Month: August 2009

Hurtin’ For Vert – Prologue

Posted on by Smoke

Holy massive update.  Well, it’s a bit of a massive day trip here.  A call from Tyler at PinkBike earlier in the season has come to fruition.  A whole pile of personalities and miscommunications later, and whoever showed up at this random spot in the Selkirk Mtns. was in. 

Among others, Elinor made it out to the camp late.  Sorry lads, she’s taken

Some random German named Manhorse also showed up.  I don’t even want to know…

Oh, and Dre was there in time for coffee.

Nice campsite, eh?

Another lovely young lady that shreds….and knows how to make the most of breakfast time.

Yeah, she’s not looking for a boyfriend either.  You fella’s just relax.  Like this guy…

Doesn’t get any more relaxing, does it?  Dingo, watch where you’re standing.  You might be in a puddle.

Margus, also known as ‘the Turtle’ and ‘the Thunder’.  He carries a big pack, and rides a short travel rig really hard.  I’ll let you figure that out.

Wade, with the first of his several hundred flat tire.  This is like…30 seconds into the trip.

There’s the rock he hit.

Here’s the penalty for slowing us down.

Hi!

So, we’re rocking a trail known as Martha Creek.  Just a little 4700 foot descent to start the day.

There’s Tyler.  His mom dressed him.

Dingo, with a more subdued fashion sense.

Simmons, about to flat again.

Yeah, it’s flat alright.  A star studded cast to be sure on this trip.  Former Olympians, top 2 Crankworx finishers, pro level riders of all sorts, Psychosis champs, I was in deep for this week.

Sorta like this guy.  In deep…

Rest break, flat repair, and what is soon to be a bridge.

Alright, back to shreddin.

Small girl, big trees.

Oh, some Euro stars were out too.  Mario is one of the top freeride stars in Germany these days.  The camera just loves him…

Reg doesn’t give a shit about the camera, he just likes ripping.

At least we found a use for all those blown tubes.

Wow, you guys are tired? That was just the warm up!

Here’s some stats for you…

Silent But Deadly

Posted on by Smoke

Another long lost acquaintance from the coast called up for an Okanagan adventure.  This time it was Isaac of Shuttlewhore fame who came along.  We last saw Isaac on one of those notorious Disneyland rides.

He also brought along some friends.  Keiko, who is a fairly mellow rider, and Don, who is basically amazing.

Don, who barely speaks, rode everything in sight.  Consider that he only rides a few times a year, and you’ll understand today’s title a bit better.  Oh….that’s Keiko in the next pic somewhere.

Isaac dropping in on Cat’s Ass.

There’s Don. 

We got into some refurbished stuff today.  No pics, as it’s not open yet, but there’s a ton of trails that were taken out by the fire back in 2003 that are almost restored.  There should be some fine “new” riding in Kelowna this fall.

No trip to Gillard is complete without a run on Boss Hog.

Yeah, someone has some intensity.

Don was going too fast for focus.

Always good to hang out with the old crew.  Especially when they buy you dinner at a nice bistro.   Awesome to see you guys again, I hope to have you back this fall.

Happy 1st Birthday

Posted on by Smoke

Wow, it seems like just a year ago I was running off to the hospital, leaving a tour mid-ride and just generally freaking out over becoming a dad. Oh yeah…it WAS a year ago.

We tried to get Chev to jump into the cake, but no dice.

Sorry honey, you still have to share it with everyone.

Speaking of everyone, we got inundated with a whole flock of babies.

Someone had to help her unwrap all her presents. 

I think this little guy’s name was “Trouble”.  At least his middle name, at any rate.

There you go.  Pure carnage.  I’ll get back to the bike riding soon, I promise.