Another big week, the people living on Dooley and Campion must have been wondering what the heck was going on! Also a rough weekend for weather, but happy to see several of you braving it! We've also added new riders to both the A and B groups, welcome!

This coming week is inspired by Alison Jackson's amazing Paris-Roubaix win, and so we've got some 'cobbles' and dirt this week, TipTap dances are optional. 😉

HOUSEKEEPING

Just a few notes:

Newcomer Rick Long signed up as a B, but given no other B's cracked 8min in Dooley, we'll put him in with the A's!

Damian's blistering Campion time brought up a subject I was hoping to avoid, but moving forward I'm instituting a Merckx rule - that is, no aero-bars (on a TT bike or clip-ons) - I don't want this to become an arms race, and you can see that they do make a pretty big difference. (If all you have is a TT bike that's fine, please just do the efforts on the base bar.) Thanks for playing along all!

Also I don't think there were any errors in the results last week, first time! haha..

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

SPONSORS AD

This email is sponsored by the new Victoria Segment Challenge Off-Bike Mic Time Podcast! Because everyone else out there has a podcast, why shouldn't we?

With my co-hosts Claire and Kirk, we'll be interviewing semi-pros from around the world, reviewing all the latest tech gear, and figure out if coasting down hills with your left or right leg forward is faster. Plus all the background info on the Victoria Segment Challenge you're probably wondering about; like how are these random times and draw prizes selected each week? Wonder no more!

Be sure to tune in, please like and subscribe, find us on RealForRealPodcasts.com with new releases 2-3 times a day, and you'll have the perfect listening selection for your next segment efforts! (Claire, Kirk, I'll call ya!😂😂😂)

SOUNDTRACK NOTES

Any Grouplove fans out there? Never Trust a Happy Song from 2011 is a fantastic album, I'm not even sure how I came across this band, but the rest of their albums are solid. Quirky poppy pretty high energy stuff, highly recommend!

THIS WEEK IN RIDES

The A's

Claire's got more friends! Welcome The Squaremeat, who's certainly not pedalling squares, and claimed both QOMs this week! (Tying one with Justine!) UPDATE: K :) with a last-minute upload actually claimed the Campion QOM!

For the fellas Damian swept both segments, but newcomer Rich Long claimed 2nd on Dooley, with Louis in 3rd. Over on Campion Louis was closest to Damian's time, 40 seconds off, and Dan took the third step!

The B's

The B field continues to grow and holds a ton of competition!

On the Female side, K :) returned to claim the fastest time on Dooley, but newcomer Mikayla Neal and Justine weren't far off. Justine was originally fastest on Campion (again, tying with The Squaremeat), and Mikayla and K :) traded places on this one. BUT with a last-minute upload, turns out K :) claimed the Campion QOM by another 2 seconds, fantastic riding out there all!!

On the Open side Chris Ferguson-Martin opened his account with an extremely fast time on Dooley, and somehow Spencer Floyd logged the exact same time! I managed 2nd again, and Peter secured 3rd (although sadly he'll be missing the rest of the Challenge with finger surgery, wish him a speedy recovery!) The B segment saw the same two atop the podium, and AGAIN with exactly the same times. Are Chris and Spencer long-lost twins?! Has anyone ever seen them in the same room together??? Again I somehow got 2nd, with Jon and Travis right in there as usual.

The C's

Wendy was the lone C this week again, we all appreciate you putting up the good fight Wendy!! 💪💪

We were missing several Open C's this week, but Alan Mackay continues to hold the top times, with Mike and Dan sharing the podium. Kit got the upper hand on Campion however, with Mike rounding it out.

The Secret Times this week were 9:30 and 4:46, and again lots of close calls, but no hits. Tylor G claimed the Early Bird but got cancelled out claiming the Local Legend curse on Dooley, and Travis took a the hit for us on Campion!

PRIZES!

This week get ready to carb load! A big thank-you to Cinnaholic, Meet on Blanshard and Virtuous Pie for the prizes!

The selections this week are 2x A, 4x B and 2x C and we've got:

The Squaremeat
Dan Blackwell

Ryan Taylor
Shannon Baerg
Bruno Gonz Jones
Kevin Dumaisnil

Tyler Galts
Mike Hofmann

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

For Week #8, since we're in their backyard, we'll be giving away the Goldstream Bikes GCs! To qualify you have to ride at least one segment this coming week. Thanks again to all our supporters, check out that huge prize list!! 

https://abouttheride.ca/vsc-s1-prizelist/

Week #8 - Apr 17 - 23 - Ali Jackson Action Week!

This week is inspired by Alison Jackson and her epic Paris-Roubaix victory last week!! We'll be heading over to the Crystalview neighbourhood, where I found some 'cobbles' and dirt! Some may recall another segment from a previous KOMpetition season, but almost no one in the group has recorded riding up either of these roads, so it'll be a surprise for most! And both are pretty short as well.

Segment 8A Name: Crystalview
Deets: 0.49km, 56m Elevation
This is an existing segment, QOM is Tereza Jšj with a 7:08, KOM is Benoit Detering with a 1:54, Edwin Wong is the LL with 1 effort.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/13489568

I wasn't planning any unpaved riding, but came across this and thought it'd be apt. It's pretty much all climb, and the final portion is a hardpack trail. It'll probably reveal some interesting results, because there's only so hard you can pedal before you spin out. Please stick to road bikes (unless you've been doing all previous segments on a gravel bike, in which case this is your week to shine!)

Segment 8B Name: Cobbles made of platinum
Deets: 0.60km, 37m Elevation
This is a new segment, QOM is Tanna Allan with a 3:41, KOM is Eamonn O with a 1:54, there is no LL.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/34104201

This one is a lot easier than it sounds. The street name is 'Platinum', and the 'cobbles' are smooth brickwork, but it fits the theme! There is a shortcut by staying to the left just before you hit the bricks on the final corner, I'm asking everyone to follow the proper traffic routing and remain to the right and take the 'longer' loop around that last cul de sac, thanks!!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

SUGGESTED ROUTING

Not too much to this one - the Goose and north end of the E&N connect to Atkins, which is right there. When you get to the top of 8A, you end up connected to another street, and can simply keep rolling down that road (so you don't have to go back on the gravel!)

Updated on the site: Week #8 Hints, and Routing for this week: https://abouttheride.ca/victoria-segment-challenge/

The Dooley hill from the top - sounds like quite a few were surprised by this one!

And from the bottom, doesn't look so bad in photos!

A bit of an exciting week with some last-minute edits!! Thanks again to all of you for being a part of this, so far around 70 people have participated in at least one segment, and we have over 40 people out this week, would be great to see more join in! *hint* *hint* *nudge* *nudge*

Have fun with the segments this week, so far it's looking like it's going to be hard to pick out an ideal day, lots of rain in the forecast..but I'm sure it'll turn!

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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