2004 TOM

[Darklord]

Hot, Hot, Hot
36C at the top of Bonk Hill
32C at the start.

My first time and the heat killed me!
Cramped up solid just after the first cut-off, then proceeded to walk up EVERY uphill (Bonk, Lava, and every minor up on Powerhouse/Crumpits).
Just over 2 hours to do the first 36km, then 3.5 hours to do the final section!!

I saw 3 people vomitting in the final few KM (heat exhaustion my guess)

Can hardly move today, but hey it's all for fun!!

[T.Walker]

Is this a race?

[Darklord]

Squamish Test of Metal!
A canadian legend!
www.testofmetal.com

[Jaysin]

We had a race like that here in PG today...its called Purden to PG....65 Km on the highway...apparently a few people had to be taken to hospital, it got up to 32 here today:S

[DaveM]

Darklord, what # were you, I took a ton of pictures on the Plunge (riding and walking), I might have got you.

[Darklord]

#8301
You were probably long gone by the time i got through there!

[Krusty Rider]

Kudos to you, Darklord for even trying it. At least you have the satisfaction of finishing. I don't think I would ever have the intestinal fortitude to even make it halfway.

[Loopie]

oh, ok...it's a race.
I was wondering why you were talking about everyone pushing so hard they need to puke and have issues.
Heat is surely a killer when you HAVE to push it:eek:

[ride24/7]

It felt cooler this year that it did in 2002 to me but maybe thats cuz I'm in better shape this year. They also had more sprinklers set up so you got to get wet and cool down more often.

I was hoping to do it under 4 hours but I got stuck behind slow people a few times on the single trak and also had a pinch flat so i ended up withj a 4:02 finish time. Fun stuff if you like punishing xc rides;)

[Jon-boy]

I got around in 4hrs 20mins. I was pretty happy with that considering the heat.

I think with the ToM you have to accept that you're going to get held up at some point. Most people are pretty good at letting you past when they can. The bottom of the carry this year was pretty slow, but it was a good opportunity to get some food in me.

Anyway a good day but I'm still beat now!

[brian]

4:58 for me. bonked, cramped and got a bit of heat stroke. but that's my fault for not training. As always it was a great event. The Rockstar yesterday was fun to watch as well as the trials.

[ride24/7]

Originally posted by Jon-boy

I think with the ToM you have to accept that you're going to get held up at some point. Most people are pretty good at letting you past when they can

I know but it was frustrating watching the minutes tick by behind a line of about 9 riders in the crumpit woods. I was watching the clock and thinking damn I'm not going to make it under 4 :rolleyes:

[Oldfart]

3:40 for me but I didn't feel it was too hot at all. Did not drink all my 3 litre camelbak, but I did use 2 and a half water bottles and drinks at each feed. I was slower this year though. 3:30 last year and I have done a 3;20 I think way back. Oh well, not much training this year for various reasons so I am satidfied with the time. It was 9 mile where I did the worst. I had a very good rip and plunge though. Past a ton of people on the rip and held my own on the plunge. I only walked a couple steep bits for fear I would cramp at the worst time and crash. I saw lots of guys looking like Barbie's friend Ken. You know, laying off to the side with staright arms and legs that won't bend. Had a few of those moments myself and the tendons on the outside and back of both knees are stiff and sore still today. Actually worse than yesterday.

Gotta come back next year and do better. If I can keep doing this for 3 more years, I'll be in the 50 plus categorie. These young 40 year olds are killing me!

[dirty deeds]

Originally posted by Oldfart
3:40 for me

Gotta come back next year and do better. If I can keep doing this for 3 more years, I'll be in the 50 plus categorie. These young 40 year olds are killing me!

Nice time.. I got 3.50... 2 years to go until I can leave the young 40 y/o punks behind.

[Darklord]

just found out that my buddy ended up in Squampton Hospital with an IV in his arm! (stomach cramps)
He's OK now though!
My other bud finished in 4.40, and I'm a damn sight quicker than them! (but not in the heat)

[sprinter]

Yeah it was my first time too. I did it in 5:23. Over all I'm pretty happy as I had a high speed crash on SFU a week and half before the Test. Landed very hard on my left shoulder. I did not break anything but the doc told me that I may have torn some ligaments and I had some pretty serious bruises. When he found out I was racing he told me to forget it and that I would be off the bike for 4 weeks. :D Heck I was only able to start riding again the Thursday before the Test.

I had big time cramping problems. Had to easy spin most of the course because as soon as I pushed hard my legs would start to pulse. Crashed on the Plunge because my leg decided to suddenly cramp. I also had to stop several time along the course to kneed out cramps. I drank plenty but was not replacing enough minerals and electrolytes. Next year it's fancy sports drinks for me. Water and Gatorade just don't cut it. Boy were my bike shorts coated in salt at the end.

Well next year I can only do better.

[Jon-boy]

I actually was more aware of eating at the right times too this year. I had some of those power gel things and they help a lot.

You'd be surprised how much you need to replenish in a race like that.

As for not using all the camel back... I drank my 2L Camelback, 1.5L from bottles AND some extra at the feedstations. I was thirsty. (And obviously not that fit).

[Bryce]

Originally posted by Darklord
Hot, Hot, Hot
36C at the top of Bonk Hill
32C at the start.

My first time and the heat killed me!
Cramped up solid just after the first cut-off, then proceeded to walk up EVERY uphill (Bonk, Lava, and every minor up on Powerhouse/Crumpits).
Just over 2 hours to do the first 36km, then 3.5 hours to do the final section!!

I saw 3 people vomitting in the final few KM (heat exhaustion my guess)

Can hardly move today, but hey it's all for fun!!


I hammered to 7-11 and back, just over 4 minutes, was cramping like crazy up Chesterfield, vomited at the bus stop, got a Slurpee at the 'food station' but got held up by other 'riders' in line, made it back for Trailer Park Boys. Hardly moved for the rest of the evening, definitely gonna be back for more next week.

[Darklord]

:)
Those marathons are a bitch, aren't they!
:)

[Oldfart]

Funny man bryce is! Last night we watched "Touching the Void", a mountaneering film. Shit. Test of Metal is for pansies. What Joe Simpson did was ...I don't know what it was. There are no words. I recommend the film. It doesn't have a moral, no messages, just a ripping yarn.

[DaveM]

If you guys all want to post up your numbers, I've got 100+ shots of riders riding/walking/crashing on the plunge. I might have a shot of you.

[dirty deeds]

8100, but only if I'm looking studish.

[stuart@nsmb.com]

8315.

Thanks.

Stuart (still slow, but faster than last year)

[Squampton]

i sat at the feed station and drank beer. My friend did it in 3:02 and won senoir ex. I think next year I want to give it a try, it'll be the first time since I was 11.

[taprider]

how is your shoulder now Scott?
think of the Test as training for the Gearjammer
I know what you mean about having a sudden cramp cause a crash, such as mine in 2002 after passing a whole cluster of people on the Plunge - you can get around lots of people if you yell "riding riding" on that short technical climb part way down the Plunge, but it was pointless if you end up lieing on the trail and not even being able to move.
For most of the better technical riders that we know in the 4 to 5 hour zone, I bet that their times would automatically improve 15 to 30 minutes if only 400 people were in the Test. Actually regular BC Cup type races with different starts for each category make it easier to race your best, but they just don't seem to have the excitment of the Test or the feeling that you are taking part in something really BIG

[taprider]

hey davet my # is 444
any pictures?

[safetee]

hey im stoked to see so many nsmb folk made it out to the test of metal. Keep all the free riders in shape. Anyway my time was 3:50 and my number was 167.
Hope to see you all out there next year.

[DaveM]

Originally posted by taprider
hey davet my # is 444
any pictures?

PM me your email address and I'll send you the full sized picture

http://www.thefatboys.ca/albums/other/aaz.sized.jpg

[LeeLau]

Very strong results given the heat and added length - you riders had to do Endo which was a new addition from about 2-3 years ago. HAts off to all of you

[Jon-boy]

My No. is 8257, thought the number was all folded up so you might not be able to see it too well.
BTW the photo above is pretty good. I forgot it was that sunny even under the trees!

[Oldfart]

I'm #594, same categorie as tap, not the same class these days. Good ride Rod.

[DaveM]

Originally posted by Jon-boy
My No. is 8257, thought the number was all folded up so you might not be able to see it too well.
BTW the photo above is pretty good. I forgot it was that sunny even under the trees!

If your number was folded up, what were you wearing? I've got quite a few that I can't make out the number.

Old Fart, I looked for you, I've got some people around you (judging from the finish times) but I must have missed you. You must have been going too fast!

Deeds, I tried every photoshop trick around, but I couldn't make you look studly. (just kidding, I didn't catch you.)

[taprider]

funny you mentioned "Touching the Void" Oldfart, just started reading it last week

[taprider]

thanks davet
that photo looks good (but I'm biased)
where did you take it?

[DaveM]

It was a couple of switchbacks after the plunge.

[Oldfart]

Nah. You prolly needed a wide angle or fish eye to fit in my gut. Thanks for looking.

[DaveM]

Originally posted by Oldfart
Nah. You prolly needed a wide angle or fish eye to fit in my gut. Thanks for looking.

What colour jersey/helmet were you wearing? You might be one of the ones I couldn't see the number.

[Oldfart]

Originally posted by taprider
funny you mentioned "Touching the Void" Oldfart, just started reading it last week

I didn't read that book of his but I did read "This Game Of Ghosts" and I think another one of his. Good stuff. If we think freeriding is extreme, read what these yahoos did with no formal training. The best part was when Joe Simpson "fixed" his busted knee. You probably figured out he busted his knee climbing Siula Grande in Peru. Several operations later he still had limited range of motion and could not climb. He gets all gassed up one night and falls on the way home. His knee goes "CRACK" and it hurts bad but in a week or so he has full range and shortly after he's climbing again.

[Oldfart]

Originally posted by davet
What colour jersey/helmet were you wearing? You might be one of the ones I couldn't see the number.

White Pneumo helmet Green Steed jersey and shorts, blue Santa Cruz Blur. I ain't tall. Flat bar too. remember flat bars?

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by Oldfart
White Pneumo helmet Green Steed jersey and shorts, blue Santa Cruz Blur. I ain't tall. Flat bar too. remember flat bars?

Why are all the guys in green Steed jerseys so d*mn fast?:???: :???:

Last year's 7th Secret Relay: Race starts, I clip in and start pedaling, one or two guys in Steed jerseys are already halfway up the mountain.:eek:

[Jon-boy]

Okay I was wearing a brown and grey shirt and black over the knee shorts (Lycra roadie style). I have a Grey Giro helmet and was wearing okay M-frames. Riding a Speccy Stumpjumper with black Judy forks.

Jon

[LeeLau]

Originally posted by Oldfart
I didn't read that book of his but I did read "This Game Of Ghosts" and I think another one of his. Good stuff. If we think freeriding is extreme, read what these yahoos did with no formal training. The best part was when Joe Simpson "fixed" his busted knee. You probably figured out he busted his knee climbing Siula Grande in Peru. Several operations later he still had limited range of motion and could not climb. He gets all gassed up one night and falls on the way home. His knee goes "CRACK" and it hurts bad but in a week or so he has full range and shortly after he's climbing again.

I got a very different impression of Joe from the book.

He sounds like an idiot who takes liberties with his own life and with his climbing partners/. I'd never want to be on a rope with that idiot.

Plus he's a welfare bum

[ride24/7]

# 8580 grey 2002 tom jersey, grey shorts, black and red specialized enduro with little black dc forks.

[peyto]

Did you get a shot of #5 or #8664 (who might have been gushing blood at that point)?
Neither of them are me, they are my sponsored guys.
thanks,
Paul @ Peyto Cycles

[Oldfart]

Originally posted by LeeLau
I got a very different impression of Joe from the book.

He sounds like an idiot who takes liberties with his own life and with his climbing partners/. I'd never want to be on a rope with that idiot.

Plus he's a welfare bum

I didn't say I got a good impression about the man. He did do a lot of stupid things as did a lot of his buddies. They did stuff with aparently no training or knowledge of what they were getting into. In actual fact he ought to be dead about five times over!!! People can learn from his mistakes though as he does display them in his writings...and it's still a good yarn.

[LeeLau]

Originally posted by Oldfart
I didn't say I got a good impression about the man. He did do a lot of stupid things as did a lot of his buddies. They did stuff with aparently no training or knowledge of what they were getting into. In actual fact he ought to be dead about five times over!!! People can learn from his mistakes though as he does display them in his writings...and it's still a good yarn.

ah ok. I didn't read correctly. For another gong show read Jim Wickwire. The guy has experience but wonder about his judgment. Funny how his climbing partners all end up dead

[sprinter]

Originally posted by taprider
how is your shoulder now Scott?
think of the Test as training for the Gearjammer
I know what you mean about having a sudden cramp cause a crash, such as mine in 2002 after passing a whole cluster of people on the Plunge - you can get around lots of people if you yell "riding riding" on that short technical climb part way down the Plunge, but it was pointless if you end up lieing on the trail and not even being able to move.
For most of the better technical riders that we know in the 4 to 5 hour zone, I bet that their times would automatically improve 15 to 30 minutes if only 400 people were in the Test. Actually regular BC Cup type races with different starts for each category make it easier to race your best, but they just don't seem to have the excitment of the Test or the feeling that you are taking part in something really BIG

Hi Rod

Shoulder is a bit stiff. I think it's time for some physio.

Speaking of lying on the trail and not moving. My first crash on the Plunge happened right before the big log pile. As I was riding over a root my leg cramped and I just flopped right over on my side. I then crawled over to the side of the trail and started trying to get my leg to relax. Thanks to whoever came by after me and was kind enough to stop and carry my bike off the trail.

I'm sure in the end I lost a good 30 minutes having to walk a lot of stuff that I should have been able to ride because of the dam cramping.

I am so up for the Grearjammer. I plan to learn from the mistakes I made it the Test.

[taprider]

Originally posted by LeeLau
I got a very different impression of Joe from the book.

He sounds like an idiot who takes liberties with his own life and with his climbing partners/. I'd never want to be on a rope with that idiot.

Plus he's a welfare bum


Joe sounds like kind of a Josh Bender, except Bender can't write.
I to would never want to be on a rope with that idiot,nor do I want to follow one of Bender's routes.

[taprider]

some of us have been thinking of a Triple Crown event. THat is climb and descend Seymour, Fromme and Cypress all in one day.

I think a race would be too hard to manage and it would be too hard to receive an official sanction from all the different government organizations. But if it is only a "ride", then permission to hold the event and use sections of public roads between mountains might be easier. There would have to be time cut offs at all the marshalling points, so that everyone finishes before 6pm. Hit every check point before the time cut off and you would receive a crown (some type of cool hat).
There might be a bit more civility on the technical sections, people who are riding would be given the right of way. Freeride bikes would not be a handicap, as long as they are light enough to pedal up three mountains. Competitive people would still get their ya ya's out. And the new standard would be not beating 3, 4 or whatever hours at the Test, but how many check points you could make in one day on the Shore (a better test of all round mountain biking ability).

[a-d-s]

if you are serious about pulling off such an event check out www.clubfatass.com. They help to organize races (mostly running I think) that don't fall into the norm. Their motto is "no shirts, no
aid, no wimps"...no race shirts that is. They also cover off on insurance, might work for a bike race.

- A

[scottvelez]

Originally posted by ride24/7
I know but it was frustrating watching the minutes tick by behind a line of about 9 riders in the crumpit woods.

True enough, but think of it in realistic terms. You're 3.5 hours into a race. If you really were faster than those riders, you really should be ahead of them by that point.

My experience in the TOM has been very positive. When I caught someone, I'd just ask, "can I get by when you have chance?". The longest anyone made me wait was about ten seconds.

In most cases, riders will move over quickly when asked.

[LeeLau]

Originally posted by taprider
some of us have been thinking of a Triple Crown event. THat is climb and descend Seymour, Fromme and Cypress all in one day.



taprider just do it as a ride with buddies. If you do it the old fashioned way - dip your tires into the ocean at every mountain then set aside about 10 hours for the entire ride

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by LeeLau
taprider just do it as a ride with buddies. If you do it the old fashioned way - dip your tires into the ocean at every mountain then set aside about 10 hours for the entire ride

I agree. I would be into something informal like that (once I get in shape), but would have no interest whatsoever in an organized Triple Crown race.

[DaveM]

Originally posted by peyto
Did you get a shot of #5 or #8664 (who might have been gushing blood at that point)?
Neither of them are me, they are my sponsored guys.
thanks,
Paul @ Peyto Cycles

I got #5 but it's not a very good shot. I did see a guy with blood gushing down the side of his head, but I don't think I got it.

[DaveM]

Originally posted by Jon-boy
Okay I was wearing a brown and grey shirt and black over the knee shorts (Lycra roadie style). I have a Grey Giro helmet and was wearing okay M-frames. Riding a Speccy Stumpjumper with black Judy forks.

Jon

Yours turned out not too bad. PM me your email address if you want the full sized shot.

[taprider]

thanks for the PM'ed photo davet
the better resolution is worth while, I can see my grin

[Rat]

Originally posted by taprider
some of us have been thinking of a Triple Crown event. THat is climb and descend Seymour, Fromme and Cypress all in one day.

.

Talk to james a t dizzy he was thinking of putting an informal triple crown poker run event.

[peyto]

Originally posted by davet
I got #5 but it's not a very good shot. I did see a guy with blood gushing down the side of his head, but I don't think I got it.

cool, thanks.

[shoomoohin]

If anybody got a shot of #8016 lemme know. I was definitely towards the back of the race :)