News from Race Headquarters
 

SQUAMISH—The 2008 version of the Squamish Test of
Metal weekend exceeded all expectations according to
organizers.

“From our refreshed Friday evening program to the
running of the Rock Star, we couldn't have hoped for
anything more,” said Test of Metal race director Cliff
Miller. “Each year we seem to tweak things and make
them a little better. The organizers, volunteers and
sponsors all work to make the weekend more special.”
The weekend started on Friday evening with a family and
bike-friendly event on Cleveland Ave. in downtown
Squamish.

“Pre-Test Festival” organizer Sheila Cassells declared the
evening a success.

“We had more that 50 riders on the Pump Track, and the
same number signed up for either the Funny Races or
Bike Poker,” she said.

While participating in the Friday night “Pre-Party” with
Arthur Funkarelli at the Brew Pub, Rob Leigh of
Squamish had his name drawn for a free entry into the
2008 Gearjammer, while Tim Clarkson of Victoria came
out of the evening having won the grand prize of the
Squamish hat-trick of pain: 2009 entries into the
OreCrusher, the Gearjammer and the Test of Metal.
Saturday featured the main event, the 67 kilometre epic
North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal, which many
racers claimed was the best ever.

The conditions were ideal and the course was fast leading
to record setting times in both the men and women's
category. On the men's side, Max Plaxton won with a time
of 2:31:46, and for the women, Wendy Simms came
through the finish line at 2:56:35.

“We've had hundreds of hours of volunteer and paid work
done the course this year,” Miller said. “I think that the
results speak for themselves. It was worth the effort.”
More than 800 racers attacked the course with enthusiasm
and determination, and were impressed with the
community involvement.

“There were 300 volunteers out doing everything from
feeding to directing traffic to registering riders. They’re
really the people who make this event unique,” Miller
said.

The pace kept up on Sunday with Corsa Cycle sponsored
Mini-Metal for 4 to 8 year olds. This year more than 200
tykes participated in the popular event.

Sunday afternoon saw the downhillers hit centre-stage
with the Tantalus Bike Shops sponsoring the annual Rock
Star Invitational Downhill.

The downhill race lived up to its hype as 50 local riders
challenged the perfectly groomed trail and the granite
slabs in Valleycliffe.

World Masters Champ Shaums March edged Kyle
“Hercules” Ritchie for the title.

Miller said that scope of the weekend has grown to a size
he never imagined 13 years ago, but it works so well
because of the community involvement.

Next year’s Test of Metal is set for June 13, 2007.

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