July 31, 2009 - The result of Stage Three's trail sabotage and the last minute scramble to re-route the course resulted in a stage that was more than challenging for the organizers and the dwindling number of riders that set out for the day's journey.
The very late start at 10:30am, due to the last minute course changes, had some riders on edge. Nutrition calculations were way given the anticipated 8 am start and temperatures were hitting the high 30s before we even began the revised 50km course. But fifteen minutes into the ride the lead peloton got lost and the large group of riders played stop and go, waiting for others to catch up before moving on to what they thought was the correct trail.
When the race finally did get underway on the correct trail, we hit some amazing Kamloops single track that took the sting out of the morning chaos. Next up was a tough 9km logging road climb in the heat of the day, that took us to the top of some of the most exciting trails we had seen all week. Unfortunately things started to go astray again as IM Challenge riders were strewn over the mountain on various trails, often confused by the fact that course arrows were sometimes pointing in the opposite direction to where we were supposed to be traveling - a result of the forced course change.
It also seemed that some of the route markings had either blown away or been moved as many riders found themselves ripping down some wonderful single track for kilometers before realizing they had gone off course. More than once I came across a few riders just standing at a trail split trying to figure out which way to go resorting to laughter at the difficulties of today's stage.
Despite the problems others were having on the route I selected I did see trail ribbon at all time. But by the time I hit the final feed station (at 5okm!) I found I was actually ahead of some riders who had passed me on the climb. It was also at this final feed station that I was informed to take it easy as the stage was going to be neutralized due to the number of riders off course.
Also due to the fact we were at 50km at the last feed station, the estimated distance of today's stage, I didn't think to top up with water. At 65km and with another 5km to go I was regretting this, as were most of the riders with me. This also included a rider from Canmore who was walking the last 15km, in the hot sun, due to a broken rear derailleur and chain. A few of us pushed him most of the way back, as he cursed and would soon be on his way home.
When the small group of seven riders I was with finally made it back to the finish we realized that we’d come in from the complete opposite direction than we were supposed to. We’d missed an entire section of course at the end of the stage. As the entire stage was neutralized, this really didn't matter, unless of course you were the leading rider Jeremiah Bishop, who crashed in what he described as "a hazardous unmarked descent" on the final section of single track. The result was a rush to the hospital with a compressed C7 and the end of his race at the Intermontane Challenge.
Bishop wasn't the only rider out of the race. Many riders were frustrated, although controlled, at the riders meeting, confronting organizers with lack of preparation and safety. Organizers claimed they were doing their very best under the circumstances considering the alleged sabotage of the stage ensured that Stage 4 was flawless. For some this was enough but for others it was not and they left for home.
Unfortunatley I would not be starting Stage 4 due to an unexpected injury but will have a full report of Stage 4 after the riders meeting.
Stage 4 "The Great Lakes Loop"
Stage 4 started at an early 7am on Thursday as it was the longest stage of the Intermontane Challenge, and organizers wanted to keep riders out of the hottest part of the day. A much smaller, heat weary, group of riders headed off into the hills for this next to last stage.
Everyone who crossed the line looked incredibly fatigued, the words "Epic" spilling out of most of their dust incrusted lips. MonaVie Cannondale's Sue Bishop, who won today's stage in the open women's category, commentin, "It was a great day and I can't believe how fast five hours passed!" Other riders could only muster up "wow" or "that was a hell of a day in the office" but the overall feeling seemed to be much more positive today than on Stage 3.
Unfortunately there were some issues with the lead riders, as MonaVie Cannondale's Ben Sonntag had a major spill that left him unconscious on the side of the trail. Fellow race leader, Chris Sheppard was first on the scene and said, "I have never seen someone in such bad condition!" Sheppard stayed with Sonntag for about 30 minutes, making use of his recent CPR training to help. According to reports from riders getting medical aid to the downed Sonntag was a difficult process, requiring the MonaVie Cannondale team mechanic to hammer through a chained gate to get access to him.
Sonntag and Sheppard, both at the post-race riders meeting, were overly concerned. "I don't really remember anything until the hospital," said a very worse-for-wear looking Sonntag. Sheppard added, "These kind of things happen in the back country, there is not always easy access when there is an accident." Sonntag said he was very disappointed that he was out of the race, so close to the finish of the event, a feeling shared by his team mate Jeremiah Bishop who was injured on yesterday's stage.
Even after staying with Sonntag for 30 minutes Sheppard came across the line first in just over five hours, with a surprised look, asking, "Where is everyone else?" Apparently, David "Tinker" Juarez was at least 10 minutes ahead of Sheppard at the final check point but somehow went off course. A somewhat “heated” discussion between Juarez and the organizers seemed to point to the fact that a truck had obscured some course flagging, taking Juarez off course and out of first place.
At the end of the day there were mixed emotions - some racers seemed generally happy with the day, while others were unhappy with the course of events leaving a cloud of uncertainty among the competitors.
Friday is the last day of the IMC and a time trial format. Riders will head off in 1 minute intervals, fastest to slowest, all starting at 10am.
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Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
Photo: Kelly Funk-Natural Wonders Photography
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