Photo Report & Results: 2018 Vedder Mountain Classic

Words I Ernie Kliever
Photos I Mark MacKay I Scott Robarts I Phil Jones

It has been a few weeks since the 2018 Vedder Mountain Classic, and we have been meaning to post a recap, but then we went biking... Well, better late than never!


This year we had a record turnout, selling out before race day. This means you should probably register early next year if you want to get in on this race.


The locals here have a saying. This place really sucks and you should probably stay in the Sea-to-Sky enjoying your gluten-free water, organic free-range soy lattes and stand-up paddle board yoga with your cat Franklin.

THE TRAILS

What is the Recipe for Perfect Dirt? Take 800 hours of pre-race trail work, one brand new cedar bridge, mix with two days of rain and then warm, warm, sunny weather and let bake until golden brown. Best served with cold beer and an extra side of shred.


As always, the FVMBA crew was hard at work leading into the festival weekend to ensure that everything was top notch come race day. Berms were buffed, braking bumping removed, jumps re-built and bridges replaced.

This year we were able to use funds from last year's Vedder Mountain Classic and Recreation Sites and Trails BC to replace the bridge on Turd Ferg, with more plans to replace more bridges later this year. The goal of this event is to put some serious investment back into the trails. All the proceeds from this event go directly back into the FVMBA, and each year we hope to take on a new capital project in Chilliwack.


The conditions couldn’t have been better and riders were treated to some of that renowned Vedder hero dirt. This was Vedder in its prime, something the equivalent to the ultimate POW day, and it's the reason why locals toss out the saying "Vedder sucks tell your friends".


It was a perfect merger of solid trail work, weather, moisture, and absolute bluebird skies coupled with the beautiful setting of Cultus Lake that made this event memorable for those that attended.


The crew worked hard to freshen up the lips and landings of the many jumps on course, and racers were collecting some serious air miles come race day.

THE COURSE

Last year's course was so good we ran it again. One of the goals of this event is to be a catalyst for the growth of the trail network; as we gain permission to expand, so will our race routes. This means more single track, more loam, more boost, more roost, and less road.

It's a challenging course in that there is a lot of vertical over a relatively short distance, with several steep pitches, challenging technical climbs, and long descents it is aimed to test your mountain biking fitness and skill.

LONG COURSE


SHORT COURSE


RACE DAY

This year we are pleased to announce that our little event was completely SOLD OUT before race day. This marks a huge success for us as organizers, and we are stoked to know that people dig this event. Stay tuned for next year! We are looking to host the Vedder Classic on May 11th 2019 and the Enduro on May 12th, 2019.


The "Director of Good Times" Brett Tippie was on hand to dish out humour and stoke, getting racers pumped for a big day in the saddle. Tippie is truly a legend: it's great to have him at the event sharing his passion for the sport for both current and future generations.


Tippie telling some dad jokes to the Muddbunnies before the race. How many apples grow on a tree? ... All of them.


Each year we encourage volunteers to bring out creative signs to help encourage the riders. Some of our favorites from this year were "Free Beer" (with beer garden tickets), "Ricky Loves to Shuttle", "But Did You Die?", "Checkers or Wreckers", and this one "Ride Fast There's a Bear Behind You!".


The community came out to see off hundreds of racers from all corners of the globe as they departed to conquer the Classic. We've been gaining some press abroad, attracting riders from Ontario, Las Vegas, Italy and Brazil. It's pretty special to be able to share our little gem of a trail network work with all these folks.

THE BATTLE


10:00 am Sharp and they were off! The race starts and finishes right out of Main Beach at Cultus Lake, with an opening loop on the road before heading into the mountains to tackle the very vertically-oriented course.


Returning this year was Bellingham native and KONA Endurance Athlete Spencer Paxson, eager to defend his title from last year. Looking to upset him were fellow competitors Cory Wallace of the KONA Endurance Team, local shuttler Ricky Federau, Rocky Mountain's Quinn Moberg, and Michael Van Den Ham the Cyclo-Cross Phenom.

Van Den Ham, trading his cross tires for something knobbier and beefier, was looking to prove himself to the XC crowd. Word on the street is that he has been converted.


Van Den Ham leads the pack up the first few climbs with Cory Wallace, Spencer Paxson and Ricky Federau in tow. The tables turned at the steep road climb to the Den where Cory kicked open the throttle, putting some time into the competition and taking the "Mountain Goat Primer" for the first rider to the top. The battle continued between Cory and Spencer, but Spencer would end up coming out ahead over his KONA Endurance teammate.

The day would round out with Spencer defending his title, Cory in second, Ricky in third, and Van Den Ham in fourth.


Ricky Federau, head down grinding up Kerry'd Away. This is his home mountain and he wasn't going down without a fight. Training hard in the off-season between changing diapers, he's been growing his chest hair out all winter in preparation.


In the Elite Women's category, it was Carey Mark of Nanaimo that led the pack. She would also go on to claim the "Mountain Goat Primer". She was followed by Elissa Lok, Mindy McCutcheon, and Emanuela Bandol.


The chase was on for these competitors as they headed down Dilemma on the final descent from the top, all the way back down to the Lake.


Justin Mark on his way to 2nd place in 40-44 Men.


Many soil samples were taken throughout the day, and the results came back, “ready to get sendy.” Andrew Jackson of Abbotsford catching some air on his hardtail.



Andreas Hestler has been a huge supporter of this event since we revived it. Dre is the newly formed Lower Mainland/ Sea to Sky Representative for IMBA Canada BC Council.


Rebecca Baird sending it for a 3rd place finish in 30-34 Women.



Kelly Jones can ride a bike: here she is on her way to first place in 35-39 Women. Oh, and she's also part of the race's organizing committee.


Steve Provost peacing out into the 4th spot in the Short Course



Tobin McCallum literally sprinting across the line following a mechanical up on course.


AFTERMATH

This race is hard, but it's also a lot of fun. Following their suffer-fest, riders are rewarded with a cold beverage from our good friends at Old Yale Brewing.


Sun, cold brews and epic trails in a beautiful setting is the making for an unforgettable event experience.


Looking for the Race Committee after 12:00 noon - well this is where you'll find them.


Vedder Mountain Bike Co. shop staple "Fern the Collie" posing for the camera.

RESULTS

Head over HEREfor a full list of the results.


Some of the hardware that lucky riders were sent home with.


Sticking around for the Awards is worth the wait even if you didn't place: we always have a ton of awesome prizes from our Sponsors.

PODIUMS

SHORT COURSE WOMEN

WOMEN
First: Geza Rodgers
Second: Laurel Schoenbohm
Third: Lenica Godin
Fourth: Amy Rempel
Fifth: Donna Pinning


From left to right: Laurel Schoenbohm (2nd), Geza Rodgers (1st), Lenica Godin (3rd), and Donna Pinning (5th),


At 12 years old this kid has some serious skills - she's going to be one to watch out for. Way to go Geza!

MEN
First: William Hodgins
Second: Dale Ristau
Third: Koel Shinkaruk
Fourth: Steve Provost
Fifth: Kory Ryde

LONG COURSE WOMEN

PRO WOMEN
First: Carey Mark
Second: Elissa Lok
Third: Mindy McCutcheon
Fourth: Emanuela Bandol


From left to right: Emanuela Bandol (4th), Elissa Lok (2nd) Carey Mark (1st), Mindy McCutcheon (3rd).

30-34 WOMEN
First: Amanda Myke
Second: Jessica Dulong
Third: Rebecca Baird
Fourth: Steph Boulanger
Fifth:Kelsie Lengert


From left to right: Jessica Dulong (2nd), Amanda Myke (1st), Rebecca Baird (3rd), Kelsie Lengert (5th)

35-39 WOMEN
First: Kelly Jones
Second: Catherine Fleming
Third: Adriane Bonaparte


From left to right: Catherine Fleming (2nd), Kelly Jones (1st), Adriane Bonaparte (3rd),

40-44 WOMEN
First: Julie Kozier

45-49 WOMEN
First: Shelley Peachell
Second: Linda Pellicano
Third: Lisa Hall

50-54 WOMEN
First: Marisa Myrah

55-59 WOMEN
First: Katharine Ramsay


Kathy Ramsay taking the top spot!

LONG COURSE MEN

PRO MEN
First: Spencer Paxson
Second: Cory Wallace
Third: Ricky Federau
Fourth: Michael Van Den Ham
Fifth: Alex Schmidt


From right to left: Michael Van Den Ham (4th), Cory Wallace (2nd), Spencer Paxson (1st), Ricky Federau (3rd), and Alex Schmidt (5th)

U19 MEN
First: Cody Scott
Second: Lief Rodgers
Third: Cam McCallum
Fourth: Max Daburger
Fifth: Shane Patterson


From left to right: Lief Rodgers (2nd), Cody Scott (1st), and Cam McCallum (3rd)

19-29 MEN
First: Simon Szoke
Second: Garrett Kryt
Third: Fraser Andrew
Fourth: Nicolas Parlee
Fifth: Andrew Jackson

30-34 MEN
First: Patrick McNeely
Second: Kipp Fennell
Third: Blaine Sherman
Fourth: Robert Whishaw
Fifth: Sylvain Pithon

35-39 MEN
First: Steve Devantier
Second: Benjamin Schmidt
Third: Nathan McKay
Fourth: Andrew Nelson
Fifth: Jason Thomas


From left to right: Andrew Nelson (4th), Benjamin Schmidt (2nd), Steve Devantier (1st), and Nathan McKay (3rd)

40-44 MEN
First: Michael Robinson
Second: Justin Mark
Third: Jacob Rodgers
Fourth: David Dorrans
Fifth: Simon Blythe


From left to right: Justin Mark (2nd), and Michael Robinson (1st)

45-49 MEN
First: Scott Simpson
Second: Dwayne Kress
Third: Edward Lawson
Fourth: Michael Rauch
Fifth: Jason Stobbe


From right to left: Dwayne Kress organizer of the Spaw'k'wus 50 (2nd), Scott Simpson (1st), and Edward Lawson (3rd)

50-54 MEN
First: Ken Olson
Second: Owen Scott
Third: Paul Craig
Fourth: Rob Bruni
Fifth: Keith Mollet


From right to left: Rob Bruni (4th), Owen Scott (2nd), Ken Olson (1st), and Paul Craig (3rd)

55-59 MEN
First: Larry Hindle
Second: Harvey Bergen
Third: Rod Dagneau
Fourth: Perry Klassen
Fifth: Bart Nakano

60+ MEN
First: Carl Peterson

OVERALL - KING AND QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN


This year we decided to kick it up a notch and offer a sweet overall prize. The winners will get their names engraved into these awesome trophies identifying them as the "King" or "Queen" of Vedder Mountain. Each year winners can defend their title, no cash, just straight braggin' rights knowing that you are a beast on the bike. Think of it as a Stanley Cup of sorts.

To qualify you need to ride in both the XC and Enduro, and the rider with the most points earns their name on the trophy. Preference is given to the riders completing the Long Course in Vedder Classic and the Enduro. In the event that no one participates in the Long Course, then candidates are chosen from the Short Course riders.


Amanda Porsild took the top spot for the Ladies. Amanda also sits on the Board of Directors for the FVMBA. Way to crush it Amanda!


This year's winner for the Men was Spencer Paxson who was pretty stoked to be the inaugural winner.

More photos

Link to Scott Robarts

Link to Mark MacKay

THANK-YOU'S AND SHOUT OUTS

Canadian Ski Patrol

Big thank you to the folks at Canadian Ski Patrol for keeping everyone safe on course this weekend. Saturday was pretty relaxed for them, but they were busy during the Enduro on Sunday, including responding to a random choking incident at the Beach.

Volunteers

Volunteers are what makes this event: these folks give up their day to spend time marshaling, course sweeping, and running registration. This year we had over 40 volunteers lend a hand on race day. Big shout out to all the awesome volunteers that keep things rolling for all the racers.

Sponsors

Sponsorship is a crucial part of this event: without the financial support of key community members and businesses this event would not be possible.

Big thank you to all our sponsors!

Odlum Brown Community I Simpson Notaries I viaSport British Columbia I Old Yale Brewing I Tourism Chilliwack I Life Cycles Bike Shop I Muc-Off I Vedder Mountain Bike Co. I EVOC I Specialized Bicycles​ I Race Face Performance Products​ I Norco Bicycles​ I Smith​ I Shimano-MTB​ I LAZER HELMETS​ I Orange Sport Supply​ I Bikeroom​ I The Spin Room​ I Avenue Body Shop - Abbotsford's Complete Collision Repair Experts​ I Doc's Auto Body​ I The Kona Bicycle Co.​ I James Lissimore​ I Clearbrook Coffee Company​ I PedalSport​ I Lakeside Beach Club​ I Ryders Eyewear​r I Canadian National Enduro Series and the BC Enduro Series​ I Envision Financial​ I Chilliwack Sports Medicine Clinic​




See you next year at the Vedder Classic on Saturday May 11th 2019 and the Enduro on Sunday May 12th, 2019.

For more information check us out HERE