June 24/99 11:14 am - Ontario Track Champs., Test of Metal, Midweek Results

Posted by Editor on 06/24/99
 

Ontario Track Championships
(courtesy Val Davidge)

Complete results can be found here.


Squamish Test of Metal

The Canadian Epic, Squamish Test of Metal is set to hit the trails and streets of Squamish, B.C. Saturday, June 26, in what promises to be the best Test yet. Last year the 800-rider mass-start race sold out four days before the event. This year the Test of Metal sold out at 12:15 June 7, nearly three weeks ahead of its June 26, 11am start.

In what has become the unofficial start of summer in Squamish, the Test of Metal unites this community formerly dependent on the logging industry in celebrating the unparalleled outdoor opportunity in what is quickly becoming North America's Outdoor Adventure Capital, and kicks off the second annual Squamish Adventure Festival, June 26-July 3. Last year's winners Geoff Kabush and Linda Robichaud return to defend their titles in what should be another exciting finish.

This classic and demanding 67-kilometre point-to-point race features 1,200 metres of climbing and 35 kilometres of the area's best single-track trails including Deadend Loop, Rock n Roll, Rob's Corner, Cliff's Corner, Powerhouse Plunge, Ring Creek Rip and Crumpet Woods - rated as one of the top five trails in the world to ride before you die - to name a few. Mountain FM Marketplace with its 35 display booths, a "crummy" bike race, and observed biketrials demonstration greet the racers as they cross the finish line.

What makes the Test unique and successful is that it is organized by a core executive of volunteers along side the leadership of Cliff Miller and bolstered by more than 250 volunteers from the community, young and old, on race day. The race is non-profit; all money raised through sponsorship and race fees, pays for the event and the continued construction and maintenance of trails in the area to increased the unparalleled standard and quality of mountain biking in Squamish. Trail maintenance crews in Squamish are among the best and most dedicated group of mountain biking enthusiasts anywhere.

The Test Weekend also features stop four of the North American Trials Championship and the Squamish Fat Tire Criterium - which returns to Squamish after a 10 year absence - which will be held in Squamish Town Centre Sunday, June 27, 9am-3pm.

A special Test of Metal addition this year is the Celebrity Test which follows the roll out. Local politicians including mayor Corinne Lonsdale and MLA Ted Nebbeling, will be joined by local business people to raise money for the Squamish Rotary Club's special health need as project. The event is anticipated to raise more than $10,000. These riders will follow the racers along the highway to the Garibaldi Estates. The riders then have the option of taking a limousine ride up the hill to the Highlands for an additional $25.

Course description:
The same unique features of the past three Test of Metal races typify this year's event as well: Unprecedented single track, knee knackering climbs, gnarly descents and many cheering local fans.

After a spectacular mass start at Squamish's Brennan Park Leisure Centre, riders are cheered as they climb through the neighborhood of Garibaldi Highlands and on to the first single track test: Jack's Trail. Up through Alice Lake Provincial Park and returning through the Highlands, racers begin the epic climb to Ring Creek and beyond, testing mettle as riders climb the dreaded Bonk and Rock Bluff hills to the top of Lava Flow Hill where the electrifying ride down the 9 kilometre Ring Creek Rip and 500 metre technical Powerhouse Plunge. One last test remains in Crumpet Woods before the riders head for the finish line past awestruck rock climbers on Squamish's renowned Smoke Bluffs.

Looking forward to seeing you in beautiful Squamish, B.C. June 26, 1999.

For more information: www.testofmetal.com


Mississauga Midweek
(courtesy Peter McCaffery)

EVENT #10 DATE: June 23rd, 1999
DISTANCE: 62 KM, 28 LAPS
WEATHER: Sunny, 26 C. SE breeze
Sponsors: RACER SPORTIF LA BICICLETTA, SCHWINN AL LAGO RISTORANTE

Tonight's points criterium worked as follows: there were 3 primes for both the handicap group and the scratch group and then a further 6 for the combined pack. Points were given to the first three over the line each time. The finish places were given the usual 12 down to 1 point and then these points were added to the prime points to produce an overall result list. Tied riders were both given the same number of points. This formula will be repeated for the remaining points races in the series.