TransRockies.com

[Simon]

"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine."



Day seven was both a huge thrill and a big letdown. Now I don't mean that I was disappopinted by the race, certainly not, I just had so much fun that I didn't want it to end. I would have been happy to go back to Fernie and do it all again. (Okay, I'm completely insane.)



The route for this day was changed slightly to add a bit more distance to bring it up to 50 kms. With very little climbing (353 metres), at least by TR standards, this day did have some of the most technical riding of the TR. The Trans Canada trail, a rooty, rocky, stair-infested hell, runs along the south side of the Trans Canada highway east of Canmore. It was along this section of the trail that I made my big mistake and tried to ride a steep drop, crashed and broke my front brake lever. So I had to finish the last 25+ kms of the race with only a back brake. Made all of the downhills in the Nordic Centre a lot more interesting.



This is the description from the RoadBook.



Rafter Six Ranch Resort to Canmore, 46.8 kms, 353 metres climbing.



1-11 - Leave Rafter 6 and loop west southward and then back to Rafter 6. Go west to the Yamnuska Centre road, join Highwat 1 for several kilimetres and then follow singletrack on the south side of the highway.

12-53 - Wind along some narrow singletrack which will vary from fast and smooth to narrow and rooted. You'll need to carry your bike up mumours wooden staircases so be prepared for soem walking. The final section widens as you meet some of thje old mine roads that access the new Three Sisters Developments land.

54 - 140 - After another short roll on the pavement, follow a series of winding trails that provide access to the Canmore Nordic Centre. This venue hosted the Nordic events for the 1988 Winter Olympics. In more recent years it has hosted World Cup Mountain Bike races, the 25 Hours of Adrenelin, and eve the Canada Cup Mountain Bike Series.

- This fun and fast section showcases some of the fast trails and tricky single-track of the Canmore Nordic Centre. The figure-eight shaped course will take you over some of the classic race routes before dropping down to the community of Canmore for the final finish line.



So, there you have it. The whole 2004 route. Much easier to write than ride.



Again, Ward Cameron's excellent book, "Canadian Rockies, A Guide to the Classic Trails" gives some great maps of the trails. If you are planning to do the TransRockies in 2005 this book, along with the videos of the previous years' races, will give you a glimpse of what you are up against. But even all the preparation in the world can't really prepare your for what has quite realistically been described as the "Toughest Mountain Bike Race in the World". The terrain, the weather, the views and the amazing cameraderie will all surpass your wildest expectations.



See you in Fernie in August.

[Wilbur]

Thank you, as a first timer it is great to be able to read about the daily grind and also your thoughts. See you in August,



Wilbur

[Simon]

For a more complete perspective on the race, from somone who's done it three times, check out the Pedal Magazine website. There you'll find Paul Newitt's great day-by-day reports from 2002, 2003 and 2004. Paul is a great writer, and one of the most experienced XC racers in Canada. (And the guy who convinced me to do the TR.)

[Jellen00]

Thanks a lot for shaing that great info,this site is really great,have a great day to all!!!
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