BCBR 09 - Day 3

It was a windy night on the beach in Parksville, which meant everyone's tents were a shaking while we desperately attempted to get every possible wink of shut eye. It didn't help that my body was in freak out mode, 'resting' heart rate well over 100 bpm, on account of my pummeling myself yesterday.

My knee was far more mobile this morning than I had anticipated. Not sure how long it will stay that way, as the dressing fell off almost as soon as we started riding, leaving the whole in my knee to catch the dust of everyone passing me, as well as little bits of whatever I might fall on.

Today's trails were easily my favorite so far. Most of the first half was flowy, soft, fresh single track. The smell of a few hundred wheels rolling over a layer of pine needles is magnificent. It was a nice temperature in the trees too. Beautiful day.

After 20kms we hit a long, exposed gravel ascent. I know this toasted a lot of people, but I was in heaven. Just found a rhythm and kept pounding away. Saw Tom and Gerry at the top of the hill. I'd love to say it was because I was rockin it, but I think they were having some trouble. Caught them again near the end and Gerry was running with his bike, having obliterated

I finished up the day much less shattered than yesterday. More specifically, I was sociable and didn't feel like curling into the fetal position. It felt like a good recovery day, though I rode hard for sure.

Erik and Devin had some challenges today, but didn't lose too much by way of position, judging by the unofficial results. Craig and Shawn had a flawless day and seem to have climbed a bit in positioning. Geoff and Pat maintained 2nd, despite a really bad mechanical. Mical and Jeff solidified their second place standing. Nic and Deanne gracefully blasted by me on the downhill and looked to be having a good day. Haven't seen Steve and Roy to see how their day went. I hung on to third, miraculously.

We have to get up at 4am tomorrow to catch the double ferry crossing. Hard to get to sleep because its still light out. And also because there are children playing on a rusty swing set in an adjacent playground. It's like trying to fall asleep to the sound of finger nails on a chalkboard. At least I am relly, really tired.
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