Participants started the race in stages, with about 20 riders in each stage, starting at 10 a.m. from the VIU parking lot. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

big bike race

VIDEO: ‘I’m stoked:’ massive BC Bike Race takes over Nanaimo trails

Jul 6, 2023 | 12:46 PM

NANAIMO — Almost 700 mountain bikes are weaving through 35 kilometres of local trails on Thursday, part of one of the largest bike races of its kind in the world.

The BC Bike Race, in its 17th year, began its second last leg of its 2023 race at VIU’s Nanaimo campus at 10 a.m., with Westwood Lake as the finish line.

Marketing manager Karen Stark said this race is the ultimate single-track adventure and is open to anyone who has a mountain bike.

“We have 35 countries represented here, 650 people, and they’re out racing their hearts out. Everything from the pro riders to the weekend warriors to people who just started riding a bike about a week ago.”

The seven-day event takes riders over 230 kilometres across Vancouver Island, starting on Monday, July 3 at Maple Mountain south of Crofton, and finishes in Cumberland on Sunday, July 9.

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There are categories for all ages, with each rider competing against themselves as well as the other racers for the best time.

“They absolutely love it, it’s a weekend for adults, like camp for adults. People never want to leave,” Stark said.

Racers line up at the starting gate as an enthusiastic crowd cheers them on. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

With the temperature expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius on Thursday, Stark said making sure everyone is safe and hydrated is a high priority.

They also want to make sure their impact on traffic is minimal.

“Definitely some traffic control is necessary just to get everybody safely out of the parking lot here and up the road, but we get them into the trail as soon as possible.”

Rider Leighton Poidevin from Vernon has participated in the race a few times in the past and loved every minute of it.

“It’s great. I mean they did it in the Okanagan but I like it back on the coast, especially on the Island. I’m stoked.”

José is a rider from Mexico who is on vacation with his wife.

“We just love mountain biking, and we came here for the adventure and the experience of seven days on the bike.”

More information on the BC Bike Race can be found here on their website.

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