Stuckylife |: Blubber Burn Classic 8

The horses await the carnage


Spectating in style

The eighth Blubber Burn Classic took place on January 15th. The race was well attended by people of commendable panache but questionable judgment.
This race is one of the oldest races on the Stuckylife calendar and is without doubt the most technical cross race on the Island. The Blubber Burn takes place on the trails of the "The Dump," a mountain biking park located in the Mount Work area in Victoria. This has been the location for the ill advised race since it's humble beginnings in 2010.
This year, as luck would have it, we enjoyed a window of favorable weather which brought out a good selection of people itching to burn some blubber. In fact it was one of the best attended 'burns in it's history with about 50 racers and a smattering of excellent spectators.

Laila Pringle-Dyck. ©Caleb Bayers

Long Doggos Bison and Bear ©Caleb Bayers

Last minute mods by Meat. ©Caleb Bayers

The race was highly contested this year with Parker Bloom battling the veteran and technical virtuoso Drew McKenzie. Their duel lasted the whole race, culminating in a flat out sprint for the finish "line" which at that time was occupied by oblivious half drunk spectators and various distracted racers with mechanicals. Drew edged out Parker and took the win. Hot on their heels was a charging Cody Canning and in fourth with a stellar performance for Team Great Britain was Blake Crouch. The race directör rounded out the American podium.

On the ladies side the race was handily won by Silvia Storey (on a singlespeed no less), with Joanna Fox in second and Andrea Akelaitis in third. It's worth mentioning that this was Andrea's first CX race, which will undoubtedly make the next one feel easy in comparison.

The Top finisher in the U19 Category was won by the 13 year old Nick Voss but 47 years separated the oldest and the youngest competitor this year.

©Caleb Bayers It'll buff out.

©Caleb Bayers

Race directing is serious business. ©Caleb Bayers

Riley and Owen fought hard for best dressed but the Pope edged out the Banana. ©Caleb Bayers

Special mention must be made of the young ripper Ella Smith who was our youngest racer at 10 years old and will be a force to reckon with before long.
Also a huge shout out to all that came over from the mainland and up Island for the Race. We had People from Port Alberni, Squamish, and a good crew from Vancouver. Thanks!

Thanks to Caleb and Terry for documenting the silliness.

Also check out the highly entertaining Instagram hashtags below. Time well wasted.
#blubberburn #blubberburnclassic #blubberburn2017