Go to: VanIsle 1200 Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Contents:
Result Reporting:
Personal Support
Vehicles:
Getting to Victoria:
The
Answers:
Result
Reporting:
Will my fans be able to watch
my progress
on the web?
No.
Preliminary finishing
times will be posted on the VanIsle 1200 website as soon as possible
after the riders' control cards have been verified by the ride
organizer.
Control Services and Facilities:
What are the sleeping
facilities like?
Riders
looking for a
guaranteed sleep break should make their own advance reservation
at a nearby motel. Make hotel reservations EARLY!
At the 605k/817k control in the village of Woss. There is only
the one motel (5 suites) and even it may not be available. Woss is a
small
logging camp.
It is STRONGLY
recommended that riders make their own private motel
sleeping
arrangements along the way once the route sheet is posted. (Advance
reservations are highly recommended). Please go to the following
British Columbia Approved Accommodation Guide for Vancouver Island
at the following website: hellobc.com
Will showers be available at
all controls?
No.
Only at rooms reserved
by each rider.
Do I need to provide my own
toiletries,
etc. for use at the drop-bag control?
Yes.
You should include
them in your drop bag.
Do I need to bring a sleeping
bag or will
bedding be provided at the controls?
All
motels have the
usual bedding and supplies available.
I want to make motel/hotel
reservations
along the route for sleep breaks. Can you provide me with this
information.
As
mentioned above,
go to the following British Columbia travel website which lists
approved accommodation on Vancouver Island: hellobc.com
How does the drop bag system
work?
We
will transport a
drop bag for each rider to the staffed Campbell River control,
(accessible the three times each rider passes through this control),
and a bag to the Gold River control. Bags will be returned to
the finish in Victoria by 12:00 hours (noon) on Thursday 17-July.
Drop-bags are to be brought to the bike check-in on Sunday 13-July
between 13:00 and 16:00. Drop bags must have a large travel tag
with the rider's name and address attached to it. If sending a
bag to Gold River, be sure to mark this clearly on the bag, otherwise
it will go to Campbell River. Please restrict your drop bags to
a reasonable size and weight as we have a limited cargo volume
in the vans; and ordinary folks will be lifting the bags into
and out of the van several times. Please use a soft covered sports
bag if possible. Garbage bags and the like will not be transported.
Recommended
maximum size and weight are 10" x 10" x
20" (250 mm x 250 mm x 500 mm) and 15lb (7 kg).
What types of food will be
available at
the controls?
Each rider needs to
be self-sufficient. During day-light hours food can be
purchased
at fast food/or other stores along the way. At the Campbell River
control there is a 24 hour convenience store next to the control.
There is a deli open in Gold River until about 10:00 pm. North
of Campbell River, about ˝ way to Sayward, there is a store
near a highway rest stop that closes about 18:00. At Sayward,
the convenience store control is open until 10 pm. At Woss, a
service station/small grocery store is usually open until 20:00.
The control at Port Hardy is a 24/7 Shell Service Station. The
Port Hardy Inn is across the street from the Shell Service Station
for those needing sleep.
At the Campbell River drop-bag control, water, Gatorade powder
& Gatorade pre-mixed drink, cookies and bananas will be
available.
Will vegetarian foods be
available at the
controls?
See
the preceding question.
Fast food and small grocery stores along the way usually have
food that will meet vegetarian requirements.
Will the controls have a
supply of power
bars, gels, and Gatorade available?
Gatorade
powder and
Gatorade pre-mixed drink will be available at the Campbell River
drop-bag control. Gatorade will also be available at Gold River
and Woss controls. The controls will not have Power Bars or gels.
If you wish these, consider putting some in your drop bag, carrying
them with you or purchasing them along the way. Note: Washrooms
will be available at the start, but there will be no drinks or
food available, other than fast food at Tim Horton's Café.
Will mechanical support be
available at
the controls?
No
professional mechanical
support will be available at the controls. Some towns along the
way have bike shops (Sidney, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay,
Campbell River, Port McNeill) but these shops will only be open regular
hours
(approximately 09:00 to 17:00 each day. There will probably be
a few tools and a floor pump at the Campbell River drop-bag control.
Make sure your bike is in excellent working order before you start
the ride. It is advisable to replace any doubtful parts of your
bike before traveling to the VanIsle 1200. Also, bring some basic
repair tools /replacement cables, etc. with you.
Will I be able to purchase
tubes, batteries
and other supplies at the controls?
Riders
are expected
to bring their own spare batteries, light bulbs/LED lights, tubes
and tires. There are bikes stores in the larger centres along
the way (Sidney, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell
River and Port McNeill.)
Conditions along the Route:
How do I survive riding
through the northern
Vancouver Island Wilderness?
You
should be aware
of at least the following:
Weather: In early July, the temperatures are
generally
moderate, ranging from 20 C (68 F ) to 29 C (84 F) mid-day; to
6 C (42 F) to 10 C (50 F) at night. Rain can be expected somewhere
along the route, usually in the hills between Campbell River and
Port Hardy. Rain can range from a light drizzle to a heavy, steady
downpour. Bring your winter clothing for night time riding on
the north end of the Island.
Terrain: Approximately 9100 metres (30,000 feet) of
total
elevation gain. The route is undulating … that means there
are few flat stretches, particularly north of Campbell River!
There are only 3 significant climbs in each direction. Heading
North out of Victoria, the rider climbs the scenic Malahat which
rises approximately 300 metres (1100 feet) over about 10k (6 miles),
the steepest grade is about 7%. The other two significant climbs
are over the hump between Campbell River and Sayward (about 10k
(6 miles) at about 5%; and, finally, the 7-8% climb for about
3k (2 miles) out of Sayward, heading for Woss. Bring your camera
as there are frequent scenic seaside views between Victoria and
Campbell River.
Empty:
Much of the region you are riding through north
and west of Campbell River is very sparsely inhabited west coast
rain forest. Once you leave Campbell River, stores/shops are very
far between. See your route sheet. Yes that's all of them.
Many
more facilities are available on the first and last 250k sections
of the route (Victoria to Campbell River).
Water: Only drink water obtained from commercial
outlets
or at the manned controls. You will find streams near the road
along the route. Please
be advised that these streams probably
contain giardia, a stomach parasite. We recommend that you
obtain
water at control sites, from known safe sources, or filter your
water. For more information see BC Health Files
Wildlife: North of Campbell River, expect to see
bears
along the route, particularly in the early morning and evening.
Do Not Feed Or Get Close
to the Bears. Anywhere along the route,
including urban areas, riders may see deer, usually in the early
morning or evening. Ride cautiously around deer as they are inclined
to be erratic when moving, and can leap unexpectedly into the
cyclist's path. Severe injuries to the rider can ensue. Cougars
(mountain lions) also travel the woods in both the urban and wilderness
areas of Vancouver Island. It is unlikely a rider will see one
and attacks on humans are rare, but attacks have occurred on Vancouver
Island. We
strongly advise that you avoid sleeping on the side of the road.
Will food and water be
available along the
route in addition to at the controls?
The
route takes you
through fairly remote country in the middle 600-700K of the route.
There are some services along the way (see your route sheet) we
strongly recommend that you stock up on food and water at Campbell
River on the way north and at Port Hardy (turnaround) on the way
south.
What type of weather can I
expect to encounter
on the route?
In
early July, the temperatures
are generally moderate, ranging from 20 C (68 F ) to 29 C (84
F) mid-day; to 6 C (42 F) to 10 C (50 F) at night. Rain can be
expected somewhere along the route, usually in the hills between
Campbell River and Port Hardy. Rain can range from a light drizzle
to a heavy, steady downpour. Bring your winter clothing for night
time riding on the north end of the Island.
Will there be vehicular
support along the
route?
In
the spirit of randonneuring,
each cyclist is expected to be self-sufficient. There will not
be an official VanIsle 1200 vehicle on the route. VanIsle 1200
volunteers who might be on the course are not to help riders outside
of the controls (for the sake of fairness). Riders may have their
own support vehicle/team meet tham at any of the controls.
If I abandon the ride how will
I be able
to get back to Victoria?
As
there is no official
follow-vehicle, the rider will need to rely on the generosity
of passing vehicles to get to the nearest village.
Will we be advised of any road
construction
along the route?
We
will be checking
with the relevant highway departments and will endeavour to include
information on road construction on the route sheet, at registration
at Victoria and/or at the Campbell River bag-drop control before
the rider encounters the road construction.
What is a rumble strip and how
do I ride
with them on the road?
Rumble
strips are deep
dimples cut into the shoulder just outside the white line. They
are there to alert motorized vehicle drivers who are veering off
the road. They, unfortunately, can be hard to see in the dark
and especially in the rain. As a cyclist, If you hit them, it
is important not to panic, but to surely and carefully steer off
them again. They will rattle you and your bike awfully but you
can keep control. Rumble strips are particularly dangerous when
encountered by cyclists on fast down-hill portions of the course..
Riders should always ride cautiously when rumble strips are evident.
Souvenirs:
Will I be able to purchase a
souvenir t-shirt
for myself or my support crew?
No.
Will there be an official
photographer along
the route and how can I obtain copies of any photographs taken
during the ride?
No.
Personal Support Vehicles:
Are support vehicles allowed
on the route?
Yes, personal support
vehicles are allowed although you may not receive support except
at the designated controls. You must inform us that you will have
a support vehicle, the name of your support people and the license
plate number of the vehicle. We will have a card to identify your
vehicle as belonging to rider available at registration.
Will my support crew be able
to attend the
post-ride meal?
Yes.
We are currently
planning on a brunch-breakfast at 10:00 hours, Friday,
18-July.
This will serve as opportunities for VanIsle 1200 riders
and support crew to meet/greet each other, share randonneuring
experiences and receive their VanIsle 1200 awards. Please
indicate if you are planning to have guests as you/they will be
required to pay for their meal.
Getting to Victoria:
How do I get to Victoria?
You
can get to Victoria
by car, plane, bus, ferry or bike.
Ferry
websites are as follows:
- http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/
- http://www.cohoferry.com/
- http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/
Bus
Service website is
- http://www.pacificcoach.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Faq.Main
Air
Service to Victoria
- http://www.alaskaair.com/
- http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/
- http://www.westjet.com/
Will I be able to obtain
transportation
for myself and/or my bike from Vancouver to Victoria and return?
Each
rider is responsible
for getting his/her self and bike to and from Victoria.
Can you give me the name of a
hotel/motel
near the start of ride where I can stay before and after the ride?
Please
see host hotel
information.
Please refer to the British Columbia Accommodation Guide for Vancouver
Island via the website: HelloBC.com
Qualifying for the VanIsle 1200:
How do I qualify to ride the
VanIsle?
You
must have successfully
completed an Audax Club Parisien (ACP) sanctioned brevets of the
following distances:
- a 1000k brevet or a 1200k randonnee in the past 3 years (2012,
2013 or 2014)
- or have completed the full 200, 300, 400, and 600k brevet series
in either 2013 or 2014.
You will be required to provide the location, date, and your official
completion time for the qualifying brevets on your entry form.
NOTE: There will be no exceptions to the qualification requirements.
I haven't ridden a brevet
series since before
2012 or I've never ridden one. Can I qualify for the VanIsle this
year?
Yes,
but you must provide
documentation of successful completion of 200, 300, 400, and 600
km brevets in 2013 or 2014 by 15-June-2014.
Entering the VanIsle 1200:
How do I register to ride the
VanIsle?
On
or after December 1st, 2013, email
the ride organizer that you intend to participate in the 2014
VanIsle 1200. Once you receive a confirmation reply that you are on the list you then have two weeks to complete the
following:
The ride organizer will respond directly to your emails. Names, countries, and club affiliations of riders from whom entries (payments, entry, membership and waiver forms) are received will be posted on the entry list page.
Is there a limit on the number
of riders
who will be allowed to start the event?
Yes.
The VanIsle 1200
event will be limited to 50 riders. As an event with minimal support
we want to approach the ride conservatively. If you are looking
for a 1200k ride with more impressive support and more riders,
then check out the Cascade 1200, or wait for the next Rocky Mountain
1200.
How will the 50 rider limit be
imposed?
Entry,
waiver, membership
and payment will be accepted on a first-come-first-confirmed basis,
with those riders who already qualify receiving confirmation priority
over those entrants who have yet to qualify.
The rider entry list and waiting list (if necessary) will be posted
on the entry
list page by 31-May-2014.
Cheques, bank drafts and money orders (bank or postal) in Canadian
dollars for entry fees will be processed as they are received.
(Note: Those riders who have paid their entry fees and are on
the waiting list; and, are not able to be accepted for the ride
because the rider limit has been reached will receive their full
entry fee back.)
Refund Policy:
What is the refund policy if I
enter the
event but can't participate for some reason?
-
You can withdraw before 1-May-2014 and receive a 100% refund in the currency paid.
- From 2-May-2014 to1-June-2014 you can withdraw and receive
a 50% refund in the currency paid.
- After 2-June-2014 no refunds will be provided.
The VanIsle 1200
as a RAAM Qualifier:
Can I ride the 3rd VanIsle
1200 as a RAAM
Qualifier?
This
question should
be directed to RAAM .
Please keep in mind that the VanIsle 1200 is a 1200 km brevet
in the spirit of Paris-Brest-Paris, not a race.
Miscellaneous:
Can I ride the VanIsle as a
1000 km brevet
to count toward my ACP Randonneur 5000 award?
No.
The VanIsle 1200
is a Randonneur Mondiaux sanctioned 1200 km brevet. There is no
1000 km option. The BC Randonneurs have scheduled a number of
ACP sanctioned 1000 km brevets for 2014. Please see the BC Randonneur
Cycling Club events
calendar for dates
and locations.
Does the 1200 km I ride on the
VanIsle count
toward the total distance for my ACP Randonneur 5000 award?
Our
advice - if you
want to claim the kilometres, please try to get confirmation from
the ACP that they will recognize them.
I have a question that's not
answered in
this FAQ. What should I do?
If
your question is
not answered here or elsewhere on the event web site you can send
email to the VanIsle 1200 ride organizer Steve
Mahovlic. We will answer your question as promptly as
we
can. We may also add an edited version of your question and the
answer to this FAQ to help other people.
I sent you an email over 7 days ago and you haven't answered.
Why?
We're not deliberately ignoring you - honest! The most likely
explanation is that your email accidentally got caught in our
spam filter. We receive about 100 spam messages for every "real"
one. Our filter is good, but sometimes it makes mistakes. Please
re-send your email and, especially if it is brief, add a few technical
cycling or randonneuring words.