Mt. Revelstoke Steamer

Course Details: This year staging will be at the Nels Nelsen parking, with a neutral rollout back to the parkway. The 25 km course climbs 1,400m and finishes near the summit of Mt Revelstoke (taking a right at the Balsam Lake parking lot and continuing to the very end of the pavement). There are few places in North America with such a long sustained climb. The average gradient is not terribly steep at 5.6%, but the length makes up for lack of steepness. As you climb from temperate interior rain forest to sub-alpine meadows you are treated to improving views of the Columbia River Valley with the Monashees and Selkirks on either side. The road surface is excellent and the traffic is minimal. It is truly a memorable climb!

Cost/Registration: Online registration with zone4 is open with an early bird discount of $10 until July 2. Entries are limited so advance registration is highly recommended.

• Registration is $30 (plus zone4 fee), with an early bird discount of $10 until July 2 which includes finish line refreshments and brunch at the post-race awards
• All racers need a Parks Canada pass, which can be added during registration at a group rate if you do not already have an annual pass. Parks Canada would like all riders to be aware that the pass added at registration only covers riders for the day of the race, and that all persons (including cyclists) entering a national park at any time are required to have a valid annual or day pass.
• Participants 16 years of age or under are eligible for a $10 discount
• RCA members are also eligible for a $10 discount
• Registration covers all licensing requirements so you do not need a UCI or Cycling BC race license to enter.

Categories: Men’s and Women’s under 35, 35-49 & 50+

Prizing (2018 – may be updated for 2019): $100 for the fastest man and fastest woman | $100 Tantrum Ride Co. gift card for the fastest local | $50 cash for other category winners | $30 cash for second place in every category | $20 cash for third in every category

Need to Know:

Check-in and late registration (if the event is not already sold out – $40 cash or cheque only) available on Saturday, August 24 from 4-5.30 pm at Tantrum Ride Co.

If you did not attend the Saturday afternoon check-in, all competitors must check in between 6 am and 6:45 am to obtain their number plate and sign waivers.

There will be a neutral roll out from Nels Nelson parking at 7.30 am to the parkway, then mass start race begins. Racers must stay to the right side of the road and not cross the (imaginary) centre line.

There are no aid stations on course but water and refreshments will be available at the finish line.

The Meadows in the Sky parkway will open at the usual time – 8 am. From that time the road is not closed to traffic. Visitors are warned that the race is happening.

Friends and family of riders are strongly encouraged to drive directly to the summit parking. They can then walk up the closed road to the true summit and support the racers along that section and may have some time to enjoy the summit area and some of the hiking trails.

Parking will be blocked off on the right hand side of the RV car park section until 9:45 am to reduce the risk of bike/vehicle conflict in the first car park.

The race course is subject to change if required by Parks Canada. Extreme weather, fire hazard or wild animal conflicts could result in the course being shortened, or Mt Revestoke National Park being closed. These circumstances are outwith the race organizers’ control. If the race has to be canceled no refunds will be given, but your entry will roll over to next year.

Riders are encouraged to ride their bikes down afterward or to get a ride from their friends/family who are at the summit or other vehicles we provide. With the new paving the descent is quite pleasant – the views are better on the way down too. Riders are encouraged to have a ride down the mountain in the event of poor weather/ visibility / fatigue. There will be limited capacity to transport some riders down the mountain. Depending on weather, a warming station will be set up on the summit for riders.

We will be offering a bag shuttle so that racers can send warm clothes up to the finish (it can be a chilly ride down). If the weather is cold or wet adequate warm clothes are vital for your safety when descending. Bugs are a possibility at the summit so be prepared.

Riders must be equipped with front and back lights that are clearly visible to traffic.

Riders are encouraged to wear high-visibility clothing, particularly on the descent.

There are washrooms at the start line. Other public washrooms are by Grizzly Plaza in downtown Revelstoke. There are facilities available at the finish line.

Post-race awards and brunch will be immediately after people descend in Queen Elizabeth Park (Mackenzie Ave. at 9th St, approximately 1 km from downtown), or the Regent Hotel, so around 11 am start. You may want to bring a chair to relax under a shady tree if we are in the park.

Valued Supporters: The Steamer is supported by many local businesses and hosted by Parks Canada

Title Sponsor: 112 Restaurant at the Regent Hotel

Draw Prizes from local businesses: Flowt, Skookum, Tantrum, Valhalla Pure, Stoke Roasted Coffee, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Ed Wright of HLC (supplier of Eclypse, Evo and Tacx)

Post race awards brunch food and drink is supplied locally from La Baguette and The Modern Bakeshop and Café, with finish line refreshments generously donated by the Southside Market