Trans Rockies Challenge
Team Helly Hansen Across the Rockies
Mark Humphrey / 20.09.2007
We then headed off to Jasper. Here once again the single track was so good two rides were undertaken and whilst ending our ride we encountered a large black bear on the outskirts of the village ... we cycled full steam to escape! We all then headed to the start of the event in Panorama, taking in some amazing sights on the way. On arriving in Panorama the team RV rolled up to join over +100 being used by other competitors. The nerves began and after registering, the final preparations were made for the first stage.
Panorama to Invermere only 33km how difficult could that be?
Stage 1 – Panorama to Invermere
33km – 1139m Climb 1453m Descent
With Drew (the man on the microphone) ordering 640 riders into a starting pen to the sound of Guns And Roses the race was soon to start! Howard and I were placed around mid field, as we were not entirely sure on what to expect with the line up. The starting gun was fired at 11:00 and we followed the local fire engine through the town. With the starting elevation over 1000m it wasn’t too soon before our lungs were screaming for air on the climb to the summit.
Here, we started to pass many riders, some with mechanical problems already! After 6.5 km we headed onto the single track and a steep "Hike a bike" to the summit of Taynton Pass. By now after 8km and over 1100m of elevation had been gained. Over the summit the trail turned into a very technical single track with 36 steep switchbacks heading to the 19km point and the only feeding station. We passed straight through the feeding station gaining some valuable places and with just over 14km until the finish line we tackled the last double and single track to cross the finish line. What a day, we never knew that 33km could so epic!
Placement: 26th in category and a ride time of 3hrs 00mins.
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