More than 450 avid mountain bikers representing 23 countries will test the dirt on more than 60 kilometres of 麻豆社国产trails next Friday (July 8) for the sixth and "best" day of the world-renowned B.C. Bike Race (BCBR) - and locals are keen to share what their backyard has to offer.
"One of the coolest things I find about the B.C. Bike Race is that it kind of showcases all the trails in the southwest corner of our province," said Al Ross, Tantalus Bike Shop owner and mountain biker, who is joining the racers on their 麻豆社国产day.
"Over and over again I hear people after the race that come back to ride 麻豆社国产because it has the best singletrack of everywhere they went during the race."
That isn't just hearsay.
"麻豆社国产has been voted No. 1 by our participants for the last three years," said BCBR president and co-owner Dean Payne. "People love Squamish. The trails are unbelievable."
Fast becoming known as the "Tour de France on dirt," BCBR participants cover about 400 kilometres and endure an altitude change of 7,000 metres during the weeklong race.
Day 6 is also the VIP ride, when sponsors and media are invited to join riders from Japan, Belgium, New Zealand, Brazil, Costa Rica and more.
"It's a chance to come and ride and get a feel for the course," said director of marketing and BCBR co-owner Andreas Hestler.
Enjoying BCBR isn't only for those on the VIP ride. Hestler said locals are invited to cheer on riders on course and join them at Brennan Park afterward to hear the stories of the first five days.
"These people are on Day 6 of their adventure and well into their stories," said Hestler. "We can't stop them talking - that is, if we can get them off the ground where they're resting."
BCBR is also committed to becoming more involved with the communities the series visits and making sure the participants' families, who often join them for the week, have exciting events to attend.
"We have a .5 ratio of supporters - so if we have 500 riders then we have about 200 to 250 supporters," Hestler said. "So if they have their kids, what do they do?
"This is why, in every town we visit, we're trying to create little festivals so there's something for everyone to do. The wife or the husband who's not racing can go for a ride or hike and the kids can have something to do."
He said the first kids' race held in 麻豆社国产last year was a huge success and another one will take place on Friday. Registration is at 1 p.m. and the race starts at 2 p.m. at Brennan Park.
According to Hestler, the substantial ratio of supporters is only one reason the series is such an economic driver for the towns it visits.
"We advertise in other countries, participants talk about their plans for coming here, then they go home and talk about how great it was here," he said. "This is very much an international race that's pulling people from around the world.
"We're all passionate bikers and tourism has always been top priority - we want to show what we have, we're really proud as local B.C. people to brag a bit about how great our trails are, but if you're going to come here, there's no better way to enjoy all the trails than basically a guided tour around through them all."
Corsa Cycles owners Dave Heisler and Sandra Brull have been sponsoring Day 6 of BCBR since its inception and have designed a course that "incorporates all of the tasty singletrack 麻豆社国产has to offer."
"It's kind of a mix of the Test of Metal course and Gearjammer, but it really has a soul of its own," said Heisler. The course includes Hoods in the Woods, Half Nelson, Seven Stitches, Powerhouse Plunge and more.
They see events like BCBR as a reason the mountain bike industry in 麻豆社国产has survived the economic downturn.
"Being involved with this for the past five years has been an absolute treat and they've really put back into each community they visit by building trails, renting the civic centre, using a local catering company, organizing the kids' race and bringing business to town," said Heisler.
Brull said despite Corsa's sponsorship, nothing would get done without the amazing volunteers who take time off to make the race happen.
Spectators are encouraged to visit the camp at Brennan Park, cheer on the racers and register their kids for the kids' race.
BCBR kicks off today (July 1) in Vancouver, then heads to Vancouver Island before returning to the mainland. To follow the racers' progress, visit www.bcbikerace.com.
