Kootenay Down Time

Posted on August 26, 2011September 17, 2011 by Smoke

It’s a non-working day of sorts. We cracked off a staff descent in the morning, and helped the boys with their stunt (I’m callin’ it the Moose Knuckle, but I think Riley has his own story on it) a bit.

There must have been some distracton when this one got framed, as it needed a lot of refinements to make it rideable. I guess it gets lonely at the lodge, so when the ladies show up, the trail building gets done with only half an eye. Luckily, the ladies were away today so Riley could adjust the line.

Our pals from NRG also were around today. They had to get a bit of work done, as they were hosting a product launch for their best dealers (NRG imports distributes various familiar lines in Canada, like Chromag, Maxxis, MRP, and others). But work didn’t take long, and we got the up to Idaho Peak for a quick run before dinner.

Kootenay down time…get it?

Alright, two days of riding, feasting, and checking out the latest 2012 gear from some of my favourite companies. Oh, and I get paid to do this?

Retallack Ride Guide – 3

Posted on August 25, 2011September 16, 2011 by Smoke

Who wants to ride in a helicopter?

Of course you do. That highest peak in the previous shot would be Toad Mountain, also known as the top of Powerslave. Which would be Riley McIntosh’s 3 year building program to make a trail from the high point above Nelson right into town.

Eamonn got so excited his shirt fell off.

Dude, get off the phone….

See that beach down by the orange bridge? Remember that, it’ll come in handy later…

Wait! I left my phone in the heli! Ahhhh….never mind.

Yeaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh boyeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The view that inspires.

The pause that refreshes (please do not try this with your own Powerslave. We are professionals…).

And now for some awe inspiring shots. enjoy…

Heeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrreeeeee’s MASON!

Love the intensity on Joel’s face. Too bad I didn’t have video of this. It was an impressive drift.

Shawn’s style ain’t so shabby either.

The rest of the ride went a ton faster once we got rid of the TV guy. So you don’t get to see any pics of the rest of the ride. Just this one of us at the top of Morning Mountain, about to drop in on 90 minutes of continuous downhill action.

There….remember that beach I was talking about? Well, here it is and there’s Toad…wayyyyyyy up there.

Also, a topless dancing Eamonn….

The boys clearly had a good time out there, and cut loose a bit on the beach after to celebrate. I couldn’t join in (somebody had to drive), but I at least got to record the events for posterity.

Possibly my favourite shot of the summer so far.

Riley’s house…

All that celebrating has consequences.

The lodge had a killer meal waiting for us, and as it was the last night for the Ride Guide the boys let loose a bit.

Much to the amusement of the crews from Sacred Rides and NRG in attendance.

“Let’s hear it for RETALLACK!”

Retallack Ride Guide – 2

Posted on August 24, 2011September 16, 2011 by Smoke

Day two saw us looking into some of the other options the lodge has to offer. For instance, Joel tries out the complimentary lobotomy service

Kris plays with some of the full size Tonka toys….

I kid…I kid. We took the morning to try out the Monster today. It looks like it will probably be too dry to really have a good run, but what the hey. We have a TV camera and blubird skies.

Kev, get off the freakin’ phone. We’re on top of a mountain in the Kootenays, what is so important? Actually, Eamonn was the worst offender at this. Kev just got the better shot.

Strangely enough, Eamonn was riding some made for TV lines instead of gabbin’ on the phone.

A stereotyped rock star shot of the Adidas lenses.

Mason practices his throat punches.

More poser scenery with Landry.

How about we ride? Last time I did this trail was 2001. It’s actually gotten a bit easier.

At least, that’s what I told Joel.

Easy, right?

With the dry weather, traction was NOT ideal. Here’s a rare shot of Eamonn 3 pointing the gnarly exposure of the “Doobie Time” steeps.

I tried the “Stoopid Steeps” down lower and rode a good 30 feet with both wheels locked before I laid it down. Last time I had no real trouble with that line, but it was much wetter then. The rest of the trail is still in surprisingly good shape. Worth the trip.

Also worth the trip….5 dollar hamburgers in Kaslo.

After lunch we went back to the lodge and sessioned the new trail Riley has been working on. It doesn’t have a name yet, but it’s what we in the trade like to call, a “gooder.”