June 14/07 11:54 am - 2007 Pre-Test of Metal

Posted by Editoress on 06/14/07
 

Even the Pre-Test was a killer
Courtesy Paul Demers

The North Shore Credit Union sponsored 2007 Pre-Test of Metal race proved to be almost as challenging as the main event on June 16.

Jim Douglas and his Pre-Test vollies spent countless hours preparing for the June 9th event to ensure that the race went off smoothly.

“We have a tradition in Squamish of putting on well organized races on excellent courses,” Douglas said, “and I think that with the help of our vollies, this is another example.”

Approximately 100 mountain bikers and dozens of spectators gathered in Brackendale at Don Ross Secondary School to compete against each other and the elements.

The riders, aged 12 and to 59, from the Lower Mainland, the Sunshine Coast and Washington State raced through a gnarly seven km. single-track loop course in the Cheekeye Fan that was wet and muddy. After each lap, the spectators were there to cheer on the mud covered riders.

The mountain bikers raced between three and nine laps depending on their age category.

First across the finish line was Ted Russo in the 45-49 Cat. who finished with a time of 1:54:42. Average finish times where in the 2 1⁄2 hour range.

The winner in each of the adult categories won an entry into next week's Test of Metal, second place in the adult categories earned a spot in the 2007 Gearjammer, and third place got an entry to the new Grass Roots Mountain Bike Association (GRMBA) championship to be held in Squamish this September.

“Getting an entry into the Test has become a real challenge, so TOM organizers wanted a way for competitive riders to have a chance to earn an entry,” Douglas explained.

The Pre-Test is a non-profit event which raised $2500 for the Don Ross Secondary School outdoor leadership program.

“We're proud to be able to help a valuable curricular program at Don Ross that helps kids learn many valuable leadership qualities that will benefit them for the rest of their lives, “ said Pre-Test race director Jim Douglas. “It's a program that reflects the value of life-long recreational pursuit.”

On race day more than 25 volunteers from the 2007 Outdoor Leadership program came to marshal the event, even though they had just returned from a 5-day hike on the Juan de Fuca trail on Vancouver Island.