Letter to the riders
December 10, 2007
Welcome back for the 12th annual running of the Test of Metal on June 16, 2007, and the third year with our title sponsor, the North Shore Credit Union.
Because of you the riders, our great sponsors and the phenomenal volunteers of Squamish, this race has grown to the point where it can now be said to be the most successful XC mountain bike race in Canada and among the leaders in North America.
After last year's record 4 hr. 19 min. sellout, we're not sure what to expect this year, but we do recognize that mountain bikers like to both party and to play, so we're holding off on registration until 6:00 pm, January 1, 2007. Again, the 800 spots available will be filled on a first come, first served basis. So celebrate the New Year, go for your polar bear swim, have brunch, watch a football game and then jump onto www.testofmetal.com at 6:00 pm to register. Your training regime can start January 2nd.
This year the waiting list will be unlimited in number and every two to four weeks we'll fill the race spots that have been vacated, so get on it early and keep up your training.
2006 Test of Metal Participants - Photo Jim Hegan
Last week, we received confirmation from BC Timber Sales that logging on the Powerhouse Plunge will begin within the next week (December). The District of Squamish put up a good fight in support of mountain biking and recreational users, but they were unable to convince the Ministry of Forest to leave the area as it is. Instead, the contractor will leave a 25 meter buffer on either side of the Plunge, and there will be one road crossing that will impact the trail. The season's logging will end by mid-April and BCTS has guaranteed that the Plunge will be open for riding after that.
The middle section of the Far Side has also been lost, but by mid-April a detour that promises to be a showcase trail should be finished to replace the lost section.
New for this year, and in conjunction with the Teen Test of Metal, will be a 40ish kilometer “Pre-Test” on June 9th. This race is for those who wish to have a warm-up one week prior to the big one, or for your friends and family members who feel that they may not be able to do the full Test. Details about registration and the course will be available on the website by late February.
We're always looking for new sponsors, and if you own or work for company that you think might benefit from a sponsorship deal with Test of Metal, then contact Amy Boyer.
Finally, on behalf of all the Test Pilots and all those affiliated with the NSCU Test of Metal, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season, and best wishes for the New Year.
Cliff Miller
Race Director, Test of Metal