Quick Stage 7 Morning update

Final Stage...Invermere to Panorama

Once again the rain started late in the afternoon keeping temps cool. The morning brought a mixed sky with dark rain clouds to sun breaks showing a fresh dusting of snow on the high peaks surrounding the town.

The final stage was shorter at 50 some km which allowed for a later start time at 9AM. Today's course is a classic up and down course with a profile like an inverted 'V'. Dan and Randy should have an easy time holding off any attacks on this terrain and their overall lead allows for any physical or mechanical problems.

Tonight there will be an awards banquoet followed by a celebration. Should be a fun time.

Better Off Being Eaten by a Bear

Nipika Resort to Invermere

After raining hard all night racers and support awoke to muddy mess. The soil around Nipika resort is described as a blue clay and it's "slicker than snake snot" when wet. Today's stage was one of the shorter stages at just a bit over 60k, but it did include a 4km hike-a-bike that took nearly an hour to complete. The sections lead to many riders 'crackin'. Most thought it was completely unnecessary and pointless.

This stage was probably the most remote of the race and the evidence of bear was everywhere. Several racers reported seeing a Brown bear with two cubs.

One downhill section featured over 70 waterbars. One finally took its toll on Tim 'Busto' Erikson and he went base over apex smashing up his knee and hitting his head very hard. Luckily he was able continue to the finish.

Dan and Randy took another stage over the Kiwis. Dale and Derek had one of their best stages placing 6th in the 80+ group and Mel finished another stage solo, but will hopefully be again join by Nicola for final stage of the event.

Photo dump

Whiteswan Lake to Nipika Resort.....

The fifth stage left Whiteswan lake under broken skies and cool tempratures. The stage started off very fast. Fast, like a cross race fast.


Drive in for the support staff was really nice passing through a BC national park and up a forest service road 15k to the resort.


Tough last 7k of singletrack with narrow, off camber exposed singletrack keeping riders sharp until the very end of the stage.

There were several injuries on this fast course mostly involving crashes on the numerous water bars. The medivac helicopter was busy with a broken pelvis, serious head injury and broken collar bone and collapsed lung. Mel actually helped take care of the later injury for over four hours until medical personal were able respond to the incident.

Dan and Randy brushed off the previous flat prone stage and once again took the stage from the hard charging 100+ Kiwi team.

More Heat More Hurt and a Bad Hose

(To start sorry for the late update. Internet access is limited and in high demand so I get it when I get it.)

Most considered todays stage the Queen Stage which was over 100km with more than 60% on forest service roads and huge climbs that would end in Elkhorn, BC. Today's stage would also include the highest point of the race.

Although the singletrack riding didn't dominate the stage that which was used was very techical with roots, baby head rock descents and serious cliff exposure. Temps again were in the low 90s making hydration key and heat exhaustion a real threat.

Usually the support staff at a race like this doesn't have a lot of excitement while the riders are out doing their thing, but today I had my own fun. Just as soon as I got going from Blarmore I got a quick whiff of radiator steam. As soon as I pulled off to wait for Chris to fuel the entire engine compartment erupted in steam. After poking around we finally found the failed cooling hose. Luckily, we were still close to town and headed to Napa for replacement parts. Eventually we got it fixed and I think I passed Ford 101.

Dan and Randy once again placed 1st in the 100+ grouping by over 40 minutes at 6:33:23 for the stage. This puts them in a very solid lead for the remaining stages. Derek and Dale had another solid stage moving them up in the general classification. Nicola and Mel had a tough day with the heat and energy robbing terrain, but still hold third spot in Open women.

So far the NW teams haven't had any serious injuries or major bike mechanicals.

Tomorrow, other long stage just shy of 100k. Temps are suppose to cool a bit with a chance of rain.




Photo Share....

Stage 1---Fernie to Sparwood

460 riders lined up to start the 2006 running of the Tran Rockies stage race. Included in the riders were four teams from the NW including the teams of Dan Norton/Randy Iddings, Derek Shiers/ Dale Plant, Mel Lewis/Nicloa Mann and Tim Erickson/Troy H.

The first stage from Fernie, BC to Sparwood, BC would be 62km with nearly of climbing. With the weather in the high eighties and little recent rain today race promised to be fast, hot and dusty. After a getting pre-race instruction and a quick 101 on riding in brown and black bear territory the rides jostled for position at check in.

Dan and Randy had a great start position on row 3 just behind the Pro teams. While waiting with less than 3 minutes to Dan Norton rear tires decided to let go due to the high heat on the road. Grabbing Scott rear wheel the change was made and Dan started with the group on a solid bike, but his heartrate was already up.

It took all 460 rides about two minutes to clear the start and head out to the roads leading to the first singletrack of the day.

By the end of the day Dan and Randy placed a very impressive 9th overall and a solid 1st in the 100+| grouping. Mel and Nicola came in at the third female teams and Derek and Dale placed in the top 30 despite heavy cramping and a couple spills by Derek.

Photo Share....















Video of Mass Start

Made it to Fernie

Dan, Randy and myself made to Fernie, BC on Friday afternoon. After some food and coffee in town we headed up to the ski hill in the search for singletrack. Out of pure luck we found some pretty cool singletrack and meet and group of racers from Holland. The folks from Holland headed back, but we want to spin a bit more and did a solid 20 minute climb up some service roads. Only the way back we found ourselves and some great freeride style trails with ramps, log runs and the such. Great way to get the legs going after may hours in the RV.

Looking up at the Fernie ski hill.

Trans Rockies Soon to Start

In a few short days Dan Norton and Randy Iddings will begin their first attmept at the 2006 Trans Rockies. More to follow...