December 21/11 9:47 am - NSCU Test of Metal Registration Opening Soon

Posted by Editoress on 12/21/11
 

Race director Cliff Miller reminded participants this week that registration for the Squamish, BC, 2012 North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal will begin at 6 p.m. January 1, 2012.

“If you want race this year, you need to be ready to register on-line right at 6 pm,” Miller said.

Last year's race sold out in in less than 23 minutes, and organizers expect this year's race to sell out as quickly.

“It was crazy last year,” Miller said, “but this year with local racers already taken care of, we hope that we really open this up to get as many of those who want to ride into the race as possible. This our attempt to try to create as fair a process as possible.”

A local's only registration for 200 people sold out in two hours and 30 minutes on December 1st.

This year again, the 800 spots available will be filled on a first come, first served basis; but unlike in the past, there will be no wait list.

“We've heard from riders that they want certainty, this should address that. We will over-sell by 20% and anticipate that many not to make the start line,” Miller said.

Registration for the NSCU Test of Metal can be done online at 6 p.m. on January 1st at www.testofmetal.com.

The Test of Metal, which takes place on June 16, 2012, is a gruelling 67 kilometre point-to-point mountain bike race through Squamish's world-renowned trails.

Past participants in the race include Canadian Olympians Alison Sydor, Geoff Kabush, and Seamus McGrath, World Champion Catharine Pendrell, as well as notable celebrities like Vancouver Canuck icon Trevor Linden.

The Test of Metal is the centrepiece of the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival, which runs from Friday, June 17th to Sunday, June 19th. The weekend activities include the “Pre-Test Festival” in downtown Squamish on Friday evening and the “Rock Star Invitational Downhill” on Sunday.

“There's a whole weekend of family-oriented activities,” said Miller. “Even if you're not racing, Squamish is a great place to spend that weekend.”

A 2006 study done by the BC Mountain Bike Tourism Association established that the Test of Metal generates just under 1 million dollars of economic activity in Squamish every year.

The Test of Metal Inc. is a not-for-profit society run by volunteers, and any proceeds from the race are returned to the community through charitable donations. Since its inception, the Test of Metal has donated more than $145,000 to community organizations and events.