BCBR Day 1

After the repetitive madness that was Day 0 it was nice to be in The Shore and getting geared for race day!! Early morning coffee hunt seemed a lil futile so after a few shakes prepared by Mr. Willard we were loading the gear and going bean hunting.......no coffee shop in the hotel? BULLSHOT!?!?! I'm over it. The clouds had me a Lil worried as rain was invented in the Shore and the trails are infamously greasy and hellish when wet. We drove to Bean Around the World and quickly got fueled up and relaxed a lil before heading down to the Canlan Arena, start point for Day 1. Nice and early so easy parking and set up as teh sun reared its sexy face and told the clouds to piss off!!! The mayhem that is the volunteers unloading almost 400 bikes is a sight to see in itself. The logistics of this race are still very hard for me to get my head around. And in the 2 days we've been here the volunteers are super wicked. Always smiling and always helpful. Hats off to them.







Jamie and Robin got all prepped and "buttered" in prep or the stage as I unload the bikes and give them a quicky. After they were all set I drank yet more free coffee and took the camera around absorb this amazing event as they went for a 30min warm up loop.

Walking around all these people that are so in love with cycling is very refreshing and affirming for me. I don't think i saw a single frown, even when requesting scowls, there were none. Shit even the mechanics were happy....!

Jaimie and Robin returned all stoked cause they practiced a lil flyer line that the xc guys probably wouldnt hit with any pace and they might be able to hop past some guys. Jaimie got his bike and jersey a lil dirty so of course we give him a hard time, then its on to the start chute. I've been in a chute with 150 people and that made me feel anxious. Now if you can picture a chute with 370ish people you will probably visualize the smell of clif shots, sunscreen, coffee breath and an assload of lycra....and you would be correct. Out of teh gate there is an instant 180 degree corner which i had thought would claim 20 riders minimm, so i grabbed a great vantage point for carnage..........and nothing?!? Everyoone made it through safe and sound up berkly towards the trails. So I load up and hit the road to get up to Base Camp hwhich is in Lynn Valley.

Park the car, grab my camera and my bike and I'm gone to see if i can shhoot the boys. Climb all teh way up Mountain Highway, loving blood in my legs again...funny looks form the freeriders as i zip up the hill on my rigid niner....HAHAHAH!! find a couple spots and shoot a lotta riders and look who shows up in my lens! Do I have em dialed or what? The blast up themountain past a free Kuwahara..which im surprised none of teh racers switch off too! Few more shots tehn down to the corner to see them rip to the finish!

Waiting....waiting....waiting....not here yet. Camera dies i run to store and I missed them as they tore in. Good showing by the boys finishingh 2nd and a good turnout form OBB folks as well. Good job kids. There were a few medicals on trail but noone hurt and all safe and sound. There was a team of brothers, one form BC, the other from south africa that were there and as the start shot off one of their derailuers blew up, so 15 mins later they were still with the guys form Obsession. Cool thing is i saw them cross the line at the end of the day.....last place but still grinning ear to ear. Good on ya boys

Awards and dinner followed that, after a nap for the boys and a stronbow for moi. Then later that night as they snore i organize photos and create this so all of you who arent in contact can stay in contact. Early boat to nanimo then racing to parksville so we will see you tomorow.

Cheers,
Regan