Day 3 Campbell River: 48km Epic Course
Cory Wallace solo for stage win: top three men within 2 seconds overall. Simms wins, but women's overall is shuffled.
Today's sun finally treated racers to the beauty of the Sunshine Coast under clear skies. The entire BC Bike Race operation left Campbell River this morning to take the second BC Ferries trip across the Georgia Strait to the town of Powell River. Riders were greeted by the sound of the Powell River community ringing cowbells and cheering their arrival. If that wasn't enough to lift some damp spirits, the surrounding trails planted the biggest smiles of the week on racers faces.
The Sunshine coast is accessible only by air or ferry and it's amazing how well the trails are maintained despite the small community of riders and trail builders.
Mens Race
Riders started day three from Willingdon Beach in downtown Powell River and immediately started working their way to the trails of Rolling Thunder. With a bold solo move five kilometers into today's 48km race Cory Wallace of Kona bikes won his first stage in 17 attempts. A three-race veteran and frequent runner-up, Wallace finally had his day after riding alone in front of the favorites for over two hours.
Cory emerged first to the bottom of 'Suicide Creek Trail', the first Easton Gravity Enduro section, with a 45 second gap and a lot of trail left. The rain had slowed the trails down but mud was surprisingly kept at bay. The contrasting brown stitch of trail winding its way through a bearded electric green forest had to make it difficult for Wallace or any rider to keep their eye on the trail.
Out of the last section of trail through the final Gravity Enduro Section, Wallace was still holding a 45 second gap. The chase group had whittled down to Sheppard, Kindree, Wicks, Hadley, and the Team of Two Duo from Jamis. Guido Thaler (Craft-Rocky Mount) had come off the pace in the last singletrack, but his skills on the BC trails had improved enough to keep him with the lead group for most of the day. Daniel Gathof of Germany had an off day, with an unfortunate series of flat tires and lost 40 minutes on the day.
Day four in Earls Cove is the queen stage of the BC Bike Race and there are sure to be some motors sputtering as the pace heats up on the 2100 meters of climbing. The general classification has never been tighter than this year with Wicks, Kindree, and Sheppard all within two seconds of each other. Hadley, Wallace, and Carter Hovey are all within nine minutes of each other.
Women's Race
The story of the women's epic race is quickly shaping up to be about the fight for the second and third steps of the podium. Wendy Simms (Kona) has wrapped her fists around the leaders jersey even though she put the least amount of time on her competitors today than the previous two.
Due to a corrected mistake that put Melinda Jackson (Team KiwiRoo) in the wrong category on the results, she has now taken over second place in the general classification. A New Zealander on a month trip around the Pacific Rim, Jackson was third on the day by a second to the rejuvenated Sonya Looney (Topeak Ergon). Soonya is now 4th on the overall, but Wednesday's stage is sure to suit her big-mountain Colorado legs. Alex Robinette (Bicycle Sport Shop 2) isn't likely to let her 3rd place go easily, so watch her to fight to the end to stay the first US female solo rider.
Men's Duo
Thomas Turner and Jason Sager of Jamis Bikes made it two of three today with a commanding lead, finishing with the lead solo riders. Bad luck struck Rocky Mountain Factory Team 1 when Colin Kerr cut his hand enough to need stitches at the end of the stage. Kerr and his partner Greg Day didn't abandoned the race, but the injury slowed them enough to fall to third on the day but not change their overall.
The Clif Bar team of the brothers Heitman (Garett and Jake) took 4th, ahead of the other team of brothers, Nic and Simon Lamond (Lamond Bros). Michael Colwill and Scott Martin of Team Monz split the two teams for a fifth place on the day but maintained 4th overall.
For accomplished South African stage racer Nic Lemond and his brother Simon "The BC Bike Race was on our bucket list the moment we heard about it." "I've been to BC before and I had to come back."
Women's Duo gets a new stage winner.
The dominating 'Moab Maidens' who had won the first two days came apart a little today in the trails of Powell River. Quick to show they could fill the top spot, Team 'Mo Crazy' cut the finish-line first with the Maidens in disorder.
The biggest tussle shaping in the woods is between the current third and fourth place. The 'Canmore Crazy Chicks' have a mere 47 seconds lead over team 'Frisky Business'. It's a fight for Canadian pride to sit on the last podium spot and with only three days down and four to go it's a story yet unwritten.
Men's Master Solo
The BC Bike Race international field is represented well by Namibian rider Mannie Heimans. Heimans is an Olympian, former World Cup race and winner of the Trans-Alp, and Cape Epic.
Second place also made a long journey to ride the trails of the BC Bike Race. 'Peiking Man', Chad Forrest of China is only a couple minutes up on Canadian Craig Gillett.
Easton Gravity Enduro
The two stages of today's Easton Gravity Enduro were owned by the local North Shore Olympian Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain Bikes). Josh Carlson (Giant) was second on the first stage but fell back on stage two where Matt Hadley got his first Gravity Enduro podium.
Day Four
With 2100 meters of climbing in 65km the Earls Cove-Sechelt stage is traditionally the toughest course of the race. After three days of energy sapping wet trails, the climbing will surely feel as if it's steeper and longer than years past. Fireworks will be lit and while some will sparkle bright a couple might fizzle. It will likely be a day that transforms the general classification as racers begin to enter the deeper layers of the proverbial 'Hurt Locker' or as Dave Toll says enter the, "Pain Cave".
Day 4 Earls Cove to Sechelt: 62km Epic Course
Riders treated to Sunshine Coast gold: Half-way mark is behind the riders.
Stage four of the BC Bike Race began by boat or floatplane over the spectacular Jervis Inlet and finished with grass under the riders' feet in a field only blocks from the ocean. It was a refreshing finish after completing the days longest stage. Riders were able to grab a meal at the catered food truck and flop onto the green carpet exchanging stories of the day. Crossing the threshold of the halfway point in a seven-day stage race changes the atmosphere and a mixture of joy and calm is washing over the riders.
Variety and climbing distinguished the course as riders left from the BC Ferries Earl's Cove terminal and immediately climbed towards the Sunshine Coast Trail. It was a great day of ducking in and out of trail that varied from roller coaster dual-track, to ripping high-speed berms in forest-cuts, to singletrack lined with ancient old growth forests. The previous days of rain made perfect corners where it was usually dry and loose. Ribbons of dirt pierced that special green canopy that riders have become intimate with, in the BC rain forests.
The Racing
By day four, riders from 1st to 500th are settling into their own grooves and discovering themselves riding with similar people every day. The media is talking about who's leading the pack but the riders are finding themselves engaging with the riders closest to them. New friendships and fun rivalries have begun to develop as hours are spent sharing hand built trails deep in the BC forests. Those are the other races within the race and one of the unheralded parts of stage racing.
Men's Solo Epic
As predicted, day four was a game changer. After three stages the top three men were separated by only 2 seconds, so it was inevitable that on the queen stage someone would be looking to send a message COD. Team Kona rider Barry Wicks wasted no time at the post office and sent it in the first kilometer.
Soon after the start, Rocky Mountain Factory Team rider, Chris Sheppard was caught off-guard. "I looked down at my wheel and when I looked up they (Wicks and teammate Cory Wallace) were 10 seconds up the road."
After pulling for his teammate, yesterday's stage winner Wallace flatted early and Wicks continued on with a blistering pace. By the time Sheppard and Specialized rider Neil Kindree caught Wicks, both had burned any reserves they might have had to counter later attacks. Wicks and Kindree dropped Sheppard on the final climb. Kindree was next to lose contact; this time on the descent to home base when he bobbled once then blew a turn. Wicks took the opportunity to slice through the ribbons of brown all the way home. Kindree finished a minute and a half back while Sheppard took a four-minute stake to the heart.
The chase pack of Carter Hovey, Benoit Simard, Matt Hadley, and Wallace crossed the line within two minutes of each other to keep their race for the last podium spots tight.
Men's Team of Two
From top to bottom the results sheet shows small rivalries between teams fighting for places on the general classification. Jason Sager and Thomas Turner of the Jamis team have continued to finish at the front of the race, but it is the game being played between the two Rocky Mountain Factory Teams that has the local twitter-sphere cramping their thumbs. For the second day in a row Kevin Calhoun and Keith Stark of Factory Team 2 took time out of Colin Kerr and Greg Day of Team 1, who have suffered from unfortunate circumstances.
The other developing dual has Team Rocky Retro 95, Wade Simmons and Mike Hunter chasing down the Lamond Bros. The question is if Simmons and Hunter will close the gap or 'huck to flat' in their quest.
Men's Masters Solo
Mannie Heimen from Namibia took another stage win today, but second place Chad Forrest was a slim minute-and-half back. The race within the race might be between Chris Birch of Canada and Al Killick of New Zealand. After four days they are less than a minute apart and wrestling for one more spot.
Women's Solo Epic
Wendy Simms (Kona) looks to be cruising to the finish line with her feet kicked up as she slid across the finish line today, a little dirty but with a relaxed smile. "I rode with a really good group of guys that I was with for a good chunk of the race and it was really fun. It was part Van (Vancouver) a couple island boys, yeah it just kind of flowed and was really fun."
A race with-in-the race in the women's category is definitely developing between Melinda Jackson of Australia and Sonya Looney (Topeak/Ergon). "Today it was intensely steep. Sonya helped me so much. We were just talking so much. I think all the dudes are really confused because we just talk to each other all the time. We're riding hard but girls just like, you know exchange words quite often." The two are already joking about doing Cape Epic together. Looney moved to third overall while Jackson still has a solid hold on her 2nd place.
Women's Team of Two
The race could be slipping from the grip of the Moab Maidens as the ladies of Mo Crazy take another win, tying the Maidens with two stages each. Still the Mo Crazy team would need to close a 24minute gap over three days of racing. Crunch time is here and who-ever can keep their team running with the fewest physical or mental breakdowns will be the victor is whistler.
Easton Gravity Enduro Day 4
It seems as if Andreas Hestler of the Rocky Mountain Factory Team is going to chip away at the overall Easton Gravity Enduro till he has sculpted his own trophy. With two wins today and his previous stage wins Hestler is looking to be the king of his own domain. Josh Carlson is likely to have the greatest chance of challenging the man from North Van, but time is ticking and he'll have to step on it if he wants a chance.
Tomorrow Day 5: Sechelt to Langdale
Riders will have a shorter stage to gather their wits but this could possibly rank highest on their list of favorite days. The weather is looking to cooperate and the trails are some of the most spectacular of the week. With new bridges built by local riders and the community of Sechelt the connection between the flow of trails like Hwy 103, White Knuckle Tight and Lower Flume makes the day one to write in the diary (blog) about. It's a guaranteed dunk when a stage ends with seven kilometers of downhill trails from Hwy 102, Sidewinder and The Plunge to the ferry finish line.
Day 5 Sechelt to Langdale: 40km Epic Course
Kindree gets first stage win and takes overall by 5 seconds. Easton Gravity Enduro stage longest of race.
With hump-day out of the way, riders got to touch their tires to classic Sunshine Coast singletrack on the 40km course from Sechelt to the BC Ferry terminal of Langdale. With over 1400 meters of climbing, earning those turns was no easy task but the rewards included the one-of-a-kind 7km singletrack descent down 'HWY 102' and 'Sidewinder'. Through the newest piece of singletrack that took two years to build, riders couldn't help but give a yell to the forest as their bodies and bikes danced and weaved through the woods. Trains of riders spanked and got spanked by the brown belt of trail that never seemed to buckle under their weight.
The atmosphere has become an international stew, with languages from 33 countries floating in the broth. This traveling adventure has been a good opportunity to tune up second languages and learn about riding around the world. The BC Bike Race has definitely hit it's stride as the wear of racing five days has dulled riders' guards and new friendships are solidifying in the sharing of stories and personal space.
The Race
In today's stage along the resplendent Sunshine Coast, Neil Kindree (Specialized/EMD Serono) came to the table and put a winning bid for the overall on the table. At the close of yesterday's stage the prevailing attitude was that Barry Wicks (Kona Bikes) had signed the deed to the house, but in the closest men's race in BCBR history this sale is still open for bids. Wicks didn't exactly fall apart, but Kindree didn't waste any time in reclaiming the time he had lent Barry the day before and charged him an extra five-seconds for the loan. Chris Sheppard of the Rocky Mountain Factory team also slapped Wicks with a penalty by dropping him on the RedBull Gravity Enduro stage, which he won in dominating fashion, and regulated Wicks to third place, his lowest finish of the race.
Kindree flew through the first half of the race and by the time he reached 'Guys Gulch' trail and started the climb up 'Hwy 103' he had a slim 45 seconds on Sheppard. Riders were greeted by the most technical section of climbing and had to negotiate roots and four-inch wide skinnies to avoid the wettest sections of old forest. Tired bodies were hugging the side of the ridge and carefully balancing across classic North Shore style bridges that looked ready to be absorbed by the rain forest if left un-ridden for a week.
At the entrance to the Easton Gravity Enduro Redbull section, Kindree had a solid minute lead, but Wicks and Sheppard were in pursuit. Wicks led into the final descent but with a few too many miss-steps and Sheppard was able go solo as he floated away on the rollicking descent.
Matt Hadley of the Exprezo Borseo-Factory team rolled in seven minutes back for fourth. "Today was great, super fun. I really like singletrack and this was a good day for shredding. Those first three guys just have a little more snap."
In the overall Kindree now has the slimmest margin of five seconds over Wicks while Sheppard has cut his deficit to three and a half minutes. Hadley and Cory Wallace (Kona) are only separated by 3:45. With two days left it means there are still plenty of checks to be cashed.
Men's Epic Masters Solo
Namibia rider Mannie Heyman's (Ormin) is still setting an unstoppable pace for the Master's category. Chad Forrest (Peking Man) has come from China to make the most of his race and isn't going to settle in and is fighting off a field that would love to take the second position on the podium.
Women's Open Epic
Wendy Simms hasn't let her lead slow her down and she seems to be enjoying pushing her pace. Below Simms the podium has shuffled on the stage with Hanna Thorne of New Zealand shifting into her gear as the trail pointed her direction, down. Thorne was second in the Solo Women's category and took a substantial four and a half minutes from everyone but Simms.
When asked about why today was the New Zealander's stage, Thorne pumped the finishing descent as a major factor. "More sustained climbing at the start rather than lots of short bursts and then just the long-long descent at the end. That's (descents) what I like the most and I'm sort of the best at."
Thorne still hasn't taken an overall spot from Melinda Jackson (Team KiwiRoo) or Sonya Looney (Topeak Ergon) but she is within three and a half minutes coming into her favorite stage at Squamish. Apparently Thorne is an aerial expert and is anticipating ripping the trail Half Nelson into submission.
Pam Frentzel-Beyme of the United States is sitting comfortably in 5th place while below her is a tug-a-war between Rahel Ruegge (Swisschocolate) of Switzerland and Fanny Paquette (Rocky Mountain) of Canada. Ruegga has spent the last two days sharing trail with Megan Rose who is the female member of the winning Mixed duo-team. "The last two days I was riding with Rose but we speak to each other and it's fun. One time she is in front of me, one time I am in front of her at the finish."
Men's Duo Team of 2
Four men sprinted for the team of two finish and it was Kevin Calhoun and Keith Stark of the Rocky Mountain Factory Team 2 who got their first stage win against the dominating Team Jamis. Thomas Turner and Jason Sager couldn't hold off the Rocky team who has been stoking the fire all week and might just be ready to burn the house down with two stages to go.
The Clif Bar team of Garrett and Jake Heitman maintained a fourth place in the general classification but Wade Simmons and Mike Hunter of the Rocky Retro95 team who were rocking the spandex, couldn't transform the performance enhancing outfit switch to extra spots on the overall.
Easton Gravity Enduro
The longest Gravity Enduro stage brought new enduro stage winners to the podium. Andreas Hestler of the Rocky Mountain Factory Team checked off another win on the Fox Gravity Enduro stage one. He looked to be on a roll, but his momentum stalled on the second Redbull Enduro stage. It definitely payed to be at the front of the pack as evidenced by the three men who filled first through third on the 20 minute stage. Sheppard let his desire to drop Wicks motivate him to a winning time of 19:21.
Neil Kindree lost 18 seconds to Sheppard but managed to finish three seconds faster than Wicks.
Day 5 Squamish
For 48km, the trails of Squamish, previously voted the best stage of the week, will host one of the most memorable mountain bike days for riders to take home and try to explain. As the famous climbing wall 'The Chief' looms over their heads they'll have a chance plunge through forests that have more treats than Christmas morning. Racers who prefer gravity fed trails will have their day of reckoning while the climbers try to make up for their glowing brakes on the descents. Tomorrows stage will introduce the world to the now infamous purpose-built trail 'Half Nelson' the legendary gnarl of the 'Plunge'.
Later in the day, the kids of Squamish will have a chance to show off their mountain-town pedigree at the Shimano Kids race in Brennan Park next to base camp. It is the final kids race of four that the BC Bike Race has hosted at different towns along the 2012 route.
Day 6 Squamish: 48km Epic Course
On the penultimate stage it was time to open up and see what is under the hood.
esterday riders of the BC Bike Race awoke to the sun peaking over the 'Chief', a solid dome of granite, standing a reassuring 417 meters above the tents of base-camp. Nestled by the protective 'Chief' and Garibaldi Peak, the atmosphere of the traveling pageant that is the BC Bike Race obtained a sense of peace unmatched by any other stage.
That was the morning calm, but this Squamish stage, sponsored by Shimano, was one of the most colorful of the week. There was a kids race, a snow cone vendor, a brick-oven pizza cart and pulled pork BBQ all served in the race pit. The traditional beer garden was filled all afternoon, giving spectators and riders an open-air social club to cheer the finishing riders. The beautiful day on the trails capped with a beer and cheering set the celebratory tone for riders who now see the end of their seven-day journey only one stage away in Whistler.
For riders, a multi-day stage race will rub away the layers of paint that racers live behind, eventually bringing different hues of emotions to the surface. Some days the emotion exposed is joy while on others it's a mental low to overcome. By day six every rider has grappled with a few of their inner beings, each coming to an understanding of the other, like neighbors who can yell through the apartment walls asking for sugar.
From Neil Kindree, the Solo Epic leader, to Janet Rygnestad in the Solo Challenge category the emotional tug-of-war is an act of becoming better more self-aware riders. On stages previous to Squamish, Rygnestad was loving life one day, hypothermic another, on top of the world the following then at a low point the next. "I was shattered last night, and I just lay in bed this morning thinking 'I don't want to ride this anymore'" When asked what got her motivated to get up and ride she said "I just love Squamish. I got it out of my head that I was chasing these three particular women and I switched out of race mode and I switched to 'I'm going to have a really good day riding today. And I did, I had a fabulous time."
Six days on the road and the end is looming near for racers who have forgotten what day it is, but know what stage they just completed. Today, stage six, the bubble that is the BC Bike Race occupied the town of Squamish and its miles of premium singletrack. The experience of riding trails like 'Half Nelson', 'The Plunge', and 'Seven Stitches' are never justified by videos. In a place like Squamish, the experience is only complete when the dirt is under you.
It was Austrailan Dave Nairn's reason to return, "I did the race four years ago and it was my favorite stage then and I think it will be again. So flowy and just all the woops and massive berms that are bigger than you. It's nothing you get in Australia."
You also don't get Neil Kindree or Chris Sheppard working together for a common cause.
Easton Gravity Enduro
The Easton Gravity Enduro was expanded to 13 stages this year and as the week has progressed riders have become more aware of the significance of having some of the best descents labeled before-hand. The result of the Enduro has been to give people a cue for when they can really enjoy a section of trail.
Riders like Ross Schnell (Trek), Josh Carlson (Giant) and even Barrry Wicks (Kona) were expected to be duking it out, but going into the last stage it seems that Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain) has wrapped his fists around the virtual trophy.
Carlson is looking to be closest to Hestler but the chances of anyone catching him is narrowing each stage. Hestler took both the Fox Gravity Enduro and the Redbull GE today. Beating fresh guests who were invited to participate in today's challenge ride.
The legendary Fro-rider Wade Simmons (Rocky Retro95) was thrown in the mix for contenders early but he dismissed that as a goal for the younger fit riders. Still Simmons could be seen throwing a little familiar flair on his Rocky Mountain 29.
In the women's category Wendy Simms is looking to be in a tight match with Megan Rose who won both stages today. Rose is racing in the Epic Mixed Open Category but all riders qualify for the overall in the Gravity Enduro.
Men's Epic Race
The story of the day for the men's solo category is the implosion of Barry Wicks (Kona Bikes) to the tune of a 16 minute loss in the General Classification. Wicks had such a strong beginning to the week, when he looked unstoppable. An experienced stage racer, Wicks must have finally discovered the hard-way a lesson he'll be sure to take back and study for another year. There is still one stage to go, but it's short and the chances of making up that kind of deficit is unlikely.
Initial accelerations by the solo champion from the last two years, Chris Sheppard of the Rocky Mountain Team, tore apart the field early as chasers and pacers began dissolving in the eddy from his efforts. Only Neil Kindree was able to make the cut, but even he felt the cable grow tight. Both riders had the most to gain from making Wicks disappear in the rearview mirror.
"I stayed on his wheel and when we came to the top of the climb we had a 50-100 ft gap and we kind of looked at each other and said yeah lets go with it." Kindree
The trick for Sheppard might have been the switch back to his 26" full suspension bike with the 1200 gram wheels. "I've been on this sized wheel since '88, and I think my descending is sharper on this bike. But on the rough stuff you can tell the 29er just goes." It was more likely determination than wheel size that made his quest for time over Barry a success.
After the first climb the two riders stuck together through the trails of 'Half Nelson', past aid station 1 and down into the Plunge. It wasn't until the Smoke Bluff trails that the two could start being comfortable with their time on the field and turn their attention to each other. "Chris made the first move up 'Farside' he had a little bit of a gap on the next descent, but I knew I could close it on the next climb, so I rode to 'not flat'. On the little rollers at the end of smoke bluff that's where I attacked and opened it up." Kindree won in his home town by 9 seconds over the veteran Sheppard.
Next across the line was Cory Wallace (Kona Bikes) who worked for a half hour to try and keep his teammate Wicks in the mix. After getting the go ahead to leave him, Wallace set his pace to 'stun' and made moves back to third up the climb to 'Half Nelson'. Matt Hadley (Exprezo-Borsao Factory) drilled it to make contact with Wallace and they came through the first aid station together, but Wallace was able to drop him before the finish. Less than two minutes separate the two riders and there might be fireworks in Whistler as Wallace fishes for another spot on the GC.
Men's Team of Two
Team Jamis hasn't let an opportunity to take a stage slip by, but they got a challenge from the second place Rocky Mountain Factory Team 2. Thomas Turner and Jason Sager were in sync all day as they stayed powered like two steam engines up the long grade to Half Nelson. Kevin Calhoun and Keith Stark of the Factory team, charged hard on the descents to stay in touch, but as the day grew longer and the effects of an early group crash took their toll, the two couldn't match the pace of Team Jamis.
The other Rocky Mountain Factory Team 1 is still in third, but it should be noted that early on day three, Colin Kerr fell on a bridge with steel meshing and sliced the palms of both his hands. For four days he has been gripping the bars with seven stitches in his right hand and deep gouges in his left. The fact that he is still riding is a testament to his toughness. When asked why he continued on he replied "Because we can. We can still finish on the podium."
Women's Epic Racing
Hanna Thorne made a serious bid to separate herself from Sonya Looney (Topeak/ Ergon) and stake claim to the third place position behind Wendy Simms (Kona) and Melinda Jackson (Team KiwiRoo). Looney had one of the days you'd prefer to forget while Melinda Jackson rushed forward without a problem.
Down in sixth and seventh place behind Pam Frentzel-Beyme (Gripped Racing), Fanny Paquette (Rocky Mountain) and Swiss rider Rahel Ruegge (Swisschocolate) are only separated by a 1:15 margin. In Whistler Ruegge will be looking to cut Paguette's program short and take some time back.
Whistler: Stage 7
On the final day of the BC Bike Race, riders travel up the Sea to Sky highway to the Whistler Olympic Village, the birthplace of bike park culture. Racers will get a taste of the park as they reverse the direction most prefer and will climb 'Easy Does It' to access the classic gravity fueled descent 'Crank it Up'. At the bottom the course turns to the woods of the Lost Lake trail network, a mind-blowing web of trails named after Frank Zappa songs. At the finish riders will get the cherished 'Bob' belt buckle they've been riding for all week.
BCBR Day 7
The BC Bike Race closed at a party on the finishing line at Whistler's Olympic Plaza lawn with the sunshine reflecting off the remaining summer snow of the surrounding mountain peaks. As riders crossed the line, getting hugs and medals, their tears mixed with the sweat and dust caked on their faces from the fastest final stage ever at the BCBR. As the riders lazed around in the lawn enjoying their post-raace euphoria, stories of the week and more hugs were shared between people who had never met a week earlier.
After one of the most challenging BCBR race weeks for both riders and crew, the relief of riding in the sun on a course that was completely dry was the perfect end to a roller-coaster journey. Incredible racing and riding distinguished this sixth year from the previous five, as the rain and leaders from earlier in the week transitioned on the final day to sunshine and new protagonists fighting for the peak of the podium.
Many stories emerge in a week of racing and each rider has to manage their personal challenges and expectations. For some it's terrain that differs drastically from their home trails, and with riders from 33 different countries the singletrack varies as much as the languages. The large Belgian contingency has very little technical terrain but plenty of wet weather. Riders from the countries of Africa like, Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and the United Arab Eremites have arid desert landscapes that vary greatly from the deserts of Arizona in the US. Even Canadians from the central and eastern regions are learning a new riding style. What they all have in common is that they came to the BCBR specifically to ride trails unlike anything else in the world.
Men's Epic Solo Race
2012 was by far the most exciting men's solo race in history. Returning 2x Champion Chris Sheppard of the Rocky Mountain Factory Team was staring in the face of younger riders who had a hunger difficult to contain. Squamish star Neil Kindree of Specialized/EMD and Barry Wicks of Team Kona were saddled up to the buffet to load up on stage wins and the ultimate sweet taste of victory. The rest of the field was strong but still pups fighting for the scraps as the leaders tore into each other every day.
Never in the history of the BCBR has the first three stages ended in a sprint with the same three riders only separated by a second or two each day. Wicks took the first two stages virtually tying Kindree. On stage three in Powell River Sheppard earned a stage taking the sprint and going home only two seconds down on the general classification. The longest stage, at 62 km, from Earls Cove to Sechelt established Barry Wicks as the favorite when he went on an early flier and earned a minute and a half over Kindree and sank Sheppard to a four and half time deficit. The next day from Sechelt to Langdale, Kindree fired back a memo letting the world know it wasn't over , when he more than erased his time deficit and put on the Golden Fleece for the first time with a slim 5 second lead over a fading Wicks. The racers favorite stage Squamish saw sunshine while Wicks fell apart more as he couldn't get his body to respond after five hard days of racing. Again Kindree took the win and seemed to be the new race favorite as he pushed Sheppard 3:45 back into his seat.
The stage in Whistler was sure to be Kindree's but there are always melt-downs and mechanicals, so predictions were hesitant. As the shortest stage the world cup and cyclo-cross legs of Sheppard had experience on their side. Always a fighter, he wasn't going to concede the overall till all tires tripped the final timing mat. The Olympic Plaza lawn was an exciting arena to watch from with good views for the crowd of spectators.
There were no radio updates during the race and until Chris Sheppard came around the final bend to take the stage win. Sheppard blew through the finish with no Kindree in site and it suddenly became a possibility that on the last stage the two time champion might have earned a story book win. He needed an almost impossible 3:45 to win and as the clocked ticked off the slowest seconds in history, you could see Sheppard and the crowd leaning forward and tensing up.
"I started to juice it through the lost lakes stuff, and I don't know what happened. He (Kindree) mechanicaled, then I ended up having one myself, and it was just stressful."
A rider appeared from around the bend and the excitement volume turned up as Cory Wallace (Kona) relieved a bit of stress from the audience, but the question of the overall was still unanswered. When Kindree finally came into sight, sprinting for the line, a collective yell escaped as the spectators cheered him across the line with only 15 seconds to spare. With a satisfied audience Sheppard congratulated a happy Kindree who took home his first BCBR Solo Golden Fleece.
Kindree's delay was from a flat in the Lost Lake trails with a sidewall tear. "I fixed it as calmly as I could, and as quickly as I could then I just locked my self into the hurtlocker, that wasn't pleasant."
"It feels amazing last year I had a couple flats and one day lost 20 min. I said 2012 I'd come back and I wanted to win it." Kindree is a tactical rider and he had an entire year to plan for 2012. It's not surprising that he was able to stay calm during the first four stages and turn on the heat at the right times to cook up a finish that will go down in BCBR history.
Women's Solo Epic Race
As with any stage race, the collective result is the average of how a rider's week went. For the overall winner Wendy Simms (Kona) every day was a domination that only experience and years as a professional rider can equal to. Still, any amount of experience is better than none and for the variety of riders who had never done a stage race, the next one is sure to be better.
The rest of the women's solo field had a more roller coaster finishes with three women working through good and bad days. Second overall, Melinda Jackson (KiwiRoo) had a very steady week on the bike with the only hic-up on the final day in Whistler were she got her lowest stage finish in 6th after a week of not dipping below third the previous six stages.
The course killer in Whistler goes to the spritely New Zealander Hanna Thorne who stayed consistent through the week, adopting a low profile on the first four stages, then as the days started to get more gravity fed, she used her downhill skills to humble both male and female competitors.
Playing down her skills she insisted there wasn't a plan. "I just went my pace for the race." Knowing oneself and riding within those expectations has it's benefits and for Hanna it was a third place overall as she crushed the last stage only finishing behind Simms by 2:06. Hopefully there are images of Thorne sending it coming down Crank It Up, so we can all see where she earned her cookies.
A testament to not take consistency for granted would have to be the results of strong and talented riders like Sonya Looney (Topeak/Ergon) and Pam Frentzel-Beyme (Gripped Racing). The fourth and fifth overall finishers had days that were great then days that went really wrong. Looney an experienced racer has been through these hic-ups before and always kept a positive attitude.
"What am I going to do? That's the way it goes and I'm happy to just be here riding in an amazing place."
Women's Solo Master's Epic
North Vancouver has it's own champion returning home this weekend wearing the Golden Fleece. The Muddbunnies Team rider Kimberley Beck motored her way to the final podium with only one stage loss. Like most riders Beck suffered through a stage when her whole program was shutting down. On stage five from Sechelt to Langdon she suffered her lowest point of the race, but managed to turn it back around on the Squamish stage. When asked about managing exhaustion and pushing through the darkness she credited the quality of her training from Wendy Simms, and a local interval training program through Endless Biking.
"I feel pretty stupid at the end of every day. I can barely function, I can't do the simplest tasks. Cumulative exhaustion sets in. I had a really bad day yesterday mentally, physically I was just done. But I had a fantastic day today and it was a complete 180 degree turnaround."
Men's Solo Master's Epic
One of the most international top fives goes to the Men's Master category. Olympian Mannie Heymans (Ormin) of Namibia owned the race from the start, but he had his own struggles with the wet stages.
"The trails are mind-blowing, the tech level with mud and water thrown in is something I don't get in South Africa." His success is testament to his strength and ability to adapt.
From China, Chad Forrest (Peking Man), didn't always finish above third place overall finisher Craig Gillett (SIMBS)of Canada but he was consistent enough to stay on the second step of the podium. Chris Birch from Canada also got stronger as the week went on to stay ahead of Kiwi, Al Killick (Team Panther).
Men's Team Of Two Epic
Unbelievable fight was highlighted in the team of two competition. Team Jamis were looking to have a battle on their way to the final stage, but an early injury on stage three, to the hands of Colin Kerr of the Rocky Mountain Factory Team 1 turned down the flame on the hottest competition Jamis had going into the race. Rocky Mountain Team 2, took the lead challengers roll and kept a steady boil under Jason Sager and Thomas Turner of Jamis.
Kerr carried on with team mate Greg Day, but with stitches in one palm and gouges in the other, it was all Kerr to do to hang on with a thumb and the tips of his fingers, without suffering sever hand cramps.
All but one rider of the three teams were all experienced riders of British Columbia. Thomas Turner comes from Georgia in the US and it was his first time getting BC loam in the eyes.
"The closest thing I could compare it to is Pisgah (North Carolina). Technical, flowy, twisty. You just can't let your guard down. It was awesome." Turner
Easton Gravity Enduro
The race within the race was expanded to two stages a day for the first six days and one on the Whistler stage. Each day the sections were sponsored by Fox Shox on the stage and by RedBull on the 2nd. As imagined, the shakedown for the top spot was contested by someone besides the overall race leaders.
The man from North Van and an integral part of the BC Bike Race, Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain) developed a winning strategy.
"You got to roll off the gas for a minute before dropping in. Let the legs relax. If you can't just pin it without changing pace. I learned that from riding with Wade (Simmons)." With a 23rd in the overall it's not as if he took the whole race easy.
Chris Sheppard took second place, most likely boosted by his shred down the Highway 102 RedBull GE stage, when he was dropping a tired Barry Wicks and chasing down Neil Kindree who all posted a faster time than Hestler.
Results: https://bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/results
Photos by: Dave Silver, Margus Riga, Todd Weselake
Source: Harlan Price