The JetBlack MTB Team's BC Bike Race

Words: Michael Brown

The BC Bike Race hit my must-ride list some 3 years ago and as 2022 approached the training and excitement kept growing as the months and weeks drew closer. Training through our Sydney winter this year was super challenging with all the rain but never less it would a case of getting it done in September during the race week.

Having never raced a 7 day stage race before only having a few Port 2 Port and Snowies under our belts meant we would also go into the unknown.  Take into consideration the amount of vertical metres for the BC Bike Race 2022 and to put this in perspective the vertical metres per km outstrip Absa Cape Epic. Yes this was going to be very tough.

Arriving in Canada 5 days before the race allowed us to familiarise ourselves with some amazing trail networks and some of what lay ahead for the race week. We managed to get in and ride Squamish and Whistler and complete the magical Lord of the Squirrels loop which is a must do ride for anyone in this region. The last day in Vancouver we hit up the North Shore in Nth Vancouver on Mount Froome.  A purpose built trail network full of Expert, Black, blue and green trails. We did ride a black and a few blues and managed to bump into some locals who built the trail networks back in the 90s and get the view point.

Getting to BC Bike Race

Wednesday was travel day to Kelowna which would be our base for the next 4 days leading into the race start Thursday. Leckie and I decided the hit up Dynamic Studio Tattoo's and get some pe race ink of the BCBR logo. Who would of thought the calf muscle could be so painful but this now provides life long memories of this crazy race we were heading into. I must admit that during the week so many people asked ' how many BCBR have you done?' as I had the tattoo on my calf. It was always funny to hear when I responded none this is my first one !!!

The week ahead looked like this:

Day 1 – Prologue (7km timed / 300vm)
Day 2 – Stage 1 – Kelowna (40.5km / 1500vm)
Day 3 – Stage 2 – Salmon Arm Queen Stage 1 (52km / 2000vm)
Day 4 – Stage 3 – Silverstar Ski Resort (43km / 1650vm)
Day 5 – Stage 4 – Vernon Queen Stage 2 (51km / 1825vm)
Day 6 – Stage 5 – Apex Mountain Ski Resort (28km / 1250vm)
Day 7 – Stage 6 – Naramata Three Blind Mice (45km / 1280vm)

The weather forecast was bang on with days all sunny and ranging around the 18c- 24c with a bit cooler in the ski resort stages.

The event organisation from the BCBR crew was outstanding and made the week whilst super challenging both physically and mentally all the more easy to rock and race each day. 

My race was each stage was broken down into sections where you could push hard and make up some time with a mix of sections that the mindset was just get this done.  Each day I felt stronger and stronger and getting to ride a lot of trails that were well outside the comfort zone was another rewarding experience.  Some of the climbs were 2hr – 3hr long on the days but they were rewarded with the equivalent of descending.  This is just something we do not get to experience on this level in Australia but has also stoked the fire to seek and do some more other stage races around the world in the future.

Leckie did not race two stages but rode the bulk during the week and was finishing mid pack in the 50+ category as well.  Mr G Smith also had a mechanical issue on the Stage 3 with a cracked hub but to rode all other stages to finish mid pack as well.  These guys both put themselves well outside their comfort zone and rode trails that before this they would never though rideable. 

Like any stage race you get to meet some amazing people on your journey.  We got to hang with Catherine Pendral, Andreas Hestler former Canadian superstars of the MTB world.  Sat down and had some beers with Deano the race director who specifically designed the final stage in the Three Blind Mice trail network.  Moniera Khan racer relationships it was great to finally meet as we had dealt with along the whole pre-race journey of BCBR.  A couple of special legends that we met throughout the week was Graham Fitch & Peter Henderson. Both Canadian Vancouver lads who had done many a BCBR race. Graham has actually ridden EVERY BCBR stage that has every been on offer.  I believe he is up to something like 108 stages to date.  He is considered a legend in this event and such an amazing guy.  Then there was crazy Donnie from South Africa and Sharon Peri from Israel who we hung out with also during the week.

All in all an amazing event. Super tough but well worth the sacrifice’s and pain to get across the finish line. I have always said that mountain biking is about the people you meet and places you get to see.  I will leave you with one last saying

That sums up us crazy cyclists – Those who dance on pedals are considered insane only by those who cannot hear the music. Huge thanks for following the Browny & Leckie Journey on Facebook and socials.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as we have we in being able to provide some insight into the BCBR 2022.   Until the next one keep it rubber side down.