This was a much different day today. Even though there was a later wake up call, but I still woke up at 5:30. Even with a later breakfast time, I was still ready for it at 7. I was race ready by 9, but it didn’t start until 9:30. 

Ever wonder why they give everyone a bag? Well, it makes for much easier packing of the trucks.

In all it was a chill morning which was a very different vibe than normal. In the start chute there was a mix of anticipation and nervousness. I was looking forward to this day for quite a while. Soon enough my group was in the start chute. After a minute it was our turn to go. 

This was this short stage but the first few climbs were still hard. My legs needed to wake up and as soon as we climbed enough to get to the Seymour Parkway they were feeling great. We climbed up the road a ways before it was party time.

That’s not the party I mean though. The Red Bull car was pumping some tunes at the side of the road giving the racers some motivation. The party I meant was the downhill section. The bike patrol was warning everyone coming up the parkway to get their bike in ‘party mode’. 🙂 The first descent was a lot of fun and I think a wake up call for some people. Some steep sections, some steeper rick faces, tricky bits, bot nothing too dangerous.

I enjoyed it immensely and didn’t want it to end. Unfortunately it did them we headed up again. I didn’t stop at the aid station except I did grab a watermelon slice on the way through. Up ahead there was a big cheer section that were giving it out little samples of beer! Don’t mind if I do. Back into single track and up we went. The climbing trail was awesome. Lots of the guy switchbacks, but with an easy grade. Some people had troubles with the corners, but somehow I kept spinning up them. 

The final descent was another technical one and thankfully there were no traffic jams. I monster trucked over a lot of stuff and passed quite a few people. People either heard me coming or pulled over when I announced I was coming up. It really was a lot of fun. 

Suddenly we popped out on the road for a final short sprint to the finish. Day 5 was now done and it was time to clean up and get ready to move on to Squamish. 

Sue and the kids caught up to me at the finish line. The kids went to the Rocky Mountain lemonade stand and got some bike shaped gummy treats.

After a quick visit I got my bike stowed for transport to Squamish, had a quick shower, another snack, a Slurpee delivered by Sue, then got in line for a bus ride to Squamish, our base camp for the night.

Stunning mountains all around! What a gorgeous place to camp.

This was a good day. Starting in Sechelt I managed to get a decent amount of of breakfast into me then it was all about getting ready for battle. I got my bike ready, my gear ready, my bags stowed, then I made the wise decision to visit medical to get some second skin put on a hot spot on my toe.

Soon enough we were off. We started off with a long road descent before the first logging road. Then it was up and up for a while. We saw the sights of Sechelt (waste treatment plant and garbage dump) on our way to the first single track.

Not that you can tell from this picture, but I am pretty sure Curtis Robinson from the Coast Gravity Park passed us on our way up one of the roads.

Then we entered the first trail. Glorious single track. So much fun. Sweeping back and forth through the trees, on a slight downhill grade. I think everyone had a huge grin on their face.

Exiting the trail, we hit another road, but this one was very manageable. Then more single track and more road. It is all a bit of a blur but the mixture was so perfect. I bypassed aid station 1 again but stopped at the second for some fruit and a top up of water. Then the final climb of the day before a massive descent to the ferry terminal.

The descent was amazing. So much flow and a couple small stunts along the way. I was starting to peter out so I slowed down a bit then my back started giving me grief again.

Suddenly we hit the pavement and it was a short dash to the finish line in the Langdale ferry terminal. Day 4 in the bag!

Another quick turnaround here. Get the bike cleaned and in the truck, get some food, get cleaned up as best we can, then wait for the ferry. The group was going to be split in half and I heard that the first group was getting in line for loading. I followed some people and managed to get in on that.

On the ferries the race pretty much takes over everything. The bathrooms, the food, the seats, and even the power outlets. I grabbed a seat and chatted with another racer for quite a while. When he decided to get some fresh air, I was suddenly hit with hunger. Dinner was a few hours away still, so I did what any seasoned ferry traveller would do: grab a burger and ice cream!

After the ferry we were bussed to North Van. There I grabbed a tent, got my bags in it, had a quick shower, then headed for dinner. And what a dinner! I’m going to do a post on the food, but I could smell the pulled pork from the door. Not just pulled pork though, beef brisket, coleslow, baked potatoes and more.

After dinner it was time to raise the legs and relax a while.

I’m doing this race but it still feels unreal and surreal. I’m constantly surrounded by hundreds of like minded cyclists yet as I look around bas camp tonight I can’t believe that this year of hard work has resulted in this experience. It really is blowing my mind.

This day did not start off well. When I got up my legs didn’t feel that good. Then as I was getting breakfast into me, I suddenly didn’t feel too hot. I felt like breakfast was a ball of goo in my stomach and that I might puke at any moment. I sat back and started to worry about the day, fully concerned I was not getting enough calories into me, or that I might be ill on the trail. Carefully I managed to get most of a plate into me then decided to call it quits before I did puke. 

I then jumped on a bus and headed for the ferry. The ferry crossing was fine and all too soon we were docking and getting ready to race. 

This was billed as a long tough day and it certainly lived up to it. Lots of logging roads, lots of climbing, and lots of suffering. As we got going my legs started to come around. The tiredness went away, the power was still there, my mind felt at ease, and I quickly forgot about breakfast.

Once again I bypassed the first aid station. And a few kilometres after I kind of regretted it. I was concerned I was drinking too much water and my electrolytes. I tri d ca meet victoria my the electrolytes after calculating that I would have enough water to last me to air station. 

Did I mention the climbs? Make sure you zoom in on the below picture.

The nice thing about climbs is that you can be rewarded with some stunning views.

Then we hit the unofficial aid station. What a treat. Lots of fresh fruit and ice water which was by far my favorite thing. The real aid station was 4 km away and all up hill. After some snacks I set off and soon found, Sue cheering in the trees. That was a real boost. 

Hitting the seconf aid station I took on some more fresh fruit, topped up with some water in my Camelbak, grabbed a couple gels, took a picture with Tippie, then got going again. 

The rest of the day was a bit of a blur. More climbing, heat, suffering, walking, riding. Finally we started the descent and headed to the park.

Then I came across Sue again cheering alongside her brother. Another boost for the final few kms of road. Crossing the line felt amazing. Finishing a long day that was billed as the toughest of the week, and I feel the least enjoyable.
After a quick break I got onto the task of my bike, getting a tent, getting some food, and getting myself clean. Sue’s brother lives a short drive away from where we were camped so I was able to go to his place for a lovely shower, and a vist over beer and chips. Great cap to the day.

Waking up in Powel River to an ocean front view was a very nice way to wake up.

The temp dropped which was a real blessing. Add in the better shade and this stage was a lot cooler than Cumberland. 

The trails were spectacular but much easier. I remembered many of the trails having ridden them backwards before and this was actually a big help. I knew when some of the climbs were happening and where some of the tricky bits were. 

A few times I latched on to a wheel that was just a tad slower than I normally would have ridden, but stuck there keeping myself in check to not burn out. 

Aloha trail was a hoot. Lots of people dressed up in Hawaiian gear, and a tiki bar serving drinks (shots of pineapple juice). Having seen pictures of this in previous years it was pretty surreal to be part of it this year. 

Sue made her way around the course with the help of her dad and step mom so I got so see her a few times. Definitely a boost to have that extra personal cheer. 

Nearing 51 Dodge I knew we were getting close to the last climb. I made my way up and near the crest we could hear some cheering. Another great cheering section complete with costumes and some shots of coke. 

Then the start of the descent. I passed a bunch of people on the doubletrack and nearly wiped out on one rather loose section. Once in the road I figured we had it made, but there were a couple more hills hidden. On one I was standing and could feel that familiar quad burn. 

A few more small trails and we ended up back on Willingdon trail and crossing the finish line. Another great, and dusty day in the saddle.

Powell River has such great community support, from disembarking the ferry, to the trail maintenance, to the cheering squads, to the other umpteen volunteers helping out, to a most amazing camping location. Lots of fun, and I can’t wait to get back and ride some more. 🙂