July 6, 2007 (Squamish, BC) — Trek-Volkswagen’s Jeff Schalk summed up the feelings of nearly every rider who took the start line for stage 5 of the B.C. Bike Race: the Pacific Traverse with this simple assessment of the 58-kilometer fun ride from Sechelt to the Langdale Ferry Terminal in Squamish.

“It was honestly one of the first times I’ve totally forgotten about the race and just enjoyed the ride,” said Schalk, who along with teammate Chris Eatough won their fifth straight stage and maintained a commanding lead in the overall standings ahead of the Rocky Mountain-Haywood duo of Andreas Hestler and Kevin Calhoun. “It was just me and a friend bombing through the woods. That’s never happened to me before, so it really says a lot about the course.”

Indeed, big grins, hoots, hollers and uncontrollable giggling were in ample supply Thursday, as the seven-day stage race made a southern run along the Sunshine Coast. The impetus for all this fun was the Rod Camposano-designed course that included some of the best trails in B.C. “” and the entire world for that matter. The area is known as the Rat Race Trail System, but it’s humans that have all the fun on these buff and fast rainforest trails.

“This was the best day so far,” said Jennifer Keefer, who along with partner Jen Sawrenko, took the stage win in the women’s race, stopping the four-day unbeaten streak of Team Shore Girls Don’t Cry. “There was so much fun, ripping singletrack. We ride the North Shore all the time so we were in our element.”

The previously unbeaten Shore Girls Don’t Cry duo of Cynthia Young and Michelle Newton has a tough day, with Newton battling mechanical issues that kept them off the podium all together. Fortunately for the Shore Girls, they came into the day with an hour and 25 minute lead, and were able to hold the top spot in the overall standings.

There was also a new winner in the 80-plus veterans category, with Rod Dagneau and Mike Charuk of Team Whistler breaking through for the stage victory. It was no coincidence that these local boys stepped to the top of the podium. Thursday’s stage definitely favored the seasoned B.C. riders who were adept at technical singletrack with the occasional narrow bridge mixed in.

In the overall standings Randy Richmond and Sandy Mitchell (Gerick-Nelson) retained their lead. The same went for David Harris and Lynda Wallenfels (Team Desert Cyclery/HealthFX) in open mixed, and Doug Nottebrock and Con Diamond (Kootenay-Okanagan Cooperative) in veterans 100-plus. Both those later teams remain unbeaten in this seven-day stage race that finishes in Whistler on Saturday.

Racing Wednesday kicked off at 8 a.m. as the 160-plus riders “” including Vancouver Canucks great Trevor Linden “” rolled away from the stage 4 base camp and wound their way along the water, and then up and out of Sechelt.

Linden and a few friends showed up at the B.C. Bike Race Wednesday night, sitting down for dinner and then taking in an authentic native dance performance at the Sechelt Indian Band Longhouse. Linden is an avid mountain biker, who’s racing in this year’s TransAlps stage race. At the B.C. Bike Race he was looking to get a few miles in and check out his home province race. Word on the course was that the iconic Canucks centre had some skills, but also took a few licks “” and spills “” and needed a little medical attention when he crossed the finish line at the ferry terminal in Langdale.

Linden wasn’t alone in the bumps and bruises department, but for the majority of riders simply had the time of their lives before rolling across the finish and onto a waiting BC Ferry that brought the race caravan back to the mainland for good when it entered the docks at Horseshoe Bay. From there is was a quick bus ride up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Squamish. Stage 6 starts there on Friday, as racers take on the toughest stage yet, climbing all the way to Whistler. Ouch”¦

Results

Teams of 2 Open Men
1. Chris Eatough, Jeff Schalk (Trek VW Mountain Bike) 3:23:51
2. Evan Plews, Bear Perrin (Capitol Subaru Cycling) 0:09:10
3. Andreas Hestler, Kevin Calhoun (Rocky Mountain-Haywood) 0:11:01
4. Manuel Prado, Jason First (La Ruta/Sho-Air) 0:19:11
5. Julian Hine, Kevin Phelps (Chromag-Sram) 0:19:11
6. Justin Mark, Andrew Clarke (Team Helly Hansen) 0:20:48
7. Timmy Dougherty, Rich Dillen (Bearnaked Cannondale/T) 0:28:09
8. Reed Melton, Marc Driver (Sun Summit South-Drive) 0:33:02
9. Michael Cushionbury, Damon Roberson (Bicycling Magazine) 0:34:01
10. Gary Jackson, James Durand (Twin Sin) 0:50:48
11. Jeff Cote, Mark Coates (Itscanadianeh) 0:52:43
12. Dan Peters, Brett Zagozewski (Prairie Boys) 1:00:18
13. Nicholas White, Jesse Epstein (Team Marty’s) 1:00:19
14. Scott Hedlund, Brad Samis (Sin Twin) 1:00:56
15. Neall Banner, Paul Martin (Bow Cycle) 1:01:44
16. Sterling Mudge, Mike Bordogna (Cloud City Cyclists) 1:08:08
17. Nigel Halsted, Brian Mccurdy (Ridin’ Dirty) 1:14:39
18. Kip Mikler, Mark Sevenoff (Bike Magazine) 1:15:11
19. Graham Tutti, Paul Player (Tutti) 1:18:27
20. Phil Johnston, Paul Sharman (The Hustlers) 1:21:01
21. Alexei Marko, Ross Mccredie (Fat Chance) 1:22:16
22. Barry Lyster, Steven Devantier (Pedal – Specialized) 1:28:18
23. Mark Coates, (Team Coates (Team 13)) 1:34:49
24. Rodrigo Elvira, Guillermo Cuello (Miti Batai) 1:35:18
25. Charles Halliburton, Nicholas Vipond (Fat And Slow) 1:39:06
26. Daffyd Roderick, Mike Peshko (Rpm Spinning Plus Grav) 1:40:16
27. Erik Keniston, Doug Gangi (Cold One Please) 1:42:57
28. Rick Bruce, Cam Robertson (Los Hombres) 2:01:37
29. John Nakashima, Andrew Mckean (Keep The Rubber Side D) 2:26:41
30. Tim Logie, William John (Phat’N’Dirty) 2:28:57
31. Terry Williams, Todd Williams (Williams) 2:40:54
32. Chris Mccann, Layne Nadeau (Sierra Spokesmen) 2:41:42
33. Dan Stern, Doug Clawson (Sts) 2:50:24
34. Kelly Sherbin, Darren Butler (Sherbin Butler) 3:20:44
35. Nick Thelen, David Simpson (Slowmosapiens) 3:21:40
36. Husain Esmail, Vince Elenko (Team P.A.A.W.G.)

Teams of 2 Open Women
1. Jennifer Keefer, Jen Sawrenko (The Jenerators) 4:56:04
2. Stephanie Tuck, Megan Kogut (Lucky Golden Star Bicy) 0:02:12
3. Emma Smith, Sarah O’Byrne (Team Tunnelvision) 0:15:22
4. Cynthia Young, Michelle Newton (Shore Girls Don’T Cry) 0:17:45
5. Danielle Fisher, Karen Todd (Katfish) 0:28:34
6. Jennifer Garrett, Janna Mackenzie (Rider’s Cycles) 0:35:24
7. Karen Eller, Carolin Rahner (Scott / Trenga / De) 0:42:33
8. Andrea Kraft-Costigan, Carmen Turner (Sombrio Dakine Bavaria) 0:42:33
9. Beth Crowther, Lanie Forman (Team 10-33) 2:30:09

Teams of 2 Open Mixed
1. David Harris, Lynda Wallenfels (Team Desert Cyclery/He) 4:12:24
2. Hillary Harrison, Ryan Watts (Crystal Mountain Hotel) 0:10:05
3. Greg Norombaba, Lisa Riehl (San Diego Trek) 0:32:32
4. Lesley Clements, Matthew Bodkin (Team Bc) 0:50:05
5. Brady Fleguel, Astrid Bonter (Vancouver Bike Gallery) 0:50:39
6. Karl Etzel, Jennifer Ratay (Team Ride424.Com/X-Fus) 1:02:58
7. Robin Kay, Jameel Adam (Special K And Captain) 2:32:08
8. Ming Gin, Christina Cuthbertson (Gin) 2:33:03
9. Jochen Faber, Diane Faber (Faber) 3:20:32

Teams of 2 Veterans 80
1. Rod Dagneau, Mike Charuk (West Coast Racing To T) 3:47:48
2. Randy Richmond, Sandy Mitchell (Gerick- Nelson) 0:01:17
3. David Overstreet, Mark Thompson (Spike Shooter) 0:15:12
4. Brent Martin, Greg Hayes (Ryders Eyewear Corp) 0:25:46
5. Dave Howells, Denis Fontaine (Ironhorse/Helly Hansen) 0:28:20
6. Mike Hardenbergh, Tim Crum (Damn Dirty Apes) 0:44:44
7. Doug Doyle, Darin Nevin (Sleepmonsters.Ca) 0:46:17
8. Michael Wardas, Ken Waring (Up And Down) 0:56:42
9. Greg Mcdougall, Graeme Fitch (Team Harbour Air) 1:10:50
10. Bruce Gordon, Ken Knight (Wheely Forkin’ Tired) 1:10:53
11. Paul Nicholas, Henric Meldgard (Ride To Survive) 1:12:45
12. Dave Mountain, Jim Bennett (Midlife Mojo) 1:19:29
13. Trevor Plestid, Stuart Jones (Winded) 1:22:25
14. Dean Hachey, Mike Davidson (Hachey) 1:23:53
15. Greg Stevenson, Jim Clement (Ready & Wheeling) 1:34:08
16. Keith Mcivor, Kevin Smith (Skyline Flyers) 1:34:09
17. Chris Mccue, John Ratzke (Big Ride – Bigger Hair) 1:34:09
18. Michael Stiles, Rick Lewis (Stitch Me, I’M Bleedin) 1:38:05
19. Andrew Handford, Pat Doyle (Different Bikes One) 1:48:32
20. Steven Wallouch, Bruce Kelsch (The Aristocrats) 1:51:12
21. Shuichi Kanamori, Leon Fetzer (Team Shuichi-Leon) 1:52:23
22. Ken Oertle, Jonathan Mcquenn (Team Action Cyclery) 2:28:49
23. Derek Riley, Monti Burtini (Burley M F) 2:29:02

Teams of 2 Veterans 100
1. Doug Nottebrock, Con Diamond (Kootenay-Okanagan Coop) 4:57:39
2. Clive Rubens, Leo Groenewoud (Geopsyclos) 1:32:53
3. Rick Kaleta, Jean Michaud (Team Canine Carnage) 1:58:35
4. Gary Stetler, Guy Dutil (Team Synergy)

Team of 2 VIP
1. Dean Payne, Jason Sumner (Payne Sumner) 7:00:08
2. Melissa Pace, Derek Dejong (Melissa And Derek) 0:16:55

Teams of 4
2. Calindy Ramsden, Donna Macintosh, John Ramsden, Unknown Rider (Dark Horse Racing) 4:37:17
1. Rob Blanchard, Rob Herbst, Bruce Barker, Darrell Jones (Out There Guys) 0:07:04
3. Tori Fahey, Alana Heise, Lisa Le Poole, Alison Jones (Out There Girls) 0:50:58

Team of 4 VIP
1. Melanie; Lesley & Wend, Brian Green, Sam Brovender, Michael Brown (Falcons Fliers) 4:34:52
2. Brian Green, Sam Brovender, Michael Brown, Kevin Falcon (Melanie; Lesley & Wend) 0:10:00

GC after 5 Stages

Teams of 2 Open Men
1. Chris Eatough, Jeff Schalk (Trek VW Mountain Bike) 19:24:17
2. Andreas Hestler, Kevin Calhoun (Rocky Mountain-Haywood) 0:25:53
3. Manuel Prado, Jason First (La Ruta/Sho-Air) 1:15:04
4. Evan Plews, Bear Perrin (Capitol Subaru Cycling) 2:21:15
5. Justin Mark, Andrew Clarke (Team Helly Hansen) 2:34:33
6. Julian Hine, Kevin Phelps (Chromag-Sram) 3:03:39
7. Michael Cushionbury, Damon Roberson (Bicycling Magazine) 3:32:28
8. Reed Melton, Marc Driver (Sun Summit South-Drive) 3:43:04
9. Timmy Dougherty, Rich Dillen (Bearnaked Cannondale/T) 4:39:33
10. Gary Jackson, James Durand (Twin Sin) 5:08:53
11. Neall Banner, Paul Martin (Bow Cycle) 5:09:11
12. Kip Mikler, Mark Sevenoff (Bike Magazine) 5:24:28
13. Nicholas White, Jesse Epstein (Team Marty’s) 5:25:48
14. Scott Hedlund, Brad Samis (Sin Twin) 5:27:50
15. Sterling Mudge, Mike Bordogna (Cloud City Cyclists) 5:35:18
16. Graham Tutti, Paul Player (Tutti) 5:36:29
17. Dan Peters, Brett Zagozewski (Prairie Boys) 6:31:59
18. Nigel Halsted, Brian Mccurdy (Ridin’ Dirty) 6:51:35
19. Barry Lyster, Steven Devantier (Pedal – Specialized) 6:53:46
20. Rodrigo Elvira, Guillermo Cuello (Miti Batai) 7:11:52
21. Alexei Marko, Ross Mccredie (Fat Chance) 7:14:29
22. Phil Johnston, Paul Sharman (The Hustlers) 7:30:29
23. Daffyd Roderick, Mike Peshko (Rpm Spinning Plus Grav) 7:42:11
24. Charles Halliburton, Nicholas Vipond (Fat And Slow) 8:56:19
25. Erik Keniston, Doug Gangi (Cold One Please) 8:58:46
26. Rick Bruce, Cam Robertson (Los Hombres) 9:05:44
27. Jeff Cote, Mark Coates (Itscanadianeh) 9:24:33
28. Tim Logie, William John (Phat’N’Dirty) 11:05:23
29. Terry Williams, Todd Williams (Williams) 11:50:33
30. Mark Coates, (Team Coates (Team 13)) 12:30:58
31. John Nakashima, Andrew Mckean (Keep The Rubber Side D) 12:46:20
32. Chris Mccann, Layne Nadeau (Sierra Spokesmen) 12:53:45
33. Dan Stern, Doug Clawson (Sts) 13:01:06
34. Nick Thelen, David Simpson (Slowmosapiens) 16:34:52
35. Kelly Sherbin, Darren Butler (Sherbin Butler)
36. Husain Esmail, Vince Elenko (Team P.A.A.W.G.)

Teams of 2 Open Women
1. Cynthia Young, Michelle Newton (Shore Girls Don’T Cry) 26:49:11
2. Karen Eller, Carolin Rahner (Scott / Trenga / De) 0:10:22
3. Jennifer Keefer, Jen Sawrenko (The Jenerators) 0:57:46
4. Emma Smith, Sarah O’Byrne (Team Tunnelvision) 1:44:18
5. Stephanie Tuck, Megan Kogut (Lucky Golden Star Bicy) 3:03:29
6. Danielle Fisher, Karen Todd (Katfish) 3:15:32
7. Jennifer Garrett, Janna Mackenzie (Rider’s Cycles) 5:01:55
8. Andrea Kraft-Costigan, Carmen Turner (Sombrio Dakine Bavaria) 8:48:52
9. Beth Crowther, Lanie Forman (Team 10-33) 9:10:16

Teams of 2 Open Mixed
1. David Harris, Lynda Wallenfels (Team Desert Cyclery/He) 23:03:13
2. Hillary Harrison, Ryan Watts (Crystal Mountain Hotel) 1:08:41
3. Lesley Clements, Matthew Bodkin (Team Bc) 1:47:59
4. Karl Etzel, Jennifer Ratay (Team Ride424.Com/X-Fus) 3:25:58
5. Greg Norombaba, Lisa Riehl (San Diego Trek) 3:47:38
6. Brady Fleguel, Astrid Bonter (Vancouver Bike Gallery) 5:06:31
7. Robin Kay, Jameel Adam (Special K And Captain) 11:41:48
8. Jochen Faber, Diane Faber (Faber) 14:53:16
9. Ming Gin, Christina Cuthbertson (Gin)

Teams of 2 Veterans 80
1. Randy Richmond, Sandy Mitchell (Gerick- Nelson) 21:56:57
2. David Overstreet, Mark Thompson (Spike Shooter) 0:48:26
3. Rod Dagneau, Mike Charuk (West Coast Racing To T) 0:49:35
4. Andrew Handford, Pat Doyle (Different Bikes One) 2:00:13
5. Dave Howells, Denis Fontaine (Ironhorse/Helly Hansen) 2:26:41
6. Brent Martin, Greg Hayes (Ryders Eyewear Corp) 2:31:38
7. Mike Hardenbergh, Tim Crum (Damn Dirty Apes) 3:06:40
8. Michael Wardas, Ken Waring (Up And Down) 3:34:11
9. Doug Doyle, Darin Nevin (Sleepmonsters.Ca) 3:35:30
10. Keith Mcivor, Kevin Smith (Skyline Flyers) 3:53:10
11. Michael Stiles, Rick Lewis (Stitch Me, I’M Bleedin) 4:20:13
12. Dave Mountain, Jim Bennett (Midlife Mojo) 5:03:31
13. Paul Nicholas, Henric Meldgard (Ride To Survive) 5:10:21
14. Trevor Plestid, Stuart Jones (Winded) 5:50:06
15. Greg Stevenson, Jim Clement (Ready & Wheeling) 6:07:25
16. Steven Wallouch, Bruce Kelsch (The Aristocrats) 6:07:53
17. Dean Hachey, Mike Davidson (Hachey) 6:21:51
18. Greg Mcdougall, Graeme Fitch (Team Harbour Air) 6:37:05
19. Shuichi Kanamori, Leon Fetzer (Team Shuichi-Leon) 6:50:02
20. Bruce Gordon, Ken Knight (Wheely Forkin’ Tired) 6:52:29
21. Chris Mccue, John Ratzke (Big Ride – Bigger Hair) 8:03:32
22. Derek Riley, Monti Burtini (Burley M F) 9:24:29
23. Ken Oertle, Jonathan Mcquenn (Team Action Cyclery) 10:57:22

Teams of 2 Veterans 100
1. Doug Nottebrock, Con Diamond (Kootenay-Okanagan Coop) 26:12:30
2. Clive Rubens, Leo Groenewoud (Geopsyclos) 7:29:06
3. Rick Kaleta, Jean Michaud (Team Canine Carnage) 10:34:02
4. Gary Stetler, Guy Dutil (Team Synergy)

Team of 2 VIP
1. Dean Payne, Jason Sumner (Payne Sumner) 7:00:08
2. Melissa Pace, Derek Dejong (Melissa And Derek) 0:16:55

Teams of 4
1. Rob Blanchard, Rob Herbst, Bruce Barker, Darrell Jones (Out There Guys) 28:34:45
2. Calindy Ramsden, Donna Macintosh, John Ramsden, Unknown Rider (Dark Horse Racing) 3:56:34
3. Tori Fahey, Alana Heise, Lisa Le Poole, Alison Jones (Out There Girls) 4:13:32

Team of 4 VIP
1. Melanie; Lesley & Wend, Brian Green, Sam Brovender, Michael Brown (Falcons Fliers) 4:34:52
2. Brian Green, Sam Brovender, Michael Brown, Kevin Falcon (Melanie; Lesley & Wend) 0:10:00