TransRockies.com

Simon · Last edited by Simon on Sat Mar 12, 2005 4:04 am; edited 2 times in total

Ah, the start of it all. Here is the description from the 2004 TransRockies RoadBook. Fernie to Blairmore - 94.63 kms, 1303 metres climbing

1-39 - Beginning in Fernie, the race follows the wide gravel of Coal Creek Road. This road climbs gradually up to Coal Creek Pass before beginning a long descent to the junction with Michel Creel Road.

39-84 - After a break on the good pavement of Michel Creek Road, get ready for a steep climb up to the summit of Ptolemy Pass. From the Summit, the trail drops down to Highway 3. A short roll on the highway will bring you to a junction with a trail around Emerald Lake. Soon you'll pass the Sentinal Travel Information Centre and head back into the wilderness.

84-165 - This section of trail varies dramatically. The first section will see the creek overflowing the trail causing you to ford repeatedly. Before long, the trail dries and becomes a good wide double-track. Eventually, you'll meet a wide public gravel road. Turn tight and follow this to the next junction. Head back into the bush and follow a great double-track to the final junction with another gravel road. Turn left, drop down the hill to finish in Blairmore. You'll be turning left just before reaching Blairmore to access the finish location.

What do you remember most vividly?

For me is is the burned out valley and meeting Trevor and Carolyn walking their bikes right at the end of the stage.

Trevor had broken his frame and was walking in the last few kms. He managed to borrow a bike and completed the race.

BTW More information on a good chunk of the TR course can be found in Ward Cameron's book, Mountain Bike! Canadian Rockies A guide to the Classic Trails. In it you can find descriptions of the Ptolemy Pass, Michael Creek and Coal Creek portions of the day 1 route.

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

What do I remember;

Feeling really humble.

Really, really humble.

Cattle looking at me with pity in their eyes.

Being scooped up by Barb, Pat, Eric and Marie and encouraged to the finish.

Did I mention humble.

Eagles calling at the top of Ptolmy pass.

The generousity and the rolling pharmacy that is the TR peleton.

The car that drove by at the start with Billy Joel's "Only The Good Die Young" blarring from the speakers. My darkest moments were made darker as that piece of crap echoed inside my head until I crossed the line.

The guy who I sat across from at dinner, who after hearing how bad my day was commented, "Dude, somebody was going to have an epic, thanks for taking one for the rest of us.

There was a sweet, twisty downhill in there somewhere.

Trying to stay ahead of the sweeper motor bike.

Oh, and humbled.

Simon · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:41 am Post subject: The "Back of the Pack"

There is much to be said for the cameraderie at the "back of the pack".

On day 3 at the top of a climb there were about 10 of us having a well deserved break. I got out my lube and gave everyone's chain a shot, using most of the bottle. There just seemed to be more co-operation and encouragment at the back. We were all in it together, and although we were well off the lead and had no hope of getting on the podium, or even starting in the "A" group the next morning.

Brief aside.

For 2005 my partner and I hope to get into that A group start at least once. (I think it is the top 15 mens, 15 masters, 5 womens and 5 mixed teams start in the "A" group, and the rest of us have to eat their dust.)

On day 7 Barb and Pat, two of the most friendly and enthusiastic riders I encountered, made it into the "A" group. I was so happy for them. Through perserverence they finished in the top 5 in their category.

Cramps, Eric and Marie, Dick and Laurie, Barb and Pat, and all of the rest of the people at the back of the pack made the ride such a great experience.

Paul N · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:46 am Post subject: Camaraderie throughout

The nice thing about the TR is that camaraderie exists throughout the field, front to back. You don't have to go far to find examples of this. Just take a look at the 2003 DVD and the classic footage of the two lead vet teams, one waiting for the other because they took a wrong turn.

Every day there were incredible stories of camaraderie and luckily we get to witness a lot of that in the daily videos. Yes there is a competition going on here but I have to say, that in all my years of racing I have never met such a supportive group of riders as TransRockers. Back or Front. I have seen teams neck in neck helping each other with flats, directions, food, water, etc. It is truely and amazing event and it tends to bring the best out in people.