Year: 2009

Nick Is No Whiner..

Posted on by Smoke

…he’s a wine MAKER.

He looks pretty stoked to be riding in Canada too.  Just a random call from a guy up in the valley on business.  I had to do some background on Nick to find out just what kind of wine he makes.  Apparently, it’s pretty damn good wine.

It’s a good career path for someone totally amped on riding bikes.  Wine country tends to be good bike country, and if you make good wine you might just be able to afford a good bike.

We ran a lap of Smith Creek for starters.  Then, since Nick hasn’t really seen the freeride side of the sport, we went for a couple of laps on Gillard.

I wouldn’t say that he stomped the trails.  Even with the primo demo bike courtesy of Trek and Fresh Air Experience, he got spanked a couple of times early, leading to a few shy moments like this one, but at least he got a day in with only minor “souvenirs”.

Pretty tough to have a bad day on the trails when it’s this nice out, and the locals came out of the woodwork to make him feel at home. 

Great day.

Freshie!

Posted on by Smoke

I sure took my time putting this one together.  As much as I want another big bike, all signs are pointing towards a more XC/AM rig this year.  Still, I have to put my own spin on it, don’t I?

She just wouldn’t be my bike without some serious freeride capabilities, no matter how XC oriented.

Here’s the full spec:

Frame – Med. Endorphin
R Shock – Cane Creek Double Barrel
Fork – Rock Shox Lyrik U-turn
HS – Cane Creek
Stem – Chromag Ranger
Bar- Chromag Rootbeer Fubar
Grips – Brown, yo.
Saddle – Chromag Trailmaster DT
Post – Thompson Elite
QR – Chromag
Crank/BB – Raceface Atlas
Pedals – NRG Lo Profile Flats
Wheels – Mavic Crossmax SX
Brakes – Shimano XT
Shifters, R der – SRAM XO
Fr Der – Shimano XT
Tires – Maxxis Hi Roller 2.5" UST full DH casing

With a down year in the industry and tourism, I needed a lot of help getting this one together.  Thanks to Skinny and Shroom at NRG, Dorothy at Cycles-Lambert, Ian at OGC, Kurt at Freedom, all the boys at Kelowna Cycles, Ian at Chromag, and of course Noel and Chris at Knolly.

Pics are from a rad little canyon beside my house.  You’ll be able to buy this bad boy in the fall.

Powers Creek Trailday

Posted on by Smoke

I’m still kind of tired from yesterday’s epic.  So I guess that digging in the hot sun would be the best thing to do.  

In association with Outbound Cycle and the MTBco, it was time to revive the entrance to 2.5 on Powers Creek. It’s been getting sort of run down lately.

About 30 volunteers showed up to dig in the dust.

Dave got us smoothing and widening the whole top section in an effort he called “Operation Flow”.

Lunch was provided by the good people at Il Mercato deli in downtown Westbank.  Ryan brought his own beer.

We even had small shovels for anyone with pink sunnies…

And of course Nato showed up late and shredded the trail instead of working.  Some had to get first tracks….