May 13/16 12:37 pm - Super Duper Hill Climb Report (B.C.)

Posted by Editoress on 05/13/16
 

The idea was simple, ride all of the MIVA (Mid Island Velo Association) Hill Climbs in one go. Basically up every big hill in Nanaimo and regroup at Whitesails brewing afterwards for food, beer and stories - 61km and 1200m of climbing in one shot.

Despite the event being held on Mothers Day we had twelve riders show up ready and eager to tackle the challenge.  Prior to the race start we discussed the course.  Although the route was laid out on Strava, the idea was to hit all five checkpoints in whatever order the rider wanted by whatever route they chose.  To prove they reached the summit of each climb riders were asked to take a selfie with a unique poster placed at the top.

At the first checkpoint Nick Kupiak showed his skill with a camera getting his selfie in one shot and quickly returning to Uplands Drive to head for the next hill, followed closely by Sean Lunney.

Further back in the pack, Bill Mcmillan, followed by Aiden Houle, took the flexibility in the routing to heart, by turning off Uplands onto the Island Highway to cut out two traffic lights and make up time on Chris Cameron and Janna Gillick, who had decided to work together to try and gain time on Nick and Sean.

After the second climb up Biggs Road, Nick attacked, successfully shaking Sean off his wheel along Jingle Pot Road, allowing him the luxury to tackle the third climb up Jameson Road onto Northwood more casually to recover some of his strength for the last two climbs.  It also allowed him a minute to admire the poster at the Northwood checkpoint, which featured a picture of himself in a bright red onesie from the Waverly Cross Crit last September.

On the way to the fourth climb Sean attempted to gain some ground by skipping the descent down Benson Meadows, heading straight to the Withcraft Lake Climb.  While he did make some ground this way he still wasn't able to close the gap on Nick.

Meanwhile, at the back of the field after repairing a pinch flat suffered descending on the rough pavement of Biggs road, Cheryl skipped out on the Northwood climb to join the group of Mike, Gary, Lorrie and Leslie, who were enjoying the weather and the company, regrouping after each climb before heading onto the next.

First back at Whitesails was Nick at 12:59, followed closely by Sean at 13:02.  Next in were Janna and Chris, who had picked up Aiden after he jumped ahead of Bill and missed a turn, missing the checkpoint on Northwood Road.

Definitely a fun event which I hope to hold again next year.

Courtesy Patrick Burnham

1 Nick Kupiak 12:59 five hills
2 Sean Lunney 13:02 five hills
3 Janna Gillick 13:10 five hills
4 Chris Cameron 13:10 five hills
5 Bill "Big Ring" Mcmillan 13:16 zero hills (doesn't believe in selfies)
6 Lorrie Baildham 13:43 five hills
7 Gary Argyle 13:43 five hills
8 Leslie Anderson 13:43 five hills
9 Mike McCarney 13:43 five hills
10 Brad Temple 13:52 five hills
11 Aiden Houle 13:10 four hills (16years old)
12 Cheryl Morch 13:43 four hills and one dead tube
13 Peter McCaffery 12:45 four hills (wrong start time and a lap out to Cedar)