Hi all - sorry this is going to be brief, I had written my regular fun-filled updates, but apparently the newsletter software I use is somehow saving it 'differently' and I lost a huge portion of what I'd written, and so am just going with the essentials this week, sorry!

Main item this week is to send some healing thoughts to fellow Segment Challengers Ron and Heidi Mierau - you may have seen an article last week about a couple getting hit by a car at Cook & Richardson, and sadly it was Ron who had been hit by a driver who ignored the red light (as they were crossing on a green). Fortunately it sounds like Ron is recovering well, but I hate to hear this happening to anyone...so frustrating that there are such careless drivers out there, there's no excuse for this.

HOUSEKEEPING

Notes for the week:

Paging Angus Henry - 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! 😊

Also, Sasa, I see you rode the Great Trail this week, but haven't signed up, please also sign up for this season if you'd like your time to count, thanks!

01 <- THIS MANY WEEKS WITHOUT AN ERROR 🤣

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

THIS WEEK IN RIDES

The A's

Numbers were lower this week, was this 'one hill too many'? 🤔😂

Sofia was the only A to hit the seggies this week, but she dropped a fantastic time on Monday morning - and what's more impressive is if you think back to Monday, and why you probably weren't on your own bike! It was that horrible, rainy day, and ended up being the 2nd wettest and coldest Oct 2nd on record!! Props for getting out there and getting it done!!

Over with the guys, Julian dropped another nuke, and posted an incredible time of 7:15, which was well over a minute faster than the next fastest (and 7th overall on this, and the OG segment!!) Dan and Calum also dropped really fast times, within a few seconds of each other, for 2nd and 3rd this week!

The B's

Three of our female B's braved the trails, and Kathy M claimed the fastest time, and Christine and Tania were 1 second apart from each other, very impressive!

Over with the guys, Travis took top honours once again, as one of the few cracking 9mins, and Dave B edged me out by 1 second as well, putting us on the podium!

The C's

Lani and Laura were our C champs this week, good on ya for tackling this beast of a hill!

Chris once again secured the fastest time, with Donnie and Josh not far off, rounding out this podium!

It was a tough one, but nice riding all!!

BONUSES & CURSES

Sofia got the Early Bird this week, but no QOM or KOM claimed.

7:49 was the Secret Time but no luck there.  No Socialite points awarded, and Dan braved the segment twice, improving on his time, but also claiming the Local Legend curse.

PRIZES!

Prizes this week are once again from Cycles West, and am giving away the remaining four items! This week I've drawn two female and two male names, and our lucky riders are:

Kathy M
Lani

Julian Cameron
Joel Wheeler

I'll send a note privately to you later tonight, congrats!

Week #5 – Oct 9th - 15th – Connectors Connecting Connectors

Nothing too crazy this week, these two segments will probably be familiar to many, but a bit more technical than past segments, as we work around Francis King and between Munn and Prospect. Unfortunately the second segment isn't nearly as enjoyable with that recent chonky gravel surface added (RIP sweet double-track), but it actually seems better than it was - maybe all these riders are helping pack it down!

Segment 5A Name: Highland to Munns
Deets: 1.46km, 0m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM, KOM & LL are irrelevant!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/6046317

There's a few twists on this one, and a short hike-a-bike up a steeper section for most, but the rest is very rideable - and enjoyable, some of my favourite singletrack!

To get here, you can simply ride up Highland Road and turn off at the gate by the main Francis King park entrance, or do a romp through Thetis first, and then cross over.

Segment 5B Name: Munn-Prospector Connector
Deets: 0.81km, 16m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM, KOM & LL are irrelevant!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/22231684

Once you finish the 5A segment, simply cross Munn and you're on this next connector! This is the chonky one. The hill at the start used to be an easy climb, I've yet to clean it since the gravel was put down! I haven't been up the second climb (at the 'dip'), but I'm assuming that'll likely be a hike as well now..

From there you're on Prospect, and as a couple bonus segment suggestions, you can again cut straight across the road and continue along the Hector connector ( https://www.strava.com/segments/19090091 ) or make a left, and there's the Trevlac connector ( https://www.strava.com/segments/2629273 ) - both spit you out near Interurban, and can continue out of town, or head back in Panama Flats/Centennial trail!

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/

What a 'relief'
when this came into sight.🤣

Definitely not another

staged photo!

That's all for this week, hope you enjoy the upcoming segments! And will see some of you for what appears to be a soggy day of Cross on the Rock tomorrow!!

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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