Say bu-bye to the BC Bike Race.
After making Campbell River a stop on the circuit the last three years, organizers have decided to bypass the city.
“The organizer told me it was a tough decision…but the problem was the market,” said Catherine Temple, “and you have to go where your sponsors want you.”
In other words, she added, there are more opportunities for marketing on the North Shore region of Vancouver than it is at the furthest race outpost which was Campbell River.
The 2014 BC Bike Race is a seven-day mountain bike event taking place June 28-July 5. The Day 2 stop is in Cumberland, followed by Day 3 in Powell River. The race then winds down the Sunshine Coast and then north to the final race circuit at Whistler.
According to Temple – who’s actively working with other local stakeholders to promote mountain biking in the Campbell River area – the main problem was expense and logistics, rather than the race course.
Last year’s race featured approximately 525 riders – mostly international competitors – who took on the challenging course through the Snowden Demonstration Forest trails, located just west of the city.
Last year, in a letter to Campbell River City Council, a race director praised the city’s trails.
“We feel that Campbell River’s extensive and diverse network for mountain bike trails has been a great addition to the BC Bike Race,” wrote Malina Parmar.
Temple said it’s disappointing the racers – along with all the economic benefits they bring – won’t be back, but she intends to keep moving forward.
“Let’s get them back!” she said.