If you’re doing the bumper-to-bumper thing today getting into or leaving Sechelt and getting bottlenecked by double construction at Teredo and managed to get over to the Sechelt Elementary Grounds you were no likely astounded by the mushrooming of a tent colony on the school fields. Not to worry – it’s just the BC Bike Race Day Four Sunshine Coast.
This annual race brings 500 competitors to our Coastal bike routes in one of the most scenic races on the North American circuit. For many racers it becomes their main vacation for the year, and racers come from all over the globe to participate. Referred to on the BC Bike Race site as ‘seven days of epic west coast BC singletrack ready for your shredding pleasure’ (Drew Rohde, Decline Magazine), the race involves three ferry crossings, takes in sea level routes and mountainous ascents… usually in the same day.
I stopped by the race area this evening and watched a few of the last 70 riders arrive under blue skies and warm & breezy temperatures. Plenty of tents had sleeping bags draped over them and the announcer on the PA commented on the tents ‘finally being dry’ so one can only imagine what the last three days were like given the rain that ranged from sprinkles to relentless downpours. Today, though, everyone was happy, enjoying the food on offer, getting bikes tuned, relaxing and talking about the day’s race, or heading over to the Aquatic Centre to shower and soak aching muscles. The massage tent was busy but no groans emanated – at least while I was nearby.
Today was also the day for the BC Bike Race Kids Race, presented by Off the Edge Adventure Sports in Sechelt. Race results pending 
but check out the fabulous poster in the image gallery below. Gorgeous! I’d love a copy to save and will be hunting one up.
The BC Bike Race video included is from Day Three, Powell River. Fantastic montage and gorgeous singletrack clips… like being out there. Time for some mountain biking lessons, I’m thinking!
Riders are in for a beautiful day tomorrow on the leg to Langdale – killer ascent and one of the ‘funnest’ downhill rides ever, according to racers I interviewed last year awaiting the boat off the Coast (http://youtu.be/nBrWHfgz5yw).
Here’s a collection of shots, a few of which are from last year. For BC Bike Race official photos, head to the 2012 Photo Gallery page.
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