Raid the North Canadian Championships
Taking the Path Less Travelled
Susan McKenzie / 20.09.2003
The lead team dropped its bikes at 7A and headed up the deceptively well-travelled path. Up they went past a campsite, a few hunting hides and then into the bush.
Ten minutes later they were back.
Maps were consulted, compass bearings were checked, and off they went down another path: the path less travelled. Just stay off the road,� was the warning issued forth from checkpoint staff volunteer Dave.
A little while later, Taiga pulled into the CP, having taken over second place from Gearsracing.com (which left some mandatory racing gear back at the transition area. One forgotten harness - one thirty minute penalty.)
Taiga made the same route choice as Simon River Sports. Both times. Up they went past the hide. Twenty minutes later, back they came, past the CP staff and Gearsracing.com
Penalty served, Gearsracing.com headed up the road past the hide. But they must have chosen to continue to bushwhack their way, because they never came back. Neither did Running Free, which took the section at a run.
A few hours later, Searchmont Resort cycled down the hill and into the CP. Well, three members cycled in. One cycled past. “I’ll come back,� Jeremy Paquin said as he squealed past the CP, letting gravity stop his bike.
“His brakes don't work,� Paige Tiberio explained. “They’re like Flintstones brakes.�
After a short stop to swap bike shoes for hiking shoes, Searchmont Resort was on its way. Team Spirit was there when Searchmont made its return journey to the CP some twenty minutes later.
“Hey Pete, where’s the trail?� Spirit’s Dave Hitchon called out to Searchmont’s Pete Cameron as he watched the team come back. “Where are we supposed to go?� Cameron smiled as he ran by, heading up beside (but not on) the two-lane highway.
ST Bound bounded in minutes after Searchmont disappeared into the bush, but before Spirit could make its getaway. “Hey guys, are your butts as wrecked as ours?� ST Bound’s Jeff asked Spirit as he climbed off his bike.
“Oh man, from that ride last night?� asked Spirit’s Chris Koch. “That was something.�
“Three pairs of shorts for tomorrow’s ride. Or whenever it is,� someone added.
Whatever route Searchmont took, Spirit chose its own path. It didn’t go up past the hide, nor did it go off the road: it bushwhacked a path right between the two.
Wild Rose Country came in to CP7A in ninth place, and in good spirits. “We’re looking at a top five finish,� Lucas Rosnau says with complete conviction. “You can count on it.�
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