Matty has checked in with his thoughts on the event after the second race…

Contributed by: Matty Blayney

Today we travelled out of Invermere and the last real place with civilisation in it. It was freezing this morning and mentally i was not looking forward to the race. 

Of course as i sat on the line didn’t I discover my back brake not working! The mechanic said he sorted it but it was to come and go all day. The ride out of town was spectacular. 600 riders going through this small town with every1 out was a good feeling. It wasn’t to last long.

Straight into the first climb I was trying to find a pace to suit me. Like a light bulb the heat came on and I had to get the arm warmers etc off. It was a very long drag with a slight hike at the top. I was cursing the organisers but again i met some people on the way up which helped.

This one guy from England I met amazed me. Nattering away in his baggy combat shorts, I noticed he was on a fully riding bike! Crazy guy. He must have steel wrists. After taking in some food etc at the CS we had another short climb to the top. From there it was into Bear Creek.

The creek was fantastic downhill single track with some very tough technical bits and river crossings. I loved riding this bit. It seemed to go on forever. The log jumps, the slippy roots, the huge rock drop offs. I was so surprised though at the amount of people who couldn’t or just didn’t ride it. It was so frustrating to be behind people who got off at every log and root. 

At the bottom it was tough fire roads and some climbs the rest of the way. Again the views blew my mind. At some points you’re riding on the edge of huge cliffs and ravines. It’s scary as hell but you can’t help looking. The midday heat took its toll. I drank 5 litres and had several bars and still felt extremely dehydrated. When we arrived in Nipika it the reality of the challenge hit me. 6 wooden houses and that was it. They did lay on a BBQ. 3 cheese burgers big lad and 2 ‘pops’. I ate and drank anything I cud get my hands on. But if everything wasn’t gone there was a massive queue in the heat. I’ve 113km tomorrow and lots of energy to get. Nothing beat an open air massage overlooking the Rockies but my head is starting to go.

Matty

Category: Mountainbike » Canada, Matthew Blayney, Matty's Trans Rockies Diary, Trans Rockies |

...........................................................................................................................................................................