Streaks of red and white lit up the trails as Canada Day energy pulsed through Day 2 of the 2025 BC Bike Race, presented by Shimano. The celebration kicked off with crew member Laurie Chase delivering a heartfelt rendition of the national anthem, setting the tone for a day full of pride and pedal power. Then, none other than Captain Canada, a.k.a. Brett Tippie, sent riders through the start chute with his signature stoke.
Shimano Support & the Latest Tech
Thanks to Shimano’s on-trail tech support, many of Day 1’s mechanical gremlins were banished. Day 2 was much smoother, giving the mechanics a bit of a breather.
Meanwhile, at the Shimano basecamp tent, the buzz was all about their new XTR drivetrain with electronic shifting. After finishing today’s stage, racers gathered to check out the demos and enter a draw for a $500 MTB prize pack that includes pedals, shoes and eyewear.
Cooler Temps, Warmer Smiles
An earlier start time than Day 1 meant racers were treated to slightly cooler conditions, and it showed—smiles were noticeably bigger at the finish line. The good vibes weren’t just from the weather, though. Fewer mechanical issues on course meant more flow and less frustration for riders.
Maple Mountain: Rugged and Rewarding
Maple Mountain lived up to its reputation as a technical rider’s dream. The crown jewel of the day was the iconic Upper Maple Syrup trail, complete with its technical rock rolls and the infamous “chute.” While some riders approached it with nerves, the overwhelming post-stage sentiment was: “That was AWESOME!”
To read Terry McKall’s race report and see how the pro category fared, click here.
Trailside Cheerleaders Bring the Sparkle
Adding to the electric atmosphere were Nanaimo-based sisters, Briana and Jessie McGarrigle. Both mountain bikers, they took the week off to cheer on racers from up to four different trail spots each day.
“I did BC Bike Race 10,” said Jessie, “and the cheering and the spectators and everything makes such a huge difference to your race and to make you keep going. And so it just became a thing where we now come and cheer all of the racers on.”
Après-Ride Fun: Beer, Axes and Big Cheers
Back at basecamp after a refreshing shower and possibly a beverage or two from the Vancouver Island Brewing beer garden, a local logger sports duo entertained racers with a chainsaw carving demonstration and some interactive fun doing axe throwing and a Jack and Jill sawing competition. No podiums needed here—just big cheers for every axe that hit the mark.
Tune in tomorrow for all the action from Mount Tzouhalem with Stage 3 presented by Crankbrothers.
Words by Carmel Ecker
Photos by Deniz Merdano, Dave Silver, Sarah Kempner and Petri Miniotas