麻豆传媒映画

Words: Ratha Song, Glotman鈥�Simpson Cycling Club

麻豆传媒映画is fast cementing itself as a bike-friendly city, one of the top in the world. Nearly everyone has a bike, either for getting around the city, riding recreationally or as a fun way to get some exercise. And you can definitely get some good exercise in with the numerous local trails and mountains and paths available. In our last post we gave some tips to , but how does it really feel to do a major hill climb for the first time?

I recently sat down with Andrew Seeton, an engineer with Glotman鈥�Simpson and a first time

participant in the . You may already be registered for this great hill climb and pancreatic cancer fundraiser already. Or you may be hesitating, thinking to yourself this challenge is impossible.

I鈥檓 asking you to banish these thoughts - it is not impossible. As Andrew puts it,鈥� if I can anyone can鈥�.

Andrew Seeton is your normal every day guy from Vancouver, a self described 鈥渇air-weather

biker鈥� who bikes to work when he can (read: when it is not raining) on his commuter/hybrid

bike. He plays beach volleyball, goes on hikes and does short camping/biking tours with his

girlfriend, with his previous hill climb experience being very 鈥渕oderate鈥�. He is fit but not

extremely so and does not describe himself as a cyclist. Understanding his limitations and

wanting to take a crack at the climb prior to Event Day on August 17th, Andrew decided to get

himself and a group of friends to pedal up Cypress Mountain for a practice run.

The Gang

The group consisted of four people, two men and two women: Josh, Katy, Elizabeth and

Andrew. No one of the group had done a hill climb of this nature before. Josh and Katy decided

to ride up to Cypress Mountain from the West End with the intention the ride to Cypress would

act as a warm up. Andrew and Elizabeth started off the climb cold and didn鈥檛 do any stretching

or warm up prior. The four met at the base and started their climb.

Andrew out for a ride with some friends

The Climb

Andrew started his ride cold and didn鈥檛 do anything to prepare, something he鈥檒l change on Event Day. He did stop at the 1st Peak Lookout (about 5KM into the ride) and did some stretching there. Josh and Katy were happy to have warmed up prior to the climb and Andrew will do a bit more of a warm up on Event Day. During the climb they kept a steady pace and Andrew 鈥渇elt great鈥�. He also noted that individual riders 鈥渃an choose to push themselves or go at their own pace鈥�. Andrew found the last kilometre was the toughest as there are no switchbacks but he encourages you to keep going, the last kilometre will fly right on by. Surprisingly, Andrew noted that there were many riders of different abilities riding up and down Cypress that Saturday; seeing others doing the same thing he was boosted his confidence. All these other riders were showing just how possible climbing Cypress is.

After an hour and a few minutes, Andrew completed his first hill climb.

The view 5KM into the ride

Tips from a 1st Timer

The ride was fun and while he was a touch sore the next day, it wasn鈥檛 bad and he did mention

his legs were sorer when he did the Chief the week after!

Andrew does stress the following for a strong ride and a great Event Day:

- Water! Drink lots of water, have water, get water, just stay hydrated.

- Energy bars 鈥� Andrew snacked on some bars halfway through the climb and one at top.

- Get access to a road bike if you can 鈥� Andrew went up in his aluminum hybrid bike but thinks it will be easier on a lighter, faster bike. He also thinks whatever you鈥檙e comfortable with should be fine.

- Wear some biking gear if you can, especially if you鈥檙e concerned about your time. But

being comfortable is the most important thing.

- Bring an inner tube for mishaps.

- If you can, learn the etiquette of riding in a group of people. Andrew pointed out it would be useful to understand how to ride with 50-300 riders at a time which he will learn soon enough!

- Do the full 12KM. The first peak is beautiful but 5KM comes up a lot faster than you think. Go the full distance, it鈥檚 worth it.

- Get a practice run in 鈥� Andrew 鈥渇eels a lot more confident now and I鈥檓 very confident that I鈥檒l have more fun on Event Day鈥�

Andrew says it鈥檚 worth it to climb up Cypress, if only for the views and the endorphins. 鈥淭he

views are amazing, just great. I also felt pretty great, pretty proud of myself. Exercise has its benefits鈥�.

Now the question I have for you is: Are you ready to challenge yourself?

Registration for the Glotman鈥�Simpson Cypress Challenge, August 17th, is a minimum suggested

donation of $25 or $40 after August 9th. 100% of proceeds go to the BC Cancer Foundation鈥檚

new Pancreas Centre BC for pancreatic cancer research. Register today at .