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Week #1 - Sept 8th - 14th - Back to Segment School!
We're back, and fun to be on trails again! Reminder that segments this week are simply 'exploratory', and ride time make no difference, everyone who completes each segment gets 30pts.
The first is a much longer segment than usual, we featured a similar route two years ago in Season 3, and basically have combined them to make one long segment. Down side: it's a bit more complex. Up side: we'll have time to do more exploring, with this 'two in one'.
This segment is a fun alternative to the Goose for getting out to the West Shore, and the second segment is a popular way into Royal Roads. Also slightly different from the first iteration - now longer!
Segment 1A Name: Cuthbert to JdF - a gravel alternative to the Goose
Deets: 7.92km, 95m elevation gain.
This is an new segment, QOM is Emma Skaug with a 23:13 & KOM is Vegan Dave Shishkoff with a 20:58, and the LL is no one! (Reminder these really don't matter.)
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/40070007
This is a long one, and more direct than what we've featured in the past. It's not at all technical, and a could even ride it on a road bike, tho fatter tires definitely recommended!
It starts when you cross Interurban off the Goose, and head left towards Cuthbert Holmes Park. Once in, you make the right over the bridge, and over to the main dirt road. At the end you cross over to Portage Rd (careful crossing please! Reminder this isn't a timed segment!!) and at the end of this section we're opting for the safer version once more, and go 'straight' through the roundabout to the next connector, the MacLennan Trial into View Royal Park (home of the bumpiest grass!)
You'll go right there for a more direct route to the exit of the park, and a couple wiggles later you're at the E&N. Cross at the lights, but stick to the road/bike lane when making the left, and carry on up to Willfert where you'll have to cross. If there's a lot of traffic, best cross at the light by the casino.
From there, you'll find a sneaky entrance to the Juan de Fuca park, and a nice little climb at the end. Phew! Sounds complicated, but it should flow pretty well.
Hope you find this to be a regular part of your routing, and be sure to use it as a warmup when going to a couple of the popular Cross Club Wednesday Nighter events as well!
NOTE: Noticed today there was construction at the start under the bridge, so you'll have to pop up on the road. Hopefully the segment triggers, but tag me or @AboutTheRide if you have an issue, and I might edit the segment to accommodate this.
Segment 1B Name: Go to college
Deets: 0.71km, 13m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Claire Townsend with a 3:12 & KOM is D H with a 2:47, and LL is Paul H with 2 efforts. (Reminder these really don't matter.)
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/39987188
Right off the Goose, this is my favoured route into Royal Roads, which IMO has some of the best trails. Definitely want wider tires for this.
It starts off pretty technical, with a steepish drop, and a couple bigger roots. Then some nice singletrack with a few more roots, but luckily there's a new climb option (stick to the left), that's MUCH easier. Once you get over that final big root at the top, the rest is a fun and smooth singletrack, and worth the initial effort.
It's mostly downhill from the top, enjoy the swoopy trail. There's a short kick about 3/4s in, then some more fun twists and you end up on College Rd (watch that last little bit, it's a wee bit steep). From there, keep exploring RRU, or head over to University Dr, and you'll find yourself back on the Goose!
Happy riding!! 
Updated on the site: as always Routing for this week: https://abouttheride.ca/victoria-segment-challenge/ |
