Rafter 6 Ranch to Canmore, BC

As quoted on the TransRockies website, “our final stage takes us up the beautiful Bow Valley to the town of Canmore, just outside Banff National Park. This stage features the TransCanada Trail, fun singletrack riding leading to the town of Canmore. Once in the town, the route will explore some of the Quarry Lake trail network, and then into the Canmore Nordic Centre, host venue of the 1988 Winter Olympics and UCI Mountain Bike World Cup racing from 1998-2000. Finally, the route will descend into the Town of Canmore and the cheers of the assembled crowd on Canmore’s Main Street.”

The thought of a cheering crowd along the streets of Canmore, reminds me of the bittersweet end of The Ultimate XC back in June, 2011- our door to the TransRockies adventure…

Stage 7: Distance, 45.6 km (28.3 miles). Climbing, 1250 m (4,101 feet)

Little Elbow Campground to Rafter Six Ranch

As quoted from the TransRockies website, “our “Queen Stage” will be one of the funnest days [riders] will have on a mountain bike. Our longest stage with significant climbing, stage 6 will also be the most rewarding, with dozens of kilometers of marquee mountain trails that will challenge your stamina and riding skills, and reward with fantastic ridgeline views and incredibly fun descents. Locals will surely recognize Powderface Creek Trail, Prairie Creek Trail, Jumpingpound Ridge Trail, Coxhill Ridge Trail, and Lusk Pass Trails as some of the best rides in the area.”

If I finish this stage saying that it was the “funnest” thing I’ve ever done, someone please hit me with a bike pump. Riding 71.5 km and climbing over 2,200 meters sounds like another LONG day. BUT, I anticipate the experience of TransRockies to be unlike anything that Jeff and I have ever done… a once in a lifetime race and certainly, one of the most gratifying adventures that we’ve ever embarked on.

OK, this isn’t me in the photo… but it will be!

If you visit the TransRockies website, you’ll see some of the most picturesque photos-  cyclist riding ridge lines with the Rocky Mountains jutting out from the horizon. I can’t wait for a photo like that! We haven’t figured out how we’ll be able to take pictures and post to the blog while we’re in BC, but we’ll try.

Distance, 71.5 kn (44.4 miles). Climbing, 2200 m (7218 feet)

Little Elbow to Moose Mountain

Did they say Moose Mountain?!

 (I suppose that’s better than Cougar Mountain.)

As described on the TransRockies website, “stage 5 features an incredible loop of mountain bike trails. The stage combines classic area rides like Prairie Creek, Sulphur Springs and Moose Packers Trail with newly developed purpose-built mountain biking trails like Pnuema and Ridgemont to put together the ultimate combination of trails in the Moose Mountain area.”

This description means nothing to us… yet. Soon enough, we’ll know exactly what the Moose Mountain area looks like.

Distance, 65.8 km (41 miles). Climbing, 2100 meters (6890 feet).

(EEKS! Another long day.)

North Fork Recreation Area to Little Elbow Campground

As described on the TransRockies website, “stage 4 starts with a bus transfer from Etherington Creek Campground. This strategically placed transfer puts [riders] at the start of the best riding in the Rockies, and skips over the areas most prone to difficult mud in wet conditions. From North Fork [riders] head south on the Gorge Creek Road, which is closed and reclaimed after 7 km. This brings [riders] quickly to the base of the biggest climb of the day to the top of Volcano Ridge. This newly re-built climb is a grunt but all rideable by top riders, and mostly rideable by mid-pack folks. A rolling descent on trails brings you to the spectacular Black Rock Canyon. Then it’s onto the last climb of the day on Wildhorse trail, and a blast down one of the funnest descents of the week.”

Lets hope that Jeff and I can hang in there with the top riders and make it to the top of Volcano Ridge on our bikes. (Did I mention that I LOVE climbing! … I really do.) I’m sure there will be amazing views from the top of this climb. We’ll be thinking of everyone- family & friends- as we ride along the ridge line and make our decent toward the end of stage 4.

This is the first day of our ride north towards Canmore. After this stage, we’ll arrive at camp an settle into our TransRockies tent. (Let’s hope that the tent is big enough for the two of us!) In addition to the tent, which was included in registration, Jeff and I decided to splurge for the TransRockies food plan. This is all about a good race experience. We want to roll into camp and not have to think about anything but bike maintenance, rest, and recovery. The TransRockies volunteers will set up our tent and have our duffle bags ready to go.

I don’t know about anyone else, but part of my motivation up that hill will be to get back to camp and into a hot shower! (Helmet head is not a good look on me; ask Duds, she’s been on a few training rides, she knows!)

Stage 4: Distance 47.3 km (29.4 miles). Climbing, 1300 m (4265 feet).

Fernie to Island Lake Lodge

As described on the TransRockies website, “when it comes to Fernie singletrack, Stage 1 and 2 are just scratching the surface. [Riders] told us [they] wanted more of the incredible buff Fernie singletrack and less road. We listened. The new stage will be a classic TR mass start under the arch at Fernie Alpine Resort. This day will feature relentless but rideable climbs and rewarding fun descents, before finishing at the spectacular Island Lake Lodge. A portion of entry fees will be going to the Fernie Trails Alliance.”

Distance, 31.1 km (19.3 miles). Climbing, 1800 m (5905 feet)

Another day with lots of climbing and awesome singletrack. I’m sure Jeff and I will be feeling the elevation by day three. Think of us and wish us luck! … THIS is what we’ve been training for and why we’ve spent HOURS on the indoor trainer.

PS- don’t tell my mom where her dishtowel went.

Fernie to Fernie Airport Resort

As described on the TransRockies website, “stage 2 features a traditional downtown Fernie mass start before heading for the Slopes of Mt. Fernie. Featuring some of the best Fernie Singletrack, you’ll be treated to some of the most fun descents anywhere, including Slunt, Brokeback, and Hedonism.

As described on the TransRockies website: “Fernie is well known for its world famous singletrack riding. Designed by multi-time TransRockies Finisher and Fernie trail-builder extraordinaire, Pat Gilmar, stage one will highlight some of the best and funnest singletrack in Fernie. To minimize congestion on the narrow trails, this stage will be a time trial.”

Riders will be started at intervals, rather than in one large group. Jeff and I will start alone, but hopefully, we’ll quickly catch the teams ahead of us. This is how I race best… always trying to catch for the carrot (or rider) ahead of us.

Although the GPS measurements are approximate, these are the figures posted by the TransRockies crew:

Stage 1: Distance, 32k (20 miles). Climbing, 1400m (4593 feet).

On July 25th Jeff and I will fly from Manchester airport to Calgary, BC, Canada. We’ll take a shuttle- lugging our gear, race food, boxed bikes, and stomaches full of pre-race butterflies and we’ll head towards Fernie, BC. We’ll have a few days to acclimatize and finalize some last-minute race preparations before the start on Saturday, July 28th. It’s not a lot of extra time, but hopefully it will be enough to get use to the higher altitude, rehydrate after traveling, and prep our bodies and our bikes.

TransRockies is a 7 day stage race. There’s a start each morning and a finish line each evening. For 3 days we’ll ride around Fernie; on day 4, we’ll begin our ride north to Canmore (140 miles from Fernie by car). We’ve paid for and found our own lodging for the time we’ll be in Fernie, but as of Tuesday night (July 31st) through the end of the race (on Friday, August 3rd) we’ll sleep in tents provided by the TransRockies crew. (Lucky for us, they’ll take down the tent each night and set it up each day. One less thing to think about… and all we have to do each evening is eat, follow up with any bike maintenance,  and crawl into our sleeping bags.)