Tonight, Todd Nowack of Team Helly Hansen / MOMAR called me with a full update on today’s 65km stage from Sechelt to Gibsons. After surviving yesterday’s 60km stage from Earls Cove to Sechelt, the boys were ready to suffer through another day of single-track. From the sounds of things, Gary’s body is in rough shape and has had abdominal issues to add to his sore quad and busted finger.

Gary has battle through Primal Quest and Raid the North Extreme so riding with these conditions probably doesn’t surprise anyone who knows him. However, just before the first aid station today, Gary crashed hard and from that moment his race was over. Gary did make it to the aid station and they rode out from there but Todd suspected Gary was not all there. When Gary asked “Is it cold?”, Todd knew that the race was over for Gary. I’m sure Gary and Todd will go into this story in much more detail on their post race blogs so I don’t want to infer too much here.

Gary told Todd to go one without him. So knowing that Team Mergeo (Aaron Vanderwaal and Andrew Rigel) had just passed, Todd hammered to catch up with them with the hopes of joining up (you have to ride in teams for safety reasons). Todd did eventually catch them and they also had Jay Latiff on as a ‘third wheel’ since his partner, Robin Dutton, went out with an injury. Long story short (I must get to bed!), Todd and Jay have now teamed up and ripped through the rest of Stage 5 as a new team. Todd said today’s riding was “The BEST single-track ever!”

Onto the ferry they went for a shuttle up to Squamish for Day 6. Gary caught an early ferry ride home and is hopefully getting a good night’s sleep in his own bed.

Gary, your determination and ability to suffer when most people with your injuries wouldn’t have made it past the first 100km, is truly impressive. It was the right decision not to push your body any further. I’m sure Gary will heal quickly and be ready for his next big challenge — MOMAR Shawnigan???

Good luck to Todd and Jay “Team Helly Hansen / MOMAR / Arrowsmith Bikes!” Rip it up!!!