Metchosin Australian Pursuit Cycle Race June 28th 2009

Metchosin Road Race. Australian Pursuit. 55k. Sunday June 28th 2009.

In Australian pursuit BCMCA cycle races riders start in 10 year age groups in reverse order of age. 60s start 6 minutes after the 70s, 50s 5 minutes after the 60s, 40s 4 minutes after the 50s, and 30s 3 minutes after the 40s. This is for courses of about 64k or 1 hour 45 minutes winning time. Women start in the 10 year age group next senior to their actual age. An exciting, satisfying aspect of this format is how the faster 40s, 50s, and 60s often come together with about 10k to go. Pity the 70s though who tend to get caught by halfway, and the 30s who are left in the wake of the fast riders amongst the 40s. How about 1 minute more start for the 70s, and 1 minute less delay for the 30s?

Out of the large 40s contingent of 17 an allegro trio of Don Gilmore, Steve Bachop, and Hugh Trenchard soon steamed away after about 2 laps con brio. The rival 50s trio of Chris Cameron, Ray Wagner, and Derek Tripp had likewise shed their colleagues early on. With about 2 laps to go Don and co overhauled the 50s threesome with Chris Cameron showing his power staying with the lead 40s and taking 3rd in the sprint. The lead four had swept by the 60s tiring tandem of David Mercer and Ray Morrison (Kelowna) just before the top of Kangaroo Road – 1 and half laps to go – with Derek and Ray trailing at 40m.

Many found the headwind stretch on Rocky Point Rd. challenging. Also, the steep climb of Lindholm though short comes just after a long rise up Kangaroo with nasty kicks at the end. Mike Korb, having a recent cold and lack of miles, didn’t make the 40s cut. Similarly, David Emery, a bit of asthma, wasn’t up with the 70s leaders. John Smith, however, celebrating his 74th birthday a day early, had breath enough to greet a gasping David Mercer as the latter went by up the steepest part of Lindholm. An impressive ride by Eric Rayson age 71 (Kelowna) who at 14th overall finished ahead of all the 30s and 45-49 group.

Good to see Fernwood Inn hotelier Scott Martin again – only his 2nd race of the year. Scott marshaled a smooth 30s quartet to a finishing sprint and then gazed to his left to admire Larry Wilson stomping by. The 30s group was the only one to finish together apart from the first four.

Stephen Muir (Kelowna) 45-49 was a welcome return rider as was comeback racer Alix Read (Duncan) bringing along her cheerful daughter for support. Conny Strub the only other woman racer finished 3rd out of her starting group. A coed atmosphere is very energizing. Let’s have more female presence – balance, charm, wholeness. (Refreshing for instance to see Chris Paul, no mean racer himself, marshalling in the Sidney Velo tt while partner Rhonda Callender streaks round the course in very fetching maglio rosa.)

Duane Martindale’s photos of the sprint finishes (duanebc.com/raceresults.html or bcmasterscycling.net) repay study. Most winning riders favoured on the drops and out of the saddle – really get your back into it. Former national track sprinter Don Gilmore, cruising the steep climbs without an inner ring, stayed in the saddle at the end as usual, but note the flat back and head down as he lifts off from the others with 200m to go. Cyclo-cross specialist and former 800/1500m runner Steve Bachop also looked powerful at 2nd in the final sprint.

Gratifying to see the work of veteran course lay-out man Dave Garrick recognized with a $60 gift voucher from Market On Yates. Also happy to see Jim Holtz magisterially commanding the tricky Lindholm - Happy Valley marshalling spot. Hopefully Jim will be getting a much lighter bike soon so he can float up the hills more fluently. Unluckiest racer - guitar virtuoso Casey Ryder crashing on the descent trying to avoid a motorist coming out of a driveway abruptly.

Good to see Bill Ethier out recuperating from his crit. crash discovering that crutches make an excellent directional aid for racers too stunned by the severity of the course to distinguish one turn from another or from a hole in the ground. Next time Bill intends to wear an eye patch, cocked hat, and have a parrot on his shoulder. Partner Sarah West lent a touch of class to the medal ceremonies.

The entire athletic symphony was orchestrated and conducted by experienced Kim and Joe Gard. Tripleshot (remember the ‘h’!) Peter Lawless time-trial maestro – when on an extremely flat course and his brother’s Cervelo P3 – mc’d with éclat.

Satisfaction, enjoyment: calm, repose, solitude eating my Wasa Rye and dates next to majestic cedars by the children’s play area as Bill Yearwood soared overhead in his helicopter. Each race a dance celebrating vitality. Those who can no longer perform replaced by others who have learned the moves. So the festival or saga continues in honour of athletic exhilaration and physique, sensuous connexion with body and nature. Racers grow old and die but the race goes on.