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Burch, Heisterman win Lumpy's tri

Slight course change comes with new organizers
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getting lumpy Leah Trudeau powers through during the Lumpy's Trifecta near Pemberton on Oct. 4. Photo by Darin Towers

Lumpy's Trifecta was a little less lumpy this year.

With the Pemberton Valley Trails Association (PVTA) taking the reins from the organizers of the Nimby 50, race director Adrian Bostock opted to make some slight changes to the event, shifting back to a time-trial format and making some alterations to the course for this year's edition on Oct. 4.

"I changed the course a little bit. Historically, it went up the old Lumpy's (Epic) climb three times. I was trying to make it a little bit easier and represent what we actually ride in that area," said Bostock, who organized the race alongside Ian Kruger.

Women's winner Brandi Heisterman took the top spot once again after coming in as the defending champion. She said the trails were in "mint condition" and she was glad to tackle them in a time of one hour, 57 minutes and 47 seconds (1:57:47).

"Conditions were great. It was dry, and I just got a new bike with cross-country tires, so it was great that it was dry for me. Last year it was a little bit wet," she said. "(For) climbing, it was super-grippy and on the descents, it wasn't too loose.

"I ride a little 19-pound hardtail so if it gets really wet and nasty, it's a little scarier."

Following Heisterman was Leah Trudeau and Sylvie Allen, with the winner in front by nearly eight minutes.

The course changes didn't trip up Heisterman at all, and she was pleased with the new approach to the race.

"It made it more interesting," she said. "It was more fun to go up a different route the first time and then you go up a second climb twice. It was a little but more exciting.

"The more climbing, the better and the more time gap I can put on the next guy."

Heisterman said the race was one she'd had on her calendar for a while as she opted not to slow down in September to keep herself prepared for it.

"Lumpy's is a good way to end. It's a couple-hour hard effort," she said. "I felt better as the race went on. I just felt stronger, so it was good."

Men's winner Dave Burch crossed the line six minutes sooner than anyone else, and was pleased to take the win the at first time at the event, though he was a veteran of those trails.

"I just got excited to ride in Pemberton. I love the trails there, especially at this time of year," he said. "It's a low-key event. I just was feeling my good. I haven't been riding my bike too, too much, but enough to stay rested and feel good."

However, with a total field of just 33, Burch downplayed the accomplishment.

"It's a low-key event and race. Loonie races are a lot more competitive," he said. "I don't want to take too much credit for a win that was maybe not as competitive as you'd find during the season."

Bostock hopes the word of mouth from this year's race continues to spread and help boost attendance further in 2016.

"Numbers-wise, it was on-par with the number of people that have always turned out," he said. "It's a pretty small race, you get 30-ish people. It's not a big race, but we're definitely trying to attract a few more people."