June 2007 - Posts

• Rumblefest 2007 - Racing North Island Style

  Words & Pics by Johnny Bazett  To be completely honest, I wasn’t in a huge rush to wake up Saturday morning knowing what was awaiting me. The wind howling and the rain beating down outside definitely wasn’t helping. Having grown up on the North Island I knew that if the weather was bad in Courtenay, Chances are it wasn’t going to be any better 3 hours north in Port Alice. After dosing myself with 3 or 4 cups of coffee, I packed the car with my camera gear and headed out the door to pick up my traveling companion, Kyuquot, A 105 lbs, fetch addicted German Sheppard Lab cross, Or ‘Bear Spray’ as I referred to her all weekend. I chuckled as I wailed through a giant fog bank forming just north of Campbell River, knowing full-well that the tip of the island is covered in the thick white haze 200 (+/-) days a year.  To my shock and amazement, Around the mount Cain turn-off the heavens opened up and before I knew it I was getting a truckers tan, baking in the sun. It was short lived but sweet while it lasted. The weather ended up being very sporadic bouncing back and forth between rain, fog and brilliant sunshine. We arrived in Port Alice just in time to catch the tail end of the big Salmon BBQ and the trials demo. Unfortunately we missed the last of the salmon by about 5 minutes, so it was off to the café in the Quatsino Chalet for supper. After setting up camp it was time for the Bevies to come out and the party to begin. Being that we were set-up right at the bottom of the course and had a warm fire, we had countless drop-ins and had a pretty good B.S. session with some of the North Island Locals and Racers from down south as well. We hit up the pub after dark, where ‘DJ Hash’ was performing, more drinks, more laughs and a late night bike demolition (Which I missed because I’m not a very accomplished drinker!) were all part of the nights festivities. I was surprised when I woke up Sunday morning to find that some of the heaviest drinkers were the first racers on the course in the morning. Having rained the majority of the night and early morning, the course was looking pretty slick. Even with some ‘less than ideal’ conditions there was still some lightening fast runs in the first heat and even faster in the second. Some expert riders cutting there time by almost 15 seconds! On the short course, Shawn Miller (2:29) took the win in beginner men, followed closely by Stanley Nelson (2:33) and Kevin Burnett (2:37). It was a bit tighter race in intermediate men with the top three times within 6 second of one another. Scott Brown (2:53) came out on top, followed by Kyle Marshall (2:57) and Julien Menard (2:59). Expert riders had to contend with a new section at the top of the course with some gnarly steeps. Expert men finished with a tie for first place between Matt Perzci and young Sky Gustin from Port Alberni (4:25), followed by Cumberland’s Dan Espeseth (4:29) and Jaime Battle (4:30). Comox Valley locals Adrienne Miller (4:58) and Fiona Taylor (5:15) took the top two spots in Expert women, followed by Seana Wright of Port Alberni. After watching the frenzy of the schwag grab, it was time to pack up, Say good bye to Port Alice and hit the road. A huge thanks to the race organizers, who put on a great event. Rumblefest is an annual event that promises to be a great time for everyone who is willing to make the trek. With XC, Trials, DH and kids races there really is something for everyone and the locals were super helpful and inviting. All in all, another stellar stop on the Island Cup tour and a great way to close out the Series! Don’t forget to check out http://www.rumblefest.com/ for the full results of the race and updates regarding Rumblefest 2008, See you there! Posted Jun 22 2007, 04:40 PM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: General Racing, Island Cup Races, Cycling Events

• BC/DC Rocks Courtenay this Friday June 15th

  For all of you who've watched your New World Disorder movies a few too many times, you'll recognize this fun AC/DC tribute band. They will be playing this Friday night at Seven Club in Courtenay. Come on out and get shook all night long! www.bcdc.ca Posted Jun 13 2007, 12:41 AM by Skifreak with no comments

• Twelve Hours of Cumberland 2007

  The Twelve Hours of Cumberland is a 12 hour mountain bike race/relay on the trails of Cumberland. Laps are shorter and faster this year at around 1/2 an hour for the average rider with the lap point being the # 6 Mine Park behind the Cumberland Recreation Centre. This is also where registration will be held from 7-8am on the morning of the event with the race starting immediately following. The race/relay runs from 8am-8pm (no lights required). You can enter SOLO or in teams of 2 or 4. Winners will receive a Scott Beardsley Pottery mug. We will have a free BBQ going with salads and donuts for participants and volunteers but you should come prepared with your own food and beverage. The cost is $35/person. Note - all racers must be part of a Cycling BC Affiliate Club.” For more information and results go to: www.unitedridersofcumberland.com Posted Jun 11 2007, 09:17 PM by Skifreak with 2 comment(s) Filed under: General Racing, Island Cup Races, Cycling Events, Twelve Hours of Cumberland

• 2nd Annual Bearclaw Invitational tears up Mount Washington August 4th

  Mount Washington, British Columbia (June 4, 2007)—More than 20 of the world’s best riders have signed on to compete in the second Bearclaw Invitational slopestyle contest. The event, organized by one of the discipline’s most dominant athletes, Darren Berrecloth, promises to be a wild ride, a competition that not only will impress the crowds, but help propel the sport forward. “Our sport is one of the most dangerous and risky of the extreme sports genre and I feel that the riders deserve better courses and higher prize purses,” Berrecloth said. “That’s why I’m doing this.” Claw is working on putting together a rich prize purse for the riders and making the event as rider friendly as possible. Instead of a full weekend for qualifying and the finals, the Bearclaw Invitational will stage all the action in one day. Competitors get two runs, and the best will count. “It’s good for the crowd and less stress on the riders that way,” Berrecloth said. The event will be held at Mount Washington on Vancouver Island. Mount Washington is Berrecloth’s local resort and offers one of the best bike parks in British Columbia. Noted for its steep terrain and epic dirt, the resort was a perfect choice to host the contest. “This will be a rider-built course on one of the most perfect slopes with the best dirt I’ve ever seen on a mountain,” Berrecloth said. This year, Berrecloth and Mount Washington partnered with Bike Magazine on the event, which has ran the successful Monster Park slopestyle contest. “It made perfect sense to partner with Darren,” said Lou Mazzante, Bike’s editor. “We have ton of respect for him and want to support his efforts to make a truly rider-friendly contest. That’s exactly the idea behind Monster Park, and it made sense to combine our events, rather than compete against one another.” In addition to the main contest, there will be a step-up competition as well as music, food and a huge Kokanee beer garden set up next to the course. Practice begins on Thursday, August 2, with the finals set for Saturday, August 4. To date, the list of invited riders includes: Jordie Lunn, Ryder Kasprick, Benny Korthaus, Jamie Goldman, Cam McCaul, Ben Boyko, Geoff Gulevich, Cam Zink, Kyle Strait, Paul Basagoitia, Trond Hansen, Andreu Lacondeguy, Lluis Lacondeguy, Lance McDermott, Grant Fielder, Eric Porter, Thomas Vanderham, Ross McMaster, Alex Pro, Brandon Semenuk, Ryan Berrecloth, Wayne Goss, Kurt Sorge For updates and results, check out www.bikemag.com; for information on Mount Washington’s bike park, visit www.bike.mountwashington.ca Contact: Brent Curtain PR and Promotions Mount Washington Alpine Resort 250-334-5702 pr@mountwashington.com -or- Scott Kendall Marketing Coordinator Bike Magazine 949-661-5163 scott@bikemag.com Posted Jun 04 2007, 01:27 PM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: Cycling Events, Mount Washington, slopestyle, Bearclaw Invitational

• Dodge City Cycles - Marin Demo Days Today Saturday June 2nd

  Come on out to Cumberland on Saturday to check out a selection of XC, All Mountain and DH bikes from Marin Bikes. Guest riders, reps and more will be available for your questions. Bring your helmet, shoes, pedals of choice and 2 pieces of ID including a valid credit card. You'll have approx 30-45 minutes to check out a few local trails. For more information, call the office at 250-336-2200   Posted Jun 02 2007, 10:07 AM by Skifreak with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Cycling Events, Cumberland Trails