BC Bike Race 2014
Solo Open category winners Kris Sneddon (Kona) and Lea Davison (Specialized Bicycles).
The 8th edition of the BC Bike Race wrapped up this weekend in Whistler, and once again 600 ambitious riders were treated to 7 days of racing on some of the world’s greatest MTB trails. From the opening stage which saw the race return to Vancouver’s North Shore for the first time in 4 years, to stages in Cumberland, Powell River, the Sunshine Coast towns of Earls Cove, Sechelt, and Langdale, and the final two days in Squamish and Whistler, BCBR once again delivered a feast of brown pow amidst the paradise of granite and cedar that defines BC’s coastal trails.
Videos from the other 6 days of racing can be found on the BC Bike Race Videos Page.
Racers waged two-wheeled warfare over the course of 304 kilometers and 8,700 meters of climbing. In contrast to most MTB stage races, the BC Bike Race is run almost exclusively on singletrack, making it the world’s most distilled mountain bike race.
Dem ribbons.
Squamish base camp, under surreal skies.
Could this be anywhere other than BC?
Buff undulating trails punctuate rocky outcrops and swooping fun.
Moody skies backdrop a solid celebration of worthy proportions. The Solo Men’s Open podium (l to r): Uhl, Sneddon, Paxson.
Rider’s perspective of Lost Lake – at full throttle.
Hashbrown, bacon and eggs to accompany singletrack
Rocking the fast line in Whistler’s Lost Lake trail network.
Seaside start on the beach in Powell River.
Pendrel calling the Holeshot.
Quintessential BC Bike Race photo #692.
Brian Cooke feeling the heat.
Red Bull, Tippie and electric guitars.
Fishing with Ryder sunglasses.
Dropping in before the new Aloha trail section. Raz Dana.
Shawn Bunnin in the BC spotlight.
The new bridge on the Aloha trail is a masterpiece. Plus, coconut bras and grass skirts.
David Berkowitz gets the Tippie treatment.
Jurgen in bike patrol carving between assisting riders.
Morning and evning yoga sessions have been popular since their introduction last year.
Epic sunset much?
Harbour Air provides the planes and has a few things to say about cornering.
Oliver Zurbruegg of Switzerland on his way to a top 5 stage placing.
Jurgen Watts gets elevated.
Wherever you go there is moss in British Columbia.
Shimano have used BC Bike Race as a testing ground for many years.
Aid stations are critical to getting through the long days.
Dynamic trails are cherry picked for the BC Bike Race.
Lea Davison finding her flow after losing her way early on.
It was Ryders Eyewear day and the crew forgot to shave for the occasion.
BCBR will eat your bike alive. Stories of miraculous repairs performed all through the night are commonplace.
Now that is a welcome countdown.
The crew from North Vancouver shop Obsession:bikes have been performing tech support at the BC Bike Race since the beginning.
Open Solo Category
In the end, the Men’s Open Solo category was won by Canadian and Sunshine Coast local Kris Sneddon (Kona) edged out two Americans: his Kona teammate Spencer Paxson finished in 2nd, followed by Tristan Uhl (787 Racing) in 3rd place. On the Women’s side, Lea Davison (Specialized Bicycles) narrowly beat Canadian Wendy Simms (Kona Racing) and Sonya Looney (Topeak Ergon) rounded out 3rd place.
Teams of 2 Open Men
1. Greg Day and Quinn Moberg (Rocky Mountain Bicycles)
2. Joerg Franke and Ruben Way (Bike4Life)
3. Samuel Kummrow and Aart Van Kooy (Bike Barn/Jakroo)
Teams of 2 Open Women
1. Catharine Pendrel and Maghalie Rochette (LUNA Chix)
2. Lesley Tomlinson and Gretchen Reeves (TaG Team)
3. Mary Jowett and Lisa Savage (Golden Bay Kayaks NZ)
Enduro Men
1. Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain Bicycles)
2. Jeff Beeston (Trail Bicycles)
3. Logan Wetzel (Transition Bikes)
Enduro Women
1. Catharine Pendrel (LUNA Chix)
2. Wendy Simms (Kona Racing)
3. Emilie Thy (Dodge City Cycles)
If the BC Bike Race isn’t on your bucket list, it should be.
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