News from Race Headquarters
 

SQUAMISH—It sounds like a fetishist's fantasy: kilts, spandex, rubber and chains, but there was no kink in this year's Test of Metal weekend.
    Test of Metal, Inc. President and race director Cliff Miller, called it one the most successful weekends ever for the event.
    “This one went off without hitch,” Miller said. “Everything went better than planned, even the one thing we have no control over—the weather—was on our side.”
    The weekend's activities are anchored by The North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal on Saturday.
    More than 900 riders lined up to test themselves against the gruelling 67 kilometre course.
    Canada's pre-eminent mountain biker, Geoff Kabush won the event in a course record time of 2:29:25.
    On the women's side, Catharine Pendrel defended her championship with a winning time of 2:51:53.
    This race featured every past male winner of the previous 14 races. It also featured 200 bagpipers in Squamish participating in the BC Legion Annual Highland Gathering who played “Scotland the Brave” as the riders left the starting chute.
    This is the 15th running of the Test of Metal on the course in Squamish, and every year the race increases in popularity. This year it sold out the 800 available spots in less then 25 minutes.
    Miller attributes the success of the race to an attitude among organizers that the event is more significant to the guy finishing 550th than it is for someone competing for the top 5.
    “For most people, they're only competing with themselves to finish. We want all of those people to remember the event as special.”
    Judging from their willingness to return to the race, it seems that the pro-elite riders enjoy the relaxed mood too.
    “It was a pretty special race, and the whole weekend was pretty special. The feedback we have had from riders has been very positive,” Miller said.
    The forecast for rain and showers all weekend held off for the most part with only one downpour on Friday evening, and most events had record participation.
    “I'm amazed at how the community supports this event thorough volunteering, sponsoring and spectating,” said Miller.
    Friday evening saw hundreds of people on the streets in downtown Squamish enjoying bike-friendly events and entertainment from some local performers.
    The party atmosphere continued on Saturday night with the ska/surf band Brave New Waves entertaining a full house at the official Test of Metal after party at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub.
    On Sunday morning, more than 200 up-and-coming racers, 7 years and under, took part in the Corsa Cycle and Nester Market sponsored Mini Metal.
    The demons of downhill showed up on Sunday afternoon for the Tantalus Bike Shop sponsored Rock Star Invitation Downhill.
    This year's winner was Shaums March with a time of 2:28.31 followed by Craig Bullen (2:36.41) and  Scott Halvorson (2:41.68).
    Test of Metal Inc. is a not-for-profit society run by volunteers, and any proceeds from the race are returned to the community through charitable donations. Since its inception, the Test of Metal has donated more than $135,000 to community organizations and events.
    More information about the Test of Metal weekend can be found at www.testofmetal.com

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