July 21/08 5:28 am - Gearjammer Course Change Announcement

Posted by Editoress on 07/21/08
 

Gearjammer Course Change
Courtesy Paul Demers

Gearjammer race director Curtis Roberts announced today a change to the end of the race course that increases the single-track and provides a better finish for riders of the punishing 47 km ride.

The new course drops riders from Plateau Drive behind the Valleycliffe General Store and back up to Hospital Hill, through the gully, and around the Blind Channel.

“We want to make the final kilometre as good as the rest of the race,” Roberts said. “We haven't really been happy with the end of the race through the Smoke Bluffs Park and along Loggers' Lane.”

The new finishing stretch runs through private land belonging to Rick Hunter, Perry and Nadine Beckham, Wes DeCook and John Drenka.

Roberts expressed gratitude to these private landowners who have allowed the race to run through their property. “I think they appreciate

the importance of mountain biking to the community, and all these people are community minded,” he said.

Roberts said that community support of the race this year has exceeded past years. “From our presenting sponsor, G. Stewart Kerr Ltd., through the presenter of the Squamish Cup, Pearson Financial, and to every person and company that has offered support, we've been treated very well.”

Registration for this year's Gearjammer will be on Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 at Nester's Market at Squamish Station Mall. Saturday morning registration will take place at Alice Lake from 7:30 to 10:00 am.

More information about the GearJammer can be found at www.gearjammer.ca