Month: September 2008

Fel Ci Efo Dau Gynffon – Day 2

Posted on by Smoke

Well, that was a pretty good first day. Since it went so well, I thought we should try something a little tougher. Our old pal Vance agreed, so we all hooked up for a lap of Rock Oven.

I should have figured it would be an adventure when I broke my seatpost in the first two minutes. Ahhh, it’s a steep enough climb I can just stand the whole way anyway.

Gotta even it out for the tourists, or it’s just not fair, eh?

Vance showed us this cool overhang I didn’t know about before.

I could live there if I had too.

Oh, and did I mention that it was another hot and sunny day? At least it cooled off a bit from the day before.

Andre was lovin’ the tech climb.

Hard to believe that ski season is fast approaching. Apex looks pretty dry right now.

Richard was more interested in eating his sandwich and getting back on his bike than thinking about skiing, I think.

I think I see why….

Yeah, 1st aid for bikes. Good thing I carry a 1st aid kit.

I’m not sure why I don’t ride this trail more often.

I mean, the scenery is kind of OK…

But I guess it looks just like any other part of Wales.

Vance split at about this point. I guess we were taking too much time with the cameras.

Do you blame us?

Graham also had a ton of flat tires to add to the woes of the day.

As we had a bit of split in the crew, I let Richard (who was dominating today’s ride) go on ahead while I hung back with Mandy and took some pics.

Ooops. Richard got a split in his leg. What a drag. He didn’t even really crash, just slid his front wheel on some pine needles and sliced his leg on a sharp rock. Talk about dumb luck.

Hey, at least I had a 1st aid kit, right?

It’s only a flesh wound, we kept on riding.

It just keeps on giving, as we went on down the endless rock slabs towards Skaha Lake.

I think Rob was really liking the steeps here.

Oh, too much fun. Take a break, Holly.

Ah, finally the lake. Shall we go to the hospital then?

Sorry, no map today. You’ll have to settle for this panorama.

Fel Ci Efo Dau Gynffon – Day 1

Posted on by Smoke

Our first day of the tour and we’re off to check out the sunny southern reaches of the valley. Oh, and our first wildlife sighting of the trip…

That’s a bear having a snack on my parents grapes.

I thought we’d start off sort of mellow. No point in going too hard on the first day. We rode out easy on the rail grade in Naramata.

As it was oppressively hot (34 C!) I decided against the singletrack climb. As much as I dislike going up gravel roads, it was just too hot to try to grind up the hard way. This may have been hot, but we got up there fast.

Hmmmmm…is this a good trail yet?

Graham says “YES!”

Holly and her first of many log hops.

Yep, it’s an epic start to the tour.

For those of you wondering, this is exceptional September weather. I always expect it to be sunny, but it was seriously nice out.

Here we are starting the descent of the V-Line.

A little lunch break and a lake view.

Mandy, also having fun.

OK, skills assessment time. Who wants to try a drop?

Apparently everyone. OK, who wants to try a bigger drop?

I guess that would just be me then. No worries, we’ll stick to the lower stuff.

Like this bridge…

All in all a fine start to the trip.

Of course, nothing beats some fine wine at the end of the ride, right Graham?

Want to see where we were? Here’s a map….


View Larger Map

Fel Ci Efo Dau Gynffon

Posted on by Smoke

Yeah, because everything in BC looks just like Wales. With glaciers. And bears.

Ah yes, more inside humour from the Bush Pilot. Well, this would be the long awaited final tour of the year. Some two weeks worth of high end XC riding for you to enjoy in a virtual fashion along with a cast of thousands, nay, of several fine British folk.