Epic Spin: Blasting across BC by bike

Enveloped in the lush green rainforest, you pedal your mountain bike along the narrow singletrack trails of Vancouver Island, a canopy of huge cedars sheltering you from the scorching sun. The crunch of branches under your tires and your deep breathing are the only sounds as you and your partner edge up the steep mountainside on your way to the finish line.

It’s just this kind of breathtaking experience that has motivated over 400 athletes from around the world to get in Racers encounter everything from
muddy bogs to bridges over
mountain streams on the
BC Bike Racegear at Shawnigan Lake on June 28, 2008 for the start of the BC Bike Race Pacific Traverse. This epic seven-day event will pit teams of two against British Columbia’s rugged terrain, unrelenting hilly singletrack and unpredictable weather, blasting across a course from Victoria to Whistler.

Only in its second year, the BC Bike Race has already established itself as the best multi-day singletrack mountain bike event in the world. Thanks to generous corporate sponsorship from companies like Harbour Air and a host of others, the race is truly first class.

After preparing their bikes and enduring race scrutinizing, competitors will leave the comforts of their dorm rooms at Shawnigan Lake School and head off on an ambitious 112-km ride of logging roads, tight singletrack, and hike-a-bike sections before arriving at Lake Cowichan—the Day One finish. Here they will eat, sleep and recover before embarking on six more days that will place them deep in the BC backcountry. Along the way they will stop in the beautiful towns of Port Alberni, Cumberland, Sechelt and Squamish, ending their journey in Whistler.

Day Two Leaders and eventual
women’s overall champions Cynthia
Young and Michelle NewtonTo link this vast distance separated by water, Day Three and Day Five will take racers aboard BC Ferries, where majestic crossings over the Strait of Georgia and the chance to see whales, seals and other wildlife will heighten their experience. Seventy-five percent of racers are from other countries; this trip provides them with the perfect opportunity to see all that British Columbia has to offer.

While the BC Bike Race is long sold out, you’ll find more information on the event, volunteering and entering a future race at www.bcbikerace.com.

Recommended Gear Guide

Marin Mount Vision Mountain Bike
Marin’s XC bike has a 6066 aluminum hydroformed lightweight frame, shimano XT components and an award-winning QUAD-Link XC 2.0 Suspension System to help you dial in those epic trails. Price: $3100, www.marinbikes.com

Shimano SH-MP66L Shoes
Rip up the trails with these super comfortable and protective mountain biking shoes from Shimano. Armored lace shield, mid-high ankle protection, and SPD or platform pedal compatible. Price: $129.99, www.shimano.com

Giro E2 Helmet
Protect your noggin with Giro’s topline helmet sporting 24 huge vents to keep you cool on those hot days and a Roc-loc fit system to ensure a perfect fit. Price: $150, www.giro.com

*Photos by www.davesilverphoto.com