Mount Everest: climbed multiple times

What could be better? Probably a million things, but at that very moment, when we saw the finish line, there was only this one indescribable feeling. Everything in the body switches to 'ACCOMPLISHED' mode. What a feeling, you are alive again. All the struggles, cramps, bruises, falls, scrapes, heat, rain, 'I will kill you' feelings are forgotten.

The medals are presented by Nino Schurter, the most successful mountain biker of all time. He participated in the 7 days too, but probably a bit more relaxed than us, in fact, much more relaxed. He won every day. We did too, but gained more experience instead of gold medals. Experience in how to ride up the countless, seemingly one-meter-high roots and stones without damage, who to avoid in extreme downhill rides, how to interpret Canadian motivational sayings: the top is right here/almost there/only 1 kilometer… it's all a lie!!! It's the complete opposite and three times longer. They mean well to motivate, but sometimes you just want to tell them LIARS. It only ends when it is over. Period! When you roll into the finish at the end of the day and the speaker loudly announces Peter and Anja, WELCOME BACK - NICE JOB! Yes, we did that, every day.

But the team from BC Bikerace also did a fantastic job. From the preparation through all the days until the bitter end (which was the case for some every day). Even the last riders were supported until they reached the finish, simply amazing. The food was incredibly delicious, Canadian with everything included, fresh, super quality, and always enough for everyone. We got breakfast and dinner from the buffet, and refreshments during the race. The energy drink was pickle juice syrup... a shot from the brine of sour pickles. Anja tried it. Well.... on the last day, there was Canadian whisky as a refreshment at kilometer 25. Oh la la and then a downhill ride… we toasted with beer from Vancouver Island at the Celebrations Dinner on the last evening with our traveling companions. CHEERS - TO US!! We could fill countless more pages with our experiences, but we don’t want to put you through that. Below are a few technical, funny, and geographical details.

Our journey continues now. We are 'free' again, leaving Vancouver Island by ferry on Saturday evening heading to the mainland, and we want to spend a few days in the north towards Whistler. The weather is wonderful, on the ferry we see many orcas. A great farewell from a great island, and in our luggage, a thousand emotions and moments of happiness. Life should always be like this... no need to worry, dear colleagues of Anja, she will be back… temporarily or something like that… :)

BC BIKE RACE:

Friday, May 22 (registration) Saturday morning, May 30 (departure)

Mountain bike Anja: CUBE STEREO 144

Mountain bike Peter: STOLL T1

Motor is not allowed: Legs, heart and head.

Accommodations Basecamp:

Participants: approx. 800 from 35 different countries. Over 700 men and not even a hundred women. (Yes, Anja was one of the rare species and Peter had to wait in line at the restroom - a reverse situation, but Anja found the reversed roles rather amusing).

Average age: 40 to 50

Most annoying: pssst, let's not say, but we were quite annoyed.

Nicest: us of course... haha..

Ray and Peter from North Vancouver, Alan from Oregon, the Gehrig twins from Flims, just a few of many.

Food/Drinks: Water, coffee, Gatorade (yuck... for Anja...) Coca Cola as the beverage of the day prize. We ate everything that was available and a lot, including a dessert buffet.

Falls: a wooden bridge during downhill ended in nothing and for Peter it ended up sideways over it with a bandage on his knee and elbow. Scratches are still visible, pain is forgotten, but the feeling of luck still lingers.

Incidents: fortunately none.

Bruises/scrapes: countless, but they could tell many stories.

Weather: mostly great around 20 degrees, except on day 3, rain, mud at 9 degrees.

Swear words Anja: not suitable for minors and countless. But she calmed down again.

Total kilometers: 250 km

Elevation: 7,919 (almost Mount Everest)

Route: Cumberland-Campbell River-Cumberland-Hammerfest/Parksville-Mount Tzouhalem-Nanaimo-Maple Mountain

Photos: almost none. www.bcbr.ca or Facebook, Instagram