Summer is here, and just in time for some bigger segments - nearly 40 people hit them this week, nicely done!! Technically speaking, warm (and humid!) air is faster, and correspondingly there were lots of speedy times logged.

This coming week we're actually back out that way, but it's just a couple shorter segments, and one isn't even a climb!

I've also closed the submission form for the segment suggestions, thanks again to all who sent in their ideas, I think it's been a really fun season so far, and I've pretty much locked up the rest of the season.

And thought I'd share this photo from Dave B:

He hit this starting the B segment - what are the chances?!

Racing News

Of course Tour de France has started, tomorrow is a rest day but most of the stages have been pretty action packed, including today's stage with a bunch of gravel sections - worth the watch, nice surprised on the podium today too!

The Women's Giro d'Italia started today with a time trail as well, and it looks like it should be pretty epic. (But why does it keep changing names, last year it was the Giro Donne, no?)

And currently on in the background is the XC World Cup from this weekend, and another top performance from Holmgren in the U23 field. Sadly Emilly picked up some kind of stomach bug, so didn't race the XCO, but the conditions probably would have suited her nicely!

HOUSEKEEPING

Notes for the week:

Not much to mention this week!

Reminder if your time didn't record (this week or any), please either tag me in your ride, comment on the Strava group post, or send me an email -- if you rode it, I can usually figure out a 'manual' time for you, but you need to let me know! 😁

2 <- THIS MANY WEEKS WITHOUT AN ERROR 🤣

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

SPONSORS AD

This email is sponsored by Gambling(Tm).

Gambling - it's like taking money from a baby, but you're DEFINITELY not the baby! (Please keep gambling!)

SOUNDTRACK NOTES

As mentioned I've got some World Cup Cross Country action playing in the background, woowoo!🎶

THIS WEEK IN RIDES

For those new, results are tabulated each week, and the event page has all the results updated each Sunday night! To see the weekly results, hit the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

The A's

Sofia was back for another week, and shredded both segments as usual! Her times were 8th overall this week on both, and she claimed not one, but TWO QOMs on her effort on 4A - the steep bit on Lindholm, as well as the full segment, not bad! So great to have her inspiring all our women (and men!!)

It was family week, as Sof's brother Leo claimed the top spot in the A's! The only rider to crack 5mins on Leefield, and dropping an impressive time on the B segment, especially given that all the segment's top times were groups of riders racing that loop! Louis once again set the early KOM, but had to settle for 2nd, and Team B+ rider Travis F squeaked into 3rd by 3 seconds ahead of Logan! Somehow both Logan and Louis logged the exact same time on Leefield, and Carson was 3rd there, just seconds ahead of Dan B (and I claimed the Top B+ time surprisingly!)

(I also had a screwy experience on Leefield; on my first try, there was some strange GPS drift on my file, and it 'ended' about 40 seconds after my effort, as I was rolling back up the road...and then it happened AGAIN on Saturday when I retried it!! Didn't happen to anyone else far as I can tell. I figure I was under 5:30, but settled with the only time logged, a 6:24. Very sad, but that's what the Strava gods gave me. 😂😭)

The B's

It's a bit of a bummer there aren't any other B women this season so far, because Renata is dropping some solid watts and logging some great times! Still a champ in my books, keep it up!

Dave B headed out to claim the Early Bird, and also ended up logging the fastest time for the Bs on Leefield! Evan T and Joel W were just a few seconds short, along with Todd. Dave B also claimed the fastest time on Kangaroo, almost a minute ahead of Adam L, who wasn't even planning on giving it a solid effort! Josh edged out Todd for another podium finish!

The C's

Jane continues taking names and kicking butts, with two more top times this week! Rose claimed the silver spot just 6 seconds ahead of Kristin on Leefield, with Bonnie not far off. On Kangaroo Rose and Lynn were separated by a few seconds, and Bonnie and Lani just off the pace (and Lani had to redo the effort after missing the first turn - she reminds us to study your segments! 😉)

Quinn got a taste of the top spot, and wanted more this week, claiming both fastest times!! Zach and Greg had to settle for the lesser positions on the A segment, and Zlatan missing out by just one second! Over on the B segment 3 seconds separated Greg and Jamie! Tight battles this week!

(Note: Matthew emailed me just after 8pm, he's riding the segments late, and due to his enthusiasm I'll let it pass and will update the results tomorrow, so there may be some shuffling in the C results. Please do try to wrap up your efforts by 6pm!)

BONUSES & CURSES

A QOM went to Sofia, and KOM to Leo!

• Early Bird was Dave B.
• No Secret Times this week, tho just a second or two off.
• No Socialite points either (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 Quinn this week!
• No Yellow Jersey curse as usual!

PRIZES!

For those new to the series, we've always got some sweet draw prizes every week! Watch our socials (Insta & Facebook) to see what we'll be giving away each week!

This week the main prizes are the Outset socks that were donated by Ben Moore - they're L/XL, so I'll also include some of the unclaimed water bottles from last week in case your feet aren't that big. Once again I'm drawing two random A, B and C riders, and those names are:

Louis FL
Sofia Donnecke

Joel Wheeler
Mark Devitt

Jamie Caskenette
Lani *

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

As always a huge thanks to all our event supporters! Take a peek at what we've got for Season 5, even few more goodies being added in this week:

https://abouttheride.ca/victoria-segment-challenge-season-5-prize-list/

Week #5 - July 8th - 14th - Rocky Point Remediation

A bit further out of town than last week, but don't worry, they're both short segments, and only one is a bit of a climb! Two more new ones for me, both suggested by our members once again!

Segment 5A Name: Rocky Road
Deets: 1.60km, 14m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is salena anderson with a 2:28, KOM is Jean-Paul Condon with a 1:41 & LL is Jean-Paul Condon with 13 efforts!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/23867596

I don't have any record on Strava having ridden this one, but looks like a pretty straight shot with bit of a drop at the start, and a short kick at the end, looks fun and fast! The KOM and QOM are a little suss...e-bikes?! Props to Glennon for suggesting this one!

Segment 5B Name: Pearson College Return
Deets: 1.00km, 59m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is C Pendrel with a 3:25, KOM is Rob Britton with a 2:26 & LL is Mike Jones with 2 efforts!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/1181254

Another that I haven't been on! Louis suggested this area, and browsing a few options along that stretch, went with this segment - appears to be a nice climb with a bit of a descent at the end. The watts aren't terribly high, so I suspect we'll see the top times change hands.

Happy riding!! 

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

Sofia collecting two QOMs on
one segment!
Photo courtesy Dave B

Adam approaching my
'distortion zone'.

A tale of two segments.
One corner starts
them both.

Looks like we've got another amazing week, make sure you're bringing out two bottles to stay hydrated! If you need water out that way, there's a cafe and corner store at Happy Valley & Metchosin, or if you're heading back in via Lagoon, there's a fountain at the bottom of the hill by the washrooms.

Looking forward to seeing your times!!

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

Join the @AboutTheRideCA social media accounts
for an informative range of local cycling updates!

If you ever have any questions,
feel free to simply hit reply!