With a sunny forecast ahead, organizers of this Saturday’s Coaster 50 cross-country bike race are expecting a big turnout at the West Sechelt race. Traditionally known as the Sunshine Coaster, the name change reflects an increase in mileage to 49.2 km for the marathon race.
The Coaster 50 is part of a province-wide premier cross-country cycling series overseen by Cycling BC, the provincial governing body for cycling. The Coaster 50’s popularity draws racers from across the province and causes what organizer Sue Duxbury calls “a little economic blip” for the Coast. She said it’s also the first race of the marathon series, “and a good test of how much training people have done” over the winter.
Organizers expect more than 200 cyclists to compete in two races: the approximately 50 km marathon and 23 km “short race.” The short race makes a wide circle of Crowston Lake and Wormy Lake, while the marathon takes cyclists through the same course and then north, parallel to Halfmoon Bay.
“You see old logging areas, you get to see the old Homesite Creek homestead, you get to see some corduroy roads, so you get to see some history. It’s a very dynamic area for mountain biking,” said Duxbury. The course terrain is varied, with single track, logging roads, double tracks, and rocky outcrops.
Rod Camposano organized the first race in 2000, which at the time was dubbed The Rat Race. Since 2010 it has been organized by Duxbury, who attributes the long-term success of the race to the nearly 40 volunteers that help organize and oversee it. “I can’t do this on my own – this is a race run by volunteers,” said Duxbury.
Sunshine Coast Community Forest, Tapworks Brewery, Gibsons Building Supplies and Off the Edge Bike Shop are sponsoring the event. As is tradition, the Community Forest will park a logging truck stocked with timber at the venue to give attendees a chance to win outside of the race itself by estimating the value of the wood. “We’ve had people come up to us and say, ‘OK, is that for the domestic market or international market?’ and I look at them and say, ‘I don’t think you should be guessing this, you know too much!’” said Duxbury.
On-site registration is available for $95 at 7:30 the morning of the May 5 race, and the Friday before from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is no age limit to the race. Race starts at 10 a.m. and check-in is at 9 a.m. Visit sunshinecoaster.net for more details.
