It is always tough looking back and summarising a week of racing into a few words, a few lines, a paragraph or a story. But I’ll try and wrap the week of racing starting on July 1st (Canada Day) of the BCBR 2024.

As the AMB community was aware, we had put together 10 racers for the ultimate adventure in British Columbia. This spanned across some of the most famous trails that the world had to offer on Vancouver Island. The BCBR is more than just a race though! With a group of Aussies stage racing in a different country, what unfolded was an epic adventure that will play out across the course of this article.

It’s hard to describe what BCBR means for people, but I will sum it up like this: adult mountain biking summer camp. Jam-packed with some of the most amazing single trails you will find anywhere in the world, the BCBR crew produce a spectacle that tantalises every mountain biker’s dreams, year in and year out. They are tough days spent riding single track forever that pushes all riders to their limits.

Leckie and I began watching the famous videos of this iconic race some five years back. We created the Browny and Leckie BCBR Journey to show everyone what you could expect when you come to this ultimate mountain bike destination. Plus, how to have and experience the best time.

In 2023 we decided to take some of our crew over to have the best couple of weeks anyone can experience on two wheels. Everyone had an absolute ball, pushed themselves past what they thought was possible and lived to tell the tale.

In 2024, the Aussies arrived at different times to hit up BCBR 2024 and a fair few stuck around to continue to sample BC and all it has to offer both on and off the bike. One Aussie, Owen Gordon, even managed a marriage proposal to his girlfriend, Amelia.

For me, 2024 was about getting to Vancouver Island to experience tracks I watched on YouTube hundreds of times. 2024 would be a different experience as I was racing pairs with a multiple World Champion Peter Selkrig.  While we competed against each other in Australia, for 1 week in July we became teammates.

I remember on Stage 3 at Mount Zu coming down ‘Maple Syrup’. I could hear in the distance “This is Hammerhead on steroids”. For those who know Mount Stromlo, you will understand the reference.

Our goal was to podium, but from the outset I had my mind set on a top 5 result. The prologue was set in a new area for BCBR in Victoria. The course was a 7.5km super tough trail featuring some super technical trails.

We manage a 4th position for this stage behind 3 Canadian teams who were all former cross-country national champions at different times.

Stage 2 was Victoria proper and on the clock from base camp with an 8km road section before hitting Victoria single track.

This stage was only 26km with 703m vertical but as Dr Dre had advised during early Zoom calls that 20km in Victoria is a tough day for a pro. We secured the 4th spot and are some 27 minutes off the top 3 now, but 22 minutes up on the 5th.

As the week went on, we continued to pull time on 5th and fall behind the top 3.  The week finished off as per below:

It was such an experience for me to ride with Pete all week and I know he will be back in 2025 to have a crack. He mentioned this was the best stage race he had done around the world! This is coming from someone who has ridden Absa Cape Epic, and a huge amount of destinations through the 24-hour World racing scene.

Massive thanks to Stef for looking after Peter and me during the week.

I could wrap each stage but instead, get yourself entered and go to experience the best week you will ever have on two wheels.

A few of the team have provided the summaries.