July 29, 2009 – Another civilized 9am start began stage two of the Intermontane Challenge, and another day of dry, hot trails awaited the 81 riders who decided to tempt a fiery fate once again. The heat during yesterday’s stage was nothing less than record breaking according to the local weather office. Not the best conditions to mountain bike in. Actually not the best conditions for anything! Some riders were so overwhelmed by the heat from yesterday’s stage that they decided to skip today’s stage, rest up, and tackle stage three.

The slightly dwindled rider field was again lead through town by the RCMP with Team Mona Vie Cannondale hot on their heels. Mona Vie Cannondale were quick to pick up the pace on the first, very steep climb that kicked off the stage. Canada’s Chris Sheppard, who is battling with three members of Cannondale for the top four positions, was right with them as they disappeared over the crest.

The rest of the field, made up of pro riders, adventure warriors, and those just trying to survive a multi-day stage race for the first time powered on into the backcountry of Kamloops with survival, rather than a podium spot, on their minds. Today’s stage profile showed a steep start with some matched descending before hitting the big climbs of the day. The largest “lump” on the profile map turned out  to be the least of our worries. It was well shaded and for the most part a respectable grade. One of the things you learn after doing enough MTB stage races is it’s those little “shark teeth” spikes at the end of the stage profile that are the killers. Of course Intermontane, not wanting to break with stage race tradition, threw the toughest kickers at us over the last 15 kilometers – a point at which the mid-day sun was sapping us of energy and fluid.

Aid stations were at the rescue for many of the riders who were overcome by the heat. Incredibly supportive volunteers filling bottles, providing food, and a cold shower from the water hose, kept us going in the hottest parts of the day. Unfortunately even with this support some riders were beaten down by the blaring sun and heat stroke took them out for the day. Most people I talked with after the stage said all-in-all it wasn’t tough distance-wise, or technically, it was the heat, again!

Even the pro’s are suffering at these thermal highs, with Jeremiah Bishop mentioning he expected to see kangaroos at some point on the course. Bishop, part of the Mona Vie Cannondale team, came across the line with Sheppard in 3:07:15, good enough for a shared 1st place on todays stage. Benjamin Sonntag and David “Tinker” Juarez, also part of Mona Vie Cannondale took 3rd and 4th respectively. Mona Vie Cannondale also saw Sue Bishop take 1st in the women’s category.

The rest of the field slogged their way through the heat to the finish line and spread finishing times across the board from three and a half hours to over six and a half – a damn long time to be exposed to 38 degrees of Kamloops sun.

Wednesday’s stage doesn’t get any better according to Environment Canada. Temps are again expected to hit 38 and tomorrow’s stage, appropriately named “Top of the World” will be our biggest vertical of the week (1,700 meters). The descent is also expected to be the most challenging of the week and riders are already digging for information on just how technical this descent will be. Locals are suggesting it is an area with very steep, freerider like drops. It’s going to be an interesting day. Oh, and there are those vicious little “sharks teeth” at the end of the profile map again!