BC Bike Race (BCBR) is a seven day mountain bike stage race operated in and around the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. The BC Bike Race claims to have the most singletrack riding of any similar multi-day race. More than 500 bikers from around the world get to spend a week riding the spectacular trails of BC. The race covers around 340km and not surprisingly some truly breathtaking sights. ItÂ’s a week of climbing, descending, roots, rocks, black bears, bridges and ferries. It will be a journey filled with hard work, emotional ups and downs and true dedication. Throwing ourselves into the deep end of mountain biking and the personal challenge/triumph is what this week will be all about. We will try to do a daily update with pictures and report. Enjoy it!!
SCHEDULE: DAY 0 - JULY 2: REGISTRATION DAY DAY 1 - JULY 3: CUMBERLAND, 54km DAY 2 - JULY 4: CAMPBELL RIVER, 50km DAY 3 - JULY 5: POWELL RIVER, 51km DAY 4 - JULY 6: EARLS COVE TO SECHELT, 65km DAY 5 - JULY 7: SECHELT TO LANGDALE, 38km DAY 6 - JULY 8: SQUAMISH, 50km DAY 7 - JULY 9: WHISTLER, 27km
today we had our first test ride on Canadian ground. Kamloops Bike Ranch offers nice bumpy trails with steep sections downhill. Weather is unstable but we were lucky during the ride! Lots of fun.
After the ride we celebrated Lievens' birthday with a nice diner.
Now early to bed and we hope to get rid of the jetlag.
We spend these 7 days to relax and enjoy beautiful Canada! We traveled on Icefield Parkway, Alberta, the most beautiful road in Canada. This is the route to over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing waterfalls and numberous hiking trails. We saw black bears, big horn sheeps, moose, marmots and many mosquito's. We were lucky with the weather, the glaciers were shining in the sun and the rocks were glistening in a rainbow of colours. We went for a few short rides on the bike and it felt good....!!
After a week of road tripping the Mountain Madness team came back together in North Van to prepare for the race. We enjoyed the beautiful nature and landscapes (see pics below) but are now focusing on our main objective : completing BC Bike race. Just got back from a delicious seafood dinner with some local Shimano family members (Darren, Kelly, their new baby and Ben). Tomorrow we pick up our race number and other stuff..........
Today we picked up our race number, some swag and our race bag, which we will need to use to transport everything we need for the week from stage to stage (sleepingbag, clothes, tools,....) We can say already that the race is excellent organized! Glenn really came into the mood when he saw some of the MTB babes!! We are all getting excited to start the race!!! Tomorrow we will attend the press conference where they will present some of the pro's.
Today is also Canada day, a big parade and fire work are on the program. Tonight, we'll grab some last cold beers before the race week begins. WOW, it's gonna be FUN!!!
Today we had to attend a racers briefing about important race rules and safety information. A tip about wildlife was: -when you meet a black bear: fight to win -when you meet a grizzly: don't fight, sit still -when you meet a cougar: fight to win, but you're loose anyway! Great to hear that... There has been a cougar accident beginning of june....in Squamish (stage 6).
After that, a bus took us to Horseshoe bay, where we took the ferry to Nanaimo. The weather was great and the views awesome! From Nanaimo, we went by bus to Cumberland and checked into our race tent at base camp. We met already nice people, the Jippsy family (pictures and story will follow...) and we had a 'lucky beer' with some of the guys! We are so excited to start the race!!!
What a great day!!!! The sun was shining and there was an awesome energy at the start! So here we go..... The start was in the center of Cumberland village with an escort through town. Once the cars pulled over, the race was on! The first 20K were fast riding, then a steep uphill of 450meter climbing on dirt road. On the top, we had a great view on the lake! But then... a steep and very technical downhill (when they say technical,..... it is technical!!), all single track with lots of steep drops, roots, rocks and hairpins, brrrr....... Everything you can dream about on a mountainbike in one single stage. We are all a bit wiped out, but for the rest everyhing is fine! The Belgians did great: Lieven ended 19th, Glenn 24th and David 39th!! We are all very pleased with the results!! Ready for stage 2!!!
It all started today in Campbell river, a beautiful spot on the Vancouver Island. There was a 6K police escort through town. After that we had 33K of single track in the forest!!! Sharp turns, drops of 1 meter, nasty climbs, tons of rocks and roots, physically very demanding. There was hardly time to drink, eat or recover. There were a couple of very loose and steep sections and Glenn had a crash. He was fine but it gave him a little more reason to slow down a bit. We Europeans are strong on the uphill sections but in the descents, it seems that some of the local riders do not have breaks! They fly over the rocks, roots,..... Even David, who is the strongest on the downhill sections couldn't believe his eyes. You don't have time to think, Just trust yourself and your bike. We will never forget the amazing views of today and the fact that our forarms and hands are burning from the bumps and descents! The Pearl Izumi bib pants that we are wearing are excellent, our ass is still feeling well after this bumpy day. The weather was great today, warm and sunny and the forecast is looking good for the rest of the week. Tomorrow we'll take the early ferry to Powell river and have a simular distance to ride!! Yiha................
Results: Lieven: 24th Glenn: 45th David: 46th of the masters
Another beautiful and sunny day in Britisch Columbia! We had an early wake up call after a restless sleep thanks to a loud snorer in the next tent. We had to take the ferry to Powell River. Shipping 400 bikers (and their expensive bikes) is not an easy undertaking! All good organized!! The views on the boat were fantastic as well later from the bike! The start was right next to the ferry terminal in Powell River and it was hot, very hot.... 35C. The first 5K was fast riding on paved road, then 8K on gravel road and another 5K on smooth singletrack trail, all uphill. After aid station 1, we bumped into technical singletrack with lots of slippery parts and again, tons of roots, rocks....(will we get ever used to this?...) After aid station 2, there was a very steep, scary, long descent. We were sitting all the time on the rear wheel of our bike! Most of the bikers hiked this sections, but none of us did so!! Lieven is very pleased with his Shimano XTR Ice technology breaks! It's a must have!!! The last 7K were fast riding. Very happy when we crossed the finish line!! We all do have back pain,cuts and bruises but still feeling quite fresh (well, as fresh as you can be after 3 days hard mountain biking in Canada...). Tonight basecamp is right on the beach with view on snowcapped mountains. We'll enjoy sunset this evening in this unforgetable place!
Tomorrow will be the hardest stage of the week with 65K, 2200meter of climbing and up to 30C. Hopefully no snorers tonight!!!!
I'm writing a quick message, pics will follow tomorrow, as there is a very bad internet connections.
Today on the program: less technical, more speedy, smooth trails. Glenn looked forward to this stage as he is the strongest of us in fast riding. But........ never believe a Canadian! It was more rolling, that's true but the uphills were killing! On one descent we saw the pro's passing by and realized that we can still learn a lot of them. ZOEF! We had a good feeling at the start but half way, Glenn and Lieven took the wrong way (as did many others!). So Lieven did an extra 5K and Glenn 10K! The last singletrack uphill was a struggle to survive. A smooth last descent brought us back to the finish line. Today was the hardest day until now! We are very tired, but the moral is still fine! 3 DAYS TO GO!!! The views on the ferry and on the bike were again fantastic, PARADISE!!!
I'm sorry that I couldn't attach some pictures on the blog yesterday, as there was only 1 pc with internet connection available and 400 bikers were waiting to send a small message home. So here some shots of yesterdays exhausting stage! David is really suffering from back pain. He was screaming on the massage table, he will be taped in today! Lieven feels like he got 5 years older after yesterdays stage! He never did 65K in over 4 hours! Some racers did over 8hours tot complete te stage!!! Unbelievable. Here has been already many accidents: broken arms, hands, fingers, shoulders, bike frames (like Thomas Dietsch, a pro from France, he walked 11K to the finish line!). Until now, our team didn't had mechanical problems, not even a flat tire, only Glenn had some trouble with his sadle. Lieven was again very strong yesterday and ended 27th. Glenn finished 55th (also very strong as he did 75K instead of 65K) and David did great, 49th of the masters ( knowing that he had so much pain). Yesterday evening, there was local wild salmon on the menu, food has been delicious so far, and they all had a good night rest. This morning they started at 9am for a 35K stage. I don't know yet how it worked out but I'll keep you updated.
After a start on pavement we came on steep fireroad were the group was spread out. After 3K we entered a single track portion uphill. Legs are hurting! Sweat was dropping of our face, roots sections are heavy and technical. After around 15K in total of climbing we had a sweet bumpy single track descent with beautiful slippery bridges! After that again very steep single track climb, again technical roots sections hurt the legs and our arms. After AID station 2 we finally had the amazing downhill of 15K!! Bridges, deep jumps, roots, beautiful switchbacks. Fun from the top till the ferry terminal. KICKING!!! After the Finish we took the ferry and we enjoyed some french fries. Arrived on mainland we arrived in Squamish (singletrack paradise of BC!!!!). After a good swim in the pool and the hot tube, we headed to the first pub and drunk 500ml of Canadian Beer. Cheers.
Sandra is doing a great job as our support team. Food, drinks, massage and positive smiles keeps us going!
The trails in Squamish are absolutely amazing!! Despite of the rain last night, we woke up with a good feeling. Start was at 9am and again a controlled lead out through town. The next climb was gruelling, very very steep! Quite punishing, but we made it all! The descent was very technical and called: 'Expect to fly". All the trails have a name here like, 'break a leg', 'hoods in the wood', 'sex on the beach',.... Lots of combo turns, bridges, rocks, roots,... Maybe you are thinking: wow, on the pictures it seems like they are riding easy trails in the forest, but no way,.... we have never done this before! You can not find this in Belgium! Even though it was hard today, we had an unforgetable ride! David was feeling so tired and exhausted today that in one of the descents he lost his focus, felt down from a bridge and took a swim in the river. He hurted his arm and another fellow helped him out. When he crossed the finish line, his body felt like he had been run over by a train, still trying to figure out what happend today! BUT,..... there was beer in tent city and the Gipsy friends to share our stories with. And also Fraser, Glenn's Harly Davidson mate and of course our whole team! It is a good feeling to know that there is someone waiting for you at the end. Thanks already for all the comments you left on the blog and the emails of support. You really help us pedal up and over the mountains. Tomorrow is the last day in popular Whistler!!
This is it, last day on the BC trails!! The weather was again great and the energy at the startline awesome!! A first big climb on the road was painfull and long, then the descents on the ski slopes of mount whistler were again different than other days, rocks, many rocks this time! Black bears were the spectators of today, they looked at us and saw that it was good! And it was good!! We all finished with a happy smile, tired but so pleased that we did it! YES, WE DID IT!!
We are so lucky, no big accidents, no mechanical problems, 1 flat tire (Lieven on the last day). Here some notes of us:
David :
For me the last week was all about friendship, focus and mountainbiking, a perfect combination. I am also glad that my 10 year old bicycle survived a week of hard abuse (XT 750 series rules !!). Going home with a Gipsy state of mind. I'll be back.....
Glenn: BC Bike Race was one of the greatest experiences I ever had in mountainbiking. Very special thanks to my teammates of Mountain Madness: David, for your fantastic company during the whole race, but also the week before during our roadtrip. Due to your eternal optimism, having a bad day with you around is simply impossible. Lieven, to come up with the idea of participating to tis event. You're a collegue, a teammate, but above all a very special friend! Sandra, for your fantastic support, before, during and after the stages. For your help with food, massage, the update of the blog every day, and also your great mental support. Also thanks, to my buddy Bart at home, for the great work we did together during the many trainings, that mostly ended up in the kitchen from Els. After last year only participating on the BC Bike Race was a victory yet to me. Special thanks Mom and Dad for your endless love and support, as well as to my gang of friends that I may call "The best friends in the world!"
Lieven: For me this was a great adventure with buddies and my wife. It feels like MTB summer camp for kids! Thats what a real holiday has to be. The people of Canada are one of the kinds and friendliest I ever met. The support and greetins from everybody involved with the race was just refreshing and GREAT! A 2 weeks holdiay tat I will never forget. Lover the ride with my Rocky Mountain 29er Altitude, XT/XTR DYNASIS Trail bike. Thanks again Darren! Cheers and Canada we will return......
