3rd Overall in the BC Cup

This last weekend was the BC Provincial Championships at Mt. Washington. The course is always fun because we don't have to take a ferry, but challenging because of its steep climbs and slippery, muddy, rooty singletrack that doesn't relent.

When we headed out on our pre-ride on Saturday it was raining (no big surprise there...it has rained almost every time I have raced at Mt. Washington!) The course was similar to years past, but the climb had been slightly changed to avoid a really muddy section. Overall it was in ok shape, muddy in some sections, but the climb and open areas were pretty tacky.

When we got up to the mountain on Sunday the sun was out, but the breeze made it really cold! (The breeze was also helping to dry out anything in the open). At the start of the race Dawn Berg led out up the climb, with Melanie McQuaid, Kristin Johnson, Melanie Vaugn, myself, and Linda Robichaud about 3 seconds back. By the top of the climb Melanie McQuaid had passed Dawn, Kristin was still in 3rd, and I had passed Melanie Vaugn who was followed by Linda.

The course was tight and twisty in a lot of areas and I didn't see any of the other girls for a while, I was trying to ride my own race, not really knowing where my fitness was after a busy month off. Overall I was feeling really good, not riding my best technically, but was riding steadily on the climbs and flat singletrack. Coming into the feedzone on the 3rd lap I came off a small bridge to find a mishap had occurred with my bike. It wasn't fixable, so I was forced to withdraw from the race.

Not finishing meant that I didn't place for the Provincial Championship race, but it didn't affect my overall standing. After 2 races had been dropped in the points race I ended up 3rd overall provincially. Not bad for 2nd year pro-elite and 4th year riding a bike period.

I feel great about this season, I rode really consistently, finished out the season strong, and improved both my fitness and my technical ability. I can't wait for January when I will start training again for cross-country, but for now I am really looking forward to Cyclocross to hone some high end fitness and to have fun in the shorter races!

As for Drew's Provincial Championship race, he had been feeling great the week leading into the race, was racing well and even with 3 mechanicals including a broken pedal (thanks chris!) finished up 3rd, about 20 seconds behind 2nd place Colin Kerr. Congrats to Craig Richey who had a strong race and finished in 1st almost 7 minutes in front of Colin.

Pro/Elite Women's Results:
1. Melanie McQuaid 1:49:08
2. Dawn Berg 1:57:32
3. Kristin Johnson 2:01:42
4. Linda Robichaud 2:09:03
DNF Melanie Vaugn
DNF Joele Guynup

Pro/Elite Men's Results
1. Craig Richey 2:20:45
2. Colin Kerr 2:27:38
3. Drew Mackenzie 2:28:01
4. Dwayne Kress 2:30:55
5. Seth Wells 2:37:33
6. Carsten Ivany 2:40:17
7. Kevin Calhoun 2:40:56
DNF Greg Day
DNS Thomas Skinner