Month: May 2010

FRESHIES!!

Posted on by Smoke

Finally…a new quiver.  It took a while, but it’s been worth the wait.  I’m back on Rocky Mtn. Bikes, and it looks like there’s been big changes since last time I was on their gear.   I guess that’s what a couple of years of hitting World Cup podiums gets you.

Besides that awesome Flatline WC, I also get to use this Altitude for the pedally bits.  So far, so good (although I’d really like a chance to try out that new Slayer soon).

Here’s another look at the Flatline.  I did a custom build on it, with all kinds of sweet goodies courtesy of Chromag.  Also I raided Wade’s Shimano stash, and Kurt at Freedom Bike Shop helped out a ton with gathering up all the shiny bits.  Probably will do up some kind of review a bit later, but the first rides are in and they’re both great bikes.

Mission Creek Skills Park Nearly Open

Posted on by Smoke

Went for a walkthrough of the new bike skills park in Kelowna recently.  It’s about the last thing to do before we get official sanctioning on this project.  Check out the easy line.

Now check out John Cowan sending it on the big line.   There’s everything in between here.

The thinking is that by providing a real set of jumps, we can avoid the high maintenance factor of people ripping apart the smaller lines in order to make bigger ones.  Hopefully these are big enough to keep the groms happy for a few weeks anyway.

JC also did an amazing demo on how to maintain the jumps.  I wish I‘d videoed it, as it was incredibly educational.  Maybe I’ll be able to trick him into doing one another time.

Ahhh…this must be a City gig.  Lots of oversight.

The snakes like the park too.

Alright, the park is open.  Here’s the rules.  Learn them, know them, live them.

May Long – Day 3

Posted on by Smoke

The Vancouver guys all went home and look what happens…the sun comes out!

Just went for a little rip on Smith Creek with Jonny, Brant, and Jasmine today. I haven’t seen the upgrades this year, so it was cool to check out what’s been done.  Pretty rad set of teeters here.

Just a pleasant day for a climb.  That new Altitude I got sure goes uphill well.

Lots of other folks out today taking advantage of the nice weather.

Before you freak out, she has a helmet, but it’s a full face and without a pack she got Jonny to carry it for her.  The climb is pretty relentless, so it’s fine to take it off on this one.

All that rain sure greened the place up.

Brant borrowed a bike that was a bit much for the full climb.  That’s OK, buddy.  None of us are getting any younger.

Jonny sold his bike last night at midnight, and bought this one at 10 am today.  Nice timing.

And Jasmine survived her first Smith Creek climb.

After the full pull climb, it’s a fast descent.  On the way out, I saw this guy on the road.  Sorta blew it getting the camera out (wrong setting altogether) but I managed to get a pic and a half of this young coyote.

 

Now to get the DH bike built.  Hopefully the parts will show up finally…a month late, but finally.