On paper, the annual Squamish Ore Crusher mountain bike race on Saturday, May 12 seems like one of the easier races in the corridor with very little vertical and a mix of trails on the Cheekeye Fan area, and a lap race format where you pass through each area three times.
But it's a lot harder than it looks with long, gradual uphill sections and no long descents to rest your legs. Basically you spin the entire time, start to finish.
There's also a lot more singletrack since last year, some of it on the technical side, since Republic Bicycles took over the event last year. They also cut the number of laps while making the loops longer.
New this year, organizers are starting the event at Republic Bicycles headquarters on Government Road to give the pack a chance to separate before hitting the singletrack.
That's not to discourage anyone from doing the race, because the 40km distance is only as hard as you make it. It's technically easier than most of the epic races in the area and if you don't mind getting lapped at some point there's a good selection of trails for riders to enjoy. It's also a good way to test your fitness and polish your skills for the season. Bike races are supposed to be fun, right?
The entry fee is also the cheapest around at just $40. If you already have a Cycling BC or UCI race license you'll get $5 of that back at the start.
For more, visit www.testofmetal.com.
Charlie's Angels registration opens May 12
The annual charity mountain biking fun event known as Charlie's Angels is back and set for July 27 and 28.
The theme for the mountain bike event for women is based on the 1970's classic TV program of the same name, and the goal is to find the villain planted somewhere on the trails of Whistler.
The two-day all-women all-mountain adventure will put riders through a downhill race in the Whistler Bike Park and into a 20km XC mini-epic around Whistler.
Proceeds from the event will go to programming the new Howe Sound Women's Centre office in Whistler.
Full details can be found at www.worca.com.
WORCA Toonie Ride Today
The next Toonie Ride in Whistler is set for today (May 10). The sign in and the start are set for the PassiveHaus with registration starting at 5:30 p.m. and the start time set for 6:30 p.m.
Aprés is set for the Brewhouse once the ride is complete.
Youth tRiathlon seT in Squamish
The Squamish Youth Triathlon is sold out once again.
Kids from Pemberton to Vancouver and beyond will compete in the event based at the Brennan Park Recreation Centre on Sunday starting at 9 a.m.
Whistler Longboard Festival registration open
UNKLE Events is holding its annual longboard festival July 13 to 15. Registration opened May 3 on the festival's website.
The festival organizers plan to launch two competitions at a new venue to create an extra day of festivities. The plan is to hold the new events on Thursday, July 12 at Whistler Olympic Park.
Festival volunteers are also required.
Learn more and register for the festival at www.longboardfestival.com.
British slider retires
Amy Williams, the Brit who won her nation's only medal in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, has announced her retirement from the sport of skeleton.
The 29-year-old's run inspired a nation and bumped Canada's Melissa Hollingsworth down to fifth position in the skeleton competition.
"Amy! Amy! Amy!" chanted half-naked British fans in 2010 as she slid down the track in gold medal time. The fans were desperate to see their country secure their first gold medal of the Games and Williams delivered.
"My injuries have been causing me a lot of pain and I ruptured my knee a week ago," Williams said. "It has got to the point where it is not really much fun any more."
Rugby match Saturday
The Sea To Sky Eagles are set to host the Kelowna Crows on Saturday, May 12 in Squamish.
The match will take place at Mamquam Elementary School with the kick off time set for 1:30 p.m.
The game organizers are hoping to attract spectators to a sport that isn't very high profile in the Sea to Sky corridor.
B.C. named host province for international soccer tournament
The World Cup 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 is coming to Vancouver.
Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, Moncton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg will all be host cities for the tournament, which is the largest women's sporting event in the world.
Ida Chong, the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, said matches will be held at BC Place stadium.
In support of the tournament, the province is committing $2 million and the feds are putting in $12 million.
"This is really exciting news for Vancouver and the entire province, especially considering soccer is such a popular and inclusive sport in B.C.," said Chong. "It will bring the best female athletes in soccer to Vancouver as well as many thousands of visitors to our province, continuing our Olympic and Paralympic legacy."
