Mill Bay and Shawnigan Hill Climbs 2009

Saturday 6th June. Noon, and 2pm.

The Comox Valley Cycling Club trio of Ray Wagner, Chuck Sinclair, and Peter Schwirtlich swooped south to scoop team titles in the South Island Masters Hill Climbs. Swift, athletic Peter Stevenson (Duncan) made it look easy winning both climbs dancing on the pedals with a distinctive loping almost prancing style.

Stevenson’s second win at Shawnigan was dramatic. David Mercer had leaped from the “go” on his own 2 minutes after the 70s. Derek Tripp and Ray Wagner left their 50s group (starting 1’30” after the 60s) almost immediately, catching Mercer just after the turn onto Goldstream Heights at c. 6k. David clung on at his limit until about 80m before the false summit, then the thread broke, and 40m later Peter Stevenson rushed by. Peter caught Ray and flagging Derek only in the last 150 metres. That last 200m was very arduous taking lesser riders than Stevenson and Wagner more than 35 seconds.

The short Mill Bay hill climb, an individual time trial, directed by nonchalant Tony Hoar was reminiscent of UK track bike style climbs, except for the tricky descent in the middle. The South Shawnigan hill climb, Australian pursuit ably conducted by Dave Steen (Thetis Island) was a contrast. On the long bare exposed slope of Goldstream Heights it is easy to imagine oneself in a Mont Ventoux epic.

Most encouraging was the return, in the Shawnigan race, of Alix Reid (Duncan) whose daughter and friend were amusing at the sign on and finish. Glamorous Conny Strub (Vancouver) always a welcome female presence didn’t let either climb deter her.

Since we have age standards for the Mill Bay climb why not let it too count towards the overall? This might help to get more entries. Let us establish age standards or appropriately reduced Australian pusuit starting gaps for all hill climbs.

Debonair bon vivant skier Rino di Biasio (SE interior BC), age 76, chortled up both ascents with the zest of a Rossini overture and the magnanimity of Dante en route to Beatrice. Art connoisseur David Emery, a sprightly 71, savoured the sensuous curves and swells of the stinging slopes to the siren call of grimpeurs of old. Youth, beauty, sagacity, ardour all manifest in the endless saga of Odyssean realm that is cycle racing – poetry on wheels.