Week #3 – June 24th – 30th – Oh no, not Seamist too!

We’re back in my favourite part of town (apparently!) It’s another Rider’s Choice plus seggie, as well as a short climb – and I’ve never actually done either in full! Apologies for 3 weeks in Saanich, next week we’ll be heading west for a couple big’uns! 😲

Segment 3A Name: Sea Ridge Dr Climb
Deets: 0.95km, 86m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is k kit with a 3:31, KOM is Nigel Ellsay with a 2:30 & LL is Jason Gammon with 2 efforts!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/897120

This week’s suggestion comes from Travis O again, it’s another I’ve had in mind, but thought I’d spare y’all…and we can all blame Travis now! 😂 Many have done Seapearl, as well as Seamist, but not so many have combined both for the ‘uber climb’. Save something in the legs for the final kick!

Segment 3B Name: Walema to Blakeney Place
Deets: 0.64km, 53m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Rhonda Callender with a 2:31, KOM is Adam Giles with a 1:31 & LL is Laura Brown with 9 effort!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/9894582

We’ve all ridden by here, but only FOUR in the group have ever ridden up! (And 65 ‘ever’!) I was browsing around the segment map looking for something to compliment Seamist, and spotted this little brute, and our own Laura Brown had recently done intervals up it, so figured it looks like a good spot to give it a go on, it’ll be a surprise for nearly all of us!

SUGGESTED ROUTING

Both segments are off Lochside, so pretty straight-forward getting to them, but afterwards, if you finish up on Seamist, you might enjoy a little route to get over to Sayward – you continue along Seamist, and there’s a few turns, but ends on Sayward (where you can go left to Elk Lake, or back down Cordova.) This is a nice alternative to Lochside as well if you start on Royal Oak and head up Amblewood (and is great in the reverse direction too), here’s a Strava route file: https://www.strava.com/routes/3239642508204530090

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap

Week #4 – July 1st – 7th – A Whole Lotta Lindholm

We’re finally headed west, and we’ve got a couple bigger ones to test the legs and lungs!

Segment 4A Name: ‘dis ain’t yer mamma’s segment…
Deets: 2.29km, 107m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 7:13, KOM is Shay A with a 6:38 & LL is Qionton Disera with 1 effort!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/5279815

Another one many have ridden by, but only 5 in the group have ridden! (The QOM was set when we were checking it out last year!) It doesn’t seem like the top times are anywhere near max efforts, so there’s probably lots of potential for the QOM and KOM to change hands a few times. A big thanks to Dave B for suggesting this one, it’s been on my radar for over a year, glad to finally (have an excuse to) use it!

Segment 4B Name: Infinite Content, Infinite Content, We’re Infinitely Content 🎶
Deets: 5.92km, 136m elevation gain.
This is a new segment, QOM is Mega Rath with a 10:12, KOM is Clayton Hiltz with a 9:37 & LL is David Boyd with 1 effort!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/37164103

Donell suggested a MUCH longer one (start of Happy Valley all the way around to Kangaroo and back down Sooke Rd back to where you started!) Which was a bit long (and dangerous, not a fan of the Sooke highway), but it inspired this one. I intentionally left off going up Lindholm, tho it was tempting. This is also part of a VCL course, so it’ll be interesting to see if any individual can top what appears to be a group of three that set the top times….

SUGGESTED ROUTING

This is a ways out of town, easiest is to get yourself onto Happy Valley Road and it’s a pretty flat, fast shot along there! There are several options of getting from the Goose to Happy Valley – here’s my preference, tho it’s a bit of a wiggle that gets you there with fairly minimal traffic or busy roadways: https://www.strava.com/routes/3107750435997229492

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap

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.

SUGGESTED ROUTING

Similar area of town to last week – if sticking to the roads, Happy Valley to Rocky Point might be the easiest… If you’re okay with light gravel, the Goose is very flat and takes you to both and avoids most elevation! You can also jump on the Goose off Rocky Pt to get to Pearson for a shortcut, otherwise you’re going all the way around to William Head Rd (which is a pretty fun road in and of itself if unfamiliar!)

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap

Week #6 – July 15th – 21st – Speed Farms!

We’re out in the farmland around Island View this week, with another new segment, and another rematch from last year – ready to head back up Dooley? (And wouldn’t riding up Island View be just a little too predictable?😉)

Segment 6A Name: Corny
Deets: 3.28km, 54m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Rhonda Callender with a 7:38, KOM is Andrew McCartney with a 5:47 & LL is Travis Orr with 2 efforts! (Immune to the LL curse since it’s his Rider’s Choice!)
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/13059293

Another new-to-me segment, we’ve got an out-and-back, and another Rider’s Choice thanks to Travis O! I might have ridden part of this some time…but never this entire segment! It appears to have a fairly gentle rise to the end, quick dip, and a decent cul-de-sac to turn around in, and then double-back. You make a left hand coming back on Puckland, probably with a bit of speed, but it’s a pretty quiet road so shouldn’t be much of an issue, but do be careful as always! And looking at the CR speeds, I expect both the QOM and KOM to change hands, likely a few times once again!

Segment 6B Name: No time to stop for Ms. Dooley!
Deets: 4.31km, 84m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 8:41, KOM is Damian Parlee with a 7:14 & LL is no one!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/34090166

Many will remember this one from last year – it’s got a great mix of terrain, starting with some flat, then a nice rise up Martindale, around the corner where the speed picks back up, then onto Dooley, and wham! A little wall, then a grinder to the end. Be sure to save something for the finish!! Think you’ll improve on your previous time?

SUGGESTED ROUTING

These are both right off Lochside, so pretty easy to get to from town, and part of the standard ‘loop’. If coming from Westshore, I’d cut across Elk Lake and come down Sayward via Hunt and cruise to whichever segment starting point you feel like hitting first!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap

Week #7 – July 22nd – 28th – Are you a pelican, or pelican’t?!

Back out in Metchosin, tho not too far – another new-to-me hill (I rode down it last week, beautiful spot!), and another steep climb from the OG KOMpetition that’s for the birds!

Segment 7A Name: Essential Chapel Heights
Deets: 0.92km, 41m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 2:04, KOM is Caleb Bender with a 1:49 & LL is none!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/18967787

I’m looking forward to this one! Flattens out in a few spots, so should be good for the all-rounders, and has a pretty obvious end-point. Who knew there’s a Cactus Place in the CRD?! (Note that’s not the end point, but funny street name – Graceland is there too!) Credit to Dave B who pointed this out on a ride a few weeks ago, this is our final Rider’s Choice!

Segment 7B Name: Pelican Rd Climb
Deets: 0.67km, 67m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Holly Henry with a 2:16, KOM is Stephane Tran with a 1:43 & LL is no one!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/3347684

A surprising number of people in the group have ridden up this! As mentioned, this nasty thing was featured way back in April 2020, and I had that issue where I pre-rode it, and when I came back down, Strava started my time as I rolled by the start, and I went out a ways and came back in….so shouldn’t have much trouble topping my own time. But it’s 67m of climbing in 670m, so it’s a real grunt!

SUGGESTED ROUTING

The flattest and most direct route would be Goose/E&N to Vet’s Highway, then maybe Kelly, and down Metchosin Rd, tho not terribly pleasant with the traffic. I’d be more inclined to ride my windy route through to Happy Valley, then take either Latoria or Pear depending on how peppy you feel. But be sure to enjoy the rest of the loop around Duke Point, it’s a nice detour when out that way.

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap

Week #8 – July 29th – Aug 11th – Mount Doom, I mean Dean

This is it, the final week, and I’ve created a monster for you! It’s up to Dean Park, which is a challenge no matter which direction, but I’ve created a particularly long climb with some extra goodies! And there’s also a very short kick just across the street for good measure.

And by popular vote, we’ll be running this two weeks – so you have until the 11th to complete both segments!

Segment 8A Name: Please point to the segment that hurt you. 🤢 (Another way up Dean)
Deets: 3.98km, 219m elevation gain.
This is an new segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 13:11, KOM is Damian Parlee with a 12:41 & LL is Jamie Caskenette with 1 effort!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/37264076

This one isn’t gonna be easy, I rode it last year with Jen, Katja, Laura and Sofia with the intention of making it a segment for this year, and here we go! We motored up it pretty well that day, I’m looking at my watts and it’s gonna be a lot of work to top my effort…so we shall see what happen – be sure to save something for when you turn onto Dean Park Rd proper!!

Segment 8B Name: Lower Cresswell
Deets: 0.77km, 32m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Christine Neal with a 2:11, KOM is Chuck Detheridge with a 1:23 & LL is Stephen Klubi with 11 efforts!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/26460276

Keeping it short for the second segment, maybe a good warmup on the way to McTavish! If it looks familiar, it’s because this has been featured twice! Once in the OG KOMpetition, and I brought it back last year as well. But those times it was a downhill sprint, this time we’re going up – thankfully not too long or steep. I’d recommend hitting it off Willingdon (by the airport) so you don’t accidentally trigger the start if you roll down the hill.

SUGGESTED ROUTING

This one’s a long way out, flattest route from the Switch Bridge is via Lochside, and by the airport cut across to McTavish. There’s also the ‘reverse OBB’ route if coming from West Shore, and taking West Saanich/Wallace/East Saanich. Don’t ride too hard to get there!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap

Week #8 – July 29th – Aug 11th – Mount Doom, I mean Dean

NOTE: Week #8 was revised due to Cresswell being chipsealed, below are the segments we rode!

This is it, the final week, and I’ve created a monster for you! It’s up to Dean Park, which is a challenge no matter which direction, but I’ve created a particularly long climb with some extra goodies! And there’s also a very short kick just across the street for good measure.

And by popular vote, we’ll be running this two weeks – so you have until the 11th to complete both segments!

Segment 8A Name: Please point to the segment that hurt you. 🤢 (Another way up Dean)
Deets: 3.98km, 219m elevation gain.
This is an new segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 13:11, KOM is Damian Parlee with a 12:41 & LL is Jamie Caskenette with 1 effort!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/37264076

This one isn’t gonna be easy, I rode it last year with Jen, Katja, Laura and Sofia with the intention of making it a segment for this year, and here we go! We motored up it pretty well that day, I’m looking at my watts and it’s gonna be a lot of work to top my effort…so we shall see what happens – be sure to save something for when you turn onto Dean Park Rd proper!!

Segment 8B Name: Haro Park hammer
Deets: 0.33km, 24m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Christine Neal with a 1:06, KOM is Chuck Detheridge with a 0:333 & LL is darcy kray with 1 effort!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/9428328

It’s Segment 8B V2! The original Cresswell segment just got chip sealed, so I found another neighbouring short climb as an alternative! I’ve never been on this one, but looks pretty straight-forward – it’s up behind the Panorama Rec Center. Let’s give it a go!

SUGGESTED ROUTING

This one’s a long way out, flattest route from the Switch Bridge is via Lochside, and by the airport cut across to McTavish. There’s also the ‘reverse OBB’ route if coming from West Shore, and taking West Saanich/Wallace/East Saanich. Don’t ride too hard to get there!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap