REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

BCBR 2021

2495 Views 18 Replies 8 Participants Last post by PlanB, Aug 21, 2021

PlanB

Discussion Starter · Jul 19, 2021

Anybody doing it? I am. I have to say, it’s been difficult to get stoked for it, with everything that’s been going on. So who’s in? Anybody know much about the areas we’ll be racing in? And the most important thing to stress over - tires! Watcha got?

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LMN

· #2 · Jul 19, 2021

I would like to. But doesn't quite work with the wife schedule.

I lived in Penticton for a year. One of my favorite places in the world to ride a bike. I imagine they have to be hitting up other communities too. I suspect you will see two days in Kelowna and maybe one in Vernon.

Inside tip on the Okanagan, bring durable tires. The east ride of the lake is very rocky. The trails are also a lot less polished than what you find on the coast or island. Things are steeper and rougher.

ccm

· #3 · Jul 19, 2021

Plus there can be deep sand.

PlanB

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 19, 2021

Good advice. Thank you! I have done the race a few times, and actually live on the Island these days, but haven’t had a chance to explore the rest of the province yet.

I have pretty much the entire Maxxis catalogue at my disposal. I was thinking 2.35 Ikon and/or Ardent Race with Tannus inserts, for the race. Thoughts?

I’ve actually been loving the speed of a 2.25 Rekon Race/Rekon combo this past month. It’s crazy dry and buff here in Cumberland. That said, I’m a little worried about heading into a “blind” race on tires that require so much, umm, precision!

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LMN

· #5 · Jul 19, 2021

PlanB said:
Good advice. Thank you! I have done the race a few times, and actually live on the Island these days, but haven't had a chance to explore the rest of the province yet.

I have pretty much the entire Maxxis catalogue at my disposal. I was thinking 2.35 Ikon and/or Ardent Race with Tannus inserts, for the race. Thoughts?

I've actually been loving the speed of a 2.25 Rekon Race/Rekon combo this past month. It's crazy dry and buff here in Cumberland. That said, I'm a little worried about heading into a "blind" race on tires that require so much, umm, precision!

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Personally I find the Rekon Race to be a bit fragile. I have had a lot of tread punctures with them.

I think the Ikon/Ardent Race would be good. Inserts, maybe, maybe not. You are not going to be dealing with roots like you do at home, the trails are faster, and the hits are bigger. You will find you want maybe another 2-4psi in your tires and with that extra pressure may not need an insert. Keep in mind that climbs in the interior are big.

I hope they take you up to Vernon and you get a chance to do the Stone/Free big Ed combo. Raced that one a couple of years ago in ST6. Solid 1hr+ single track climb for the leaders straight into one gnarliest descents I or just about anyone has seen in an XC race.

semper_citius

· #6 · Jul 19, 2021

PlanB said:
Anybody doing it? I am. I have to say, it's been difficult to get stoked for it, with everything that's been going on. So who's in? Anybody know much about the areas we'll be racing in? And the most important thing to stress over - tires! Watcha got?

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Now that the border is officially reopening to vaccinated US residents, me and my buddy will be coming up from Boston. We were a little disappointed about the location change but I have faith that the BCBR guys will put on a great event.

For anyone familiar with both locations, are you planning to bring the same bike to Penticton as you would've to Vancouver? Penticton seems a little more rugged but also maybe more climbing?

FJSnoozer

· #7 · Jul 19, 2021

LMN said:
Personally I find the Rekon Race to be a bit fragile. I have had a lot of tread punctures with them.

I think the Ikon/Ardent Race would be good. Inserts, maybe, maybe not. You are not going to be dealing with roots like you do at home, the trails are faster, and the hits are bigger. You will find you want maybe another 2-4psi in your tires and with that extra pressure may not need an insert. Keep in mind that climbs in the interior are big.

I hope they take you up to Vernon and you get a chance to do the Stone/Free big Ed combo. Raced that one a couple of years ago in ST6. Solid 1hr+ single track climb for the leaders straight into one gnarliest descents I or just about anyone has seen in an XC race.

Btw, per our discussion in the other tire thread. I run the Rekon race Tan Wall which is 60 tpi. I actually much prefer the way it rides to the 120 tpi. I did tear a 120 tpi in the 1st ride, one of the only times that has ever happened to me, it was so large I believe it was a chunk of glass or metal. These 60tpi tires have been unbelievably reliable short of a nail in the road.

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LMN

· #8 · Jul 19, 2021

FJSnoozer said:
Btw, per our discussion in the other tire thread. I run the Rekon race Tan Wall which is 60 tpi. I actually much prefer the way it rides to the 120 tpi. I did tear a 120 tpi in the 1st ride, one of the only times that has ever happened to me, it was so large I believe it was a chunk of glass or metal. These 60tpi tires have been unbelievably reliable short of a nail in the road.

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Always so tough with tires. After tearing through a couple of 120tpi RRs, I ran a 170TPI flat free until bald.

PlanB

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 20, 2021

FJSnoozer said:
Btw, per our discussion in the other tire thread. I run the Rekon race Tan Wall which is 60 tpi. I actually much prefer the way it rides to the 120 tpi. I did tear a 120 tpi in the 1st ride, one of the only times that has ever happened to me, it was so large I believe it was a chunk of glass or metal. These 60tpi tires have been unbelievably reliable short of a nail in the road.

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Ive been lliking the 60tpi (regular) Rekon as my daily driver XC tire for a year and a half now. I may just stick with them for BCBR… Not the fastest, but not bad either, and very reliable. Funny you mention a nail in the road - I punctured that way recently. Darnedest thing…

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semper_citius

· #10 · Jul 23, 2021

PlanB said:
Anybody doing it? I am. I have to say, it's been difficult to get stoked for it, with everything that's been going on. So who's in? Anybody know much about the areas we'll be racing in? And the most important thing to stress over - tires! Watcha got?

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So no camping and no transportation. Basically if you're flying in you're on your own to find a hotel and get a rental car for over a week. What a joke.

Salbutamol bass

· #11 · Jul 23, 2021

LMN said:
Always so tough with tires. After tearing through a couple of 120tpi RRs, I ran a 170TPI flat free until bald.

How do those 170 TPI feel compared to the 120 TPI?

PlanB

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 23, 2021

semper_citius said:
So no camping and no transportation. Basically if you're flying in you're on your own to find a hotel and get a rental car for over a week. What a joke.

Yeah, that email kind of brought me back to reality regarding COVID… This won't be the typical BCBR experience without the base camp "hub" but I'm still excited. I do think it will hurt registration numbers and that the race should probably be cheaper.

Then again, the BCBR team has never disappointed me in the past. If anyone can make a "special" event happen in these times it's them. Here's hoping!

I was happy to see proof of full vaccination required. Hopefully that doesn't end up being controversial…

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LMN

· #13 · Jul 23, 2021

PlanB said:
I was happy to see proof of full vaccination required. Hopefully that doesn't end up being controversial…

I am sure it will be at some point. But by then 80% of eligible Canadian will be fully vaccinated and unvaccinated foreigners are not getting into Canada. So I suspect if it is an issue, it will be a small one.

semper_citius

· #14 · Jul 23, 2021

PlanB said:
Yeah, that email kind of brought me back to reality regarding COVID… This won't be the typical BCBR experience without the base camp "hub" but I'm still excited. I do think it will hurt registration numbers and that the race should probably be cheaper.

Then again, the BCBR team has never disappointed me in the past. If anyone can make a "special" event happen in these times it's them. Here's hoping!

I was happy to see proof of full vaccination required. Hopefully that doesn't end up being controversial…

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I'm good with the vaccination requirement and fully expect an event like this to require them. I also understand the situation is somewhat out of BCBR's control as it relates to covid regulations, protocols, etc. But this race doesn't even resemble what I signed up for - different location, different time of year, no camping, no transportation provided, etc. This will be my first BCBR so I don't have anything to compare to, but my teammate and I were drawn to the event based on the videos and marketing material from previous years. This won't be anything like that.

I'm not up to speed on all the covid regulations in BC but it seems like they could just require people to wear masks and still provide camping, transportation, etc.

I think BCBR needs to acknowledge that as hard as they've tried to ensure the race happens, they aren't able to provide the product they advertised, and offer either refunds or transfers to next year. At this point I might as well fly to BC, rent a car and go ride on my own for a week. We're simply not getting the cohesive BCBR experience that we were sold.

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PlanB

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 23, 2021

semper_citius said:
I'm good with the vaccination requirement and fully expect an event like this to require them. I also understand the situation is somewhat out of BCBR's control as it relates to covid regulations, protocols, etc. But this race doesn't even resemble what I signed up for - different location, different time of year, no camping, no transportation provided, etc. This will be my first BCBR so I don't have anything to compare to, but my teammate and I were drawn to the event based on the videos and marketing material from previous years. This won't be anything like that.

I'm not up to speed on all the covid regulations in BC but it seems like they could just require people to wear masks and still provide camping, transportation, etc.

I think BCBR needs to acknowledge that as hard as they've tried to ensure the race happens, they aren't able to provide the product they advertised, and offer either refunds or transfers to next year. At this point I might as well fly to BC, rent a car and go ride on my own for a week. We're simply not getting the cohesive BCBR experience that we were sold.

Totally valid point of view. I suspect you're not alone.

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Pauly Jr.

· #16 · Jul 25, 2021

PlanB said:
Anybody doing it? I am. I have to say, it's been difficult to get stoked for it, with everything that's been going on. So who's in? Anybody know much about the areas we'll be racing in? And the most important thing to stress over - tires! Watcha got?

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What's the point of racing at all?

Why not just see what routes they do then ride for free any other time of year?

NordieBoy

· #17 · Jul 26, 2021

Pauly Jr. said:
What's the point of racing at all?

Why not just see what routes they do then ride for free any other time of year?

Because racing is the whole point.
Otherwise you're just riding.

Pauly Jr.

· #18 · Jul 26, 2021 (Edited)

NordieBoy said:
Because racing is the whole point.
Otherwise you're just riding.

I just don't get it. Winning is nearly impossible, so for sure you'll fail.

As my father told me, you'll not fail 100% of the things you don't try.

PlanB

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 21, 2021

New COVID restrictions for the BC interior as of today. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people. I believe this is until at least the end of September. The Trans Rockies gravel race was just cancelled at the last minute.

I think BCBR 2021 is a bust.

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