With only a few days until the 16th annual Test of Metal, race director Cliff Miller can finally take a deep breath.
Riders are all signed up, the course is ready and the only thing left to do is to kick off the weekend of festivities, which begins today (June 17).
"Things are unfolding really well for us," Miller said. "Everything's going pretty good and I think the town is really excited. It's almost like Christmas in June."
Miller has reason to be pumped for the 2011 edition of the race. For the first time ever, registration was opened to up to 1,000 racers and each and every spot was gobbled up. Back on Dec. 1, 200 locals-only spots were made available to 麻豆社国产residents, with each spot being scooped up in only 187 minutes. The remaining 800 spots were then sold out in record time on Jan.1, taking only 23 minutes to completely sell out.
Participants from all across the globe will descend on 麻豆社国产and the weekend kicks off Friday afternoon with the Slow Ride Show and Shine. Riders will meet at Republic Bicycles in Brackendale at 4 p.m. and then make their way their way downtown. All riders are invited to jump on their favourite two-wheeled vehicle for the trip.
The downtown core will be busy, with bike decorating, a kid zone and the mini-trials. The ever-popular bouncy castle, as well as face painting and hula-hoops, will help keep the kids busy.
Other events include the funny races, where a team of four will work together on a funny bike to outlast the competition. Friday will also see a bike limbo contest, as well as a Best in Show contest for bike owners judged by Coun. Bryan Raiser. Both Carolyn Grass and Tessa Amy will provide live music. Anyone interested in signing up for any events can do so at the registration table located on Cleveland Avenue.
Saturday (June 18) will see riders attack the 67-kilometre course starting at 11 a.m. The course features more than 1,200 metres of climbing and 35 kilometres of singletrack riding. For the elite racers, it should take a little over two hours, while the average competitor will finish in three to four hours and casual racers could take up to six hours.
The Linda Carney Rotary Cares Celebrity Challenge will also take place on Saturday morning. The fun race helps raise money for families in 麻豆社国产who require financial assistance with health-related problems that are not covered by other sources of medical funding. The race has helped raise money for wheelchairs, lifts, drugs and supplies for several families throughout the 11 years of its existence.
On Sunday (June 19), the ever-popular Mini-Metal, hosted by Corsa Cycles, takes place at the Station Square Mall. Last year more than 200 up-and-coming riders aged three to 10 participated while their parents ate a pancake breakfast hosted by the 麻豆社国产Lions Club.
Sunday afternoon, the gurus of granite hit the slabs in Valleycliffe for Tantalus Bike Shop's Rockstar Invitational Downhill. Each year Squamish's best downhillers compete for bragging rights and hundreds of people line the course to watch the talented riders.
Stay tuned to the 麻豆社国产's website for up-to-the-minute pictures, updates and information on this year's Test of Metal.
