It starts, of course, with the riders. Over the past 16 years somewhere in the neighbourhood of 14,000 people have challenged themselves on the 67-kilometre North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal race course. We've had Olympians and we've had novices; we've had participants from almost every province, and from several countries. We've had the very young and the more experienced. It's been the whole gamut. And we owe you our thanks for supporting our race.
But that's just the start. There are the sponsors - many local, others national and international - who generously provide services and product without which the event simply wouldn't be possible.
Then there are the fans and supporters and the people of this community. Hundreds of people wait at the start, line the race course or come to the finish area to support friends and family or simply to cheer on the riders. We are constantly reminded by racers that your very vocal support is one of the things that makes the Test of Metal unique.
Mostly, though, it is the volunteers. More than 300 people work through the Test of Metal weekend to make sure each event runs smoothly. You do it with no fanfare and for little more than our thanks. You do it, I believe, because you see how events like the Test of Metal pull the whole community together. Without each one of you, this race would not run. You are the face, the heart and the soul of the Test of Metal.
There is one group of vollies for whom all year is Test of Metal time. The 30 Test Pilots - each of whom is responsible for one area of the race - will begin organizing next year's race shortly after the last rider in this year's race crosses the finish line. They'll meet through the winter and tweak the race so that an already great event gets even better.
This is the 16th running of the North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal and each time I'm amazed and somewhat bewildered by how it all comes together. Amazed because of the generosity of so many and bewildered because there's a kind of serendipity to the whole event. Things just seem to work out, although I know that it's through the hard work of so many. Most of all I'm enormously grateful to all the people who have helped to make the Test of Metal the most successful mountain bike race in Canada.
Enjoy your Test of Metal weekend. Take in the events, enjoy our town and have a great race.
