A few logistic hiccups, but we get there. Breakfast on the ferry and great views of ocean and mountains all the way. More conversations with fellow riders then a short bus ride to a second ferry. People prep on the short ride and the race starts from the dock.
From the start my legs felt tired, but hoped to work it away. Started at a good pace and passed a lot of people on the hills leaving the town. 10 minutes in and a flat... Took way longer than it should have, but spinning the Stans fluid around the sides, an inspection and a quick CO2 inflate solved the problem. Team winded rode by as we did the repair along with several other familiar teams. Back on and our passing resumed.
Many other teams were beside the trail dealing with issues as well. Then one of them yelling for duck tape. It was the team that outsprinted us the night before. I pulled over and provided mine along with some other supplies to help then try to solve the 3" slash in the tire. Both stops cost us about 7 minutes. Not sure the fate of that team.
A good day but the toughest for me thus far. Stew was solid all day and while we exchanged positions with teams all day, for the most part we did the passing. Again it's surprising at the variety of people that you meet. 2 tall thin riders with matching jerseys and that aero cycling look, then further ahead a woman's team one of which did not have a cyclist's physique... Solid pacing, more new choppy singletrack which FINALLY turned to sweet singletrack. We hammered solid for the last 3km and finished our fourth day. A quick shower and bike wash and then the shuttle to the hotel. Upon arrival I find out that there was a screw up in our booking. A call to the VP at the travel agent and wound up with separate rooms.
Just got an email from Stew who went do do some laundry... "Went to town and all the mats were closed. Now I'm at a camp site waiting because another prick from BCBR felt he needed three washers and wasn't willing to put his stuff in two. What do you say we let air out of his truck tire tonight! "
I brought a video and helmet cam but no camera. Here are a few things that I would have liked to take a picture of. Visualize these...
- a woman in the pharmacey with about 5 containers of various zinc oxide/diaper rash products. (Consecutive hot days resulted in saddle sores en masse)
- a large pile of bear crap with a mtb tire thread going through the middle of it. (We're biking through bear country and regularly see there droppings on the trails)
Hope you had a great Canada Day!
Mike
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sent by Blackberry
1 comment:
Another day completed, good stuff. Hey, three more days and you can sign up for next years BC Bike Race!
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