Year: 2006

ChocolateFoot – Last Day

Posted on by Smoke

What? Last day already? Awwwww…. I was just getting to know you guys. Well, at least you lucked out and got a CLASSIC shore day. I bit of mist, a bit of fog, and we’re on my home turf.

Oooo! And I’ve got a new prototype from Cove Bikes to test too.

We’re calling it the Mingeebollockwanker for now. Lots of pics from CBC to show you today.

Hey, what can I say? It’s a go to spot for me.

You KNOW you’re going to get good shots here. It’s a gimmee.

Pffft …..Al, ya freakin showoff.

He is pretty good though. I think he pretty much ruled the tour….even if he never did find the marmalade.

Today’s star was Phil (finally). After struggling all week, he finally hit his stride on Seymour.

I think he was just waiting for everyone to blow up before making his move. I can relate. I use that strategy a lot.

Yo Phil, you’re up there now.

Well, Tom was stomping everything in sight too, and he didn’t look too tired.

Wa, on the other hand, had completely blown his load on Fromme yesterday. Hey, if this is struggling, you’ve got no worries….

Yeah, it’s a cliche now. Big trees, misty ambience, silhouetted rider…

Oooooo……a change from the usual. Yeah, the ChocoFoot crew rates. We’re going for the good stuff today. Welcome to Dale’s Trail.

Not everyone gets to ride this.

Of course, Al continued to stomp.

Wa managed to hang out some fairly large lines, even though he felt beat down from 2 weeks of riding.

Oh….my…..god. Al has put his foot down. Turn off the lights, lock it up, take it home….it’s all over.

Ahhhh screw it. Lets go for another run. CBC again….(see above for stupidly epic shots. Rinse and repeat). this time we got into Corkscrew.

How many guys can we get on the stunt at once?

Ye Olde Zipper Teeter.

Hey Al…there’s some marmalade at the bottom…..

Awwwwwwwwww…..I was just kidding. Look, you’re just gonna have to come back.

Boys, I had an excellent week. Come back any time.

ChocolateFoot – Day 6

Posted on by Smoke

What…we gotta pedal? Well, if you want any marmalade you do. Fromme is a no shuttle zone, didn’t ya know?

It hardly sems worth it, when you get conditions like this. Just a little bit wet out, enough to make it interesting.

Or, as Wa puts it, “this was the best day’s riding I’ve ever had on the Shore.”

I made the boys sesson this first ramp for quite a while. It’s funny, but if you can just conquer the first move, it seems like the rest of the day just falls in place. It took a while, but most of the crew stepped up and nailed it.

I think I’ll continue to quote:

“The first time you ride the North Shore is like trying smoking. It’s nasty, painful, and it’s difficult to do and look cool. But you’re going to be back for more because you’re HOOKED. “

Wee, if you get the first big move, this next one is a piece of cake, and nothing… I mean NOTHING….can ever match the moment of rolling out onto Big Smooth with no idea of the other side, but hitting it anyway.

Yeah, I already know what’s down there.

Tom doesn’t, and I don’t think he even realizes his back tire is off the rock.

Trepid?

Ooooooo….fresh trail work.

..it’s still stupid hard to get up first try. We finished way down on the rollercoaster, where we saw this teeny tiny biker riding.

And there you go. A boy and his dog….another day in the life.

ChocolateFoot – Day 5

Posted on by Smoke

Oh no! What happened to our sunshine? Probably the same thing that happend to Ian’s knee. It just got tired of behaving. Actually, it was a great day to be out on the Bog, even if Ian had to take a break (I have great sympathy for this. As I write this, I’ve just returned from getting an MRI on mine).

Anyway, I’ve never had a bad ride on the Bog. It’s unreal how much different terrain there is on this trail.

Oh look!

Awwwww, Al thought he saw a jar of marmalade.

I guess you kind of had to be there, but Al (for those of ou who don’t know him) is a bit of a self styled 18th century gentlemen vagabond. Some time ago he discovered that you can get away with pretty much anything if you cover it up with an apologetic manner and a posh accent.

Or, as Stu put it…”He just lathers on the Englilsh so no-one notice’s he’s fucking them off.” Whatever, for a guy who makes remote controlled spyplanes for the British military, he’s a damn fine rider.

Oh yes, Phil. “The Shadow.” If he knew you were watching, it was a bust. He doesn’t know I’m standing here with a camera, so I managed to get a shot. Tricksy I am….

Al.

OK, favourite shot of the tour. Yes, the frame is slightly angled, but it looks like how it feels when you ride it, especially right there…. There’s a bit of a double bump as you just get onto the log, so you’re sort of falling for the first couple of bike lengths. It’s kind of hard to explain, but there’s a long moment at the top of this log that feels so committed.

Dom’s crash from yesterday seems to be well behind him.

Here’s more proof.

Al of course, is so freaking tall that he makes it all look sort of wimpy.

Round two we got into Knuckleduster. I love lap 2, because there’s way less stopping.

Of course, we sessioned the snot out of the setdown/stepup combo. I might have some vid of it for you in the near future.

A couple of 3500′ laps, and we’re done another one.