MEC Spring Century 2015 (Vancouver)

This Saturday, May 10th is the first MEC Century, in Vancouver/Coquitlam BC. Registration is still open:

http://events.mec.ca/node/42896

MEC VANCOUVER SPRING CENTURY RIDE
Date: Sunday, 10 May, 2015
Time: From 08:00 am to 03:00 pm PDT
Organizer: MEC Vancouver
Price: 35.00

COME RIDE WITH US!

Welcome to the MEC Vancouver Spring Century Ride! Building on the success of our Century Rides in 2014, we invite to you ride the first of two rides in 2015 touring the beautiful Lower Mainland. For only $35 you can choose between a 50km or 100km ride that will take you through the scenic country side of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows & Maple Ridge. Complimentary coffee will be provided before the ride, drinks and snacks will be provided after the ride.

Your $35 Century Ride Entry Fee will include:


Entry into a draw prize for a Garmin Edge 1000 Bike GPS ($780 value) (You must complete your respective ride to be eligible for the draw)

Bike Racks for your bikes to rest their wheels. Great Explorations is providing close to 100 spots to hang your bikes while you enjoy your own hang time at the event site before and after your ride

Aid stations along the course with water, NUUN electrolyte, bananas and basic mechanical assistance from MEC bike mechanics

Route support vehicles to assist with major mechanical issues and other needs

Mobile first-aid attendants available along the route

Food and beverage at the end of the ride

MEC bike mechanics will be available prior to the start of each ride for any last minute tweaking

***NOTE: There will be no bag check! Please make sure to leave you valuables at home. We will however have storage bins for you to store belongings but will not assume any responsibility if anything should go missing.

Ride Details

Start / Finish Area


The start / finish area is outside of the Pinetree Community Center (1260 Pinetree Way Coquitlam, BC V3B 7Z4). Parking can be found along the surrounding streets. We recommend using the parking lot between Pinetree Way and Trevor Wingrove Way.

***NOTE: There will be no parking available to ride participants in the main parking lots (front and back) of the Pinetree Commuity Centre.



Start Times


Our rides are scheduled to start on time. We invite anyone to come early and enjoy a free pre-ride coffee, warm up or just get excited about your ride.

***NOTE: Each ride start time will be timed in conjunction with the set of traffic lights at Pinetree Way, being delayed for a total of 60 seconds to accommodate a large number of riders. Should you miss this 60 second window, you will have to wait until the next green light.
100km starts at 8:00 am and 8:15 am (This will be a two wave, self-seeding start with the fastest riders starting at 8:00am, fast riders at 8:15am)
50km starts at 8:30 am


Routes (& Rider Safety)


***NOTE: Both the 50km and 100km rides are just that, RIDES, NOT RACES.

***NOTE: Both routes will be open to other users, including motor vehicles. We advise that you use caution while out on the road.

***NOTE: All riders on both routes are to ride single file along Neaves Road as per instructions by local authorities. This area of the route will be patrolled by motorcycle, any violations will be followed up on.

***NOTE: Riders will need to be self-sufficient along the ride: packing appropriate clothing for the day, spare tubes, pump, sunscreen, etc. (in the event that you get a flat between aid stations) and food and water if you feel you'll need extra nourishment between aid stations.

***NOTE: There will be no portable toilets along either route. Access to washrooms, air and additional nutritional needs can be found at the following gas stations along the respective routes:

50km

Petro Canada @ Harris Road & Lougheed Highway (approximately 29km)
Shell @ Harris Road & 124th Avenue (approximately 30km)
100km

Petro Canada @ 228 Street & Lougheed Highway (approximately 34km)
Petro Canada / 7-Eleven @ Kanaka Way & Lougheed Highway (approximately 68km)



MEC VANCOUVER SPRING CENTURY RIDE 50KM

Strongly advised for beginner riders. This includes the use of any style of bike (mountain, hybrid) other than a performance road bicycle.
The 50km route will include aid stations at approximately the 12km, 25km and 40km.
Elevation gain will be around 615m.
Please email nick.hastie@mec.ca for the .gpx file.

MEC VANCOUVER SPRING CENTURY RIDE 100KM

Strongly advised for intermediate to advanced riders. The use of a performance road bicycle is higly suggested.
The 100km route will include aid stations at approximately the 12km, 25km, 49km, 70km and 88km.
Elevation gain will be around 1731m.
Please email nick.hastie@mec.ca for the .gpx file

Ride Package Pick-Up


You will be able to pick up your ride package and route information in advance, as well as on ride-day morning.

In-Store: MEC Vancouver (130 West Broadway) - Saturday, May 9th: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Ride Day: Pinetree Community Centre (1260 Pinetree Way Coquitlam, BC V3B 7Z4) - Sunday, May 10th: 7:00am - 7:45am

Pick up your ride package in advance, and save! In case you need some last minute gear for ride day, pick up your ride package and SAVE 10% at the till on Saturday May 9th.

Did you mention you already received the 100k gpx course file?
I emailed the address listed above last week, haven't heard anything back.

Wouldn't you know it, got the GPX today. Posted it here, it can be downloaded or converted from the Export tab:

Looks like they moved the midway climb this year...........

Last year it went up River Road and had a bit of 20%

https://www.strava.com/segments/7978085

This year it turns off at 280th, half the elevation gain

https://www.strava.com/segments/720472

thank god. 20% is just suffering for a community century. no point.

the GPX is also up on Strava, with timing data filled in so you can use it as a course — just search for it by name.