November 5, 2021 - E-MTB bikes are a relatively new category in our sport, and we had a hunch that this new ingredient had the potential to create something amazing.  This past weekend kicked off the first-ever MEGA VOLT festival; a fully-charged experience produced by BC Bike Race and the Cowichan Trails Stewardship Society.

The MEGA VOLT took place in the incredibly beautiful and stunning Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, BC.  Cowichan Valley takes its name from Quw’utsun, an Indigenous word that means warm land. The first-ever multi-day E-MTB Festival (in North America), was unanimously approved with three thumbs up for the shape, style, camaraderie, and wicked fun trails!!

“The MEGA VOLT, it’s the first event of it’s kind. It’s an Ebike Event, it’s a race, it’s a ride, basically, we’re out here having fun with friends. There’s a little bit of competition here and there, but it’s not your average race,” said Jesse Melamed – EWS honcho – Rocky Mountain Ambassador

Rewind to 1976 – it was a small group of people that went out to race klunker bikes down some of the steepest hills in Marin County –  the first ever Repack Downhill.  I wonder if they knew what they were starting?  Thank you guys for doing what you believed in!!

“You know what it reminded me of, the first mountain bike races in the late 80’s; low-key, grassroots, lots of fun. No one cares who’s first or who’s last. Tons of fun, and just a group of like-minded people gathering and riding bikes,” commented Elladee Brown – Legend – Evil Bikes Ambassador

With a schedule packed full of fun and different flavoured events, the MEGA VOLT was aiming to curate a unique experience. From start to finish this event would provide a platform for E-MTB bikers to gather, test terrain, different conditions, and share those thoughts together in an open forum.

Remember though – this MEGA VOLT (an ode to 80’s metal music) – is all about FUN and good times on bikes, e-bikes!  The format was truly taken to heart by all the participants who spent much of each ride in a large group talking and laughing before the terrain broke the party up.

RESULTS

Stage 1, Friday Afternoon – 13 km – Presented by DLD Financial

The Consistency Trial – Results
– 3 laps with the least differential being the winner.

The day started out pretty laid back.  With all of the beautiful fall colours and the perfect dirt conditions some people were doing pre-laps, while others were simply exploring the scenery of Maple Mountain.  As the start time approached everyone was jazzed to get going.  This first event was different, and a bit of an adjustment for those with a history of racing.  However, after the super fun Consistency Trial was complete, many groups headed up for another casual lap, taking the opportunity to explore other trails,  to pre-ride some of the upcoming courses, and to explore the lay of this amazing land.  The people wanted more, and the weekend was going to deliver.

Open Men
Terry McKall             00:53.1 Differential
Jared Hicks              01:37.1
Tor Pedersen          03:26.3

Open Women
Elladee Brown                     00:43.8

Men 40+        
Glen Houle              00:17.0
Graham Fox              00:30.3
Jeff Pilkington           00:48.6

Men 50+
Brent Hill                   00:04.2 Overall Stage Winner
James Durand         00:31.3
Zenya Kasubuchi     00:37.6

Stage 2, Saturday Morning  – 16km – Presented by BC Ferries

The Tech-gnar Challenge – Results

• A mini-epic on the classic loop of Maple Syrup on Maple Mountain.

Open Men
Terry McKall             1:10:41
Alex Cogger             1:15:57
Jesse Melamed                   1:20:59

Open Women
Elladee Brown                     1:11:16

Men 40+        
Glen Houle              1:11:12
Jeff Pilkington           1:13:17
Jon Bula                    1:13:29

Men 50+
Gary Jackson           1:04:38 Overall Stage Winner
Scott Hedlund         1:10:43
James Wilson         1:11:02

Stage 3, Saturday Afternoon – 13km – Presented by Harbour Air

The Flowmaster 3000  – Results

• Tony’s Arbutus Ridge with a full rip on the new Phloem trail, on Maple Mountain

Open Men
Jesse Melamed                   :43:38 Overall Stage Winner
Chris Johnston                    :44:48
Alex Cogger             :47:07

Open Women
Elladee Brown                     :47:02

Men 40+        
Jon Bula                    :48:04
Glen Houle              :49:58
Dave Drummond    :57:35

Men 50+
James Wilson          :46:14
Scott Hedlund         :47:01
Kurt Flaman              :47:03

Stage 4, Saturday Afternoon –5km – Presented by Fox and Race Face

RedBull Downtime – Results

– A Race within a Race on the Phloem section within the afternoon route.

Open Men
Jesse Melamed                   :09:36.6
Chris Johnston                    :10:49.5
Terry McKall              :12:38.1

Open Women
Elladee Brown         :12:56.3

Men 40+        
Jon Bula                  :13:10.9
Glen Houle              :13:37.7
Dave Drummond     :14:29.2

Men 50+
James Wilson         :12:13.5
Gary Jackson          :12:14.6
Kurt Flaman              :12:53.6

OVERALL

Four Stages Timed & Consistency   – Results

Open Men
Terry McKall              297
Jesse Melamed                   294
Chris Johnston                    293

Open Women
Elladee Brown                     300 Overall Points Winner

Men 40+        
Glen Houle              299
Jeff Pilkington           293
Jon Bula                   292

Men 50+
Scott Hedlund         291
James Durand         289
Gary Jackson           287

Stage 5, Sunday Morning – 22km – Presented by Rocky Mountain

The Poker Challenge

(No timing today, just cards). First Lap gets a hand dealt, 5 cards. Second Lap gets a Draw of 1-3 cards – simple right?

With the weather looming large and in charge, a storm was brewing on the west coast of Canada and it looked to be a doozy.  The rain came but certainly didn’t dampen the athletes’ spirits on this day.  Stage 5, the Social Ride, would take place on Tzouhalem Mountain which is just across the valley from the previous two days of Maple Mountain. Known for its perfect symbiosis of both jank & flow, the “Tzoo” never disappoints.

A pile of riding, beer, charging, and amazing singletrack was all wrapped up with a very casual and enjoyable last day. The storm intermittently thrashed and threw furious waves of torrential rain, but everything came out Aces.  

“The bikes are the best they’ve ever been, the trails are the best they’ve ever been.  This truly is the golden age of mountain biking,” said Andreas Hestler, Olympian, Father, Co-Owner of BC Bike Race

There’s something special about the bikes these days.  What’s more, the terrain and trails we have access to today are a far cry from those early Repack DH days and the bikes they rode. We now have trail builders and local organizations that are creating amazing networks of trail that the early pioneers of our sport could never have dreamed of.  The smiles seen this weekend speak volumes to the gratitude we all share,  and the appreciation for all the opportunities that lay before us.  This truly is the golden age of mountain biking.  

  – MEGA VOLT, OUT (till next year)!!

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