BCBR 2010 - Stage #3
June 29, 2010

Route: Powell River
Distance: approx. 53km

Day 3 found us a little sleepy this morning as the unusually high winds of Cumberland had the tent shaking and rattling around pretty vigorously during the night. It was another early start to get all the tents and bags squared away, rattle the cobwebs out, and head out to the BC Ferries terminal. It was a bit a of odd start to the day as we loaded up and got off, then loaded up and got off again with lots of waiting involved. A bag breakfast can make me nervous but the BCBR did an awesome job with ample amounts in a little brown sack.

To be sure 500 cyclists on a BC Ferry boat is a sight on its own. Dr. Colin was doing some taping and mild chiropractic work at the front of the boat while people were changing and getting geared up right at the seats. What might be socially unacceptable elsewhere didn't raise an eyebrow here.

The pre race starts as we walk off the boat in our gear about 1km from the start line. The race start will be 60s intervals in groups of about 50 people. I was lucky enough to be in the B group so I was able to bypass much of the pack up one can find on the single track. The gun fired and we rolled through the park and headed up some gravel road - I was feeling good, even though I was choking on dirt!

We passed by an elementary school and all the kids are outside with thunder sticks and cowbells yelling and cheering. It was an awesome sight to see. A big train chugged along for a couple km, down to Deadfall fire road and just as I turned onto the single track I had a familiar feeling under my feet - the chain has let go, again. I was a little frustrated but I knew I had a gap from the staggered start, so no worries. I punched my link in and got ready to go, but I'd rushed and put the chain on outside my front derailleur. ARGH!! I took a deep breath and re-did it as the C- category whipped by me. It's all ready to go so I check the chain once more and wait to re-slot so I can pin it! It got packed up a little so I mellowed out and pass when I can pass. Then just as I pedaled through a berm it snapped again!! I am losing my patience by now as I fix the chain again, making sure to put it on properly. By now the D Category goes by me and my supposed rest day has turned into a 3hr sprint and pass clinic

I told another competitor that I didn't think I'd ever passed as many people as I have in these three days and not managed a better position. It's true that the idea here is to have fun over seven days of wicked riding - but everyone still wants to do a great job. As I said at the beginning of the day I think I placed 30th out of 72 riders. I can be happy with that with all of the leg and chain issues that I have had.

As I came into the 2nd feed zone I was feeling a little pooped and while coasting a little I hit a rut and it shot me to the ground. I was mildly embarrassed but no harm was done so I grabbed some water and kept on going. Ooops, problem again. My derailleur was bent and the hanger too. I got far enough ahead of the next competitor that I could jump off and tweak it, and get on with the day! I hammered the rest as there was only 18km to go. A couple other people went by me but they were not in my category so I didn't worry about it. I finished with a time of 3:37 and I was fried. I did a quick spin down and called it a day. I checked in with my tribe to make sure everyone was in and then hit the tent. I only ate one bar and drank three bottles of liquid - to hell with stretching or a shower and I lay down.

The dinner at Powell River Rec was amazing. I would like to thank Dave and his crew at the Laughing Oyster Restaurant. The food was amazing after this day of attrition! No change in the GC today. And that's all I have in my tank this evening. See you tomorrow from the water taxi!!