BC Bike Race Day 3, 2024.

Today’s Basecamp in Crofton had more than a few nervous racers this morning as they prepared for a 47.8 kilometre, 2-mountain day in the Cowichan Valley.

Though less technical than Victoria’s trails, Mount Tzouhalem and Maple Mountain are still challenging in their own right. In particular, Maple Mountain took racers up a long technical climb, and it’s signature trail, Maple Syrup, features a steep downhill chute near the top and plenty of punchy ups in between downhill segments.

Still, racers were prepared for fun and some rolled up to the start line with a little flare, wearing tutus, Hawaiian shirts and fun jerseys.

ON COURSE

Today’s course was the longest of the week with two mountains: Tzouhalem and Maple. The aid station in between the 2 segments featured real maple syrup, no doubt to prepare racers for the most challenging trail of the day.

Before we wrapped up the day with awards, emcee Brett Tippie kept the show going with games and prizes, followed by a performance from Tzinquaw (pronounced :Sing-Kah) Dancers from the Cowichan Tribes in Duncan. Originating from the historic Tzinquaw Opera that began in the 1940s, this group carries forward a legacy rooted in the rich traditions and legends of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan – pronounced “Kow-ut-san”) people. The original Tzinquaw was a full opera based on a Quw’utsun legend, sung in English and infused with the melodies of ancestral Quw’utsun songs created by Abel Joe.