Transrockies Challenge 2006
Stage 7: Invermere to Panorama, 51km/1650 vertical
 Though the last stage of the 2006 TransRockies Challenge was the shortest of the race, the nearly 1700 metre climb to the top of Paradise Ridge would test the remaining riders one more time before they were eligible for the finisher t-shirt. With intermittent hail and rainshowers throughout the day only added to the drama atop the 2500 metre high Ridge which provides epic views into the 3000 metre peaks of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the Rockies.
While the 7th stage produced no major changes in the overall standings, a superb effort by the third-placed United Cycles team of Tim Heemskerk and Evan Sherman put the leading duo of Andreas Hestler and Seamus McGrath (Rocky Mountain Business Objects/Felt Racing) in big trouble as the stomach problems that Hestler had been fighting for a couple of days left him unable to  follow on the climbs. As they switched into survival mode, their 10 minute overall lead started shrinking quickly as the stage wore on.
With gritty effort, they held on to At the finish line, they held onto barely two minutes of that original gap and it was enough to give Hestler his third straight TransRockies overall win—remarkably, accomplished with three different partners. “The best thing about winning three times is that I have ended up better friends with my partners after the race than before,” said Hestler. The TransRockies is definitely the best thing I have ever done on a bike.”
 With the largest and most international field in its history, the 2006 TransRockies Challenge had teams from over 20 countries and the closing banquet was easily the most festive in the history of the event. With 1000 riders, friends, and staff in attendance, the finishers were presented with their t-shirts and were assured that the extras would be promptly destroyed. The organizers put the daily video and photo highlights together to produce nearly an hour’s worth of the highs and lows from one week in the Rockies.
During the event, four riders were the first-ever recipients of the TransRockies Challenge Belt Buckle as five-time finishers. Paul Newitt, Louise Kobin, Jeff Bandura and Ryan Draper are the only four riders who have ridden and completed every TransRockies since the first in 2002.
 It seems that every TransRockies has a theme—in 2002, it was snow; in 2003 Forest Fires; in 2004, it was the clay and in 2005, the Rain. Though everyone will take home their own memories of a week in the Rockies, for most observers, this year was the complete experience—weather that ran the gamut from hail and driving rain to baking heat, and trails which ranged from hardbaked to the slick consistency of cookie dough. This year’s set of winners have proven their skill and determination in the toughest mountain bike race in North America . . . as did each and every rider who took on and survived the 2006 TransRockies Challenge.
Welcome to paradise.
Team Bad Idea ride toward the finish with one gear each.
View at the top of the ridge.
|
