For the second year in a row our friends over at the Alter Ego Cycling Club put on another stellar 8 hour event. The numbers were small but the friendliness, vibe, course layout (one of the best courses I’ve been on at Birch) and attention to detail were superb. I’m guessing that pictures and results will be posted on the race site shortly.

Dylan, Ron, and myself (halberto) were in attendance from our club. Dylan continues to work himself back into shape following his European vacation and tonsillectomy, limiting himself to just 5 hours of riding time. Ron also went hard for 5 hours not wanting to burn himself out before Provincials, and I blew up after 4 laps feeling the effects of building trails for 5-6 hours the day before (including towing a 60lb trailer around Grand Beach - not afraid of using any excuse available to me).

As I mentioned the course was brilliant. Fun, with some really neat new stuff that everyone was raving about; it would be worth anyone’s time to go out there just the course now - it was just that fun.They used a push weed trimmer that did a brilliant job clearing the trail, something we’ll consider getting for the club.

- Halberto

…for finishing the Leadville 100. Cory Smith finished  in 169th in his category with at time of 10:54:43. There were 1613 racers in the race. Not sure where that puts him but in his category but it will be pretty good - official results to be posted at a later date.

How about this?

Details here

For a course that was not suppose to have as much sand as previous RtB courses, this one managed to hold its own when it came to stretches of granular hell. The saving grace for this course was the salvation of more hard pack sections, variety of terrain, and interesting twists and turns of trail. It was hot, humid and sunny with some overcast, and not a drop of rain anywhere but in Winnipeg.

40+ riders took on the course and most, if not all had a good good time; some got lost and were found, some set blistering paces while others took a more measured approach. The food was good and shared experience of the event was even better - there is no better way to start August than participating in the classic enduro formerly know as Reach the Beach and now known as “Where’s the Beach? In Stead”

Please let us know how you felt about the event: good, bad or indifferent, we want to know so we can make it even better for you next year.

Results will be posted soon.