Mountain bikers keen on riding in next year's Gearjammer XC MTB race will have to register early if last Saturday's (July 24) turnout is any indication.
"It's been amazing," said race director Jo-Anne Sykes.
"I think next year we're probably on the right route for actually selling out because we can only have 500 racers -422 signed up this year so I think next year people will have to get in early."
Almost 300 people signed up online since the beginning of July when only 150 participants were registered.
Despite temperatures reaching 29 degrees Celsius, there were minimal reports of cramping with riders staying hydrated and stopping at the fruit stations along the 47-kilometre course of mostly single track trails freshly buffed by crews who spent hours raking and rock-picking.
"The new Plateau component was good because you got to a high point and then it was descending all the way down so that was a nice finish," said Barry Wood, a local trail builder who participated in the trail work efforts.
Even the lead vehicle stalling at the start of the race didn't pose a problem.
"I was told it put a lot of humour back into the start of the race and lightened things up," said driver Cam Cairns. "I'm glad that those elite riders don't get upset on these longer races with that type of start."
Among the high-spirited competitors was Jason Lorenz, who gave his wife Sharon his front wheel after they realized she had a flat tire before crossing the start line.
"We have the same bikes," said Lorenz. "And I can fix the tire faster than her."
Bellingham's Logan Wetzel had the overall winning time of 02:24:30.9, placing first in Male Elite after camping in the Wal Mart parking lot the night before in his van.
Wetzel said despite his extensive knowledge of the racecourse terrain, his performance exceeded his expectations.
"I've raced here a few times, once each in Test of Metal, Gearjammer and BC Bike Race," said Wetzel. "I was hoping I would be in the top five, maybe top three."
And Squamish mother of two Brandi Heisterman continued her winning season on the heels of her top Squamish spot in the Test of Metal by placing first in Gearjammer's Female Elite category and 50th overall with a time of 02:57:14.6.
"It was awesome, I had lots of fun," said Heisterman. "I love the technical trails so just the challenge was keeping the pace up for three hours."
Local legend Neal Kindree, who is easing back into racing after a broken patella, was the top Squamish male with a time of 02:29:33, placing 1st in the Male 20-29 category and sixth overall.
The fifth and final event in the Hell of a Series Race put on by Test of Metal Events, a local not-for-profit society run by volunteers, takes place on Aug. 21.
Just Another Bike Race, affectionately known as JABR, will be held start and finish up at Quest University and race organizer Dwayne Kress said he's counting on another big racer turnout.
"I would have to say, just based on the faces I see from local club events, local races and the membership numbers for the local club, the population of mountain bikers in Squamish is probably about 25 per cent," said Kress.
Registration can be done online off the Test of Metal website or justanotherbikerace.com.
All Gearjammer race results for all categories can be found online at gearjammer.ca.
