Standard B.C. weather had done its thing for most of the day when time came for the 18th Toonie Race of the season to commence. Standard B.C. weather in this context, of course, means a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Just enough rain had fallen to make exposed roots and bridges nice and slick, yet not enough had been able to penetrate the ticker canopy in several spots, leaving a number of dusty patches to remind us of how things used to be.

This was going to be the classic RBC, Buffalo Bills and Mark Richards Gallery Toonie, so Mandatory Suicide was on course. I don’t know about you guys, but that bit of Suicide just before the Stairway to Heaven (where the marshals helped you up with your bike) is getting tougher by the year. I wonder how long that tree with the creek running through its roots is going to last?

You’ve gotta love Mel’s Dilemma and Get Over It though, especially those open areas where enough rain had fallen to grease up the exposed roots nicely. This is West Coast, and in the case of our valley, West Side riding at its best, and guess what — you’ll get to do it all again this week, except you’ll be going south to north this time. Going up Bob’s Rebob was a bit of a switchback climb but the payoff, a descent down the Rainbow Trail, made it all worthwhile.

Buffalo Bills went all out, with a DIY hamburger table loaded with potato salad and chips to help us with all-important après carb-loading. I am not sure who won the Mark Richards painting of a section of local single track, but it sure looked like a trail I wouldn’t mind riding soon. Although, I may already have done so without paying enough attention to the surrounding area.

Tonight (Thursday, Sept. 6), TAG Cycling, Lululemon, Prior Snowboards, BDO Dunwoody and the Dubh Linh Gate are sponsoring a ride up Scotia Creek. Thanks, guys. No, really!

The sign-in and start are both at the bottom of the Scotia Creek Gravel Road — one of Whistler’s most popular climbing trails, at least with a certain segment of the cross-country biking population. By the way, I don’t belong to that segment, in case you missed it.

Anyway, after a loop around the Beaver Pond, you’ll make your way to Whip Me Snip Me for a climb back up to the 21 Mile Creek Bridge. After crossing the bridge, you’ll be back in familiar territory because it’s off to Get Over It via Bob’s Rebob trails.

Now me, I like going across Get Over It south to north, but if you’ve done last week’s race and now this one as well, you can be your own judge. Let me know what you think.

The finish will be at the Get Over It-Mel’s Dilemma junction, after which you’ll be invited to skedaddle down to the Dubh Linh Gate for refreshments.

Next Thursday (Sept. 13), the last Toonie of the 2012 season will see everyone return to the Lost Lake trails for a race sponsored by Scandinave Spa and the Burnt Stew Café. Start and finish will be in Spruce Grove and the après, well… guess! Here’s an idea: bring your swim suit.

Regrettably, I will miss both these last races, but I will be thinking about ya’ll whilst sipping something cool and stimulating. I will be back for the Oct. 25 Halloween Toonie. Got me a regular helmet lamp and everything!