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Plaxton and Simms win 2008 Test of Metal
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Aug 13 2008
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It was a day for records to be broken at this year's North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal. Max Plaxton of Victoria, riding for Rocky Mountain Bicycles, won the men's side in a time of 2:31:46 taking more than 5 minutes off the record time of 2:37 set by Chad Miles in 2000.

On the women's side, Kona Factory Team member Wendy Simms of Nanaimo finished with a time of 2:56:35. Her time beat the previous record 3:10 set by Alison Sydor in 2005.

Race director Cliff Miller credited to the trail crews for the fast course this year.

“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.”

Riders were almost unanimous in their praise for the course.

“The course was probably in the best condition I've ever seen it on race day,” said Squamish resident Ken McDowell who has ridden in every Test of Metal since the race moved to Squamish 15 years ago.

Unlike last year's mud-fest, the weather for this year's race was an ideal 20° C with partly cloudy skies.

More than 900 riders lines up at the start-line— another record—for Saturday's race. Plaxton and Simms both earned $250 for their wins. Plaxton also added $700 in primes winnings while Simms earned $900 in primes.

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Comments

Volleys are the best! By Unknown on Jun 23 2008 at 3:10 AM
To the guy at the letter C Prime for Test of Metal i bet you lost your voice or close to it after the way you cheered for everyone. thanks for the picture mike and if there was a award for you i would greatly contribute to it. I love seeing you there year after year. someone get this message to mike thanks. i do not know any way to contact him.
The Race of the year! By Unknown on Jun 19 2008 at 3:00 PM
I really enjoyed the event and I loved the way the entire town embraced us all like family. This is the benchmark on how a race should be.
To all you riders I had to pass a hundred times because I was yo-yo-ing my GF, I am sorry. I was just keeping a promise to ride the race with her. You all are champions and I am honored to have ridden with you. Especially the 60+ lady who beat me to the finish! We'll see you next year.
Thank You Cliff and Squamish! You ROCK!
You are all invited to race the Bow 80 in Bragg Creek in September, held by Bow Cycle. I think you all would love this race. www.bow80.com
shortonelectrolyte By Unknown on Jun 18 2008 at 8:09 PM
it was a crampfest for us in the middle of the pack. lots of pain, really...lots of pain and lots of fun! can't wait for next year!!!
thanks to all the volunteers-you rock!!!
Thanks to Sqaumish Community By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 9:55 PM
Hi,
What a fantastic and fun AND brutal bike race. The crowds of locals that came out in support were awesome and this a race I will never forget. The community really came out in great spirits and helped me UP and DOWN the race track... I'm still sore today (Tuesday) but feel great and hopefully will improve my time again next time I race it.

Thanks to Sqaumish for coming out and putting on one of the best bike races ever!
Mr DNS By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 7:38 PM
Don't assume because we were DNS that we didn't want to race.

Blown heater core in van = Borrowed truck. Broken Front fork day before race = Broken spirit and no race. We'll see you next year!
260 DNS's By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 4:40 PM
By my rough count i thought about 260 entrants were DNS's. I assume this means did not start? Did only 740'ish riders actually begin? If so, that's really frustrating for all the potential riders that didn't make the New Year's Day cut.
Self-Seed ROCKS By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 5:27 AM
The new self-seed system was great. Congratulations on a well organized race and many thanks to all of the vollies.
By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 5:11 AM
A great race for sure. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone in Squamish for the support and positive comments along the way. Oh and to all the kids that super soaked me in the residential areas, a big thanks, Will from Calgary
Mike DeWit... By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 5:02 AM
If it was at Rob's and Cliff's Corners it may have been Bruce McDougall as he is a dedicated marshall, volley, etc. who helped someone out with a chain link. Cheers!
Great race By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 3:29 AM
Huge thanks to everybody who helped put on such a great event. From start to finish, from top to bottom (and back), it just wouldn't be the event that it is without you. The trail upgrades are fantastic, the spirit on the course was great.
By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 2:53 AM
I will add my thanks to the many others who enjoyed themselves on race day. This is simply the "must do" race of the season. Well organized and supported every time you outdo yourselves
Chain Break Tool By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 2:52 AM
Great race and thanks for helping out with the chain break tool whoever you were. I tried to find you at the finish line, but could not spot you.
Anyway if you lost a chain break tool near the end of the race because you lent it to me, send me an email and I can try to get it back to you.
mike6dewit@hotmail.com

I am feeling pretty bad considering you went out of your way to help out, so send me a note and I can get it back to you.

Cheers,
Mike de Wit
By Unknown on Jun 17 2008 at 2:23 AM
Way to go Cliff and team - this was a great race, very well run and I appreciate all the hard work of the volunteers. Thank you!

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