Race at the Edge

In the picture is Richard Jones and Kelvin Marks coming over the finish line, July 1st 2009.

Race at the Edge Results

The annual Derailleurs in the Mist Cycling Club time trial and road race was not as well attended as previous years. One of the on-lookers suggested that the downturn in the global economy might have deterred off-islanders from travelling here this year for the race. The economy didn’t deter Kelvin Marks, however, who has travelled here in his motor home to participate in every one of the races and who raced once again this year in spite of his broken ribs. Nor did the economy deter the 7 other local participants from braving the hot sunny skies and near perfect riding conditions to compete in the annual cycling Race at the Edge.

The time trial took place on Friday evening and four participants rode their hardest in the “race of truth” to get their fastest time over 5.3 kilometres. David Beggs came in first at 7minutes 27 seconds with Richard Jones getting the second fastest time at 7:52. Third place was won by Jeremie Hyatt at 8:26 and Greg Wiggins did the time trial in 8:52.

Saturday morning dawned clear and warm and the 8 racers were ready on the line at 11:04 for the RCMP lead out. Sergeant Rob lead the group through QCC and then out to Skidegate. He cut them loose at the Spirit Lake Trail parking lot and the race began in earnest. The group quickly broke into two groups with the men taking an early lead and the women riding their own race at the back. The women’s turn around at Halibut Bite made it a 55 km race and the men raced 100 km turning around at the Tlell River Bridge.

The winds were tricky and unpredictable with a tail wind pushing the cyclists along for a while and then a head wind slowing them down. The women’s race was comprised of two riders who decided to stay together until the sprint at the finish. Robyn Boese rode a strong and decisive race and Sandra Beggs said Robyn was a “machine” on the bike. Sandra and Robyn sprinted to the finish and Sandra managed to make it over the line just ahead of Robyn. The men broke into a group of four at the front with two riders pulling up the rear. The lead group split up just around Balance Rock a few kilometres before the finish line with three cyclists sprinting for the finish line. David Beggs was over the line in first place one second ahead of Kelvin Marks and Richard Jones. Kelvin came in second place with Richard a half a wheel behind him in a close sprinting contest.

Jeremie Hyatt finished just four minutes behind the lead men and Greg Wiggins and Peter Lake came in not too much later. Celebrations and an award ceremony took place at the Beggs home later that evening. During conversations about the race the suggestion was made that there be a much shorter course included next year to encourage more locals to participate in the ride/race. So, look for a fun short course category next year that will turn around at Miller Creek.