Our first 'challenge' week is complete, and really great to see so many pushing themselves, with some amazing times set!!

Once again, if people rode the timed segment, I assumed they tried the non-timed, and gave 50pts for that (for those who found it didn't track, or got off-course!)

This week we're headed into Thetis for some buff trails, there shouldn't be any hike-a-bike or popped lungs! 😉

If you've got GCN, be sure to check out today's women's USCX race - holy moly, so much action, and outstanding efforts from Canadian riders!!

Also, I'm organizing a special event on Saturday, it's the 8th Annual Save-A-Turkey Trot, and it's a 5k fun run/trot/walk, with 100% of entries going to A Home For Hooves farm sanctuary in Duncan! If you're interested in supporting the event, here's more info & sign-up (and there's a 'virtual' option for those who can't make the day but still want to participate.)

https://abouttheride.ca/save-a-turkey-trot/

HOUSEKEEPING

Notes for the week:

Paging Tracy Poulin - you're in the group and I've got a time for you this week, but you haven't signed up on the website, please do asap so I know what category you're in, and to confirm your interest to participate, thank you! 😊

Moved Calum from B to A, since he rode a few seconds faster than Damian. 😉

Also moved newcomer Claire Jansen from C to B, time seems more apt there as well.

02 <- 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

I've seen Nirvana's album In Utero pop up in my browsing a number of times the last few weeks, so was time to give that a spin. Got me through the spreadsheets tonight! 🤣 🎶

THIS WEEK IN RIDES

The A's

Smokin' hot top times set this week! Newcomer Sofia locked in the 9th fastest time overall, and claimed the QOM by a convincing margin on that nasty hill! Sam put in a great time, and Kat cruised it for 3rd.

On the Open side Damian set a high mark first, and Calum topped that by a few seconds, but then Julian hit it, and must have left half the knobs on his tire on the trail, taking the KOM by an incredible 21 seconds. 2:19 up that hill. Wow. 🔥

The B's

Lots of action this week with the ladies in B! Newcomer Tania had signed up as a C, but cracking 4mins earned her an upgrade, and 1st in the B's! Kathy had a great ride, and found herself on the 2nd step, and another newcomer, Claire Jansen, pipped Maria by 1 second to take the 3rd step of the podium.

Over with the guys, Spencer set the fastest time, followed by Travis F (familiar names!) and Colin D nabbed 3rd, and all three also cracked the 3min mark!

Lots of other B's in both fields nipping on their heels, will be fun to see how the next few timed segments pan out!

The C's

Just three riders this week (we'll miss Suzy who's away for several weeks), there's still no lack of competition as Heidi claimed the top time, followed by Laura and Lani - nice riding!!

Lots of close times with the C fellas, but Donnie was the fastest, two seconds faster in fact than Josh, and a second also gave Chris VS the podium spot over Kit.

Nice riding all!!

BONUSES & CURSES

As mentioned the QOM went to Sofia, and the KOM was incinerated. But Julian can try and collect the ashes.

Early bird was Maria, and 3:17 was the Secret Time but no luck there.  No Socialite points awarded, and no Local Legend curses either.

PRIZES!

This week's prize is a $40 Gift Card for Fort Street Cycles, and the winner is Derek Smith! Please hit reply to claim!

For Week #3 we've got a bunch of great items from Cycles West once again, I'll try and get the prize list page up in the next few days, but there's a LOT of awesome items, so you'll want to ride next week to qualify!

Week #3 – Sept 25th – Oct 1st – In'N'Out Thetis Gravel

Week 3 features two more NON-TIMED segments, so just get out there and enjoy! I've got a couple trails selected in Thetis, they're both non-technical, easy to find, and make for a nice little loop through Thetis, as a short ride in itself, or to add is nice to tag on to a longer ride that wanders this way! (And give them a try in the opposite direction as well!)

Segment 3A Name: highway view
Deets: 0.54km, 25m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM, KOM & LL are irrelevant!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/11351536

Another fun strip of singletrack that you may not know exists! It sneaks off the Centra Gas Trail on the left after a couple rises in, and runs above the highway - but no time to look around, as you're pretty close to the fence on the left hand side, so be mindful there. A fun way to get to Thetis if you're coming in from town on the Goose or E&N.

Segment 3B Name: Thetis Backside
Deets: 1.65km, 28m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM, KOM & LL are irrelevant!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/2602594

This is AKA Trilliam, north bound. It's a beautiful wide trail with a few small climbs and a few fun descents, and my favourite way to get across the park. Watch out for walkers and doggies, but if it's quiet, it's actually a fun one to try and give a good rip on!

It spits you out on Highland Road, and can just bomb down to get back to the Goose or E&N, or head north and head into Francis King or back into Thetis at the end of the road!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

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

Definitely not a staged photo
of Sofia claiming her QOM!
Did anyone else notice a log near
the finish line? 🤣

Well I enjoyed seeing another timed segment in the mix, hope you all did too!

Enjoy the trails this week, hopefully it's not too soggy....

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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