Distance: approx 60km / 37 miles
Elevation Gain: 1900m/6230 feet
Start Line: Garibaldi Highlands, Squamish
Aid Station 1 Distance: approx 25km
Aid Station 2 Distance: approx 34km
Finish Line: Squamish Civic Centre

Day 6 gives racers a serious taste of the very best singletrack for which Squamish is renowned!!  We started with a road climb up from base camp to Garibaldi Highlands. 

I’m getting tired of writing now so I’m going to snag a huge chunk of Kathy’s report….

….“Squamish trails are awesome. Climbed from the park up to the top of the mountain and rode a bunch of trails I pre-rode with my guide earlier. It was nice to have ridden it all before. I had to walk up the same climbs I did earlier. We went down Half Nelson, it’s fun, but would definitely be more fun with more energy on a jumpier bike. Then we rode down a super steep, loose DH trail. Don’t remember the name. I was bound and determined to ride it all this time, but alas, I did not. Chickened out in the same spot I did before. In fact, I think I rode less this time. Argh!!! Then climbed back up to the Powerhouse Plunge. This is an awesome, super technical trail. Given our current state, we walked many spots I had ridden before just due to being so tired. The roots were a little moist too. I was a little disappointed b/c I rode just about all of it the time before, but I was fresher and I was following a guy who knows the trail, which does a lot for your confidence. Finally got some flow going again towards the end. Then we climbed back up and down another fun trail that had some nice, steep switchbacks. Don’t remember the name, but aside from the climb up there, it was a fun one. Then we rode over to another section with super cool rock features. I was really disappointed I was so tired and couldn’t ride more of it. I had to push up most of the uphills at this point. On the way back to the camp ground we rode past a bouldering area which was really cool. It was awesome riding past all the rock climbers along this massive rock wall. We pulled into the finish and they had just started that day’s awards ceremony. As we crossed the finish line the announcer says, “It’s the Sturdy Bitches! Sorry ladies, I don’t have an award for you.” Ha! Then one of the award recipients comes over and says, “I am so proud of you girls. You are out there for SO many hours each day but just keep at it.” Wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not, but I think she intended it to be one. “….

Lest I forget to mention, the fun and quirky stuff that happens…we were riding up one of the climbs and we could hear, in the distance, the sound of drums.  Not just a bongo drum, but a full rendering of “my sharona” on a drumset.  Finally, we found our way to Aid Station 2 where Meg, the awesome first aid responder that checked Kathy every day, serenaded us up the climb with our own version of “My Sharona”. 

Virginia and Katie were in as was Angela well before us.   Before we took off for the hotel we hung out at the beer garden and enthusiastically imbibed  the Red Truck Beer.  While we were relaxing and chatting with other riders, Hilary, our faithful aid station attendant passed by.  Quickly grabbed her for a beer since we knew it would be our last opportunity to pay her back for all her support.  What we learned from her??  Don’t  eat the food from the bins unless there was a peel.  Guys pee, right behind the trucks with their gloves on and then go dip into the food with their gloves on, eeeeewww!!!   The people manning the support stations keep their own separate bins of fruit.  Yuck.  Will certainly remember that next time, ugh. 

Yeah!  Friday’s ride was over, Jose, Sean and the kids had arrived to hang out with us and this would be everyone except Angela’s  last night in the tents.   Katie, Sean and the kids headed up to Whistler, Jose and I hit the same hotel Kathy was staying in and Virginia was taking off for Whistler where her family and boyfriend were waiting.  Felt a little guilty leaving Angela to tent it on her own,  but the thought of another hot shower, a nice soft bed,  and dinner with Kathy and Jose at the hotel won out.

Day 6 – done, check the video for some hilites!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_vbcMhyUek

Some of the trails we rode:

• Tracks from Hell

• Bob McIntosh Loop

• Rock and Roll

• Rob’s Corners

• Skookum

• IMBA Smart

• George’s Crossing bridge

• Recycle

• Psudoesuga One, Two and Three

• Half Nelson (not to be missed!!)

• The Rip

• Powerhouse Plunge

• Crumpit Woods

• Route 99

• Three Virgins

• Seven Stitches

• Cliff Side Park

• Discovery Trail