Rollercoaster June

The Local Ride Elite Women's MTB Team has definitely experienced its fair share of ups and downs this month. We'll start with the good news:

1. Local Ride's 3 Fast Women are back home in B.C.

2. On June 6, Jean Ann and Sandra, along with their Local Ride Racing brothers and sisters Paul, Sue, Ryan J., and Jeanine, congregated in beautiful Squamish for a Test of Metal pre-ride. The weather was pleasant, the trails were phenomenal, the company was fabulous, and the post-ride beer, burgers, and yam fries were priceless. Not only was it a great training ride for the Test (www.testofmetal.com), it was a perfect way for Sandra to start the big countdown until BC Bike Race (www.bcbikerace.com). "BC Bike Race is going to be the highlight of my season," she said. "I'm so excited to do it!" BCBR kicks off June 28 in Vancouver. Stay tuned for more updates and info.

3. On June 7, Jean Ann joined Local Ride Racing's women's road team for the TNA Westside Classic BC Cup #1 and played an integral role in team leader Laura Brown's victory. Jean Ann won the first lap prime, along with the Queen of the Mountains prize, and drilled the pace with the help of team mates Chelsea and Shani, which allowed Laura to unleash her devastating sprint to capture the win. Congrats ladies!

4. Jean Ann and Sandra were recently featured in video interviews at www.pedalmag.com! Watch the videos below for insight on Jean Ann and Sandra's racing so far this season, what's up next, and a peek at their beautiful blue Xprezo hardtails.

Jean Ann



Sandra


5. Sandra spent last weekend training with Coach Keith in Kamloops and Revelstoke. "I had a great time rockin' the trails in Kamloops and Revelstoke with Keith," she said. "I'm feeling so good on my bike right now, especially on the singletrack. The Revelstoke trails were super cool and practicing how to ride those fast will really help me in BC Bike Race, which has a tonne of skinny, twisty trails."

6. Jean Ann had a beautiful photo taken of her by Patrick Graham in Edmonton during last weekend's Canada Cup there. Jean Ann was riding well, moving up steadily on the fourth and final lap of the race, with her sights on third place when disaster struck.

Jean Ann missed the "good" line by millimetres on a very tricky, steep, rooty downhill and took a hard fall, landing with her back against a tree. She bravely shook it off, picked herself back up, and attempted to run to the finish, but she only made it about 10m before her back went into spasm, and she needed to be helped off the course courtesy of a friendly spectator, a paramedic, and a quad. She then spent eight hours in Emerg to discover she had badly strained her back.

Luckily nothing is broken. Jean Ann came home early and will not be well enough to contest the Canada Cup in Canmore this Saturday, June 20. Never fear, however, Bianca will be there to represent and make us proud! Jean Ann is in good spirits, however: "I'm obviously bummed this happened, but I'm optimistic I'll be healed and ready to go for all the big races, which don't start until mid-July." Get well soon Jean Ann!

Stay tuned for news after Bianca takes on the Canada Cup XC #5 in Canmore this Saturday. This is an ideal course for Bianca, who is an excellent sustained climber, and a wicked fast technical descender. Sandra will face some stiff competition at the Test on Saturday. Olympian Catharine Pendrel will be on the start line, and rumour has it that MTB legend Alison Sydor will contest as well. Good luck ladies!