Mt. Washington Challenge

Race Report

Mt. Washington Challenge – July 27th, 2024

51 starters, 51 * finishers.

A great day for the 2024 edition of the Challenge; at 10:30am the temperature (according to Garmin) was 25-27 degrees, over 20 degrees at the top. It is a mountain 1588 m high, the Challenge elevation gain is 1040m over the 16 km of road.

The saying goes ‘It doesn’t get any easier, you just get faster!’ One can only hope, is this the year to better my PB, do you want to?
What did you put into preparation? In England, they are hill climb crazy, stripping the bike, lightest frame, wheels and (usually) rim brakes. Here, well some of us may not even take advantage of an easier gear, choosing to muscle it up at 50, 60 or if you’re lucky 70 rpms. How did it go for you? According to strategy or did you just want to get to the top for the first time?

Some chose to pace another rider and deliberately keep their own pace below threshold and then pick it up, have a negative split. Some * chose to ride an hour or 2 prior to the race before making their way up the hill. No names mentioned here.

It was great to see the Triple Shot youth return to demonstrate their climbing strength and technique on the steep slope. Shout out to local Matin Taghi (19yo) at 1:12 continuing to improve his biking, he’s taking it on!

We all enjoyed lunch catered by the resort at the summit, then on to the awards.

Annual Ed Schum bursary, courtesy of the CVCC;
U19 M Loki Motai (18yo) 58:57
U19 F Lindsey Cameron (17yo) 1:18:10
U17 rider M Jack Hooker (16yo) 55:20
Adult 19-49 F Jennifer Cameron 1:18:10
Adult 19-49 M Graeme Hill 48:25 Awarded the polka dot cap.
Adult 50+ F Lorrie Baildham 1:14:24 Awarded the eagle, for flying to the top first F
Adult 50+ M Andrew MacDonald 58:42

Here’s a quote from club member Myles Gaulin from FB; check out his pics and video there.

“Scenes from yesterday’s Mt. Washington Challenge. I wasn’t even close to last, being helped by two previous recons of this climb, and three climbing-simulation training rides in the two previous weeks. I took eight minutes off my previous time of two weeks ago, and I think I can shave off another seven by fall.”

Also great to see the MIVA folk showing up to the party, thanks for coming!

Thanks to the Comox Physiotherapy Clinic and to the Silver Bower Gallery for prizing.

And big thanks to lifetime CVCC members Gord and Mort, for their expertise in providing event timing.

Results can be found here: CVCC Mt Washington Climb July 27/2024 | Race results | Webscorer

History of the Climb

It was a big part of the local scene for years and one of the Comox Cup race series.  It became a stand alone event in 2006, named ‘Vertigo’ for the feeling that you got climbing the challenging incline!  Famous local artist Andy Everson designed the poster that year.

Top male and female riders, primes, were awarded at the event with 47 participants enjoying refreshments at the top.  Master timekeeper Gordon Giesbrecht may still have a copy of the results from then, it would be fun to find out who topped the field!

In 2023, the event was reintroduced and a stellar group of participants included several U17 riders vying for the newly established Ed Schum bursaries.  These bursaries will continue to be awarded in 2024 and in the years to come, to encourage and support youth riders as did Ed for many years.

Last year the first U17 rider Mateus Dodd came in at 1:02:34, making him one of the top 10 overall.  Outstanding ride!

This photo of Ed and Jeff Werner, who has great memories of being coached as a junior by Ed, taking him to the top levels of the sport that he continues to this day.  Both are phenomenal examples of the influence that coaching, promoting the sport and assisting keen, promising riders can be in their development.