Test of Metal

The Test of Metal annual 67km mass start point to point XC race got underway on saturday at 11am with 810 starters in the pouring rain.
The Powerhouse Plunge was still the epic descent it always has been even considering the controversial logging that has been in processover the last months.


The course was wet, muddy and a little cold, but all riders and supporters in good spirits including the official Bear Back Biking chear squad bringing smiles to the faces of many of the days racers! (n.b. attempts were made to ensure no flashing of minors occured)



This years race was won again by Neal Kindree in a mind blowing 2:40, quite the superhuman effort from the local hero with his sister making 2nd spot for the elite women.

Improved results for both Bear Back Biking riders with improvements over last years race times - presuamably thanks to the 'added motivation' of reaching the next set of boobs around the course ;)

Squamish Toonie #1

Squamish kicked off their 2007 Toonie race season in style on Sunday with a fantastic course in the Squamish netowrk.
Starting from the Golf course, we headed up the climb to Darwin's Bridge, then climbed again up the small hill to the top of the Powerhouse Plunge. After descending the plunge (where logging work has sadly started), into crampit woods and the new Farside trail then followed the SORCA arrows to Plateau Dr. We turned right on Plateau Dr. and the course ended at the emergency access at the western end of the road.

I was given a heads up by the last rider in the train of 10 or so riders through farside, that once we hit the road, there was 200m to the finish tent. Remembering from last year that the Toonies are on a points system for the leading riders, I figured I'd do my best to get a good start to the season. Figuring on the 200m that had been called out, I dug deep and really gave'r for the last little bit.. seemingly 2000m later, the finish still wasn't in sight and I had to let the train I was leading out come past me for a bit whilst I tucked in and sucked in some air.. finally seeing the end of my pain, I managed to fin da little extra and get back some of those previously hard earned places.
Ultimately finishing 12th, I was stoked, although thought I'd either cough up a lung or my heart was about to go pop! Mark looked a little worse than I felt, but fair play to him for dragging 2.35 stickies around the course with him ;)

With a Squamish Toonie about twice as long as a Whistler Loonie, I can see why the Squamish boys are so blinking fast by the time the Test of Metal comes around!!

Great course and plenty of Whistler faces in the 78 starters.