Another challenge week wrapped! 24 riders headed out to Hartland to brave the slopes!

As mentioned last night, Strava was a bit frustrating to deal with, the Timed/Challenge segment didn't trigger for everyone -- 14/20 riders to be exact...so I tried creating a duplicate, but it now requires segments be at least 500m (and the Timed segment is 'only' 400m). So best I can do is use that as a 'backup' for riders who don't register on the proper timed segment...it'll add some time on since it's longer, but I think that's about the best I can do...hope that's alright!

The Segment Creation issue has been fixed, and there's an updated link to the proper segment for 5B on the site for anyone who's been looking for it!

This week we're back in the WestShore, and if anyone's seen my 'Paw Patrol' route, we'll be heading along some fun connectors that take you from Florence Lake over to Thetis. These are really 'buff' trails as I like to put it - quite nice and friendly surfaces, and in most instances even wider road tires would be fine!

Another huge thank you to all who've chipped in, it's really incredible how much you all appreciate this series. 🥰

Racing News

A bunch of this community were in Cumberland on Sunday for the second Cross on the Rock race - awesome riding, and podiums for several of our regulars!

The Road World Champs were on the weekend as well, and pretty amazing efforts by both our new World Champs - Kopeky defended her title from last year, and Pogacar will be in the rainbow jersey as well!! The top Canadian results had Ava Holmgren 4th in the U23 race.

There was some pretty cool MTB XCO action as well, with a World Cup in the US, and the Elite race didn't have any top Canadian finishes, but Canada took the top spot in both the U23 races, with Bella Holmgren and Cole Punchard both winning, and there were 3 Canadians in the T12 for both races. The Elite races both had rather surprising finishes, both with 4-up sprints, haven't seen too many sprints this year in the XC world!

This weekend is the Mont St Anne MTB World Cup final, and Gravel World Champs in Belgium, where Kat will be racing! (Haven't seen any word on other Canadians going..although I know Garth is headed there as well!)

HOUSEKEEPING

Notes for the week:

A few tidbits:

• Mark Baker was awarded Socialite points last week as well, another case of IG not notifying me...but I got a few later in the week, so maybe it's been fixed..?!
• Gary's results were mixed up, but fixed.
• Ethan S added in, missed his times initially last week as well due to a spreadsheet mishap!

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! 😁

0 <- 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! 😊

Been in the mood for some Death Cab for Cutie this week, in particular the Codes & Keys album. If unfamiliar, despite the name, they're a very accessible band, alt pop light shoegazer is one way to describe them! You've probably heard a few of their songs in various TV shows and films. Check 'em out if you haven't before! 🎶

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

Sofia's back! Unfortunately the proper segment didn't register, so her time doesn't reflect how fast she rode...I figure she'd have taken the QOM....thanks Strava!! 🤦‍♂️

I had faith Julian would top Carter's time of 2:15, and was likely to crack 2min...but he once again set an incredible benchmark time of 1:43, phew!! I surprised myself with an unexpected time, and Dave B cruised into 3rd ahead of Dan B.

The B's

Megan T rode the 6th fastest time overall, also cracking 3mins with a 2:58, for a well earned win this week!! Kenzie and Renata were but a second apart, and Tania J stopped riding a bit before the end, so no segment triggered, but she still earned 4th for the effort!

Mark D also put in a smokin' time of 2:55, with Joel C taking Silver this week! Unfortunately both Josh and Ryan had only the V2 segment to work with, so sadly their times didn't reflect their efforts, but 3rd and 4th respectively there.

The C's

Anne and Lani were the only C's to head up that nasty hill this week, and unfortunately Lani also stopped a bit early, so her time is based on Anne's (which was also the V2 segment.)

The guys aren't giving anyone an easy time tho, with 7 out this week! Greg held on to 5 seconds to edge out Mark B, with Kit in 3rd this week, and him along with several other C's appear to have the V2 time as well. Hopefully we have less of that in the future!!

BONUSES & CURSES

See the Scoring section of the Event Page for more details!

No QOM, but Julian has a well-deserved KOM this week!

• Early Bird was Mark D once again
• No Secret Time this week as well
• Chad collected the Socialite points for his post ( https://www.instagram.com/p/DAehoNjSjcG/ ) - tho there were 4 total this week, nice!
  (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 your post, please DM me directly, IG has been a bit finicky.)
• The Local Legend curse was unclaimed this week
• No Yellow Jersey curse as usual!

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!

This week's prizes come primarily from Fort Street Cycles, and we've got three pairs of water bottles from them! I've also included the leftover items from Cycles West, so there are five items total! Looking at the spread, I'll go with 1x A, 2x B, and 2x C, and the lucky riders are:

Dave Bitschy

kenzie McLeod
Tania Johnson

Kit St. John
Gary Peever

Congrats!! I'll email you tomorrow with the details. 😉

Check out all the prizes (so far) - Brentwood Cycle gave me a HUGE box of prizes last week, check out all our prizes here: https://abouttheride.ca/victoria-segment-challenge-season-6-prize-list/

Week #5 - Sept 30th - Oct 6th - Langford, Florence, Thetis - Lakes That Is!

We're back on the West Shore! If you've seen my Paw Patrol loop, this is a big portion of it, and we'll be starting on the lovely trails around Langford Lake, and ending up in Thetis through some pretty nifty trails and connectors.

Segment 5A Name: Nixon Trail CX TT
Deets: 1.20km, 0m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM & KOM are irrelevant!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/4533682

If you haven't been around Langford Lake, you're missing out! It's a gorgeous little loop, only wish it were longer! The segment only goes about 2/3rds around, so continue along the path, sticking to the right, and check out the Routing for more details to get to 5B.

(Note this trail can be pretty busy, and several blind corners, please don't blitz it.)

Segment 5B Name: Florence to Thetis Connectors 🐾👮‍♀️
Deets: 5km, 38m elevation gain
This is a new segment, QOM & KOM are irrelevant!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/37879255

This a really neat series of connectors, starting at Florence Lake, crossing the bridge there, very photogenic.

From there you get on the Starchan Trail (paved trail) alongside Florence Lake Rd. Make a right on Setchfield for a short while, and then the next connector comes up on your right, it's a bit tricky to spot!

That pops you over to Lake Ida Ann Park, and a pretty little zip around that, to another connector to Millstream. Scoot down Goldie and you're on Millstream Creek Trail. This is another pretty one, don't miss the right-hander over the bridge! You go past the school and come out on Treanor, and wiggle over to Bellamy, and at the end of that you find yourself on the Phelps Connector which takes you into Thetis. (And another fantastic trail there too.)

The Millstream Creek Trail carries on past Treanor, but unfortunately there doesn't appear to be a way to get back over to Thetis, so I've never continued that way, although it would be sweet were there an option in there!

Happy riding!! 

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

Executive - looks so pretty,
but is a lot of work!!

Saw so many take a
pic with this tree this week,
very cool!

Heading to the segment - looking 
across you're wondering what
you've got yourself into!!!

But the funny thing is
the climb wasn't that bad, and look!
That's where you were 10mins ago!!

Hope everyone has a great week, and enjoys the segments, these are some of my favourite connectors!!

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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