St. George’s KVR 2013 – Day 1

The first day is the big one, so of course we fuelled up with a big breakfast.  Thanks, Barb.

I won’t even try to pretend that this is a fun ride.  It’s OK after about the halfway mark at this trestle, but overall it’s rough, sandy, loose, and today it was kind of warm.

At the tunnel I brought up the rear to find a bunch of guys hiding in the shade.  Really, it was only about 25C out, but I guess they’re just not used to it.

Not sure they’re used to much problem solving, either.  I personally used my hands to wet down my hair and wash my face here, but one solution is pretty much the same as any other, right?

As the day wore on, it did get somewhat warmer.  I was glad to sit in the shade here, as it was a bit over 30C by now.  Hard to believe I was just at the ski hill in -10C. 

Some more scenic on trail shots for ya…

If you were up at the front, you got to see this coyote.  He was quick; I almost didn’t get the shot.

Just at the very end of the ride, there’s a bit of a steeper spot.  Nothing that anyone used to mountain biking would blink twice at, but for kids that don’t really ride bikes it’s a bit of an issue.  I let them walk it or ride it as they see fit.  Luckily it’s short enough and mellow enough that it’s hard for them to really get any speed up, or they might really get hurt.

Nosebleeds don’t count, Jordan.

This one of Big Frank is so epic.  He didn’t get a scratch, but it sure looks awesome.

Our fire was lots of fun tonight.  As we are some of the first people to stay at this campsite this year, there were a lot of pine needles around, and they had a tendency to catch fire.  Nothing very energetic, but they would travel quite well.  I think we got them to burn a good 3 meters or more away from the main pit.

The dwarves enjoyed it…

PS – Happy birthday to my sister!

St. George’s KVR 2013 – Prologue

It’s not really the bike season for me until we do the KVR trip with St. George’s school.  It’s like me training camp to start the season.  This year, JJ is back and also Barb and Chevy came out to camp on the first night.

The boys have a bit of learning to do when it comes to starting a fire, but they’ll get it quick.

The weather looks like it’s going to be amazing.  I’ve never done this trip without at least a bit of rain and snow.  Seems like neither of those are in the cards for this week.

…and first crash of the trip goes to JJ, for this spectacular seated dismount at the fire.

At least he didn’t drop his sausage…

Fresh and Hot

…Just like a big cup of morning coffee.  One of my goals this year is to explore a bit more down around Oliver and OK Falls.  Vance and Karl put the hurt on today with a bit of a loop down around OK Falls. 

Took a bit of a beating on the uphill, but you couldn’t ask for a better day than today.

You can see the Apex backcountry there in behind Karl.  Only a few weeks ago I was skiing those lines and it was -10C.  It was a solid 40 degrees warmer out today.

Top of the hill looking east over Vaseaux Lake with Vance, Karl, and Jens.

Saw my first bears of the year today too.  Only the one cub?

Nope, there’s number two.  Cute little cinnamon guy was hiding in the shade before.

Just another lame view.

A tough little climb, yes.  But it was a full value descent.  I was quite surprised at how long we went down for, and it was prime quality the whole way.

Oh yeah, fresh bike today too.  My first Stumpjumper.

I wasn’t quite done today though.  I had to go look for my goggles that I lost on Thursday, and ran into Julie for a lap.  Oh look…my goggles.  Right where they got snagged off my helmet by a branch.

Dessert laps….my favourite.

Well, that was fun.  5 days of KVR coming up.