The Road Unknown

Not very often I consider the out and backs for a road ride.

Given I’m a woman of dimension. Not at all interested in doing the same thing twice.

Dreadfully dull I say.

Boring.

But when I set out on Saturday to Squamish in the blistering heat of the day I gave in to the bend.

I figured I would try the return trip too.

After a day of hiking.

I reckoned the view is likely to change.

Given it’s the Sea to Sky highway.

Lots of people have done it. By bike. Vancouver all the way to Whistler. 
7,000 last year in the RBC GranFondo Whistler.

I wanted to experience why.

Injury prevented me in 2011.

These days I have the pleasure of working for GranFondo Canada. So I knew the highway shoulders had been swept well from winter.

Gravel bits and glass cleared for the rubber to the road.

As I set out from North Vancouver the eyes stayed on the highway. The Upper Levels highway.

A yes to gravel, rocks, glass, garbage and the like.

But once past Taylor Way the fun began.

The shoulder was clean!

I was melting. It was 12:15pm when I got rolling. No choice for the time due to earlier commitments.

My journey to Britannia Beach was truly epic. 
Except for the big buses and cars zooming by.

Breathtaking majestic views. Clear clean blue skies. A wonderful cross-breeze when needed.

The outlines to the ocean and the mountains took my breath away.
Sure I’d driven it.
But riding it you see so much more.

I had a great visit with my pal, Tamsin and her family. We hiked the four lakes in Squamish, cooked and baked and ate.

This morning I did the smart thing.

I got rolling at 7am for the return trip home.

Yes, it was epic.

Yes, it was beautiful.

And yes, the viewpoints looked different.

I didn’t look back.

The ride on the shoulder wasn’t as clean. The drainage grates were deep.

What I could see and feel truly took my breath away.

As cars sped by I thought how much they must miss.

Going my speed I get to see it all.

This being, my first ride - on the road unknown.

Event Makers

Certain folks flap their gums. Smack their lips. Talk. 

But talk is cheap.

Super enjoy those that walk their talk.

No question cycling is big in my world. So’s the eruption of GranFondo events.

Worldwide.

If you haven’t yet heard of GranFondo Canada, you will.

I remember hearing Kevin Thomson talking about a bike ride from Vancouver to Whistler. One that would cross the Lion’s Gate Bridge.

Closed to traffic.

A few years later what he talked about, happened.

First year - 4,000 participants. This year - 7,000 spandex bods.

I’m on site at Whistler with my computer, camera and TELUS Sierra Wireless stick to help out. Tweeting and Facebooking.

Of course I’d love to be doing the ride.

It’s full on from the Whistler cool morning light to the full moon tonight.

The after party begins. 54-40 in Whistler's Celebration Plaza. Live.
We’re in sweltering heat throughout the day. In the most scenic mountainous and epic west coast picturesque place on earth.
My mind speaks to my heart. This truly is incredible.

You could do all four GranFondoCanada’s and experience majestic beauty everywhere you go - all while riding a bike.

These folks really are the event makers.

Rest and Relaxation?

Never was one for lying around on a beach. Holidays for me need to incorporate activity. Exercise. Sweat.

Turns out this year I’m doomed.

No chance for holidays.

No chance for a sweat. Just yet.

But when I heard some peeps were heading to Crankworx at Whistler I rang.

I’m in.

What’s better then watching other people? Especially on bikes.

Only been a few years since I hung. It’s always a blast.

First year witnessing Crankworx the live music in the plaza was K’NAAN. Before the spread of “Waving Flag” and the FIFA World Cup. Turns out he’s live again tonight!

Synonymous with gravity shows is the music and the video scene.

I’m stoked to be able to dial in this year.

It’s a spectator sport! Filled with eye candy.

Rest and relaxation?
What’s that?!

What Now?

The last seven days breezed by. When I crossed the finish line of Day 7 of the Challenge Course for BC Bike Race at the base of Blackcomb in Whistler, Dean Payne the Founder and President asked me to take my helmet off. He then dawned me with the BCBR belt buckle. The thing that dangled in my head on those 4:15 a.m. wake-ups to get that three-hour ride in before work.
I couldn’t help get emotional. I DID IT! I rode all seven days. And I’ve got at least two or three bruises or cuts from each day to prove it.
As I move through the finish shoot I’m asked for my t-shirt size. Next I receive the official Finisher shirt. I call my son.
While I climbed through Whistler today I thought to myself, what now? I’m going to wake up tomorrow morning and not have to worry about getting in the breakfast line early. I’ll have to make my own coffee, find my own breakfast. I won’t have Christian from Austria (pictured above) to talk to about today’s course. We were both Challengers. (He Googled mountain biking sightseeing and found the BC Bike Race.)
This morning as we were packing up in Squamish I could hear Australia talking about their plans for a Walkabout in BC. Another claimed Alaska. Then I heard from the Belgium’s, a canoe trip. A few of the folks from Calgary unfortunately had to bolt back home and to work.
Tourism BC must love the BC Bike Race. I heard 21 countries. Many with support crew travelling with them. Most staying longer in BC and elsewhere. Some support crews volunteer with the BCBR crew along the way. We’ve all become a family. I feel sad to leave it.
During last night’s dinner we had the Squamish logger chainsaw demonstration. Everyone thought stool when he did his cuts out of a piece of firewood. Instead he made a ‘B’ out of the wood and then pulled out the rest for BCBR. I got quite emotional.
It takes a team to make this happen. Yet a leader with a vision and charisma to pave the way. Constant reminders of areas for improvement, suggestions or ideas to make it even better were always announced.
I can’t say today’s course was my favourite. I’m not a downhiller, even though my son is the current Junior National Champion. The skate through the Whistler Bike Park was a three-bike pile-up for me. The inverted lip of a pump found me in high gear with no oomph to get over it. Bailing but my clips wouldn’t let me. Crash. Then Australia piled into me and US I think it was after that. We managed to grab our bikes and shake off the bruises enough. I keep going. Next it’s the Lost Lake Trails. Pure single track. Good challenges. Then a big hill climb. I take to the downhill trail this time knowing we’re almost done. Today’s course being a mere 20 km. The same for the Epics. The least, besides the Prologue on Day 0 that we’ve had week.
So to ask the question what could possibly be improved upon for the BC Bike Race? Not sure, at the moment, that I know how to answer that.
I’ll be heading to the Banquet shortly. To say goodbye to everyone. To yack with South Africa a bit. And Calgary, the US, Belgium, Australia, maybe New Zealand, Switzerland and Boston and so on. We’ll find each other on the BC Bike Race Fan Page I’m sure. Or on the trails somewhere, some time. What a week.
As I walk back from the finish arch I see someone running and think to myself, maybe the half marathon next?

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