Words Stan Hunter
Images: Dave Mackie unless noted
Not only was June 19th The Bear Mountain Challenge (BMC), it was also the most confusing day of the year in Surrey....Fathers Day. Me being one who came out to celebrate not only the propagation of my loins but also to revel in the muddy, sloppy, curly straightening of off road bike racing.
The BMC in the 15th year of its reign probably saw its gnarliest incantation of all time this weekend. Canadian race legend in the making Steve Smiths long standing record time saw no chance of being sweated today. There is something about getting out in the muck and just givin'er though! The irony that pedaling in peanut butter may have been faster yet have not seen happier racers was not lost on me.
Friday was a tidy affair with a (read) DRY, quick and fast track that saw the re-acquaintance and practice of the further flungs' arrivals. Tents were pitched, pints crushed and heads rested in anticipation of shuttled Saturday prep action.
Low and behold, B.C. showed its ever wet spring underbelly that proceeded to test the faith of most riders. Saturday wound up being more or less "get a plate, bang yer mandatory's and find a dry spot to sleep in hopes of a drier future". Mandatory's banged or not, most riders resolved to the comfort of hospitality elsewhere or in the bottom of their drink of choice, all while praying for a dry race day... Unfortunately the riding gods laughed at us ALL weekend....
Sunday morn was all business. Hell or high ....mud?, there was a race going down. Local riders donned fresh kit while visitors wished they had packed more. Sir Tippie showed to call the shots while FVMBA, Mona Vie, Coast Hotels, Wentings, KONA, Cycling B.C. and vollie nation took over the site to throw some collective mud. After nearly 30 hours of steady sky tears...we caught a break in weather and racers got the chance to show off rubber selection and braking skills.
The first half race action was an exercise in "Dear God, let me dab this corner and not go over into oblivion" leading into a helping of "Good thing this helmet is DOT approved because apparently someone has been mortaring the track". All of this was showered with light drizzle, "Tippie'isms" and rock filled beer cans on sticks. Innovative kit techniques included the ole "Vore-skin" tube and tie down front fender to the "lense-less" goggles, either solo or in tandem, trying to defeat the perpetual airborne muck.
Highlights of the hillside action included watching berm craters and brake bumps grow (WAY faster than watching paint dry!), an inspiring appearance and commentary by Nick Geddes and endless endo's, bendos's and "I wish I was playing nintendo's" by the days warriors.
When all said and done racers and spectators slipped their way back to Mill Pond to see who did what in the ruts. I won't go through gory details but results can be viewed here... http://www.fvmba.com/uploads/bearresults.pdf
All podium finishers got tossed, shamed or just volunteered into the pond as is tradition in these parts. Even Mr. Tippie got introduced to the hallowed dunking grounds as it was his first call to a long standing race. The fact that No one finished sub five minutes is insane. It is also a testament to the insanity of the days' conditions. The best were fast, and the rest were passed, gassed or last. That's racing folks. See you at Arduum !
Riders and spectators, visit Davemackie.ca and find rider practice and race photos. For only $12 you download a high res version
