Well that was a nicer week! Started off a bit windy - I rode by both segments a few times this week, but never committed because there was too much of a headwind... And then this weekend, look out! 🌞

We're back up to 40 riders this week, great to see so many taking part!!

In other news, Milan-San Remo was quite the race on Saturday, no spoilers but they averaged 46.1kph for over 6hrs, insane!

Local racing is about to start up, and I've updated my Skinny Tire Action page with all the VCL dates (they've been posted!), as well as all the other road racing I'm aware of:

https://abouttheride.ca/road/

If you haven't perused the site, there's also all the cyclocross/gravel racing, MTB, as well as a collection of all the local clubs and group rides, take a peek, there's probably something you'd be interested in!

Finally, this week we head over to Batu just north of Elk Lake. Another one probably mostly gravel riders have heard of, but we've got another fairly mean climb, and another speedy segment coming up!

HOUSEKEEPING

Notes for the week:

Just a heads up the Overall hasn't been updated on the spreadsheet, and I've yet to update the results with Adam swapping over, will get to that later in the week.

01 <- THIS MANY WEEKS WITHOUT AN ERROR 🤣

If there are any errors, omissions, issues, concerns, or anything else, feel free to hit reply!

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SOUNDTRACK NOTES

No tunes this week again, well sort of, had Girls5eva playing in the background, does that count? 🎶

THIS WEEK IN RIDES

The A's

Where's all our female A riders at? Katja once again Zone 2'd up all the points, hopefully we'll see some more of you out there this week! 😊

We're up to 7 guys, and this is looking pretty fun! Julian blitzed both segments once again, also claiming a KOM. On Watkiss Spender and Nicky posted the fastest times, and the same order over on Holland! Adam W is holding up well in 4th, and Dylan and Dan both put in some smokin' times as well!

The B's

Maria and Tania appear to have opposite strengths, as each took one W, and hopefully this week we see a few more of the B ladies come out and join them!

Five guys joined the Open B field this week, and Travis Field rode his first week back, claiming both W's! Tyler V and Nico tied for 2nd, and Travis O claimed the final podium spot on Watkiss. Peter threw down some serious watts for 2nd on Holland, and there was another tie for 3rd between Tyler V and myself!

The C's

Our C's grew by two this week, but Suzy and Jane claimed the top spots on both segments, with Bonnie and Lani both taking a 3rd as well, nice riding!!

Three more fellas also joined in, but Evan T was unstoppable taking both wins, and Donnie and Mikael both posting fast times on Watkiss, while over on Holland Scott & Peter claimed the final podium spots.

Nice riding all!!

BONUSES & CURSES

No QOMs this week, but one KOM went to Julian!

Early bird was Chris VS! Once again no Secret Times this week! And no Socialite points awarded as well (post a shot of your ride on IG or FB and tag @AboutTheRideCA for a chance for 5pts each week!) The Local Legend curse was claimed by Adam W on 2B, but none of us took it on Watkiss.

PRIZES!

Prizes this week are courtesy of Fairfield Bicycles!

I'll be giving out 8 items, and the split is 2x A's, 4x B's and 2x C's, and our lucky riders by random draw are:

Spencer Floyd
Julian Cameron

Nate Coppola 🇨🇦
Marc Verkuyl
Marc Instone 🇨🇦
Alan Mackay

Scott Horsley
Donnie Kendrick

Congrats! I'll email you all privately on Monday with details, note that the first to reply will get their top prize choices!

For Week #3, we'll be giving out items from our friends at Oak Bay Bikes!

As always a huge thanks to all our event supporters, check out the (growing) prize list here:

https://abouttheride.ca/victoria-segment-challenge-season-4-prize-list/

Week #3 – Mar 18th – Mar 24th – Et tu, Batu?

Week three takes us over to one I've been eyeing for a while - Batu! Both start in the same area, one is a solid climb, the other has a fast start, and short kick at the end.

Segment 3A Name: Das Batu
Deets: 0.77km, 68m elevation gain
This is an existing segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 2:39, KOM is Jim Nelson with a 2:04 & LL is Ross Hooker with 1 effort!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/8775810

If you haven't ridden Batu, leave your bottles at the bottom and pack your climbing legs! You've got almost 70m of elevation in just over 700m of roadway, and you just roll back down when done. Type-A fun!

If out this way on the gravel bike, there's actually a moderately technical gravel descent at the end of this, but it's a pretty silly gravel option. 🤢

Segment 3B Name: Ba Tu, Bear Hill?
Deets: 1.57km, 19m elevation gain.
This is a NEW segment, QOM is Christy Love with a 2:47, KOM is Jordan Gray with a 2:24 & LL is Magnus Verbrugge with 1 attempts!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/36446588

This one will be enjoyed by the more punchy riders - you can pick up some good speed along Brookleigh, and there's a fun twist at the end, turning right and heading up Bear Hill Rd. Once again, this is a bit of a 'gravel' route option, although the trail at the end is fine for road bikes, and if you haven't, carry on through and check out the other side!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

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

The way to Holland was fun!
There's a wee Marc Morrison off in the
distance there. 😉

That's another week down, hope we get another nice week, good luck on Batu - you won't forget it!!!

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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