WOW! What a week! How can it already be over?
It feels like a month ago that we were in Victoria with racers rolling in from all over the world and now they are getting ready to head back home after a fast-paced week.
Though both crew and racers are sad it’s over, we are all leaving on a high. The second Cumberland stage today put smiles on a lot of faces. It was just as hot as Day 5 on Friday, but the stoke was high after a shorter, less technical course that featured some of Cumberland’s most popular trails.
Designed to give racers a strong finish for the week, today was more flowy and had less elevation, finishing on the flow trail Bonestorm before sending racers along a short double track back to the finishing arch in Cumberland Village Park.
But before the racers could head out on the trails at 9 this morning, we had a special treat: the Comox Valley Pipe Band playing “Scotland the Brave”.
The Comox Valley Pipe Band marched into Cumberland Village Park to see racers off for Day 7.
Plenty of Cumberland residents came out to see the racers off for one final time.
AWARDS & APRES
After everyone was back at basecamp, it was time for the stage 7 and overall awards—find those in Terry McKall’s Race Report—and time for a very special presentation to the man and woman BCBR regulars refer lovingly to as the Ironman and Ironwoman of this community.
Graeme and Maridee Fitch are well-known in the BCBR world. Graeme has raced in every BC Bike Race since 2007, completing all 121 stages. Maridee has been by his side for all except the first year and always brings hamburgers for Graeme and a handful of racers who look like they could use a pick-me-up after crossing the finish line.
BCBR President Dean Payne presented them both with leader jerseys and they took their place on the top step of the podium as crew and racers cheered.
And yes, Graeme and Maridee say they’re coming back for 2025.
Maridee and Graeme Fitch stand atop the podium with their honourary yellow jerseys.
Today’s course was a great way to finish our 18th year. And we’re already thinking about 2025. We hope to see YOU there on the start line next year! Super Early Bird registration opens July 9 at noon Pacific.
Words by Carmel Ecker
Photos by Deniz Merdano, Jens Klett and Carmel Ecker
Want the full story on today’s stage and how the pro riders performed?
DAY 7 HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO
FOLLOW THE PROS VIDEO
Sean Finhcam cements his first win at the 2024 BC Bike Race. 7 days of solid riding and racing, and it all came down to the final day.