Intermontane Challenge
Intermontane Challenge – 5 day mtn bike race – Kamloops, BC
What at great adventure to ride 5 days in the beautiful trails of Kamloops BC. We knew it would be an adventure before we started we expected it to be hot but maybe not that hot. Phil and I didn’t get a lot of time training in the heat as it was a cold start to the summer in Calgary.
Day one started out with nerves going crazy as the start of any race for us but we know we had a slow police escort and intro parade through downtown Kamloops. Quickly we found ourselves climbing up the hills to the North shore of Kamloops where you are very exposed to the sun. With the sun beating down at 9am we knew it was going to be a hot day. We started popping salt pills before we left the start but soon found out that was not going to be enough. The long climb on a double track took us to the first aid station we were making good time a quick stop for more water and Fubar and then off we went finding ourselves on an awesome single track trail that looped us back to the first aid station where we refueled again. Next part was a long uphill ride it seemed like it took forever as the heat beat down on us soon to turn off onto a treed trail which took us across to some great single track by this time we had run out of water wishing we were at aid station 3 so we could refuel. 1 hour later thank god there it was Phil had the water guy spray him down and we drank a ton of liquid and loaded our packs with extra water and Fubar. The next part of the trail was some more great single track and then exiting the north shore on the trail started on. Reaching the last checkpoint about 3km before the end we found ourselves de-hydrated beyond repair the great people at the checkpoint gave us ice, water and grape juice without that I think we would have passed out. We found ourselves walking our bikes for next km bonked beyond repair and not sure if we were going to make it or not. Finally we reached the top of the hill and we got back on our bikes and coasted another piece of great single track it’s too bad we couldn’t have enjoyed it we just survived it. At last the paved road and only a few minutes left to the finish for the day Grace pounded out the road after the last 4 hours of having leg cramps what did I have to lose. Crossing the finish line and falling to the ground we were so glad to be out of the sun for once today. Graciously they had a big cold tub we could crawl into to cool ourselves down. A hard day but we dug deep to get it finished.
Fast Tube by Casper
The evening of day one was horrible we couldn’t eat we couldn’t drink we felt ill so what were we going to do for day 2. Neither of us wanted to take the day off….
Day 2 we still felt pretty ill we got up and ate some food but nothing was very appealing and we still weren’t sure if we wanted to ride or not. I tried to convince Phil that we could ride but Phil the smart one was thinking that was a bad idea so we went back up to our room and we felt really sick in the elevator and then I thought of how much refueling we did from yesterday and that was almost nothing so that was it we would take the day off and eat and drink as much salt as possible so we could ride days 3-5. Day 2 was going back over to the North Shore and was supposed to have less shade then Day 1 notr sure how that would be possible. We spent the day touring around Kamloops and found ourselves buying a lot of electrolytes from the running store. Finally about 5pm we were feeling much better and ready to ride day 3.
Day 3 was hoped to be 80km but with some course logistics and some local claiming a trail on crown land it was quickly changed with a later start time. This day we headed south of Kamloops where we were told there would be more trees yeah!! A quick climb out of Kamloops lead us to a maze of trails near Ink Lakes. The only way to get to some great downhill single track is to climb so that is what we found ourselves doing on a gravel road we climbed for 9km it was very hot and when the lady showed up with a cold water sponge that was the best part of the climb. At the top was the second water station where we fueled up with extra water and Fubar and headed down some wicked single track it was awesome what a wicked ride. We got to a section where you had to use your mantracker skills but after a minute we had it figured out and off we went down some more great single track chasing down our friends from Vancouver another mixed team. We caught them at water station 3 where we started out riding together and then we hit a gravel road and we hammered and they didn’t although they beat us on the technical riding – road was not there strong area. After much hard work on day 3 trying to re-route the course a lot of people still got lost so the day wasn’t counted for times. What a great day!!
Fast Tube by Casper
Day 4 this was the biggest day of the race posted at 80km turned into about 100km depending on your km tracking device. Whatever the distance was it was a great ride we went to this race to ride our bike so if it’s 80 or 100km it’s still going to be a blast. We left on the same route as day 3 all the way to the first water station then we turned left off the trail and headed out a long way along gravel roads and some double track finally coming out at Stake lakes for a loop around the lake where the trail turned a little more technical then what we could ride our mixed team friends were close behind us but I think they were riding a lot more of this trail then we did it was even sketchy to walk over the big rocky area. At last onto some easy double track where we cruised to the next water station where we enjoyed the company of the volunteers ate some food and headed on our way. The next part of the trail was some crazy singletrack some it rideable for us some of it not so much but a great trail none the less. The Suzuki trail a trail to be remembered we got some great video here and the sun was still shining and it was still very hot but after enjoying the trail we ended up at water station 4 just the last section to do the same as we did on day 3 so it was hammer time on the road again back to Kamloops. The last bit of riding for the day was a ride through Kenna Cartwright Park what a great time some crazy fast winding switchback single track cruising down to the TRU to the finish line. Wow that was a rush of a day.
Fast Tube by Casper
Day 5 The time trial the day we have all been waiting for a 30km ride through Kenna Cartwright Park and of course we started with a long climb but it all paid off with some switchback single track. I tried to ride something I probably shouldn’t have but it’s race day and I didn’t want to get off of my bike. Down the hill I rode and sure enough I go off the trail into a stump as I jump through the air all I can think of is I hope my other foot clips out and sure enough my foot comes through and I land on my feet and run down the hill what a rush and I’m okay. Surprised but not as lucky for my bike a bent my rear derailleur hanger so later in ride I jammed my chain and then my derailleur wasn’t working so well which was kind of disappointing. I made due with the limited gears and still had a great ride and finished the day in about 3 hours.
After 4 out of 5 days of riding we had a great time and the race was awesome the trails were in great condition and the heat was a little too extreme for us be we will definitely go back to this race as the set up of staying at TRU was great. It was nice to stay in air conditioned rooms after a day of riding in the heat. We didn’t go for the food supplied by the race but we heard it was great everyday we did our own food thing of course. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone who wants to try a 5 day stage race with the convenience of staying in town or the veteran stage racer to give it a try and maybe bring the whole family for a week of awesome weather.
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Go Phil & Grace!!!
We are all super proud of you, hope the heat wasn’t too bad today!!!!
Paul.