Long distance off road race for BC?

[dirty sanchez]

I've posted this on Adventure Rider too.

I've been getting the itch to put on a long distance off road race in BC. It could resemble the Baja 1K (but shorter) or something like the Roof of Africa (long and gnarly). I'm thinking Hope to Kamloops would be sufficient. Looking at a map I think 400+kms would be achievable without crossing too many public roads or highways.

I'm sure some of you guys have ridden a route like this yea? Looking at a map it looks possible to stay off road for most of the way, with only crossing the Logan Lake road and using a whole bunch of FSR's. Note, I'm on a non-dual sport bike (YZ250) so obviously I would want to ride legally of course.

Any help or advice?

 

[KTM-Bryon]

You mean besides "get a dual sport"?

I have known d.s. for quite a while and he has helped organize a lot of Mtb races. This sounds like a cool idea that could tie in nicely with the Adventure route project.

http://www.dualsportbc.com/forums/s...le-Adventure-Route-Project&p=90478&viewfull=1

I have seen how MTB races like BC Bike race and TransRockies have shown people from around the country and world what BC has to offer the MTB rider. This could do the same for off road moto.
See http://www.bcbikerace.com/
http://www.transrockies.com/

 

[dirty sanchez]

No I would rather have a route that is more single and double track trail and use gnarly sections like at Chewels. So in other words, more 'dirt' oriented bikes would be best (or small DS bikes for that matter). Use specific checkpoints and gas stops along the way to keep people on the proper track, but I suppose they could play within those guidelines to use the fastest possible route.

There is no reason why BC can't have an extreme enduro race. Its only up to somebody organizing it. Preferably a race where maybe there are only a few finishers, or where the very best riders are far ahead of the rest of the field.

I just need some info from people who have ridden those valleys and mountain passes from Hope to Merritt and beyond. Looking at the BC Backroads maps there are plenty of options, but a map is not real life.

 

[cactusreid]

well i'm all ears on this one! off road hope to kamloops,with fuel stops-way cool idea! that could be a loooonnnnngggg day though. some rides like the chewels gnarly stuff,takes 4-5 hrs to knock off 50km. maybe we need a sandwich pit stop as well?

 

[dirty sanchez]

Well we could run it on the Dragon Spray A loop just to make it tough. hehehehe... what's another 350kms on top of that?

Seriously, I think running it on some single track that's fun and technical would be great, but nothing overly insane. We would need people to finish within the day after all.

What do think about a stage race? I was talking to my old, old (and I mean old) friend ktm-Bryon today and we agreed that a stage race would be the best. Maybe a gnarly 100km long hare scramble the day before, then the full 400km long point to point race the next day.

 

[shevthump914]

Long distance will need to be clarified.....Not bone picking here...so dont get upset folks...My KTM 640 enduro an I would love to RACE...I think for most their dual sports are more LONG LONG haul bikes..BUt there are lots of them that could muster threw...400km of Gnarly ...If the event is longer than 2 or more days ...IT definately will seperate the MEN from the boys..I say BRING it ON ...GOOD IDEA for sure ..PAul.S

 

[biker]

Great idea make it like the Terra nova enduro on Vancouver island a two day event.

 

[dirty sanchez]

Ideally it would have sections that would resemble an A loop on your typical hare scramble event.... and high speed dirt road sections too. You could ride it on your 640 as my friend rides most things on his 690, but you'd probably be better off on a lighter/smaller off road bike.

Google 'Roof of Africa' and that's what I'm talking about....except the road part.

 

[tomcycle]

I see all you guys have the wheels turning now:f:
:hijacked

Would you be interested in hosting the WEC World Enduro Canada

 

[dirty sanchez]

What are the stipulations for the WEC courses?

 

[dirty sanchez]

I posted this on ADVRider too.

In an ideal world where you could ride anywhere, and not knowing the route but only having in my head, this would be the rough idea for the race:

~100km time trial in the Duffy/Greenstone/Chewels area. Super gnarly single track, big hill climbs. A good way of weeding people out. The TT sets the stage for the riders' starting order for the long distance route.

The following day, the race starts at the Duffy Lake (Kamloops) area and starts out on the same (or similar) gnarly singletrack that was used in the TT. The course works its way over to Logan Lake (first pit stop?) then starts heading towards Merritt. The course crosses the Coq and get's onto some of the snowmobile trails in that area. It makes its way down to Merritt, crosses under the Coq again, where the second or third pit is located.

The course then heads north towards hwy 97 and does a big arc and eventually comes across under the Coq and then heads south towards the Tulameen area and the mountain ranges in there. The community of Tulameen would be another pit stop/check point.

Then the course would head over towards Hope. It crosses the Coq on final time and onto the KVR (with approval of course) where the course winds its way through those train tunnels and eventually finishes in Hope.

The good parts........

- Easy access for support vehicles and check points. It stays relatively close to a major highway or easily accessible road almost the entire way.
- It goes through 3 towns or communities which hopefully would add a small jolt to their economies.
- It potentially could be very difficult..... or...

The bad...........

- it could be too easy. I'm looking at a map and following fsr's and snowmobile trails. Some FSR's are ok for covering distance, but you definitely don't want it to be too easy if this is to considered an extreme off road race. No worries on the Kamloops end, as it can be as gnarly as you want it to be. I just would not want guys on KLR650's showing up and doing well, if you know what I mean.

- Access to the KVR and other non motorized vehicle trails and roadways. A big sponsor (ie: Red Bull) could help with this, as would having the towns on board of course. Cash donation back to the KVR probably wouldn't hurt.


I'm putting this out there because to be honest I don't care if someone steals the idea. It would be a lot of work to put this event on, I would rather see it go ahead than not. It would be good for the sport.

 

[cactusreid]

d.s.: this is a huge amount of work for a lot of people- but if this thing grows legs-you gonna be some kind of famous dude! i don't think you have to worry about to easy,as the miles will take care of enough attrition/dropouts. and you don't have to necessarily have to have the toughest race north of the baja. but the idea is very intriguing,and i think you maybe on to an excellent idea.

 

[klrroo]

This sounds awsome!! I picture the start of Erzberg, a mass of bikes weeded down to a handful!! This would be great and I know a few people including myself that would be VERY interested. One or two day event with gas stops and checkpoints. I agree with the harder the better!!! Bones heal and chicks dig scars!

 

[dirty sanchez]

You guys are so full of good vibes its making me want to pursue this!

What I need now is a team to help get this event going. Plan it for 2012, sort out a route next year.

 

[2Trider]

How about doing it based on a Enduro format as oppose to just WFO. Would be easier to deal with street legalities to piece sections together if all bikes are plated.
Here is something/idea proposed for Ontario
http://www.odsc.on.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17228
maybe has some bases/ideas for this idea here
(I would suggest if this interests the OP to phone Warren....# is in the odsc thread there)
Obviously the degree of difficulty is up to the organizer
Using GPS technology could open up a whole new world of long distance enduro's

Think...if one could buy a GPS unit setup to calculate where to go and how fast to go along a planned route....all the rider has to do is load the organizers route and instructions into his/her unit. At a predetermined start time(rows) rider takes off and follows the units instructions (directions and faster or slower) end of the day units data is download and based on checkpoints that were preset would determine the winner.
The organizer sets unknown check points and speed averages along the course....it is up to the rider reading his unit too keep up and yet never get ahead by going to fast.
It would be like taking a red ICO enduro clock and adding GPS plus plus
No arrows, no check crews, gas stops could be gas stations, and public roads can be used tying in the best of the best.

this could open a whole new world of Enduro :clap:

 

[old trials guy]

I think the question you have to ask is; do you make this a marathon or an ultramarathon? Marathons draw thousands of entrants year over year, ultramarathons entice a very small number of niche competitors and their competitive life is only a few years before they burn out their bodies.

IMHO, if you want this to be a long term proposition, an event that will grow and draw repeat entries, it should be tough enough to separate out the position of finishers but it shouldn't be so difficult that an average or better off-road rider (read B or better) on a well prepared bike can't finish barring bad luck. Weed out the pack with the hour out rule, if you are more than an hour behind your schedule you are excluded. I suggest a six day style event with some closed checks or speed tests to sort out the real fast guys and transport checks to keep it sane on the really wide open fast stuff where the risks for fatalities grows.

Imagine the logistics of dealing with broken bikes and bodies strewn over miles of BC wilderness. Also consider the carnage of unchecked speeds on publicly active FS roads.

About 30 years ago I relished events that only the best survived (something to do with my ego perhaps), I had my share of successes but those events had short lives and most entrants never came back as they were just a bad memory for most. Put on something most riders will finish, enjoy, talk about for years, that's how legends are created.

otg

 

[dirty sanchez]

This is part of the reason why I started this thread is to get some brain storming going on.

An ultra marathon is a VERY cool idea, but I'm thinking that would better using adventure/dual sport bikes covering a distance like Vancouver to Prince George or longer.

I'm envisioning this to classified as an extreme enduro, because that's just my riding style and what I'm interested in. Along the same lines as the Erzberg, Last Man Standing, and the Roof of Africa. Of course that's not for everyone, but that's what I'd personally like to see happen in BC.

As for people getting hurt out in the back country, then yes that is a concern. It wouldn't be as bad a the Baja I'm guessing. At least with this race you'd be much closer to a major highway or town. There would also be people sweeping the course and the riders would also be wearing transponders of some sort of tracking device in order to race.

The biggest question mark is our ridiculous insurance system in Canada and what we have to pay to insure events, let alone one like this. Maybe that's why nobody hasn't really gone after a big stage race of this sort. That's why having someone like Red Bull involved because they are so big they can self insure.

 

[joker650]

Sounds like fun.
On the insurance side..

How about doing it based on a Enduro format as oppose to just WFO. Would be easier to deal with street legalities to piece sections together if all bikes are plated

Check the insurance policies. I beleave theat ICBC states that your insurance is VOID if racing, might be prety tough to do this on a public road in BC these days.
There is winter car FSR circuit that came through Kamloops and Merritt a few years ago, prety sure all the cars were plated. Since they were using public roads they may have a lot of info on insurance aspect of this type of racing.
I will see if I can find any info on them.

edit: here is the web site
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336163

errp... I think this is the Merritt one.
http://www.pacificforestrally.com/home.html

I sent an e-mail for insurance info to one of the organizers of Ralley BC dot com

 

[tomcycle]

Mr Dirty

You are asking for a lot of help here, maybe you should introduce yourself proper like, whats your name and what do you ride and where, how about a little about yourself. A lot of DSBC members are already volunteering on events it would be ashame to scarifice these events to support one that may not even get off the ground. You will have to excuse my cynicism, its ment to be constuctive but comes across as negative. I like your idea but having been involved in many events over they years, I cant get my mind on how it will all come to be. Mind you I thought DualSportBC would be lucky to have 100 members we started this, who would have thought


Tom

 

[dirty sanchez]

This just popped in my head about a week ago. No planning, nothing. However, a group of friends and I are planning on riding from Hope to Kamloops next year and I thought, hell - that would make for an interesting race route. I'm not asking for vollies, or help with anything other than asking if anyone has ridden a similar route. That's it, that's all.