Cheakamus Challenge, Squamish to Whistler, BC
September 23, 2006
The Cheakamus Challenge was a hoot, but a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. Hmm... perhaps the name of the race is relevant. Despite the epic nature of the race, I placed third in the Pro/Expert Women's Category and 34th overall, out of over 250 riders!
Another podium appearance for me!
This was my first time doing the famous Cheakamus Challenge, a 70+-kilometre point to point racer beginning in Squamish and ending in Whistler, B.C. Whistler is at a higher elevation than Squamish, which meant the race was all about climbing. The first part of the race was road and the wide Sea to Sky Trail, which climbed through the beautiful Cheakamus Canyon. There were some spots where we rode right by the cliff-edge and looking down meant views of the thundering river far below.
The start was neutral on paved rode for five kilometres, so the pack stayed together. It was the perfect warm up. Then we hit the dirt and all hell broke loose on tough, rocky climbs where we often found ourselves carrying our bikes. I caught Trish on the climb out of the canyon when she flatted. A few minutes later, she was back on track. She passed me and I quickly caught on to her wheel. Unfortunately, my chain dropped off and I had to stop and wrestle it back on, during which time I lost sight of Trish. It was still within the first hour of an hour-long race, so I didn't want to push to hard to catch her, for fear of blowing up later on. Instead, I paced myself and focused on drinking lots and keeping a good rhythm on the climbs.
Once out of the canyon, the trails got better and better. We were treated to fantastic singletrack, which got harder and harder to ride as the race wore on. In the end, I finished in a time of 4:05:44 and was greeted at the finish by my support crew, Barry and Jeanine, and Local Ride's Roy, who finished three minutes ahead of me. Nice work! Kudos also to Steve, Paul, Gord and Allen for surviving the Challenge.
Congrats also to the unstoppable Alison Sydor (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) for her 10th-place overall and decisive victory in the women's field, and to Trish Sinclair (BC, Scott USA-Kenda) for a solid second-place finish.
Pro/Expert Women (70+ km)
1. Alison Sydor (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 3:38:41
2. Trish Sinclair (BC, Scott USA-Kenda) at 16:22
3.
Sandra Walter (BC, X.O-Felt) 26:44
For more results and my PedalMag.com report click here.