2017 marks the 5th annual Steaming Nostril race in Waterloo Region. This event, organized by Cycle Waterloo, has become a Spring Classic in Ontario. Each of the previous four years has brought a different challenge.
In the first year, 2013, the Kissing Bridge rail trail was soft and slushy. The course included a portion of this trail at the beginning and end of the race, and as the day went on, the conditions got softer and slower. In 2014, race-day temperatures were below -20C. I didn’t race that year, fearing for my extremities.
In 2015, the start/finish moved from Elmira to St. Jacobs, and the finish of the race included a climb/bike-carry of 69 wooden steps. Last year, 2016, the stairs were included again, but they weren’t the most epic part of the race.
There was a private farmer’s field on the banks of the Conestoga River that included a muddy descent, some soft grass, a couple of stream crossings followed by a steep hike-a-bike climb out of the river valley. I called this “The Longest Kilometer“.
Blake and Malcolm from Cycle Waterloo have promised another epic event. I’ve heard rumours of farmers’ fields and rail trail this year. And of course… some of the most scenic dirt roads in southern Ontario!. As in previous years, there are two distances: the 65km Steaming Nostril, and the shorter 40 km Runny Nose. There are single-speed and fat bike categories for both distances (I’m entered in the shorter distance, fat bike category!)
Early Bird registration ends February 5, 2017 at midnight, so save a few bucks and sign up soon! Registration goes up to $85 after this deadline. Shoot me a message if you have any questions about this fantastic event.
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