Year: 2006

THE EPIC – Stage 1

Posted on by Smoke

OK, so here’s the deal. Every year on Red Shred’s birthday, he goes for an epic across the Chilcotin Mountains by bike with B.O.B Trailers. Not just an epic, but “THE EPIC” as it is known. This year, the route was to go start at the north end of Taseko Lake and ride across Warner Pass to Spruce Lake, then go across Windy Pass, through Eldorado Basin, and out on Lick Creek.

Here’s a map….or if you’re into Google Earth, download THIS FILE to check out the first day.

Our first day was to see how far down Taseko Lakes we could get. Our goal was supposedly all the way to the camp at the far end of Upper Taseko, but since no-one we knew had done the trail, I had my doubts.

Here’s a map of the first day, and as you can see, we didn’t make the end of the lake. Not by a longshot.

After a very long drive out through what looked like Sir Arthur Conan Doyles “Lost World” (or at least the Stoney Creek Reserve), we arrived at Taseko.

It didn’t take long to set up the rigs.

…and we’re off.

It also didn’t take long for us to get into some deep brush. This was the only really gnarly bush we saw on the trip, and it didn’t last long….but what an intro.

Theresa’s dad also brought his dog, a Pekinese named Punky. Keep that in mind when you look at our trip. He ran most of the way.

Ahh…smoooth sailing again, with Brian and Lyall.

There was seemingly endless singletrack like this. I quickly forgot about my trailer, like Steve forgot about his helmet.

Doh! The first casualty, and we’re only a couple of hours in.

While Theresa’s trailer was a bit lighter than the others, it was also lower and wider and was hitting every rock even on the smooth sections. I guess we’ll see how it goes….

Ther we go, Theresa is back in the saddle just in time to see this wicked view.

A very nice late summer day.

About here we all came to our senses regarding getting to the end of the lake today. The trail suddenly got sort of tech, and we all remembered about the trailers we were pulling.

Shane almost fell off this cliff, but managed to hang on…just.

Some swimming in glacial water, some good food on the beach, some cold beers, and a few bear bangers made a fitting end to a great first day.

THE EPIC – Prologue

Posted on by Smoke

Sooner or later, you know I’m going to nedd a break. Well, here it is. I managed to get a bit of a lull in the schedule this summer, so I pinned it back up to Williams Lake to enjoy a bit of summer. Plus, Shreddie had his annual birthday tour lined up for an epic across the Chilcotin. More about that tomorrow…..

First, we had to go wake boarding. Here’s Steve Mitchell, who turns up like a bad penny at ALL these events.

Yeah, I ride bikes more than I wakeboard. So what?

No pics of the birthday boy out on his turn. He went Cariboo style (ie – NOOD)…and the pics came out just a little too clearly.

Anyway, one thing led to another, and welll….here’s how it started.

A while later, on a different lake, we ran into these guys, who were charging offf this ramp with full on big bikes like V-10’s.

It didn’t take long for everyone else to step it up.

….bit of a kick there.

Yeeeeeehaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Oooooooooooooo………

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooow!

…and the biggest air of the day goes to Mitchell for tis massive buttdrop. He’s still going up there, and landed ass first just in the frame.

Still MORE Brits…Last Day

Posted on by Smoke

Graduation time. Leo and Julian have totally destroyed the local scene, so they get a bonus day. Eagle Ridge today. It’s worth the busted lung. As an added bonus, we’re riding with Wyld Willy and the infamous Noel(you really need to check this link out) of Knolly bikes. Not to mention that Leo got to ride a Knolly for the day.

Of course, that’s the very top, and we know that we’re done climbing for hte day. No kidding we look happy and hungry.

Before we got to that point, we had to session the snot outta Four Lost Souls.

Willy with his inimitable style. He’s one of those really tall guys who has to suck it up to get any air at all.

Noel throws down. That’s his new bike, the Delerium. Sort of a lighter all mountain rig, but clearly capable of anything. Even big Noel throwing down big moves.

Leo hangs it out on the wall rides.

Not to be outdone, Julian gets into the act.

Once we got warmed up, it was off to the top of the hill and to Massage Therapy.

Lots of sketchy scary stuff up here. Only a few clinets ever get to see this stuff.

Harley, of course, is completely underwhelmed.

Willy continued to school the pack with his uncanny Hick Huckster skills.

Of course, that just leads to inspiration for evryone else, as Julian sets out to prove here.

Leo drops in at the top.

The biggest log ride in Canada?

Maybe…

We had a truly great day, and topped it off with a great meal at Arms Reach Bistro courtesy of our guests, including an impromptu clinic on how to buy wine.

Once again, a fantastic day of riding, and great company to be with.