Kate and Hamish – Day 1

Talk about yer mixed nuts…  Kate is an XC rider from London, and Hamish is another one of those Jedi Council types from Hertfordshire.  This could be challenging keeping them both satisfied.  We’ll see how things go in Naramata first.

So far so good.  Kate keeps the wheels on the ground, but can deal with just about anything and is fit enough to go all day.

Meanwhile, Hamish is not fazed by anything.

For a Herts rider, this is nothing.

Your affable hosts hang out on the beach between runs.

Round two, and it’s a bit more about Kate as we go for a slightly more pedally flavour on High Pony.

No Hamish, you can’t go bowling.

She’s all smiles, it must be OK…

There’s always a couple of hits around to keep Hamish happy.

Hamish and I got a a bonus lap in on the Beer Run, so that he could exercise his demons (not a typo, they needed some fresh air).  I don’t know where Tony finds these guys, but this one can seriously ride.

These are some fairly hefty moves that are kind of sketchy at best, and he nailed them all on sight.

I think tomorrow we’ll hit up Powers Creek and McDougall, and give Hamish a bit more of a workout.

Shock Monkey Tour – Last Day

We may have broken the rain curse, but it’s still lurking out there.  As we were getting ready for our last day together, Haish and Kate were driving in for their turn (starting tomorrow), and this is how it looked on the drive up.

On the other hand, we had dry conditions and were hungry for another stab at the trails we did the first day on Powers Creek.

Simon, finally got shot of the day.  That’s what I call the high line.  Nice work.

Sorry Jay, nice try.  Maybe next run.

A local showed up to send Shenanigans for us.  Unfortunately, this shot didn’t work out, but I’m throwing it in anyway. 

Uhhhh…is that your girlfriend with the Giant box?  Wow, she’s flexible.

Another random local, shredding Builders Only.  It was super busy today with folks getting tuned up for the opening day at Silverstar on Thursday.

OK, Jay.  Nice try, but you only get runner up for this one.  Good form, though.

A frosty cold one for Dave for all the work he’s putting in on the trail. 

Excellent tour with the Shock Monkeys.  I had a great time, and hope to see these kids again someday.

Shock Monkey Okanagan – Day 6

I think our rain curse is finally over, and we’re going back to Naramata for a rematch.  Gotta do these ones in the dry.

I know they felt bad about not hitting this steep line too (it’s way steeper than it looks in this pic.  You’re totally out of control in the middle).

Yeah, full house on that one.  No worries.

As easy as skipping rocks into the lake.

Round 2 and we went to Drops A Lot, which I wasn’t going to do in the wet.  I tried that earlier this year and it was supergnar with wet rocks.  In the dry, it’s way too fun.

Had the whole crew busting out drops and gaps the whole way down.

Even on the tech part of Jack and Jill, which is arguably one of the most tech lines we did in two weeks.  Tippie called this his favourite part of his visit recently, actually.

Come on Karen, the water’s just fine.

See?

Yeah, get in there Simon…

…but I think it’s too late for you anyway.  Enjoy your sofa tonight.