Was this ever a busy time here! Nickie wasn't going to be coming in to work so I went over to help the kids. She changed her mind and came in after all so I didn't stay too long. I took Mook and we went out to watch the action of riders in teams of two, coming across the finish line which was set up on the pavement by the gazebo. The street was closed to traffic from 6a.m. monday until about 9:30a.m. today so the TransRockies organizers with the group could set up the archway and the banners, etc they move from location to location.
Riders had left Sparwood at 8a.m. and began crossing the finish line here about 12:15. The first two in were Pass guys so that thrilled everyone watching (which wasn't a lot of people. Where was everyone this holiday weekend???).
It was about 30 degrees C so we found a shady corner over on 17 Avenue where one of the local committee was directing traffic to be sure nobody was obstructing the riders when they came in sight. Mook and I watched from there for some time but we needed our afternoon snooze so we ambled on down to 13430 19 Avenue and joined the man and dog in residence for 40 winks.
About 3:15 we went back, expecting the most of the group would have checked in or were close to it. Not so!! Not even half had arrived by then. There were 220 teams altogether.
Earlier, I'd seen two women standing on the street in the hot sun, ringing cowbells as soon as they saw a team approaching the main drag from the south. They'd jump up and down and scream out a welcome and yell,"Good job!! " and that sort of thing. When I came back later in the afternoon, they were still doing their cowbell ringing bit and hollering encouragement to the riders but some kind soul had provided them with an umbrella canopy even though they'd be out from under it when they were greeting the racers as they rounded the corner onto 20 Avenue.
I took Mook home about 4:30 and went back to a shady spot under a tree where I could clap for each team. They were filthy with sweating and the dusty trails because it's been no rain here for so very long.
They left that morning at 8 a.m. and the rule is they must cross the finish line by 6 p.m. or they are disqualified and that ends the race for them....they just go on home. I stayed until almost 7 pm. and there were still 12 teams on the trail. A motorcycle escort brings up the rear so nobody is forgotten or abandoned if their bike is crippled or they are hurt. The dad of one of the riders told me they are a little flexible and will extend the time if the course is extra difficult or it's very hot, etc.
After they crossed the finish line, the commentator directed them to where there was set up fruit, juice, water, etc. Then they went back past where I was to get to 'Tent City" so I asked a few where home was....Calgary, Bragg Creek, England, Ireland, Grand Prairie. One guy who went by with two bikes said his partner was on his way to the hospital with what was thought to be a broken collar bone. There were flat tires and other mishaps.
Jessica said the campers, tents and motor homes parked in the spaces where the Rum Runner same vehicles were parked looked like Rum Runner days all over again.
This morning at 8 a.m. they were all lined up at the starting (finish line) gate and off they went. They rode east for two blocks so went right past the Stone's Throw. That was impressive....seeing 440 riders streaming past. Quite a few locals were out to cheer them on. This is the longest leg of the trip, Day 3, from here to Elkford. Yesterday's trip would have been about 1/2 an hour by car by highway. so you can feel for thos poor riders who were on the trail for 11 hours and more. They have two check points where they are fed and watered and have power bars in their backpacks.
This is getting tooooo long!! I'll let Steve put some pics on the blog!!
