Test of Metal: the Canadian Epic Mountain Bike Race

I'll spare the boring details. Here are some of the highlights from Saturday's race (67k, roughly 42 miles):

Over 800 racers in a mass start sounds like serious potential for chaos. But the Canadians have it down pat: self-seed yourself in the start chute between the signs with estimated finish times. Everyone seemed to be pretty honest here, parking bikes upside down 30 minutes or so prior then heading off for last minute rest room and stretching. The first racers poured out of the chute at the conclusion of "O Canada."

Once we were rolling, that was it--no false starts or bottlenecking. I stayed to the left to give myself room to maneuver without getting boxed in or cut off. The first real concern was 15-20 minutes in when we left the residential streets and ducked into single track, but once again, the Canucks managed it smoothly. After the slightest slow-down, I was in a long line of riders wheel to wheel, ripping down a gorgeous trail through the woods. It was really cool and really fun!

While we were still in the neighborhood and starting up a steep hill, a loudspeaker was blaring ACDCs "Highway to Hell," which seemed all too appropriate since that's exactly where this road was taking us!

The crowd support was phenomenal. I think everyone who lives on the streets we rode through was out, standing, sitting, ringing cowbells, holding signs, offering drinks, cheering, etc. This really is a community event and everyone gets involved.

There were numerous aid stations that were easy to navigate on the fly. Volunteers held orange and watermelon wedges or cups of water or gatorade. There was one big aid station that we came through twice and lots of spectators plus an announcer here. The second time through, he announced that I had won a push up the next hill, courtesy of a local bike shop. And sure enough, a moment later, a guy was behind me, pushing me up the hill! I felt like a princess! A tired, sweaty princess, but still...

The course was amazingly fun--a great mix of sweet single track, bits of paved road, dirt road, and highly technical sections.

All the riders I encountered were very nice and courteous, whether passing or being passed. On narrow sections, they were content to hold position and wait for better opportunities to pass.

And, best of all, despite my hard core vacationing lately, I rallied for the race and felt stronger than I've ever felt for a race this long! I felt like I was on fire! I rode hard and fast, passed a lot, and never stopped except to put on my earphones for the Nine Mile hill. It was long with steep pitches, but punctuated by flats and downhills. Oh, I suffered mightily, but with the aid of some tunes thought that everyone else was undoubtedly suffering more than I. That thought carried me up Bonk Hill and a steep single track climb until we hit the Ring Creek Rip--a ridgeline descent that was long and fast and rocky in places, not very steep so no need for brakes. For a while I was content to tuck behind a woman I caught up with, but then a guy in a yellow jersey passed on the right and I jumped on the train. With Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" in my left ear, we flew down the trail, feeling strong with more than two thirds of the race behind me.

I had a blast, finished well enough (8 of 30 in age group, top third in the women's field and slightly more than halfway through the combined field. And hope to do it again next year!

Didn't have time to scan all the pictures for myself, but there's a photo gallery here: http://testofmetal.com/pages/photo-gallery/2011-photos.php