Stage 1

Route: Nanaimo

Hopefully you'll wake up well rested and psyched after your "Prologue" introduction to multi-day stage racing. You'll have a scenic ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia to stretch out your muscles and breathe in some sea air before you climb back in the saddle for Day One.

We'll transport you to Horseshoe Bay for your morning cruise on the BC Ferries' Coastal Rennaissance. Your destination: Nanaimo - the gateway to Vancouver Island!

Once you land on Vancouver Island get ready for an awesome course around Nanaimo. Starting the day with a tour through historic Nanaimo you will make your way to some of the best singletrack on the island. For this day, it was not a question of “can we find trails?”......it was "which of our favourite trails should we use?".......time and distance dictated our direction and the final route gives you 33 trails of pure island singletrack.

After leaving the Departure Bay ferry terminal, a short paved climb will help sort out the riders. Except for a few road crossings that will be the last pavement you see for the next 60k.

We'll finish around the track at Rotary Stadium in Nanaimo.

*Stage & Route details subject to change for 2010.

Base Camp Director's Insights

Our Base Camp team will be ready for you when you cross the finish line.  And of course, your Dakine Bag and Tent; the Bike Wash, Techs and Storage; and Post Race snacks and Dinner will be set up all around the Park.  Our wonderful Catalyst Therapy Team and MASH Unit will be ready for any aches and pains you may have.

When you wake up, grab a hearty breakfast before we move out to the Day Two start line!

Top 10 Moral Support Crew Teasers

Check out these tempting options to keep your moral supporters busy:
• Nanaimo Aquatic Centre beside our Base Camp
• More to come!