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With his 18+ years of competitive mountain bike racing experience, Andreas Hestler has certainly picked up a few tips and tricks to make the race experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

From Base Camp necessities, to extra racing gear, to team dynamics…in this brief document, Dre shares a few pointers for you to ponder while pulling together your gear and packing your bags for BC Bike Race – The Pacific Traverse.

LIFE AT BASE CAMP
In the morning before each stage, and in the afternoon/evening following, it’s key to have the following items on hand to keep you comfortable.

GEAR CLOTHING
❑ Sleeping Bag

❑ Base Layers
❑ Sleeping Pad (Therm-a-rest type)

❑ Warm Hat
❑ Towel

❑ Warm Jacket
❑ Head Lamp

❑ Rain Jacket
❑ Waterproof Bags (to store wet stuff) ❑ Rain Pants
❑ Camera

❑ Sun Hat
❑ Swimming Shorts

PERSONAL ITEMS

❑ Sandals
❑ Toothbrush (very important)

❑ Shoes - for walking
❑ Chamoix Cream
❑ Sun Block
❑ Lip Balm
❑ Canadian Currency
❑ Credit Card

RIDING KIT
In addition to the Mandatory Gear List items, you’ll thank yourself at the end of the race if you’ve brought these items (and quantities) with you for your many hours of riding:
❑ 7 pairs of Riding Socks (including 3 woolen pairs)
❑ 7 pairs of Cycling Shorts (a clean pair for each day, though laundry will be possible at some Stage end points)
❑ Mixed Base Layers for riding
❑ Arm Warmers of varying weight/thickness
❑ Riding Gloves of varying weight
❑ Booties

TEAM DYNAMICS
I would also like to add some insights about what it's like to share an experience like BC Bike Race with a teammate; or, more to the point, how you can share this experience with a team mate and make the most of your time. Consider the distance and the time together, grunting at each other will become your cues to understand each other. Riding in single file, no more than 3 feet from each other, should allow you to listen and talk through this amazing adventure. The partner in front should be aware of the 2nd partner’s breathing/exertion and don't let your egos rear up - it's about two people.

Don't ignore your partner, if you push your partner too hard you will both not have a good outcome. Communication is the key, if it's 'too hard' tell your partner; don't wait until it's too late and you have exploded your legs, this is a patience game, only time will tell.
Eat and drink diligently and help monitor each other. Sometimes we get carried away and forget - don't!
Remembering to look around and enjoy the scenery will also take conscious thought, so don't lose yourself in your own world. Race consciously and carefully, staying in verbal and physical contact with your partner - this will enable you to grow as friends and
succeed as a team.
Good Luck.
Dre

Andreas Hestler
1996 Olympian
5 Canadian National Titles
3 Time Winner of the Trans Rockies

Source: BC Bike Race - Andreas Hestler

Andreas is one of the most recognized athletes in the global endurance mountain biking scene and is a highly-respected ambassador of the sport and British Columbia. He has exploded in the epic stage race arena over the past few years and, for three years running, has won the TransRockies Challenge...each time with a different partner. The BC Bike Race is a seven day mountain bike stage race from Victoria to Whistler, BC, Canada

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