Shawnigan Lake Hill Climb

Today was the third of the Masters Association races, being a 9km (approx) hill climb starting from the base of the descent into Shawnigan Lake, snaking back up 2/3 of the way toward the highway, before a right hand turn where the incline tilts yet further upward toward a new subdivision.

The course is advertised as 9km, although some of us are wondering if it is a bit shorter. Much of the course, especially the last three km, is quite steep and, with Tom Stewart’s finishing time of 19:57, it seems it might be a bit shorter than 9km. I was second on the day in 20:26 after Tom powered away from me in the last 1.5km, while Kerry White and Wendell Challenger, both from Vancouver (I believe) were fourth and fifth respectively in 20:47 and 20:48.

Results posted by Duane Martindale

And photos.

Earlier, Brett Boniface and I met in town to ride to the race start - me for the race, and he for some company, a training ride and to watch the race unfold. I reasoned that four layers of clothing would be sufficient to keep me warm, even if it was raining. However, after riding out in cold rain and fog along the Malahat to the start, and after the descent into Shawnigan Lake, there was little I could do to keep warm in the minutes prior to the start. As the organizer finally gave the pre-race low-down, I was shivering so much that I began to think that if the race commenced even one minute later I would descend into hypothermic shock.

The start was fast as Wendell Challenger took the pace out quickly. Tom, myself and Derek Tripp hopped onto the back. While the pack of 18 riders thinned behind us. I was hoping for a slower start, but I also wasn’t going to let them ride away while I tried to warm up. Admittedly, I sat on Tom’s and Wendell’s wheels as much as possible, although I nearly lost contact when I couldn’t switch gears with my frozen left hand and was forced to reach across my bars to grab the leaver in a somewhat contorted fashion. Fortunately I was able to get back on.

While my body obviously warmed on the way up, even by the finish I still felt mildy hypothermic. Brett and I thought it prudent to hightail it home pronto, so we didn’t stay of the awards. Brett was kind enough to loan me another jacket and some gardening gloves for the ride home. A fun day, but I sat in the shower for half an hour afterward and drank several cups of hot water. Then, as my body thawed, a nap was in order, and I awoke with very heavy legs. So, we’ll see how that bodes for tomorrow’s 65km race in Maple Bay. The weather is forecast to be somewhat improved!

Filed under Uncategorized |