Hope everyone's had a great winter, if you haven't been on the road bike, it's time to dust 'er off, the Segment Challenge starts this week!!

We've got over 50 people signed up already, I know there's more of you who will be slaying segments, don't forget to sign up (it's required each season, just so I know for sure you're in, and don't miss your results!)

If you're new, please be sure to review the rules for the Segment Challenge, and there are also some Bonuses and Curses you'll want to familiarize yourself with! These are all on the event page.

The big rule I must insist on is no drafting! These are individual efforts, and at no point should you be drafting another rider along a segment. This doesn't have as much an impact on hilly segments, but we'll have some flatter ones as well, where a draft could make a big difference. This is supposed to be 100% your effort! (It's fine if someone is beside you cheering you on, etc..just no drafting.)

If you're really keen to get the most out of your efforts, you'll want to check out my blog post with a TON of tips to getting PRs or QOMs/KOMs on segments (or Time Trials in general). I'm not really that strong of a rider, but I 'hit above my class' due in great part to knowing how to TT and pace myself. And you can too! Here's the link: 

https://abouttheride.ca/tips-to-pr-that-next-strava-segment/

Finally, a HUGE thank-you to all who've chipped in so far, I'm humbled and grateful for your generosity! ❤❤❤

Week #1 – Mar 4th – Mar 10th – Spring Kick-off on Robin Hill

We're back! 🤩 It's the spring, so let's head over to Robin Hill! Never heard of Robin Hill? Not surprised!! It's a neat little subdivision just under Thetis Park, and there's a couple good, short climbs - they're actually pretty good for intervals as well! Check out the Routing on the site, there's a neat little access point off the Goose!

Segment 1A Name: Chimko's Chilco Chopper
Deets: 0.75km, 48m elevation gain. (Suspect it's actually a bit higher.)
This is an existing segment, QOM is Faye Tuck, KOM is Benoit Detering & LL is Andy Telfer with 1 attempt!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/7673028

Let's start with a bang! (Well, the order you ride these doesn't matter, but for the sake of this paragraph....😂) Chilco from this end is a solid hill to start, gravel riders may be familiar (with the pathway access at the corner) - but I prefer coming the other way! 🤢 This segment carries on around the corner, and levels off a bit. Fortunately there's a pretty obvious start and finish that line up with the streets.

Reminder that the first to 'lock in' their effort wins the Early Bird points! And anyone know Bill? He's who's the segment is named after!

Segment 2B Name: Why don't you just Chilco out, dude!
Deets: 0.741km, 45m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Lauren Babineau, KOM is Benoit Detering & LL is Bruce Elliot with 24 attempts!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/17643706

This is the other end of the same hill, but it rolls quite a bit more with a few sharp kicks. It's a pretty quiet neighbourhood, so should be good to give it a good rip, but does require some bike handling skills if at speed! It ends at the same intersection as 1A, another conveniently clear finish line. I wonder if Bruce lives up here, that's a lot of efforts!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Updated on the site: New Hints, and as always Routing for this week: https://abouttheride.ca/victoria-segment-challenge/

Is that neighbourhood actually called Robin Hill? Well hopefully, it works well for the title. 😂

And of course there will be draw prizes at the end of Week #1, all who record at least ONE segment will be entered to win, and it'll most likely be goodies from Cycles West. Thanks to them, and all our event supporters for providing me with a little something extra to possibly sweeten the ride each week.

That's it for now, have fun out there, and don't forget to sign up if you haven't! 😉

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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