Another week down, and around 40 riders out this week, very awesome to see, great to see new as well as familiar names on the segments! And the Female B category exploded this week, love it!!

IMPORTANT: If you rode the segments, but don't see your name or results, please let me know ASAP and we'll figure out what's up. I think there are a few who haven't signed up...

Firstly a big thank-you and virtual hug to all who've chipped in, it's greatly appreciated!! 🥰

For our segments this week we're headed back to Thetis and Francis-King for some fine riding, and the second one has a 'bonus' point option as well if you're keen on pushing the pace - but they won't be easy points to earn!

In other news, Adam Lawrence sent me this video of the 1991 Burnt Bridge Classic, wowwee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVXE2jdH2Vo

That's aboot it, I'm running late tonight, so let's carry on with our regular updates!

Racing News

Gotta keep this short, but the World Champs Elite TTs were today, wild to see Pogacar PASSED. And Remco destroyed it, wowowow.

On the women's side, Reusser was supreme, and I don't think anyone expected any other result.

Tough course for the 'regular' TT racers, this definitely suited those who can climb. That cobbled climb looked brutal. But the start was pretty darn cool.

For Canadians, Olivia Baril finished 20th and Michael Leonard finished 12th, but was only about 4sec short of T10.

Some more World Cup XCC and XCO action this week too, I haven't seen the Cross Country yet, so can't report on that, but looking forward to catching up on it tomorrow!

There was probably some CX action in the US, will be cool to see how that turned out as well, Canadians ripping it up down there!

We had some gravel racing in Cumberland today as well, a few familiar names out there, here's the results.

And the first Cross on the Rock is Sunday the 28th (also in Cumberland), and is always a fun course! If anyone's interested in a 2hr clinic session, let me know, I may have a few people and could try and do another small group session, or am available for a 1-on-1 session.

HOUSEKEEPING

Notes for the week:

Shannon Marshall please sign up!

Jolene P - let me know if we can move you from B to A, you beat most the guys! 💪

John F and Adam W, you're too fast, so you're now in with the A's!

Katy W - moved up to B from C, speedy time!

Mark C - moved up to B from C, also speedy!

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!

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SOUNDTRACK NOTES

Note: 'back in my day' people talked about music, albums, etc.. Doesn't really seem to happen much these days, so I'm carrying on the tradition here! 😊

Wet Leg has a new album out!

It's fun, whimsical, and some of the double-entendres are really just entendres (if that's a thing!)

It doesn't really have any absolute bangers like Chaise Lounge, so for me a bit of a disappointment, but some super catchy songs. Mangetout is probably my fav. Will definitely live in my music mix for a while!🎶

THIS WEEK IN RIDES

For those new to the series, 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

Unfortunately no fast women out...although there's encouragement for one to move up! 😉

Almost all our guys were out, and Julian smashed his previous KOM time and was the only rider to crack 60 seconds, with a 59s!! (Called it!😂) Newcomer Rob Parkin had the fastest time of 1:08 most of the week but settles for Silver in the end, and Adam Wright, who was in the B's, has earned himself an A podium with a time of 1:12 and an 'upgrade'! Just off the podium is another newcomer Jon B, and John Fletcher, moved up from the B's as well! Best of the rest were myself, Dave B and Dan B!

The B's

The women's B field done blown up, going from 2 to 8 riders, amazing! Newcomer Jolene crushed it with a 1:26, which was actually the 7th fastest time of all riders and our new segment QOM! 🔥🔥🔥 Almost 20sec down was Anne, and newcomer Amy rounds out the podium! Katy W missed Bronze by just 2sec, and Renata, Tania and Shannon also put in great efforts!!

Josh is back, and with a bang, cracking 1:30 for the top spot! Markus was just a few seconds behind, and newcomer Mark C tied Greg G for Bronze, completing our podium. Mark D and Adam put in solid times, as well as Scott H (who is also our Early Bird), Michael J and Ryan T! Tough field, keep it up guys!

The C's

Our C ladies group doubled this week, and newcomer Sonya set the top time, ahead of Tanya and Lauren, and it's great to welcome back Lani who was just one solitary second off 3rd, great return!

Dan C was the fastest of the guys, and the only to crack 2mins! Mark B hit 2min even for 2nd, and Tyler and Gary tied for 3rd. David R and Kit were only a second apart as well! And Mark B also collected the Socialite points this week, nice post on IG!

BONUSES & CURSES

See the Scoring section of the Event Page for more details - note that there aren't any curses for the Gravel Edition!

Jolene is our QOM and Julian locked in another KOM!

• Early Bird was Scott!
• 2:11 was our secret time, and Michael J actually collects the points!
• As mentioned Mark once again collected the Socialite points.
  (Post a shot of your ride on IG or FB and tag @AboutTheRideCA for a chance for 5pts each week! If you've posted, but I haven't given you credit, or liked or commented on your post, please DM me directly, IG has been a bit finicky.)

PRIZES!

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!

Prizes this week are courtesy of Goldstream Bikes! I'm pulling 6 names, and the Google randomizer has decided the following are worthy of a draw prize this week:

David Robertson
Lani
Dave Bitschy
Michael Jones, KoS
Scott Horsley
Kit St. John

Congrats!! I'll email you on Monday with the details!

Our prize page is live on the site, a bunch of updates, and lots more to come, but for now take a peek!

Week #3 - Sept 22nd - 28th - Highlighting Highland Hoops

Got a couple hoops for you this week! Or loops. But it's not the Lighlands. 😂

First is a bigger one that highlights the best gravel trails in/around Thetis Lake, then over to Francis-King to check out the loop I use for the Scrabblethon - I didn't want you to miss out on the fun there, and there'll be some bonus points up for grabs as well if you're feeling spicy! 😬

Segment 3A Name: Thetis CX Lap
Deets: 9.44km, 191m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Claire Townsend with a 28:33 & KOM is Markus K with a 24:47, and the LL is no one! (Reminder these really don't matter.)
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/20635710

I keep saying 'another long one', but hey, we're gravel riders, and sometimes it's supposed to be long! Don't be intimidated, there's really not too many twists and turns on this one, and much easier to navigate than the forests of RRU.

The segment begins and ends at the Francis-King entrance on Highland Road, and heads up Barker to the Westoby terminus, and connects with the Bellamy Trail, over to Phelps and the very fun highway trail connector (careful with the corners) and back along Trillium, then back on some tarmac up Highland Rd to complete the loop.

Sections used to be pretty rough, but the entire upper portion of Bellamy has been resurfaced, and is MUCH nicer if you haven't been through in the last 6mos. A few roots and rocks, but otherwise almost all smooth sailing. (Especially before that big 'rock' climb, you can pick up a LOT of speed heading to it now if you're clever, and coast up most of it. #IYKYK)

Segment 3B Name (🔥SEMI-TIMED🔥): Scrabblethon loop - Francis King Power - clockwise 🐱‍👤
Deets: 1.66km, 34m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Jolene Phelps with a 6:19 & KOM is Damian Parlee with a 4:15, and LL is Damian with 13 efforts. (Reminder this doesn't matter.)
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/38645418

A bunch of you couldn't make it to the Scrabblethons I've organized, but the loop is worth checking out! And note that there's an opportunity for bonus points, as a SEMI-TIMED segment! (I'm trying something new!)

The loop itself is pretty straightforward with all right-hand turns: through the yellow gate, some singletrack with a little drop at the end (careful!) Then some fireroad, then some horrible loose gravel beside the power station (go AROUND the corner to the main trail, not the 'short cut'!), which takes you to some lovely uphill singletrack (with one techy corner), and then fireroad back to the gate.

If you're feeling feisty and want to go for some bonus points, I'll award 25pts to riders who can ride a lap faster than the time below, per their category:

• Open A: 4:45
• Female A: 5:45
• Open B: 5:45
• Female B: 6:15
• Open C: 7:30
• Female C: 8:30

This will be a challenge to achieve! If going for it, I strongly encourage a lap or two to familiarize yourself with the course as there are a few 'surprises'. Good luck!! (And this is why I try to make sure people are in the right category!😉)

Happy riding!! 

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

There are worst places to be riding!

Okay, this may be one of them - 
the start of the timed segment was
just in the shadows up ahead.

The Graveldrome was a bit weird,
but I'm sure you're glad you rode it now!

That's about it for this week, hope you enjoy the hoops! 😂

Some of you have asked 'Dave, what do you do for a living?' and as fun as this is, it definitely doesn't pay the bills! I'm a freelance web designer, and don't really advertise myself, but if you know someone who needs someone to work on their site, or is looking for a redesign, send them my way!

Otherwise that's about it for this week, safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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