LRR – Test of Metal

Local Ride Bike Shop

– June 21, 2010Posted in: Local Ride Racing

This past weekend saw Canada’s largest participation mountain bike race contested in Squamish. The Test of Metal annually draws over 800 weekend warriors and pros, and was a key race for some of the Local Ride Racing crew. The event was held in perfect conditions, and saw all 7 of the Local Riders that started the race finish with smiles on their faces.

Test of Metal – Pro Women’s Podium
(l to r) Sandra Walter, Catherine Pendrel, Catherine Vipond

Happiest of them all was Sandra Walter who was the 2nd woman to cross the line, trailing only the Canadian national mountain bike champion Catherine Pendrel. Sandra’s race started slowly, with her in seventh place at the one quarter mark, but she persevered and pasted all the other women except Catherine. Unfortunately one of those ladies was Local Ride’s Jean Ann McKirdy who had a rough day flatting twice. But in Jean Anniean fashion she fixed them both (even after losing her second CO2 cartridge on the trail), and rode the rest of the race with fellow Local Rider Paul Craig.

On the men’s side of the race, Local Ride’s top finisher was Steve Devantier followed closely by Ryan Newsome (less than one second behind). The pair fell short of the elusive sub 3 hour mark by 4 minutes, but were happy with their efforts. The post race conclusion from Steve was “I just have to ride a little bit faster on every part of the course, no problem….” We shall see what happens next year, can a Local Rider go sub-3?

Wrapping up the brick and blue’s efforts were Jeanine Ball and Sue Weston. In a show of gritty toughness Jeanine took a minute off her personal best time even after crashing hard half way through the race. A quick trip to the hospital to get the “flesh wound” cleaned up, plus a buffalo burger with yam fries and Jeanine looked ready to ride another 4 hours. Sue, competing in her 17th straight Test of Metal, came across the line with her normal ear to ear grin.

Finally a big thanks goes out to Marie and Hector for feeding. A 3 to 5 hour race would be much more difficult without an energy drink and some food. Their efforts were key to everyone’s success, so thank you.