It's an event so popular, even Canucks player Trevor Linden is on the waiting list.
The 800 spots for the 10th annual Test of Metal mountain bike race sold out last Friday (Jan. 7) after only six days, nine hours and 34 minutes of registration, leaving 260 people, including the hockey star, stuck on a waiting list.
"It was just 'oh my God,'" said Test of Metal executive director Cliff Miller of when he learned the race had sold out. He can't figure out why all the slots filled.
"We have no idea. We honestly have no answer."
Last year, the race sold out by March 9. Registration started Jan. 1.
"This year was just amazing," said Miller, who has been organizing the race since its first run in 1996. "We were expecting mid to late February."
The Test of Metal had fairly inauspicious beginnings - the first race saw only 350 cyclists, followed by 600 racers the next year. And it certainly wasn't selling out like this year. Seven years ago, all 800 slots were filled two days before race day.
"All this does is prove Squamish puts on good events," he added.
"We've got a reputation of putting on good events."
And that reputation has drawn in competitors from Nova Scotia, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Washington State, Alberta, all over 小蓝视频, Vancouver, Pemberton, Whistler and 119 people from Squamish. The largest number of competitors (252) are coming from the North Shore and Vancouver for the June 18 event.
Most competitors are familiar to the race - only 190 racers are first-time Test of Metal cyclists.
"We do see new racers every year, which is great for our sport, but what really makes us realize we're doing things right is seeing some of the same familiar faces on the start line year after year," Miller said.
The busiest sign-up day was Jan. 6, when 308 people registered for the event by email. There were only 82 spots left on Jan. 7, and they filled, closing off registration. Only two entries were sent by regular mail, two were dropped off and 20 were faxed.
Registration was $55 for Cycling 小蓝视频 licensed riders and $65 otherwise. Participants could pay an extra $20 for insurance.
The course is 67 km long, and has over 1,200 metres of climbing and 35 km of singletrack and all the racers start at the same time.
"Jack's Trail backs up a little bit, but then the rest of the course is kind of steady rush hour traffic," Miller said.
Miller said the Test of Metal helps give Squamish a good reputation in the cycling community.
"Squamish is one of the best mountain bike towns in North America," he said.
He also said it gives some economic benefits, as people come into the town to preview the course and for the event itself.
"We figure it conservatively generates $1 million," Miller said.
This year there will be not be any Chariot Races, Teen Test, Ultra Test or the Test of Metal Trials event.
"The Test of Metal is going to sponsor a three-race elementary school series," Miller said. The event, called Pedal to the Metal is still being worked on, and will be for elementary school students Grades 4 to 7, he said.
