In less time than it takes to bake a frozen pizza, all 800 spots in the 2011 Test of Metal race were gobbled up on Saturday (Jan. 1).
It took 23 minutes for the race to completely sell out, breaking last year's record time by one minute, 30 seconds.
Race director Cliff Miller was pleased with how swiftly the 800 spots went.
"It was fantastic," he told The Chief. "We have a brand new record and I was a little surprised that they went so fast."
Miller and other members of the organizing group were stationed at the Howe Sound Brew Pub on Saturday (Jan. 1) to track the entries pouring in and he said it was fun to see how well received the race was.
"I think that the only thing that prevents us from selling out immediately is the limitations of the technology," Miller said in a press release. "Our last entrant starting logging in to register a 5:58 p.m."
That final registrant, Joffre Brondgeest of North Vancouver, started getting concerned when his browser crashed and he had to log back in.
"I was a little worried, but it didn't slow me down," Brondgeest said, who will be taking part in his fifth Test of Metal race.
"It gets me out riding early in the season," he said, "and I get lots of support from my family."
Registration for the race began at 6 p.m. The popularity of the Test of Metal was proven after the early-bird, locals-only registration sold out in 187 minutes on Dec. 1. This year's race is scheduled to take place on June 18.
The race, which has been running on its current course since 1996, attracts mountain bikers from around the world and has become the most anticipated event on the B.C. mountain biking calendar. The 67-kilometre course features more than 1,200 metres of climbing and 35 kilometres of singletrack racing.
Last year's race attracted riders from as far away as Switzerland and Hong Kong. A total of 64 racers came from outside Canada and almost a quarter of the Canadian entrants were from outside the Lower Mainland.
Past participants include Canadian Olympians Alison Sydor, Geoff Kabush, and Seamus McGrath, as well as notable celebrities like Vancouver Canucks' icon Trevor Linden.
The Test of Metal is the centrepiece of the 麻豆社国产Mountain Bike Festival from June 17 to 19. The weekend activities include the "Pre-Test Festival" in downtown 麻豆社国产on Friday evening and the "Rock Star Invitational Downhill" on Sunday.
Miller also praised the work of the more than 300 volunteers who help make the race thrive.
"This race wouldn't happen without all of our wonderful volunteers," he said. "All the volunteers and the people in 麻豆社国产help make this event so great."
Miller added that the next major focus for the mountain biking community in 麻豆社国产is the Orecrusher, which is the first race in the Hell of a Series bike races. Taking place on May 14, the Orecrusher kicks off the series and is a lap race through the trails of the Cheekye Fan. Registration for the Orecrusher opens in March.
For more information on the Test of Metal event and the Hell of a Series, visit www.testofmetal.com.
