tons of rock jumps. Once again, she got me home safe.
I take a shower then go and get her all cleaned up. Looking at the chain I do my best to clean it off. I’m technically challenged with anything mechanical on bikes, so ask around if what I’m doing is right. Everyone is super helpful. Especially the Obsession Bikes’ guys. I did a last minute pedal change this morning as I’d broken one of my Crank Brother clips. Riding 45 km with one clip sucked yesterday. Didn’t want to go there today.
Once I got the dirty work done and loaded her on the truck I went on the search for power. Sitting at the Mash tent my eyes caught the results postings up. I went to check. OMG. SECOND! SECOND! I podiumed!!!! I couldn’t believe it. I asked Dr. Wilson to go double check for me. He came back with a picture. Sitting fifth overall, with a second place finish in Day 6 of BC Bike Race Solo Women's Challenge course. I have to say, I’ve got a bit of a glow on right now!!!
Day 7 is at Whistler. This has been so much fun. Living like a Pro. It has gone so fast. On Day 0 President and Founder of BC Bike Race, Dean Payne said something to the effect, “Enjoy your biking camp.”
One gal from Australia claimed it was her holiday. We both agreed, we are a bit looney in the head to be doing what we’re doing and calling it a holiday.
Honestly I am loving every minute of it.

For more information on the BC Bike Race Epic and Challenge courses go to www.bcbikerace.com

I Did the 'Dick'

Everyone looked so serious. Here I am thinking I’m one of them. Ha ha ha. Clearly I’m a wanna be.
I’ve never beaten myself up more in my life then I did today. Cross country mountain biking they call it. The marathon xc race in the BC Cup. I’m amongst Olympians in the beginning.
I recognized it to be a good day when I left my son’s buddy’s house on my way to the race and there on the front doorstep was a penny. “Pick it up and for the rest of the day you’ll have good luck….” I suppose. Then aren’t you meant to pass it on?
Anyway I took it as a good sign for the day. Put myself in a positive frame of mind. It was coolish outside but at least it wasn’t raining.
I kinda wished I hadn’t decided to do the Wild Rose Cleanse this week though. My carb loading consisted of rice cakes, almonds and an apple. Satisfied the gut in the beginning. I reflected on my son’s father’s comments when we had left the house (my son’s racing downhill tomorrow). “You’re not supposed to exercise when you’re on that though.”
I’m at the North Shore Bike Festival in Vancouver. Waiting for the race to start. I ask Olympian and BC Bike Race Marketing Director, Andreas Hestler for some advise. I tell him I’m nervous.
“Once you pedal out the nerves just relax and enjoy it,” he says. Something like that anyway.
I got a chuckle at the start when I stacked myself in the middle of the pack and some guy pegs me with an explanation that the Citizen Racers go at the back. How’d he know I wasn’t a Cycling BC licensed rider? Did I have 'C' on my forehead?
The organizer rounds up the tape markers in preparation for the start. This turned out to be the easiest part of the day. He whispered to all of us that it was a Lamond start (like I know what that is – NOT) and we’d be running that way. Sounds ridiculous I think to myself. Not a chance. No way. He’s kidding.

See the Flikr link for some race start and course action:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/janevictoriaking/sets/72157624087889607/

Nope he wasn’t. The good thing when I did my sprint across the field to hoist my bike up and carry on was that there at the front of the pack was Andreas’ bike. Me thinks to myself maybe I could get ahead of the Olympian... hee hee…
Then the fun begins. I’d heard a few people talking about how everyone involved in the race has kept the course start a secret. Chuckle, chuckle. What for?
Sure enough we start by running, picking up our bikes and then riding the BMX track! WOOT WOOT!
After that the fun really begins.
I forget to unlock my lock-out at the first single track muddy, rooty, rocky climb. By the time I notice I’m glad. It’s the start of the downhill. No wonder I was sucking at climbing. My excuse and I’m sticking to it!
I really have been training. Riding anywhere from 9-13 hours a week. Clearly, not enough.
Some parts of the climbs I had to shake my head. They really ride up this? I was Queen of Hike-a-Bike at times!
I spent time adjusting my seat position, which was good. Took a few tumbles. Mostly jammin’ or slipping. Rode some stuff I didn’t think I could. Till about three quarters of the way and I had a funny feeling in my front wheel. Good thing I stopped to inspect. Quick release was released. Oops. Happy it was before all the downhill. And smiling cause it was after the infamous Severed Dick.
I had heard a lot about this ride. Extreme. Whatever. Just a few big drops is all. About the same as the rest of the course in my opinion.
It was all challenging.
I have to say though that I was extremely grateful for all the happy, encouraging and smiling volunteers along the way. Before the race started another Citizen rider claimed he was just going to be happy to finish the race. Didn’t matter where he placed, as long as he did it. I turned around to him with my arms in the air “Hey, I’m the tailgater!”
“You are, are you?” he replies. “Then you’re bear bait!”
Oh lovely I think to myself.
Unfortunately that resonated with me for the entire four hours and almost 38 minutes I took to ride the course. Yep, I finished alive and last. The tailgater. But not the bear bait!

Note: At an after party at Andreas' house I meet the person who won the race. He did it in one hour and 53 minutes (1:53). I claim the tailgater spot and he tells me the name for the person finishing last is Lantern Rouge