BC Epic 1000

The BC Epic is a 1,000 kilometre self-supported traverse across South Central British Colombia starting in Merritt and ending in Fernie, mostly along the Trans Canada Trail.

This year, over 70 local riders lined up for the grande depart, but with the biggest heatwave ever recorded in the province, less than 25% made it to Fernie.

I had high hopes for the race, but with the dangerous weather I changed my plan to hold back and stay safe, spending lots of time dipping in rivers and lakes instead! I was delighted to make it to Fernie in seventh place overall, but this one really wasn't about getting a result on the scoreboard.

Event description from the organiser:

"This is an off-road, unofficial, completely self-supported bikepacking group ride in the spirit the underground 'Tour divide' style and under the same rules. No registration, no support, no insurance, no prizes - those who choose to simply meet up for an informal group ride along a plotted route on public trails open to all at a suggest a time.. You show up and ride at your own risk. The BC Epic is a 1,000km (1,066 to be exact), 11,600 metres elevation traverse across South Central BC starting in Merritt and ending in Fernie (or vice versa if you choose) mostly along the Trans Canada Trail.

The route is about 80% off road on mostly old decommissioned railgrades (Kettle Valley Railroad from Brookmere to Midway, Columbia Western from Midway to Castlegar and Great Northern from Salmo to Nelson), with a few sections of challenging singletrack and the rest mostly rough gravel forest service road and about 100km paved. It is spectacular ride crossing through a great diversity of terrain and ecosystems with remarkable scenery, trestles hundreds of feet high and multiple tunnels (longest almost a kilometre) along the bed of some of the most expensive railway ever laid through the mountains. There are plenty of camping, re-supply points and services along the route."