Mountain bike enthusiasts from the Coast made Squamish home last weekend as 27 riders competed in the Test of Metal mountain bike festival.
The 30 degree-plus temperature combined with the challenging course made for a memorable weekend. The Test of Metal is a grueling 67 km epic bike race that many call "the suffer fest."
The race originated on the Sunshine Coast many years ago. It has been held in Squamish for the past nine years as part of the annual mountain bike festival.
The race attracts world-class racers, recreational riders and those in between from Canada, the U.S. and beyond. This year's race attracted numerous locals including Glen Illingsworth, who has attended every Test to date, Ruedi Schnyder, who has won the overall title on more than one occasion, and first-timers Keith Reynolds and Deb Weeks. The test is a rite of passage for cross country mountain bikers who complete the course as a personal goal, preparing and training for it all spring. Total ride time varies from three to six hours.
The race is limited to 800 riders. It is a mass start that begins and ends in Squamish.
The first section climbs thru the Garibaldi Highlands where residents were out in force cheering on racers, providing music and sprinklers to cool over-heating bodies. After the steep paved climb, riders entered the single/double track winding to Alice Lake Provincial Park. Through the park onwards and upwards riders continued until it was time to descend some of Squamish's finest single track. There were several steep and technical descents where the crowds gathered to watch the riders.
Those new to the race were sadly mistaken if they thought the climbing was done. The reality is it had only begun as riders started climbing again.
From sea level to the top of Bonk Hill is a 14 km steep climb up the Mamquam forest service road. This is where the suffering really began. Those who went out too fast, did not put enough time in the saddle or thought they could get by with minimal water/food paid the price. Some riders ground to a stop and walked, others fell from their bikes in agony as their legs cramped. This is the true test. The hot weather did not help. Painful cries could be heard up and down the hill.
This race is not about coming first, but about personal challenges.
Completing this race is the true test - to do the best you can on your own terms. Whether you took three or six hours, to finish is empowering. That's why everyone returns year after year. Of course there is also the camaraderie as riders sat around the campfire that night reliving the best and worst moments of the race.
