2010 Course Preview Video Series Unveiled!

With some pretty big changes under our belt in 2009, many people have been wondering what's in store for 2010...

Well, the 2010 course is dialed already and we are completely stoked to share it with you! Our lead moto man, Dave Norona, has been capturing preview videos of the brand new 2010 course routes and area highlights. With Dave's creative touches, these vids are going to make for some amazing eye candy!!!

We're releasing them on our website starting now and over the next few months as we roll into 2010.

First up: BCBR Intro and BCBR Day Zero - watch 'em while they're hot!

The Inside Track: 2010 Course Changes

Of course we're going to be serving up even more of our classic BC singletrack in 2010!

AND, we've eliminated the super-early wake up to catch the ferry on Day 4...now you're in for another day of spectacular singletrack riding instead!

Day 4 will start with a reasonable hour ferry ride to Powell River in the morning, followed by a race start right out of the ferry terminal. You'll ride some of the finest singletrack trails that Powell River has to offer and then spend the night in this welcoming community on the Sunshine Coast. This is going to be an amazing addition to the 2010 route and we can't wait for you to see it! Watch for one of Norona's videos featuring the brand new Day 4...coming soon!

2010 Reg is Rollin' - So Are November Draw Prizes!

We've had lots of activity in the BC Bike Race Registration department and are stoked to see the teams keep rolling in.

It looks like next year will be another global melting pot as we've already got riders coming from Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Switzerland, South Africa and Israel! And of course we're seeing teams sign up from all over North America as well.

We are now offering 10 draw prizes for new registrations received by November 30th 2009. With your November race registration, you will receive one draw entry to possibly win one of 10 incredible sponsor prizes.

The Grand Prize draw is a Thule Rack and others include Shimano Gear, Dakine Pack, Synchros Gear, and more! You can't win if you don't register in November!

2010 is going to be another great year for BC Bike Race... why don't you join us?

Ringing Endorsements...

From some highly respected pros!

"The BCBR was the best back-to-back days of mountain biking I have ever experienced. The scenery, friendly support crew and endless fun and challenging trails reminded me why I started Mtn. biking. If you only have the budget for one Stage Race, this one is a must do."
CATHRINE PENDREL
Canadian Olympian & World Cup Winner

"In all my epic stage races, it’s the first time I’ve actually heard riders whooping, hollering and expressing their glee while racing.”
ALISON SYDOR
(most decorated mountain biker in history)

Read more about Alison Sydor's post-race review in her InSydor column from PedalMag.

We Made the Cover!!!

Oh yeah baby! BC Bike Race is splashed front and centre on the September 2009 cover of VeloNews!

Captured in yet another amazing Dave Silver photo are South African Team DCM Chrome taking in some of the incredible Sechelt trails during Stage 5. 

Inside is a feature article by Fred Dreier exploring BCBR and a new kid on the mountain bike stage race block. If you're not a VeloNews subscriber, scare up a copy and check it out!

Find Us on Facebook: Join, Post & Win!

Yo yo all you socially networked riders! If you're not already, you really should become a member of the Official BC Bike Race Facebook Page - not only will you be in on the latest and greatest info (yep - even before the monthly newsletters), but you can also participate in our RYDERS Eyewear promo!

Each month we will give away a pair of official BCBR RYDERS sunglasses to the Page member who submits the best Video, Picture or Post we see on our Official BC BIke Race Facebook Page!

Join, Post & Win!

Thule is in da house!

We'd like to extend a big BC Bike Race welcome to our newest sponsor for 2010 - Thule!

Need a ride for your ride? Check out Thule bike racks to make transporting your set of wheels a snap.

Oh, and tell 'em BC Bike Race sent you!

Dean & Dave Crank the Shield

Dean Payne (BCBR President) and Dave Norona (BCBR Lead Moto) ventured to the Haliburton Region in Ontario for a little two-wheeled adventure back in September.

D&D teamed up together to check out our good friend Chico Racing's Crank the Shield. This 3-day mountain bike stage race serves up 250km of Ontario singletrack and Dean and Dave bellied right up to that bar!!

This is how some of the BCBR folk are winding up the fall sessions...what's on your late season dance card?

Taylor's Crossing Anniversary Bash - Nov 10th!

One of our terrific sponsors,

Taylor's Crossing Restaurant & Brewery

in North Vancouver is celebrating their 5th anniversary and you are invited! If you're going to be in the North Vancouver area on November 10, 2009, please call in advance or email for complimentary tickets. For entertainment, Taylor's has queued up the Undercovers to play for the evening, along with very special guest is 54-40 drummer Matt Johnson!!!

Come on out and support one of our key local sponsors!

Give Back: Get on Your Bike! Nov 29th

For those BCBR fans in the Vancouver area, we've got a great way for you to get your spin on and make a significant impact in the life of a child with cancer... Get on Your Bike!

Each year in Canada 850 children are diagnosed with cancer and 135 will not survive. Participate in Get on Your Bike! and give a child battling cancer the golden opportunity to simply be a kid for one week in 2010.

Get on Your Bike! The Goodtimes Spin Relay welcomes teams of 1-12 participants to spin on stationary bikes in relay format from 7am-4pm Nov 29, 2009 at the Steve Nash Sports Club Vancouver. Each team fundraises $1500 - the amount needed to sponsor a child with cancer to go to the Canadian Cancer Society's Camp Goodtimes for one week next summer.

Rise up to the challenge and get involved... Get on Your Bike!

Are you a BCBR fan outside the Vancouver area and want to get involved? Why not spin in your living room at the same time for pledges? Get friends together and spin as a "remote" team! Every bit counts for these incredible kids. Email info@getonyourbike.ca for "satellite spin" info.

And the BCBR Family Keeps on Growing...

We are thrilled to announce that our very own VP of Marketing, Andreas Hestler, and his partner MJ are now the very proud parents of a healthy baby boy!

Easton Hestler took the world by storm as he showed up in the wee hours of September 10th... a solid week earlier than anticipated. While mum and baby are doing wonderfully well, Dre has been getting Easton's first XC rig dialed and ready to ride! 

Congratulations Dre & MJ! And welcome Easton!!

And Finally... Got Goals?

Coach Dre has some great goal setting insights to gear you up for the transition to winter...

Following a good summer of fun activities it's time to prepare for your winter season. The first step is to plan, plan, plan... Set the goals you wish to achieve, lay out your calendar and put pen to paper.

The winter is a great time to cross-train, fix muscle imbalances and prepare the body for what is to come. For example I have a long term goal (as always) to be fit for summer, but right now how do I achieve that? It begins by working back and cleaning the slate (rest). Summer ends and I usually ride until the trails get really wet and it's too cold to ride. To me that says go inside - so I do for yoga, weights, cross training, core classes, things that stretch and strengthen. I don't completely get off the bike but it slows way down, usually depending on the weather, but rides can be replaced by hikes, or later, skiing.

My short term goals are to assess injuries and imbalances, seek massage and physio, rebuild my core and let my body heal. Then I look to build those into my mid term goals, which for me this year are the Snowshoe World Championships in Vancouver, late spring.

By the time I have drafted out a comprehensive 5 month program, taking into account holidays and down time, I'm ready to go. Don't forget: Goals that just get talked about are 50% less likely to actually get accomplished than goals that are written down.

So write it down. Make that commitment to yourself and to a solid winter of short term and mid term goals. And look down the road to see where you are going for your long term goals. Oh yeah, enjoy the process as much as you enjoy the achievement of each goal along the way. When you reach each goal, re-set the bar and keep rolling!

For more insights on goal setting and training, check out Dre's postings in BCBR's Tech & Train section!