TransRockies.com

ryan probert · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Thanks to all of our compatriots at the back of the pack. It was an honor and pleasure to go into battle with you every day. Your words of encouragement and understanding carried us more than my words can convey. Thank you all.

What I am really looking for is for some TR veterans, who participated this year, to give me some idea of what the hell just happened to me. I mean, was it actually as hard as it seemed? What happened to the "too much road", "too short days 1 and 7", "not a real mountain bike race" comments of years past?

rp

Head Dirtwagon

The Bike Shop Ltd.

Cramps · TR Forum Friend Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 62

All I know is that in two months you'll actually start considering doing it again.

Congrats on finishing Ryan.

Paul N · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:24 am Post subject:

you may also notice your body rebel on you this week. tired, scratchy throat etc. keep the Vits up! keep healthy and stay off the bike for a bit.

yes it was really that hard, and yes you completed it!! amazing what the mind can get you through hey.

There will be lots more comments once people begin to recover. I think the dinner / dance took the most out of me day 7!!

Paul

beamers · TR Forum Friend Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 59

Ryan

I didn't compete this year but did so last year. Looking at the route of this years race and the changes to the format of the Nipika stage it looks like the organisers took notice of the feedback on here and from the survey which they send out.

Last year there did some to be quite a lot of fire road, including on the Nipika/Nipika stage. This year they removed that by having the short stage on the Nipika Singletrack which I imagine came at the right time in the race allowing racers to recover from the moist conditions under tyre/foot from the first few days. This years final stage into Fernie also looked to be a lot harder and longer than last years short hop from Sparwood to Fernie.

Last year we were blessed with fine weather throughout so those fire roads were mega dusty.

Judging by Dan's photos this year's event had a little bit of everything thrown in, thanks to the combined efforts of the race orginsers, route planners and mother nature.
_________________
Mark

Veteran of TR 2002 and TR 2007

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29873838@N04/sets/72157607499101986/

Simon · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: TR 2007 vs 2008

This was my 5th TR and after I got the world's most expensive belt buckle in White Swan a number of people asked me how the race compared to previous years. (People who have completed 5 TRs get a belt buckle. There are only 12 so far and I think that 8 of the 12 recipients have been on the podium. I have not risen to that dizzy height yet.)

Anyway, yes this race was tough. There was considerably more climbing and some big chunks of hike-a-bike. If this the toughest I have done? Not by far. The 2004 race was cursed with hideous weather and horrible mud. Stage 3 took us 11:23 to complete. The leaders were expecting to finish in 4-5 hours and took over 7. They had to hike-a-bike DOWNHILL becuase the mud was too thick and deep to ride.

2007 and 2008 had similar weather with some pretty hot days that left a lot of riders feeling rather lifeless. My partner suffered in the heat on the final couple of days.

My concern is that some stages (Especially 6) of this this route would be very difficult to complete within the stage limits if it was wet and muddly. Also the final stage was a bit long for some pretty tired people.

But, overall I'd say a very well run race this year and lots of interesting riding. Not all of the new single track was 100% ridable, but wth more traffic it will improve.

ryan probert · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Wow, a five time TR rider. I can now understand what an impressive feat that actually is. Congratulations!

I actually was working for The Bike Shop on that fatefull day at Sandy Mcnabb. It was literally my first taste of a TR experience. Can't imagine how difficult it must've been.

I agree about day six, if it was wet would be a whole different kettle of fish. As it was, that one took us about 11 and a half hours. The mechanicals and the heat had my partner with an IV stuck in him before dinner or a shower.

I guess when you sign up for "the toughest mountain bike race in the world" you're gonna get what you're gonna get. It all makes that t-shirt (or belt buckle) all the more worth it.