Distance: 73.7 km Climbing: 3813 meters Descending: 3641 metersFrom: www.transrockies.com
Today was a tough day on the TransRockies trail. The stage became more difficult when the front pack got off-course. Everyone played « follow the lemming » as Mike Garrigan, Sobe Cannondale rider, and Jesse Jakomait, 1st Place Open Mens finishers explained at the finish. Some of the top riders missed the flagging tape marking a right-hand turn. This was a major mistake. Instead, they rode up an avalanche gully and carried their bikes all the way to top. They missed the turn but discovered that the trail was cold upon reaching the top.
Jakomait said that they were so focused on getting one foot in front the other, they ended up playing « follow the lemming ». He said that a group consisting of 20 riders was at the front of race and realized their error and started backtracking. They eventually found the route and got back into race mode. Jakomait Garrigan completed it in a time of
Frederic, who still smiled but was tired after two days of vertical climbing, stated that there was a lot of climbing today.
Trevor Linden, a Steed Cycles rider who is also a retired NHL hockey player, commented on Stage 2’s difficulty. He said: It wouldn’t have been so bad if we hadnt gone off-course (uphilll), on that scree. He said that it was a huge day even without the scree, but that made it more difficult. Linden stated that he was looking forward the Stage 3 trial, which will provide a much-needed break from Stages 1 & 2. Nipika Mountain Resort promises that it will deliver this with exceptional singletrack along Canada’s Kootenay River.
Stage 3
This year’s TransRockies will feature a new format. The racers will be split into three waves and tackle a 45km loop through Nipika singletrack. This will provide a break from the extremely difficult first two days at TRVIII (over 6000m of climbing already!) The time trial format allows riders to cheer on their friends who are competing in the next wave. The Nipika Mountain Resort boasts a vast network of trails. The course will weave through these trails, combining technical descents and short climbs with long uphill sections and high-speed jeep tracks. This mountain biking adventure will prepare riders for Wednesday’s return to big miles and significant elevation change.
