Below is the AI-generated transcript of the women’s only BC Bike Race Info Call. The copy is unedited. Please excuse any errors.
Moniera: So hello again. I’m Moniera. Some of you know me. I do the race relations role here at the BC. Bike race, and we have some of our team members on the call as well. We have Carmel over there who does our communications. We have Mallory who does our social media and we have Lisa who’s hiding. Lisa does everything. Lisa is our business manager, and keeps us all sane and keeps us all on the right path.
I see we have a few alumni on the call. We have Val on the call, and also Kathy and then we have Jen, Hi, Jen, nice to have you on the phone. Jen is from Trans Rockies, and I have done the Moab rocks race and absolutely love it. And part of what I’m going to talk about here is, you know, having done the 3 day stage race and having to step up to do a 7 day stage race. So that’s going to be some of the things we’re talking about today. But before we even get started into all of that, I want to see if there are any pressing questions that anyone has like where, you know, I wanna hear from people on this call, either what’s brought you to PC. Bike race, or what you’re afraid of, or what’s holding you back from signing up for BC bike race. So if you are ready to share that information, you know, either speak up or drop it in the chat. We have a small enough group here that I think we can. Just you know we won’t both speaking over each other.
BC Bike Race is a 7 day stage race, and it’s 7 days which sounds super daunting. But it’s not 7 days of the Cape Epic. By any means right? I mean, our days are about 30 to 40 kilometres long, and our climbing is somewhere between 900 and 1,200 metres a day.
Our course is very much sort of up and down, up and down, up and down, up, up, up, and then a super long down, so it’s not all up, and then all down. It’s 7 days, and I think the leaders sort of finish in 2 and a half to 3 h, and then the back of the pack finishes and sort of double that time.
But we don’t have cut off times, so it’s not like you’ve lost like you can’t continue to race if you’re having a tough day.
And we have course crew out there who will support your your race, and you know, if that’s everything, from being on a technical feature to show you the correct line to take, or the the easier line to take. And also, we’ve had people sort of follow course crew through sort of technical sections, because sometimes it’s just easy to hop into somebody’s wheel and, you know, ride it that way as opposed to riding it blind. So we have Costco, who do all of those things to make that 7 day experience more manageable.
I see someone’s asking about cell coverage. And I’m gonna say, 95%. I mean, I know some of it is just a little bit more remote, but you’re never out there alone. If that’s your question. Again, We have, course crew who are on course, looking out for you. And this is everything from medical needs to mechanical needs to, you know, you didn’t fuel properly. And now you need a gel to get you to the next aid station. Our course crew is available to do all of those things for you.
Carmel: So maybe we should like, if you don’t mind me interjecting. Part of the reason that we wanted to have this call is because we really want to bump up our women’s category. Where our goal, you guys are the 1st to hear. It is 25% for 2025. And it’s not. It’s not a crazy, lofty goal. Last year we had 19% women. But we really, really want to bump that number up, as women who work for BC bike race for me as a woman who has done BC. Bike race, and I’m not by any means an Uber athlete or somebody who has all the time in the world to train and everything. It was very doable for me, and so I know that it’s doable. It’s kind of a well if she can do it, just about anybody could do it situation. It is how I feel about it. And I did the race back in 2015, when we had the traveling circus with all the fairies and everything, and and it’s just, I wrote a blog post after after it was all said and done, and it was called, I am an athlete and I had never before that point really seen myself as an athlete. I was someone who went out and rode my bike and yay. It was fun, and I was like, no, I did this big thing, and it was awesome. And I was really really proud of myself. So that’s kind of my story.
And I’d love to know what are your… if you’re not registered for the race… And we’re we’re taking to calling in an adventure, because we know it’s not a race for everybody. It wasn’t a race for me. You know. What are your blocks? What are your barriers? What is what is holding you back?
Moniera: Well, I see a question here from Lisa calling herself an older athlete at 60. And I think we’ll almost add enough women over 60 to have a full category for next year, which, as a 57 year old woman, seeing women in their sixties ways, just. It’s so inspiring because we keep thinking that as you get older you can’t do stuff anymore. And to see this, many women in the 60 plus category is pretty exciting for me.
And so, to speak to the intimidation factor, Val, I’m going to call on you. Would you mind talking to Lisa about the intimidation factor.
Val: Yes, it is intimidating, you know. You’re thinking 7 days. But I think you have to kind of just think of it. Stay within yourself. And it’s okay. If you have to walk something. I mean, I’ve walked a lot of parts in the race. Sometimes you just don’t feel it. I find, with women a lot of times we like to think, sometimes overthink things. It’s totally doable. But sometimes we just think we can’t for that day or for that moment, or whatever it is, and it’s okay to walk. And what’s wonderful, if you see bike race, there’s no time limits. I love it. And every day you kind of see similar people that you ride with. You’re kind of the same speed, you know, with other people, and you kind of you make friends with them, and it’s so fun, you know, so as far as, yeah, you kind of just have to think of it like it’s a challenge. And for me, I’m not a racer. My goal is just to finish. So whatever it takes to finish. And but sometimes I’ll have little goals like maybe there’s kind of a scary little rock drop or a rock roll. I said, Okay, my goal for today is maybe just try the rock roll. Maybe it might be that, or it might be, oh, my God, this is a client. I’m gonna try to make the climb. And okay, that’s good. I’m happy. So that’s my goal for today. So anyways, that’s me.
Moniera: And you know, I think one way to think of it is, I think we get so caught up in the whole racing aspect of it. I heard a great term this morning that talked about this. BC Bike race as the school of single track. For many people it is just a week of adventure riding in a location that’s new to you. And the magic of it is, we curate the best of the of the courses. So basically, you get to ride the best of the best in all the places we go to, and it’s marked. So you don’t need to stop every 100 meters and check your trail forks right? And of course we have support on course, and you know we have the aid station. So yes, it’s a race, and you know it’s called the BC. Bike race. But it’s you get to do BC Bike Race your way.
Kathy, you’ve done piece of advice a few times. Would you like to weigh in.
Kathy: Yeah, sure I was gonna offer some some thoughts. So at Lisa I’m not sure where you’re from. But so this year will be my 5th BCBR. And I’m from the Uk. As you might be able to guess. And I did. 2019 was my 1st year. I’d never been to Canada I’d never ridden on BC single track. And it’s really really different from the Uk. Obviously it was good, because I’ve been back several times since. But yeah, I mean for me that year was it was a lot. You know, it was. It was technical, and it was challenging, and I raced mixed pairs that year. But you you find your your gang. You find your group so by, like the second or 3rd day, you’ll be riding with the same people, and by day, 4 and day 5, they, your friends, and by the end of the week you you know your friends for life.
And I’m sure Val’s experienced this as well, you know, regardless of where you are in the race. You’ll be seeing the same people every day, because everybody eventually falls into the right kind of speed. So you’ll find people that are like minded and like speed, and they’ll encourage you whether it’s uphill or downhill, and you’ll be with people that might say, Hey, follow my line, follow me down this bit. So you might be with somebody that maybe you’re a little bit quicker on the hills, but they’re a bit quicker on the downhills, but they’re they’re more confident. And they say, hey, follow me on this bit. So everybody’s so encouraging, and usually we have the bib will usually have the name our names on it, and where you’re from. So which is really helpful. So you know, somebody riding behind you will say, Hey, Lisa, like, hope you have a great day today. So there’s like the whole atmosphere thing can help just overcome any wobbles. That you might be having on that day. And yeah, obviously, it’s good, because I’ve been back a few times.
Moniera: Are you racing solo next year, Kathy, are you racing?
Kathy: That’s the plan. Yeah. Andy has asked me if I want to raise mixed pairs again, but I’m still saying No. At the moment.
Moniera: Oh, that’s funny, because I know the last time you were a mixed team, you totally dragged his ass on the court.
Kathy: That was the second time, the 1st time he was dragging me around the second time he was not in a good place, so the next year I raced solo. So yeah, solo again, is the plan.
Moniera: And so that’s another thing. You know. How you race. You can, of course, waste solo, but if you feel like it’ll make a difference for you to have a teammate to have some moral support. We have an option to raise as mixed teamsor women’s teams of 2, and, again, as part of our 25% in 2025. I’m really pushing to get more women’s teams on board for 2025. And I’m keen to make that happen.
So then there are different ways to have your experience. And again, this goes back to BC Bike Race your own way, and, like Val and Kathy have both said. Even if you’re not actually with a teammate, you will end up in the same group of people, and you will end up riding with the same people, and you’ll quickly sort of see who’s, you know who’s riding your style and whose wheel you can catch on to, and you know who you’re going to have to, or maybe who you lead through something else. And these connections form pretty quickly on course, from what I’ve heard. Now I work at Base camp. I’ve never been on course. So this is just hearsay that is changing next year, because, after 10 years of saying that I work for the BC Bike Race because I’m too scared to do it, I am changing that next year, and I’m still terrified. But I’m doing it. Next year. I’m working with a coach, and I’m working so freaking hard because I’m determined to die now, so I don’t die in July. I don’t want to be that person hanging on by my nails. I want to be able to have fun every day, which is why, I’m putting in the work now, and you know, getting past the bullshit of I’m too old. I’m too fat. I’m too. This. I’m too, that I can put in the work and do my best. So I saw a great quote the other day that I’m going to butcher now, but it says “success is knowing that you’ve done the best you can with what you have to prepare yourself.” And that’s my my quote that I’m going with for my own piece of my very 1st BC Bike Race experience next year.
Carmel: I did see Lisa unmute there for a little bit. So, Lisa, did you have a question or a comment?
Lisa: Well, mine lay out. I’m coming. I would be coming from Texas. And so do I. How does it work about at night like after the race do do the riders or racers have to find accommodations for for each place? Or how does that work? Can y’all speak to that?
Moniera: you can either choose to stay with us in base camp. We have an add on for base camp, which basically means you have a tent to, you know, to be part of our tent village. Our tents are now all solo tents. They used to be shared tents, but now they’re all solo tents. You can, of course, share with a friend if you want, but the tent is purchased per person and then it’s up to you if you want to have a a teammate in your 10 but a lot of people also stay on their own. So stay in airbnbs or hotels like what? Wherever you’re gonna get the best night’s sleep so that you can, you know, race well against the next morning. But we also have an add on for a meal plan, which basically means you could just come to our meal hall. So even if you’re staying off site. Oftentimes, it works best to still have a meal plan. Just so. You don’t have to think. Where am I going to go? Buy groceries? And you know, what am I making for dinner? also, you know so much of the race is yes, the racing. But then it’s the afternoon, and that shared experience of going. You know. How did you ride that line that was so scary for me? That was really fun section. So all of those exchanges and you get to share that with your fellow riders sort of through the afternoon. And again, as you’re having dinner, and you know, after dinner. So even if you’re staying off site. We do encourage our races to spend as much time as they can at Base Camp, because that way you’re having the experience with people who are in it with you right.
Moniera: I see there’s a question right now.
Kathy: I can, just for Lisa’s benefit, and I’m sure Val could speak to this as well. So I did the 2 years that were kind of covid affected. So I’ve done both kind of base camp and the the the traveling circus, where, as it was before, and and then the the 21 and 22 we kind of did our own accommodation and I find it, Personally, I’m happy enough sleeping in a tent. The shower facilities are always fantastic at Base Camp. The Food Plan. Just do it. It’s so much easier. You just don’t have to think as long as you don’t have any kind of. I mean, you know, they can cope with some obviously food allergies and things like that. But if you’re generally okay with, you know, eating most things. It’s it just makes life really simple. And you’re right there. You don’t have to kind of panic about, you know. Oh, I’ve got to get myself back to my accommodation, and I’ve got to think about where I need to eat, and maybe I need to tidy up my Airbnb, before I leave it the next morning, or you know, whatever it is, so it’s it’s it’s just really easy.
Moniera: Thanks for that, Kathy. I’m going to jump to one of the questions in the chat I’m considering signing up, and I’m not sure if I’m fit or technical enough my only answer to that would be. Make the commitment, because that’s how you’re going to get fit enough and technical enough. We have resources. We have a Coach’s Corner program that provides both endurance training as well as technical training. And those are both like we have a lot of resources in that. We, that program is constantly in development. And we’re gonna have a coaching call next Tuesday. No, sorry. Next Thursday, the 21st to talk about what that coaches corner program is going to look like. So that will answer both the fit and the technical enough question. And, Emily, I’m seeing your question about being totally unfit and overweight, and you know what we just have to start somewhere right? Like I can say, I want to wait until I’ve lost 10 pounds to start training, or I can just start where you are, start where you are and take baby steps and see where it goes. Wendy, you have your hand raised.
Wendy: Just a couple of questions, please. 1st one is around the meal plans. Have the costs been released for the meal plans. I was on a 1 of the 1st calls, and I think it was a few weeks away. Is it still coming.
Carmel: Yeah, it’s still coming. We’re really. We’re waiting for the the the catering company that we work with. So it’s yeah. It’s a waiting game. We would love to have been already able to release it. But we’re we’re just yeah, we’re working on that file. So I’m hoping. In the next couple of weeks.
Wendy: Just wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed it. So that’s good. Other questions. So at the moment my husband and I are both coming to do the race from New Zealand 1st time very excited. We are registered individually at the moment we have been discussing whether or not we might switch to a mix to race together. So just, I guess the question is is that something that we could do at a later stage if we decided. Instead of riding solo, we wanted to team up and do a mixed here. Is that a possible thing to do?
Moniera: Absolutely. We will communicate in a newsletter late spring sort of when the deadline is to do that. Once we start to order sort of the race. Weak assets like your bibs and your team numbers. We need those answers by then. But yes, you definitely have time to make those decisions. One thing on that subject is, if you know we don’t have that 2 min rule that some races have where you have to stay together. Your partner can go ahead of you, you can go ahead of your partner, but to me that’s a little bit like. Then what’s the point of racing together as a team.
If you prefer to race solo, and one of you is having a crappy day, and one of you is having a great day. You can ride your separate races, but when you both sort of having an equal day, you can continue to ride together. So I think riding solo just means you have more flexibility on your ways, but it also depends on how much you care about your results. Right like, if you are just there to finish and to finish well every day and have fun. Then it doesn’t matter if you take off on him one day, and he’s slower than you or the other way around.
Wendy: Yeah, okay, no, it’s a good comment. Thank you. And then my 3rd question is just around, how. So we’re going to become intending to come the week before the race to Vancouver Island and do a bit of riding ahead of time. I’ve never ridden in Canada, so it’ll be a good sort of pre-ride for me. How far in advance of the courses marked, or are they marked in advance like? Is it possible the week before, to be able to actually ride some of the courses there? Or is it all a secret until race.
Moniera: No, I mean, we usually would have sort of Gpx files available for some of it. The challenge is that some there are some locations where our courses use private land, which is only accessible during the race. But you will have enough information to work. With that you will be able to ride the region. So you know there may be some sections that you don’t have access to, but you will have enough information that you’ll be able to pre-ride enough that you know what you’re gonna be seeing on Wednesday. Does that make sense.
Carmel: Most of the most of the courses are, or most of the course is, in parks where you have access. So yeah, our routes will be going up on trail forks in advance. I can’t tell you exactly when they’ll be finalized, but even if they’re not completely final, you’ll be able to go and and ride some of the trails and get a feel, get a feel for what to expect. So.
Moniera: Know, last year’s courses are on trail forks, and you know, while we’ll be tweaking the course and maybe adding one or 2 different trails. Last year’s trail forks files will give you a really good indication of what we’ve got.
Wendy: Awesome. Thank you. Appreciate those answers.
Kathy: On the on the Facebook group as well usually like in the run up to the race. Usually people might kind of offer some info about all this trail is running really? Well, or we’re definitely using this trail. Maybe we can even do like a splinter group for like a women’s race group, maybe on the on Facebook. But I you know, there’s definitely a few where this year we’re also gonna head out about 10 days before the race and go do another race beforehand.
Moniera: Oh, are you all coming out to do the whole backfill.
Kathy: We are. Yeah. So yeah, there’s this year. I’m I think we’ll head to the island a little earlier, and there’s definitely a few trails that like we hit. So I didn’t do last year’s race. But I did 23 this year. What? Where are we? 23 is the last one I did and there’s definitely a few trails that if they’re going to be on the course again, I’m definitely gonna go and have a pre ride, just some of the more technical ones. Yeah, maybe. Where you know riding them blind is, it’s okay. But if you’ve at least had a little bit of sight of them, you might feel a little bit more confident race day. So yeah.
Moniera: And so, you know, just on that subject, there’s 2 things I want to say about the technical. So if you’re arriving a week before. Make sure you’re on the Facebook group, because people will start to say when they’re arriving. And I love when I start to see the groups gathering to go pre-ride stuff together, right? Because on a Facebook group, it’s a great tool to where you know, you start to build community. So by the time you all get to raise. People have started to connect already, and you may have people to go play with. The second thing on the technical stuff is you know. Yes, it’s mountain biking, and yes, it’s single track. But I think the intimidation factor is overstated. I think for most people. I mean, I’m going to say 95% of it is rideable by most people, and if you have to get off and walk, it is not the end of the world. Get off and walk because it’s self preservation, and you want to get through 7 days. So if you come up to something, you go shit. I don’t know how I feel about riding that. Get up and walk it like it’s a hundred meter thing, or whatever short distance you walk, and then you get back on your bike, and then you’re still good to go, and you’re not, you know you don’t have that heart rate, Spike, from the adrenaline of oh, God! I think I’m going to die. So self-preservation is where it’s at. Even if you sort of hesitating, I don’t know. Could I ride it, could I? Not? If you’re not feeling it, don’t ride it, get up and walk it, right? And the same with the technical climbing like, if you’re just so gassed from ongoing, climbing. Get off and walk for a little bit. Save some matches, and then you can keep going again.
Carmel: Or feel free to take a break, have a snack at the side of the trail. I did a, there was a it was only a 1 day race, but it was like 67 kilometres, or something like that. And this was quite a few years ago, and I had not really done any racing and my legs cramped heavy at about the 45 kilometre mark. And I, just, I was like, Okay, we’re just gonna park it on this log and drink some electrolytes and have a little snack, and you know, and just give my body the opportunity to recover and and keep it fun.
Moniera: You know, if you’re having the worst day in the world and you get to an Aid station and you just like fuck it. I can’t keep going. We can get you back like, while we don’t want you to quit. But some days you’ve just had it, and then we can get you back, because we will always get you back to Base Camp. We’ll get you back safely. You get some rest to recover, and you go right again tomorrow. Right? So just because you’ve not been able to finish one day does not mean you’re out of the race. You can ride again tomorrow in case that was unclear for anyone.
Lisa: Do we need a full suspension bike?
Moniera: Lisa, 100% a full suspension bike. If you want to have fun, I mean, it has been done on a hard tail, but I don’t think you can enjoy the descents nearly as much on a hard tail.
Lisa: Okay, cool. I I have both. I just didn’t. I wasn’t sure which I should plan on training with.
Moniera: But I mean when when you say full suspension like, how much suspension are we talking? I mean ideally. You don’t want to bike with 160 centimetres of millimetres of travel, because that’s just gonna be way too heavy to on the climbs. Right? So what what’s the travel you have in your full suspension bike.
Lisa: I believe it’s 130.
Carmel: It’s fine.
Kathy: Perfect, is, that is, that good.
Moniera: Yep, I think that’s definitely doable.
Lisa: Okay.
Moniera: So I I know some people I did on one tens and one and even less. But I think 1 30 is definitely doable. Yeah.
Lisa: It’s 130, I think so.
Moniera: That’ll that’ll work.
Kathy: That’s that’s what most people, especially from like female races, are generally on. Yeah, kind of 110 to 130. What you know sort of down country, or like maybe at the trail trail end definitely from like a, like comfort and not getting tired as well. You know, you’re gonna really be up on on anything with like less suspension or or hard tail. So it’s, you know, a lot of it is about making sure that you’re comfortable on the bike that you, you know, like, maybe you’ve had a bike fit, or that it’s something you’ve been riding for ages. You know that you’ve trained on it. You’ve been riding on it. You’re comfortable on it. You’re you’re happy with your brakes, you know that, like you’re confident in your tires. That’s more important than whether you’ve got 120 mile of travel or 130 miles travel. Whether it’s this year’s bike or 5 years ago’s bike.
It’s about the bike. That’s right for you. So yeah. But full tension definitely.
Lisa: Okay. I’m glad I asked.
Carmel: We did have someone this year who did the race on a fully rigid bike. And and he survived
Kathy: There was that guy that did it on that like drop bar gravel bike, and he broke it on like the 3rd day, and then he had to borrow a full sauce off like the Shimano guys. We were all looking at it, going at the start, going? What are you doing? And then 3. I think it was the day 3. I came across him in a ditch with a broken bike. It was like, Yeah, that’s not going so well for you, has it.
Moniera: And there’s a funny story.
Kathy: Tried.
Moniera: Funny story about how he crashed and smacked his crotch on the on the top frame, and there was some interesting bruising.
Carmel: So I think the lesson is full Suspension is the way to go.
Moniera: Is the way to go. I see someone’s asking about renting a bike versus bring your own bike wherever possible, I would say, bring your own bike, just because you know how that bike moves with your body. But where you’re not able to do that, some people definitely do rent bikes. We work with endless biking, and you can speak with them ahead of time to get a bike that’s going to be as close to what you’re familiar with, and if you are going to rent a bike again, I would definitely recommend getting it a couple of days ahead of time, so that you can get familiar with the bike, and just so that you know how the bike’s going to move. Especially.
I find. So I ride a Yeti, Sb. 1, 30. And I love that bike. So I’m a little bit hesitant, knowing it’s going to be harder to climb with. But when I get into the technical stuff I know exactly what my bag’s gonna do, and while I don’t ever plan to get in over my head sometimes you just do right. Sometimes you just go. Oh, shit! But I know what my bike’s gonna do. And I know my bike can get through things so that bike body connection thing is so huge that it’s hard to do with a bike that you’re not familiar with. So again, as much as possible. If you’re going to rent a bike, make sure you’re able to get a couple of days on it ahead of time.
Carmel: We’ve got another question from Lynn about not being much into bike repair. And what’s the situation during the race?
Moniera: So we have at our aid stations Shimano crew. A tech, who basically located at the aid station, who can basically keep you rolling. But if you you know ideally, you want to be self-sufficient to be able to change a flat, if if that, it’s what it comes to, you know, if if you have that, obviously we ask that you ride with, you know, plugs. If you’re riding tubeless and a spare tube and some basic tools to get you through the race. But again, we do have course control on the race. But you know they may be 20 min away helping someone else. So you, we don’t want you to sit there and wait for someone to come and rescue you. We want you to be self-sufficient, and you know, if there’s demand for it, we could maybe do a zoom call with, have a mechanic. Do go through some basic repairs. We do have a 3rd party provider, obsession bikes, who does week-long bike care for you. So at the end of each day they will check your bike over and make sure that any work needs to be done to get your bike ready for the next day. But on course, we definitely ask you to have some level of self-sufficiency. And again, you know, even if you’re struggling to change your tube, there’s a good chance. Another race is going to come along and go. Oh, shit! Do you need help? Because the 1st 100 people are racing. The rest of the races are there very much to have a good time, and to support each other and races like will help each other, and we want you to help each other right? We love that race to support each other so you will get help. But don’t rely on somebody else to take care of it for you.
Carmel: And obsession is great. They’re at Base camp. So if you do have, I had a friend the year I did it. Somebody at the aid station was stumbling around and actually stomped on her wheel, and she needed a new wheel. Obsession hooked her up, made it happen
Moniera: And you can tell Sabrina that Dominic Green is coming back to race next year, and maybe she needs to come back as well.
Carmel: He’s coming in 2025?
Moniera: He’s coming back in 2025. I want.
Carmel: Yeah! That’s so exciting.
Moniera: I whined about needing moral support, and he said, Fine, I’ll come back.
Carmel : It helps.
Moniera: Lisa, you asking about shipping your bike and I would have you speak to obsession. If you’re doing the obsession package, they would probably receive your bike. If not, we can figure out something else for you, like we don’t have. We don’t have a plan in place for that. But I am happy to figure out something for you. We’ll we’re all about solutions. Yeah, okay.
Kathy: I know in the US. That I’m not sure like with bike flights. I know quite a lot of bike shops work with bike flights. So it will be the Obsession could like if they’re not already set up as a receiver. I’m sure that they could be given that it’s time. I’m sure people have done that with obsession before and from Facebook group history, I think.
Carmel: So I’ve put the link to Obsession in the chat. So if if you want to reach out to them and ask them about that directly.
Lisa: Perfect. Thank you.
Moniera: I see MJ. Has joined the call. MJ, I’m not sure if you’re able to unmute yourself, or if you’re doubling up while you’re actually at work. But if you would like to, we’d love to hear from you and your BC. Bikers experience, because I know you’ve done this a couple of times as well. Now.
Marie-Josee: Yeah, I am definitely multitasking. But yeah, multitasking on a few things. So I can definitely take a few minutes. I mean I’ve done it 4 times now. 1st year was after Covid, probably the easiest BC Bike race in the history of BC Bike race. And I was terrified. I almost canceled the week before. I didn’t know how to train. I just basically would go out, try to ride my bike as long as possible, and I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I survive, I had tons of fun, met tons of people. I was definitely part of that party wave at the back, and it was a lot less intimidating than I expected.
so that made me want to return. In fact, like most people finish BC bike race, and they’re just like I’m so exhausted I’m not sure if I’m going to do this again, I finished BC bike race. I’m like, all right. Where do I sign up for next year? It was so great. The following year was probably, I don’t know in the history of BC Bike race, probably the toughest one. We had. Like 2, 55 kilometer days, with 2,000 meters of climbing. And I recruited my sister to do it with me, and again, you know, it was part of the party party wave at the back. Survived. Had tons of fun came back to the island the following year Had like a really really hard year. So we didn’t really had much training. But you know what like, it was still such a great experience, just, you know. I think there’s something amazing about being able to show up and just ride your bike and all the best trails. And BC. Bike race does such a great job at like coming up with these itineraries, these routes that you’re you’re hitting all the best trails and all the locations that we we go to, and just being able to turn off your brain and not have to pull up trail forks and figure out where where to go next was awesome. So, you know, still struggled. And then this year I have to say, for the 1st time in 4 years, I was able to actually trained for it. I did the. I’m not sure if you guys have been on the coaching calls. But Carson Madstone does put out a training program for about I think it’s it was 18 weeks, Moniera, if I’m right.
Moniera: I forget what it was last year, but we’re revamping it this year and expanding our coach corner program so that definitely will be resources.
Marie-Josee: Yeah, well, I mean, if it’s expanding, that’s amazing. I did his program. I showed up to BC bike race. I graduated to mid pack. I was crushing it. It was so much, it was so great. And I got so much value out of that program. I actually signed up for Carson’s coaching program like that he offers on the side. So but yeah, I mean, if you’re hesitating, I would say, like, stop hesitating, just sign up and just show up. You’re going to meet tons of wonderful people, hoping that we can get even more women into this this race.
Moniera: 25%.
Marie-Josee: That’s right, that’s right. I’m happy to be, you know, a resource. Anybody who has questions. I certainly had tons of questions last year was the 1st time I actually rode BC. Bikers on the next bike, because I was terrified to use anything else I can guarantee you can do it on a hundred mils of travel. So I was on a 1, 41, 30 the previous 3 years. yeah, I mean, it’s just terrifying until you get there, and you realize that there’s the front of the pack that are all racing. And the rest of us are just here to be, you know, like Dean says, you go to Bike camp. It’s it’s summer camp for adults. And yeah, I’ve been to other stage races, and I have to say, like in Canada and abroad in Europe. And BC bike race is going to be on my calendar for the next, until I can’t ride a bike anymore. So you guys are stuck with me.
Moniera: We wouldn’t have it any other way, and we’ve sort of forgotten to talk about something at the beginning of the call. I forgot to say we were going to have a vice draw at the end. Did we talk about that, Carmel? Or did I forget again.
Carmel: We did not talk about that.
Moniera: Sorry we. So there’s gonna be a prize draw at the end. So stick around for that. But more importantly, I mean, at this point in the calendar. We are 276 days away, I think, from BC. Bikeway. So they’re about 32 weeks. My training Peaks program tells me. I don’t say it glibly when I say anyone can do BC Bike Race. But at this point anyone on this call has enough time to put in the work to be able to do BC Bike Race. And so I’m not fit enough. I’m not technical enough. You have the power to change that you just have to commit. And we all have different lives right? Like some people have the capacity to train 12 HA week. Some people have to only have 5 HA week, so they have to be super efficient, or they have to get up earlier. So if you want it, you can make it happen. That’s the bottom line. And because we want you to make it happen I’ve got a discount code, which is, lo and behold, “25IN25” and it’s good for 25 h, and it will get you $250 off your BC Bike Race sentry.
You know, and part of this is selfish, right? Because it’s my mission to get more women to be the bike race, because I’m doing it next year. I need all the moral support in the world that I can get. I might need someone to wipe my tears, because I know there’s going to be hard days. I know there’s going to be hard days, but I also know, from having done other stage races that feeling you get when you cross the line like there’s nothing like it like I haven’t done drugs, but I can’t imagine a drug making you feel better than that. I’ve done Moab rocks twice now. And, honest to God I am dead last coming across that line. And does that take anything away from my accomplishment?
Fuck No, it doesn’t. like I have been out there. I have had the experience, and you know Moab Rocks may be a bad example, because on the 3rd day, the sweep is Huda, who is one of my favorite people in the whole world, and it feels like you’re riding with friends. Right? So he drags my sorry ass all the way around the course. But the cool thing is, when you’re riding with other people, you get to the point where you know you trust them, and you’ve been riding together long enough that when they say you follow their cues right? So whether it’s gear down or gear up, or you know what’s your line? It’s it’s that shared experience. So, like you say, I think anybody on this call is able to do it and I think it’s a massive personal growth experience, especially if it is challenging right just to go from. Oh, I couldn’t do that to well, what if I try? And my big deciding factor for me when I turned 57 this year was. I would hate to be 71 day and look back and think. I wonder if I could have done BC Bike Race like I might show up there and not be able to do it. But damn it, I’m going to show up having put in the work and try my best. And if that isn’t success, then I don’t know what success is. If, putting in the work and trying your best to give yourself the best chance.
So I’d like to hear from anybody else who has something to say or to tell me why they’re still afraid, or why they still think they can’t do it.
Val: I’ve heard the hardest part is just getting to the starting line, you know, so you make it to the starting line, and that’s good.
Moniera: Just have to make it to the starting line 7 days in a row. Yeah.
Carmel: Well, we we take care of you from there. Once you get to the starting line, and we even take care of you in advance. Like I, you know, I’m someone who. Okay. So what do I need to? I need to know well in advance. What do I need to do? Where? Where do I book my hotel? Where do I need to fly into like, I like to know those things in advance. And so we’re working really hard to make sure that we get you those details as soon as possible, and I know we’ve we’ve just finalized our our booklet, one of our racer Handbook. We got it out earlier this year than last year. So we’re going to be sending that out soon, and that’s got things like travel plans. You know what kind of the general. We’ve got a little map of the area, so you can see the different ferry terminals and the airports and and all those kinds of things. And we’re going to be updating that as we go. And we finalize different details. But for anyone who’s like, Oh, I can’t do it until I have you know certain details in place. Just know that we’re taking care of those as we go. So don’t panic. We’re gonna make sure that you get here. We’re going to give you all the resources that we can to help you both, you know, getting here during the race and then making your exit, as you need to.
Moniera: I have put my email in the chat. Please email me if you have any questions. If you have any concerns, if you have any hesitations, use me as a resource. Our social media, as well, you know, send us a DM. Whether it’s on Facebook or Instagram. We are here to address your questions. We are here for your solutions, and I think the only thing left to do is I’ve given you all the discount code that’s good for anybody still sitting on the fence. Come out! Are we ready to do the prize draw? You had a system for that.
Carmel: Yes, I did. And I can I? Oh, yeah, you did change the sharing. And I just wanted to reiterate that coupon code is good for $250 off.
And we’re we’re using the wheel of names And what we’re giving away is a Laser helmet. None of us is in the the warehouse right now, so we can’t tell you what model it is, but it’s a Lazer helmet, so.
Moniera: A black one.
Carmel: Who doesn’t like New Helmet day? It’s not quite as good as New Bike Day, but you know it’s up there.
Carmel: Oh, it just ticked over. Lisa!
Lisa: Have that one rigged, or what?
Carmel: I swear we didn’t.
Lisa: Like it was gonna be the other person.
Kathy: Over just in time.
Lisa: Thank you.
Carmel: So we’ll we’ll work out getting that to you, Lisa.
Moniera: And listen. I’ve put my email in the chat. You can just email me your address, and we can take care of that for you.
Lisa: Okay, I’ve written it down. I’ve written down the code. So we just go to the can. Somebody put the link again for the registration. So that would be awesome. Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer questions. It’s been great.
Jen: May I ask a question, Moniera? So like Carmel and Moniera had mentioned at the beginning of the of the call, just talking about women and cycling. And so I’m just curious out of all the ladies on the call. How many of you are coming to BCBR with some girlfriends, or do you? Are you a part of female riding groups? Or what’s your riding circle? Kind of like? Do you? Do you ride with a lot of women, or you kind of the only one in your group.
Carmel: That’s a great question.
Jen Ashton: Nobody wants to answer.
Lisa: I ride with a I will ride with a group of of gals. But I there’s nobody that would come up all the way to Canada with me, so I’d probably be coming up by myself.
Jen: Is that just a distance thing, or why don’t they want to come See us in Canada?
Lisa: It’s a it’s the distance. It’s a logistics. It’s a, I don’t know that every…lot, lots of reasons. I just said. You know, I’m gonna be 60 next year. And I want to do something epic. And so that’s my motivation for this. And that’s why I really kind of wanted to hear what y’all had to say about it, you know, hoping that I would get some words of encouragement, which I did thank you.
Moniera: And and, Lisa, I’m very good at arm twisting, so if you need me to speak with your girlfriends, I am happy to you know, have a conversation with them, or you know, maybe we book another call like this just for your group. I’m happy to do that as well, if they want to take half hour to talk about it.
Lisa: Okay.
Moniera: And you know that goes to anybody else. You know, if you have a group of friends that have some questions we don’t have to have make it a formal zoom. Call like this like I’m happy to jump on a 10 min or 15 min. Call with your friends to to answer you. You know their specific questions. perfect. I think that’s it. Just again a reminder that we will be sharing this call broadly. So. And it has been recorded. Thank you all for your time. Thank you for showing up and thank you for your engagement, and we’ll just keep pushing for 25% women at 2025.