The 10th running of the internationally renowned BC Bike Race begins with Day 1 in Cumberland on July 7.
The race starts out in downtown Cumberland and finishes at base camp in Village Park, where participants camped on July 6 after taking the BC Ferry from North Vancouver. They will head to Powell River after the race and camp there prior to embarking on Day 2 of the event.
There are 600 participants and 36 countries represented this year. The seven-day, 325-kilometre mountain bike stage race continues with legs in Powell River, Earls Cove to Sechelt, Sechelt to Langdale, North Vancouver, Squamish and ends at Whistler.
Organizers say Day 1 features an “amazing tour of the best singletrack riding in the Cumberland/Comox Valley area.
“You’ll start by heading through the centre of the historic Village of Cumberland before hitting the trails for an unbelievable ride. This is truly a rider’s course. The diverse trails range from high speed, compact, mature trails to higher elevation rocky outcrops, dark and lush valley floor trails, and refined singletrack.”
Here’s what awaits the riders:
1st Climb/Descent
Starting in downtown Cumberland the route heads quickly into the forest and onto a sustained gravel climb that will separate the riders (approx. 10km) with the last 1.5km on uphill singletrack.
The highlight reel opens up once you begin the descent. Here you will encounter some of Cumberland’s finest singletrack as you head back towards the town: Furtherburger, Blockhead, Bear Buns - a riders trail, across Sykes bridge into the historic Steam Donkey trail, That Dam trail followed by Missing Link and Mama Bear.
Once you pass through the base camp you will begin your second lobe located to the east of town.
2nd Climb/Descent
Starting through Village Park (base camp) the second sustained climb begins on road then quickly dips into the forest and begins to gain vertical on singletrack.
The Cottonwood Climb transitions into some sweet singletrack on the 50:1 trail, to Cabbage Patch before tackling a bit more gravel road. Use the road to stretch, eat and hydrate as the rest of the day will be mostly on singletrack:
Short Line meets Vanilla (a new climbing trail that will test your legs and your skills) finally it’s Truffle Shuffle to Tea Pot that link into the final rest before Railroad, the 3 Crafty Butchers to the iconic Black Hole and Space Nugget and sprint for home at the Cumberland Village Park – Day 1 in the bag.