Brian Lopes, the most recognizable name in gate racing, signed up for the BC Bike Race. While it may come as a surprise to some that a gravity racer would enter a stage race that is arguably the world's toughest test of bike-handling skills and endurance, Lopes has the credentials. The megafit Ibis rider puts in the miles--on the trail and the road, and he kills endurance DH events. Lopes owns Whistler's A-line DH race, and today's announcement falls on the heels of a convincing Super D win last week in Fontana. Pinkbike will be watching the BC Bike Race intently this year to see how the veteran downhiller fares against a forest full of spandex and skinny tires.  |
| Brian Lopes: ready to take on the biggest race of his career. |
Brian Lopes is known primarily as a gravity rider, DH, 4X and Slalom but the fact is he just loves to ride his bike. BC Bike Race has pushed hard to create an event that every mountain biker in the world wants to ride, Brian is a leader in his discipline, but the allure of so much singletrack has him stepping out for the pure pleasure of great trail.
Brian’s thoughts on this upcoming challenge; "BC bike race, wow! I never thought I would say I'm looking forward to doing an XC stage race, but I am. I've heard nothing but great things about the course this year and although I am not expecting any great result, I am expecting an experience that will last a lifetime. Seven days of riding sweet single track, four ferry transfers, over 30,000ft of climbing, it all sounds fun and exhausting. Finishing this event is going to be tough, but usually the best things in life are...time to start putting in some longer consecutive rides than I'm used to"
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| Lopes is a powerful trail rider |
In its five years BC Bike Race has attracted many different types of cyclists: Olympians such as Geoff Kabush and Katharine Pendrel, World Champions such as Chris Eatough and Tinker Juarez, but always the majority are weekend warriors, those who come not to conquer but to challenge themselves.
The shape of the event has changed over the years from long point to points to full singletrack loops in amazing communities. It is the feedback from all of these different groups of participants that has been instrumental in delivering the best week of riding possible.
It is a testament that an athlete like Brian Lopes would consider stepping out of his comfort zone to engage in something just a little different, but something that guarantees simply - a good time! In short we are all riders and this is the root of riding, multiple days of sweet, sweet trail in fabulous locations.
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| www.bcbikerace.com |
While the BCBR prides itself on being the singletrack epic that sets the bar for ‘trail’, the philosophy of inclusion and “everyone can do it” is exemplified by their ‘Challenge’ course; half the distance, all of the fun. The event sold out in 2010 and is currently at 83%, BCBR is on target for another sold out year. This year as last year BCBR will have only 500 coveted spots available, so plan for the vacation of a lifetime, come join us for 2011.
Any other DHers signed up for the BC Bike Race?.
