Hammerfest XC- Andrew, James, & Mark

I also raced Intermediate at Hammerfest yesterday and placed 3rd, although I finished several minutes behind Fraser. I liked the course a lot even with all the climbing, and had fun. Unfortunately, on the first lap I crashed near the beginning of the descent, guess I just lost focus after all the climbing. I hit some loose shale around a corner and went down. The rest of the race went pretty well, and I managed to keep the rubber side down after that. James and Mark also raced in Beginner, Mark making his debut in the mountain bike world. They both raced solidly and James took 1st, Mark 2nd. They both had a couple incidents each of bouncing off trees and the like, but nothing major. I think it's safe to say that the Trail/Eatmore team made a good showing!

Andrew G.

Vancouver Island Cup #7: Hammerfest

Today I raced the Hammerfest XC in Errington. The course this year, along with the great weather made for a really fun time. The route had lots of single track climbing and descending, along with enough bumps that I managed to dent my rim. I placed second in Intermediate Men, one second behind the person who came first.

Fraser

Island Cup Downhill #1 Cumberland

The first 3 races of the Island Cup Downhill have been held over the last month with 2 Team members and sponsors racing. Andrew Gower ( Wedler Engineering ) and
Jeff Beeston( Trail Bicycles ) contested the first race held on the ever popular Dodge City Downhill course in Cumberland. Andrew was racing in the huge field of 59 intermediate men and finished mid pack with a decent run considering he had only been on his bike 3 times heading into the race. Jeff was racing in a stacked field of 60 experts including the current Pro mens and under 19 National Champions and the 3rd place finisher in Pro men not to mention people coming in from Alberta and Washington to race our local event!! Jeff was feeling good and had a great run and finshed on the podium in 3rd place and was super happy with being 4 seconds of the win. Thanks to all sponsors for there support!!

Wenatchee Valley Omnium

Last weekend the Grants travelled to Wenatchee, WA. for the Wenatchee Valley Omnium race. The weather was looking like it was going to hold up. Not surprising, since Wenatchee is known to have 300 days of sunshine. Unfortunately, on race morning the clouds broke apart, pouring down rain like never before (the flash floods caused evacuations). The TT was the first stage, with Mark and James racing first. At 8:00 Saturday morning, The two boys were off racing on the 5 mile long course (the shortened TT course). In the Youth C category, James had an average time trial, putting him in 5th place out of 12. Mark, in the Youth D category, had an exceptionally fast time trial, putting him in first in his field of 6 riders. Steve, in the Masters D category, had an average time on the full TT course, putting him in the middle of the pack. Andrew raced in the cat. 4 men, and his time trial, also on the full TT course, put him in the middle of the pack.

Later that day, the rain finally decided to hold up. In the Twilight Memorial Park criterium, Steve lasted two laps before being pulled (most Masters men on steroids!!). Andrew hung on for several laps before having breathing difficulties. In the Youth C/D category, James took a 6th place in the sprint after being in the chase group the whole race. Mark, who couldn't quite hold on to the older kids, took a 1st place finish in the Youth D category.

The next morning, after a refreshing sleep, the Grants woke up to hear that horrible rain pouring down again! Early in the morning, James and Mark were off again in the Youth C/D Road Race. As soon as the neutral roll-out ended, the leaders started pushing the pace. Soon, the fast pace broke the group apart, resulting in a four-man breakaway. James was in the breakaway with the top three riders in the youth C category. After chasing down numerous solo efforts, James won the race in the long uphill sprint. Mark was in a chase group with a few other Youth C riders, and beat them all to take a 5th place overall finish, and a 1st place finish in the Youth D category. Soon after, Steve left the cover of the tent and made his way to the start line. The course consisted of the full TT course, (out and back), then up an 11 kilometer climb with an average 15% grade. Then, after the climb, there was a treacherous 8km descent complete with road barriers and cliffs. Steve flatted part way up the climb while crossing a washout area. Andrew raced on the same course, and was dropped by the lead group with 1km of climbing left, and could not keep going after the cold and wet descent (you needed a freakin' snorkel just to breath!!). Probably the most challenging stage race we've ever done! Fifteen mile climb today up to Mount Rainier! Awesome descending!! Having a great time training in a new country! That's all for now, pics will be added later.

Race the Ridge

On May 6th, the Grant family headed to Maple Ridge for the Race the Ridge stage race. It was cold and wet on Saturday morning for the first stage, which was the time trial. James and Mark raced in the Youth category which was 10km., while Steve and Andrew raced in cat. 3/4 men. James and Mark placed well with times of 15:33 and 16:02. Steve and Andrew also did well with Steve getting a time of 37:56 and Andrew a time of 34:48 over a 21 km. course. James and Mark had the fastest times in Race the Ridge history for the Youth category.

On Saturday evening, the clouds opened and rain, hail and thunder began. This resulted in flooding on part of the crierium course. Steve and Andrew's race was cancelled, but after the course was modified, James and Mark's group was able to race. Mark broke away on the second lap, but was caught on the 8th lap. James, Mark and a local youth made up the lead group. In the sprint finish, Mark beat older brother James to take 2nd, behind the local rider.

Sunday morning dawned grey but dry. Setting off on a 10 km road course, the youth group was led out by a pro rider.

On the second lap,

James and Mark broke away up the

first hill with another rider and stayed away from the splintered pack behind them.

With about 300 meters to go, James and Mark sprinted, leaving the 3rd rider behind. James won the sprint and came 1st overall. Mark came 2nd overall. Finding the hilly course a challenge, Steve and Andrew were dropped early. Fortunately, they were both able to finish the 68 km race, with Steve finishing 3 minutes ahead of Andrew.

Race the Ridge was a fun experience and we are looking forward to racing again next year.

;-)

THE TEAM WISHES GOOD LUCK TO TEAM MEMBER NIGEL ELLSAY IN BELGIUM!!!!!

Snow to Surf and Dove Creek RR and Montreal

(Above: Simon Harrington Photo by Canadian Paralympic Committee)

Excellent weekend for road racing in the valley; in the Dove Creek Road Race Nigel Ellsay took 3rd after forming the first ever successful breakaway on the Dove Creek Circuit, big props to him. The day after in the Snow to Surf Nigel's Junior team took 6th overall, Jeff Beeston (top 8?), Doug Merrick in 11th, Dave Damery in top 20 (?), and Glenn Wakeling in 29th. Great rides by everyone!

Simon Harrington also had a successful TT & RR at Defi Sportif in Montreal! Less than 1 second shy of National Standard in the TT & 2nd in RR for cat H3, (8th?) overall

(Above: Nigel Ellsay Photo By a Duncan)

(Above: Dave Damery Photo by ? Duncan )

(Below: Jeff Beeston Photo by ? Duncan)

Sunshine Coaster

Team Members Amanda Wakeling and Andrew Grant headed over to the Sunshine Coaster xc mtb race on the weekend, with one of the great Team support Mom's Carmen Wakeling (Amanda's Mom) It was a good weekend with a course recon on Friday, the race on Saturday and a Junior group ride on Sunday.

(Photo by Joanna Duncan)

Jordan Duncan, a great Friend of the Teams and also a local Valley boy took a strong 5th place finish in the 15-18 Gangster male category with Team Member Andrew Grant 10 spots behind in 15th place. Team member Amanda Wakeling took a 2nd place finish in the 15-18 Gangster female category http://harmonycrusade.blogspot.com/

And no we didn't get up to any mischief ...

(Photo By Joanna Duncan)

-Amanda Wakeling