General
Q: What exactly is a mountain bike “stage” race?
A: In a multi-day stage race, such as BC Bike Race, competitors start each day in a wave start, working their way against the clock and through the course to the daily finish line. Racers’ finish times are recorded at the end of each day which determines their position within their category and the Overall General Classification (GC). At the end of the race, each of the stage race times is added up to calculate the overall winners in each category. In BC Bike Race, we have a short prologue on day 1, followed by 6 days of incredible singletrack mountain bike racing.
Q: How difficult will the race be physically?
A: This will probably be one of the more challenging accomplishments of your life – both physically and mentally. Stick to your training program and don’t cut corners. To give yourself the best chance at success, get comfortable riding in all weather conditions. It is important for you to know how you, your clothing, and your gear will perform in a variety of conditions that you may find on British Columbia’s trails. It is also recommended that you consult a physician to be sure you are physically fit enough to do the BC Bike Race.
Q: What’s the overall success rate for riders?
Are your cut-off times reasonable?
A: Historically we have had an overall 96% completion rate for riders with success rates staying consistent over the past 19 years. Our aim is to see you successfully across the finish line. Very few racers do not finish all stages except in instances of mechanical failures or medical issues.
Q: Why are you limiting registration?
A: We want to ensure that we execute a world-class event, to this end, each racer’s enjoyment of the singletrack is taken into consideration via the prologue and seeding. The quality and integrity of the trails and their maintenance also mandate careful consideration of the routes and the volume of ridership we put out onto the trails. These considerations are among the reasons why the number of racers per year is capped.
Q: Can I race solo?
A: Absolutely! BC Bike Race has both teams of two and solo categories available. Year to year the numbers within each category change, but we average 75% solo racers. What we have found is that most racers will find a group that rides the same speed, and your week will be fueled by the shared experience with those riders.
Q: Is there a minimum age requirement to enter BC Bike Race?
A: To compete in the BC Bike Race you must be at least 16 years old on Day 1 of racing. Racers under 18 are required to have a parent in attendance at race week. The parent is not required to be racing.
Q: Will we be able to have our own food and water bottles at the Aid Stations during each Stage?
A: No, racers will not be able to stage your own personal items anywhere on the course. You will have to carry everything that you need for the day. The Aid Stations will have a variety of food, snacks, water and hydration products available.
Q: What if I have food allergies?
A: Racers with food allergies should make their own preparations for special food as we cannot accommodate all allergies at the Aid Station(s) or Finish Line.
Q: What sort of weather should we expect during the race?
A: Come prepared for anything. Even when a day starts out sunny and warm, you could be finishing in the rain and cold. For this reason, every racer should carry a jacket with them on course. We also recommend bringing warm clothes to wear at night, as the temperature can drop rapidly at the end of the day.
May’s average high-temperature on Vancouver Island are 15-20°C (60-70°F), and the average low-temperature is 9-12°C (48-54°F).
Q: Why are tents, vanlife, food and transportation not included in the base registration?
A: By separating these different components, each racer can now customize their week to include as much or as little according to their unique needs and preferences.
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