It was an ironman climb to the top, during the third annual C.O.B. Upchuck race last weekend as Michael Jordan pulled off an incredible win, posting the fastest time on record for the annual event.
With the format of a time trial race, the Upchuck starts at the bottom of the Uptrack trail to the Bluff Recreation Area on Hudson Bay Mountain and consists of one uphill climb and a downhill barrel. Competitors must utilize both cross-country abilities and downhill mountain bike skills to successfully complete the course.
Once the race started Jordan knew he could hammer his way up but coming down would be the more difficult part riding with a hard tail.
“I figured if I could make time it would be on the up hill, so I tried to push it pretty hard going up and just maintain on the downhill,” Jordan said.
Originally from Smithers, but currently based in Prince George, Jordan began riding at a young age, entering his first competition when he was 15. Now, years later Jordan is still pushing the boundaries whenever possible.
Although this was Jordan’s first Upchuck race, he has been training all spring for other races, mostly cross country and said it was all about the training that got him through the race and achieving an impressive time.
“I do other cross-country races so I’ve been training and it’s the training that helps.
“You want to go hard enough to get up the hill fast but not too hard so you’re not exhausted to do the downhill,” he said.
Now in it’s third year, the Upchuck is becoming more than just a race. It’s more about the excitement and community involvement that make this a fun event for all participants.
“We’re trying to make it an event that’s a race but more about fun and getting people out and enjoying the bike community,” Gabe Newman, co-owner of C.O.B. bike shop said.
“The race this year was smooth, the participant numbers were on par for last year. It was a nice sunny day, the course was in great shape and everyone had a good time.”
This year’s overall winners started with Jordan, posting an official time of 20:02, the fastest time ever recorded. Jordan also recorded the quickest time to the top, taking only 13:32 to reach the top of the Uptruck trail.
Oren MacDougall came in second with a time of 22:27, recording the quickest time to the bottom in only 5:50.
Dave Percy rode himself into third place with a time of 22:39 followed by Jeremy Roscoe in fourth with a time of 22:51.
In the women’s category, Laura Bakermans finished first overall with a time of 26:18, followed by Carmen Blabey in second with a time of 30:18. Anne Marie Findlay posted a time of 33:38 to land her in third.
The masters division saw Graham Pollard finish in first with a time of 27:37.
Kelly Folton placed second with a time of 28:55, followed by Chris Howard with a time of 29:41.
C.O.B is holding the annual Piperfest July 7–8, with camping music and a weekend of riding on the Pipercross trail system. They also hope to hold another uphill race, Upchuck two and three will be twice the length of the original Upchuck later in August.
For more information contact C.O.B. at 250-847-9877.
With the format of a time trial race, the Upchuck starts at the bottom of the Uptrack trail to the Bluff Recreation Area on Hudson Bay Mountain and consists of one uphill climb and a downhill barrel. Competitors must utilize both cross-country abilities and downhill mountain bike skills to successfully complete the course.
Once the race started Jordan knew he could hammer his way up but coming down would be the more difficult part riding with a hard tail.
“I figured if I could make time it would be on the up hill, so I tried to push it pretty hard going up and just maintain on the downhill,” Jordan said.
Originally from Smithers, but currently based in Prince George, Jordan began riding at a young age, entering his first competition when he was 15. Now, years later Jordan is still pushing the boundaries whenever possible.
Although this was Jordan’s first Upchuck race, he has been training all spring for other races, mostly cross country and said it was all about the training that got him through the race and achieving an impressive time.
“I do other cross-country races so I’ve been training and it’s the training that helps.
“You want to go hard enough to get up the hill fast but not too hard so you’re not exhausted to do the downhill,” he said.
Now in it’s third year, the Upchuck is becoming more than just a race. It’s more about the excitement and community involvement that make this a fun event for all participants.
“We’re trying to make it an event that’s a race but more about fun and getting people out and enjoying the bike community,” Gabe Newman, co-owner of C.O.B. bike shop said.
“The race this year was smooth, the participant numbers were on par for last year. It was a nice sunny day, the course was in great shape and everyone had a good time.”
This year’s overall winners started with Jordan, posting an official time of 20:02, the fastest time ever recorded. Jordan also recorded the quickest time to the top, taking only 13:32 to reach the top of the Uptruck trail.
Oren MacDougall came in second with a time of 22:27, recording the quickest time to the bottom in only 5:50.
Dave Percy rode himself into third place with a time of 22:39 followed by Jeremy Roscoe in fourth with a time of 22:51.
In the women’s category, Laura Bakermans finished first overall with a time of 26:18, followed by Carmen Blabey in second with a time of 30:18. Anne Marie Findlay posted a time of 33:38 to land her in third.
The masters division saw Graham Pollard finish in first with a time of 27:37.
Kelly Folton placed second with a time of 28:55, followed by Chris Howard with a time of 29:41.
C.O.B is holding the annual Piperfest July 7–8, with camping music and a weekend of riding on the Pipercross trail system. They also hope to hold another uphill race, Upchuck two and three will be twice the length of the original Upchuck later in August.
For more information contact C.O.B. at 250-847-9877.
