2012 BC Bike Race
The Race - "The hardest but most fun adventure I've ever had"
For my fortieth birthday I decided to go on an adventure. For the past few years, I've been fascinated with the BC Bike Race. The idea of racing my mountain bike seven days in a row on some of the coolest trails.
Besides the race based on the cumulative time from the seven stages, each day had two individually timed sections called Gravity Enduro. These were usually crazy downhill sections.
Day -1 In Search of a Whistle(r)
Each racer is required to carry minimum set of safety items throughout the race. One of these items is a whistle - Fox 40 or better.
Day 0 Bears To Base Camp
"A happy mountaineer always keeps his pee clear," was just one of the important details that was discussed in the racer orientation. We also talked about what to do in case we see bear. I didn't know what to expect
When we arrived at base camp, those of us riding solo needed to pair up with a tent buddy. I teamed up with Paul a great guy from Calgary. Paul is in his mid forties and has ridden several of these stage races around the world and was able to provide good information.
Gear List
Camelback Spare tube Hand pump
Rain jacket
2 Quick links
Multi tool
Cumberland Base Camp
Day 1 Root'n Toot'n Cumberland
I had no idea what to expect today for my first stage race. After an incredible breakfast in the town community center, I got dressed in my Biker's Edge kit. For the ride, we self-seeded ourselves on where we should start in the pack. I decided to start with the mid-level racers. The stage started in the middle of town and headed into the mountains on dirt roads built for logging. After a couple of miles on the dirt road, we hit the single track where the entire race slowed to a stand still. There were bodies and bikes on the ground due to the huge tree roots all over the trails. The roots were wet and slippery as ice. If you didn't hit them at just right angle with your front tire, you'd end up lying sideways in a fern. The local riders laughed their butts off because the foreign riders had never ridden on trails like this. After the first single track section we reached a monster climb. My legs felt great and I passed many riders. I rode with a few guys from Belgium.
We reached the first GE section and the trail turned really gnarly. There were wooden jumps, bridges, drop-offs, and rock gardens. It was total carnage with riders falling all over the place. Luckily I only crashed a few times with the most harrowing when I tried to go up and over a wooden bridge and got high-centered on the top and fell four or five feet to the ground.
Here are a few other highlights from stage 1:
A rider blew out his rear shock halfway through the stage and the support team was able to replace it with a stick so he could make it to the finish line.
30 riders dropped out of the race.
I survived with a smile on my face.
Day 2 Down and Dirty In Campbell River
We woke up early in Cumberland ate breakfast and then hopped a bus to Campbell River about 30 miles away. The weather did not look too inviting as we rode in the bus.
Because of the backup at the start of the single track the day before, I decided to try a different tactic. When the race started I rode as fast as possible on the initial road section to pass as many racers prior to the tight single track. The tactic worked and I didn't get stuck at the first single track section. The trails were much different from the day before. They were much more smooth and flowing.
The weather was the biggest factor of the day. It rained the ENTIRE stage. The trails steadily turned muddier and slicker. Most of us ended up walking the uphill sections because the trails were too slick. My rain jacket provided little cover after the first hour of riding. Since I was completely soaked, I knew that if I stopped too long at the feed zones I'd get really cold so I quickly grabbed a drink and some food. Another problem I kept having was with my glasses. They kept getting covered with mud so I'd have to take them off and ride while mud flipped into my eyes.
There was a strange phenomena that occurred during the remaining 3 miles every stage. The adrenaline would kick in with the final few miles at an all out pace.
After the stage, I headed directly to the bike wash area. Waiting in line in soaked clothes, in the rain and wind was a terrible idea.
My bike still worked being covered in mud.
If it hadn't rained the ENTIRE stage, I would have loved the ride today.
Day 3 Powell River
After waking up early in Campbell River and having breakfast at the community center, we boarded buses headed to the ferry terminal. As we waited for the ferry, everyone hung their shoes and gloves on the fences surrounding the terminal in hope they would dry before the race. On the ferry I met a local racer who had broken his back in a snowboarding accident and was now trying to become a professional mountain biker. We also saw a killer whale off the side of the boat. As we got off the ferry, the locals lined the path and cheered all of the racers getting off the boat. We then had a half mile walk to base camp which was located right on the beach.
The stage began through town on roads lined with the locals cheering all of us on. We and headed up towards the mountains to reach the single track. The sun was finally out and my shoes and gloves had dried out a little. They didn't stay dry long though. The single track had huge puddles that we peddled through. The trails were great. The group I rode with missed a turn and we ended having to hike through the forest to find the trail.
In experienced roadie
Incredible older rider.
View from base camp
Here are a few other highlights from stage 3:
Sunny weather
Time: 3:12
Distance: 30 miles
Elevation: 2500 ft
Day 4 Earl's Cove
Another early morning ferry ride - lucky for us it was a short ferry ride because today was the longest stage. I knew if I could make it through the stage that I'd be able to complete the entire race. Giving more motivation was knowing that I'd see my family at the finish line in Sechelt.
The race began 50 yards off the ferry with a long climb on pavement, dirt roads, and single track. I was amazed that my legs could still push the pedals around and that I actually felt pretty good, that was until I suffered my only big crash of the week about 8 miles into the stage. While riding down a long narrow descent in a line with ten other riders a rider tried to pass the group. The rider's handlebars caught mine and I went tumbling down the hill. I came to a stop upside down in a fern. Dazed, I got up and made sure my bike was OK. Luckily, other than a bent handlebar and torn grip, my bike was fine. My arm received a pretty good scrape. A few people stopped to make sure I was OK with the exception of the guy that caused the crash. He simply stopped and tossed over my water bottle which had fallen and kept riding without an apology. After I straightened my handlebars I got back on my bike again. As I rode, I got increasingly pissed that he didn't even apologize. I was only interested in catching the rider and asking for an apology. I never did catch the rider but the adrenaline probably helped me get through the middle section of the stage.
Time: 5:34
Distance: 40.5 miles
Elevation: 7000 ft
Here are a few other highlights from stage 4:
Hump day is over
Met the medical team at the medical tent
Won a $1200 set of wheels
Day 5 Sechelt
After such a long stage the day before I looked forward to a shorter stage. After stage 2 I stopped looking at the map for the following stage. Knowing the topography of the upcoming stage didn't really matter to me. I knew there would be a start, a finish, and lots of up and downs in between and I'd have to ride them all.
The stage started with a huge climb. Many riders were walking their bikes. After reaching the top of the initial climb, the remaining trails consisted of continuous short ups and downs which really took the energy out of me. The last finishing trails to the end of the stage were incredible. We had a group of riders flowing through the singletrack. The stage finished at the ferry terminal heading to Squamish.
Time:
Distance:
Elevation:
Here are a few other highlights from stage 5:
Day 6 Squamish
When you hear about Canadian mountain biking, Squamish is always mentioned. Today's stage didn't disappoint. The trails were great. There were long climbs followed by great downhill sections with big berms and jumps. The first GE section was awesome with loads of technical riding. It was during the second GE section that I had my first and only mechanical problem. After crashing, I hit my rear derailleur on a tree. In turn, my derailleur caused my chain to break several spokes. I removed the broken spokes and lucky for me the tire was still rideable. Unfortunately, my derailleur was bent so I couldn't switch to the two largest rings on my cassette. I wasn't able to climb some of the steeper hills so I had to do much more hiking. I managed to reach feed zone two where the awesome Shimano tech fixed my derailleur.
After the stage, I ran my bike over to the traveling bike shop so they could repair my rear wheel before the stage the following day at Whistler.
Because the last stage started in Whistler, I decided to have the family pick me up so I could stay in Whistler for the night. No more tent, waiting in line to shower or go to the bathroom.
View from base camp
Here are a few other highlights from stage 6:
First major blood.
$170 bill for bike repair
Time: 4:40
Distance: 30 miles
Elevation: 5450 ft
Day 7 Whistler
The final and shortest stage of the race. The stage started with a long climb to the top of ski resort with the payback being a big bermed downhill. It was AWESOME. The trails were nicely manicured compared to the previous six days.
It felt great to reach the finish line.
Priceless
Here are a few other highlights from stage 7:
Time: 1:59
Distance: 16.2
Elevation: 2820 ft
Conclusion
Normally, while I'm pushing myself to the edge I would wonder what in the world was I doing...not this time. As soon as I could, I started looking for the next stage race.
What did I learn?
Equipment Run a wider more knobbier tire. Use a dropper seat post.