Escape Velocity Spring Series returns to B.C.’s Lower Mainland on Feb. 27
The series' first event is the Hougen East Road Race, held in Abbotsford, B.C.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, a mainstay of cycling in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia returns, when the 2016 edition of the Escape Velocity Spring Series kicks off.
The series’ first event is the Hougen East Road Race, held in Abbotsford, B.C.
In all, the Escape Velocity Spring Series spans 12 road races and three time trials, happening in Langley, Abbotsford and Aldergrove on the Lower Mainland. The races, despite a reputation for being an early-season training phase for later events, boast some of the toughest, most challenging terrain and conditions of the year.
For the most part, this is thanks to the unpredictability of early-season weather on British Columbia’s west coast, and the fact that the races—unless there’s snow on the ground, as per event rules—roll out no matter what the weather. As such, competing riders are advised to dress and prepare accordingly.
Starting positions are available to any cyclist holding a UCI license, a Cycling BC provincial license or a USAC or USCF license, as well as those who purchase a single-day license to compete. Competition categories, meanwhile, are set by a rider’s classification and feature varying distances, ranging from 120-130 km for A group riders, 80-110 km for the B group, 55-70 km for C group, and 30-40 km for D.
Between this weekend’s beginning of competition and the end of the series in April, registration and sign-in starts at 9:30 am on race day, and closes 15 minutes before the scheduled race time. Information on registration, as well as pricing, is available at the Escape Velocity Spring Series website.
