Nice Present – 3

Posted on July 13, 2014July 22, 2014 by Smoke

Good morning Nelson, BC!

Your mission today, Powerslave.

The gang might need some inspiration after a long evening of games of skill. Between tomahawks, Nageln, and Indo-board Jenga, it’s a wonder that they even got up this morning. Wait…maybe this will inspire:

Post by Mike Kinrade.

Whattya think? Did we score a great day for the first heli drop of the season or what?

You’d better kiss her, dude. This is about the best birthday present you can get (I’d know, I’ve had a few heli birthdays…)

Post by Sydney Bannerman.

Actually, it was pretty intense. Temps at takeoff were about 26C, but at the summit they were the same. We were anticipating over 40 by the end of the ride.

Like we cared… It doesn’t really get any better than this.

Some nice roost on this turn.

Syd was only on her 22nd day of riding. On Powerslave. Yeah.

Seriously. Legendary trail, sick lines, epic crash, superstar smile. That girl is my hero.

Thanks for bringing this crew out, Syd. Happy birthday, Ryan. And Wylie…damn glad to meet ya.

Absolutely amazing trio, and what a way to end the day (you can see the summit where we dropped to the left of Wylie, and now we’re swimming in Kootenay Lake).

OK, back to the Okanagan. More shenanigans coming at ya.

Nice Present – 2

Posted on July 12, 2014July 21, 2014 by Smoke

At Retallack, we have to be very cognizant of the many rare and threatened species around. This family of Blue Grouse doesn’t really count, but I’m still not going to run them over. There’s four of the little blighters in there if you look closely.

We started the day off with a couple of laps on Idaho Peak. Not much to take pics of, so I didn’t. We smashed a couple of laps off with the gang and went back to the lodge for lunch.

Today we also had Gen and Vince join us. With the edge off from a couple of days of shredding, and the mercury topping 34C this afternoon, we slowed the pace a little for some BF/GF laps. Here’s Gen and Vince carving a berm on the Kessel Run.

Ryan is still sending it (Syd surprised me with how fast she’s riding and I accidentally chopped her head off… I’ll have to see if I can get a couples shot of them tomorrow on Powerslave).

Here’s the girls carving some more Kootenay brown pow.

And here’s Ryan sending the Lillyhammer large once again. That boy has a serious whip.

Awwww yeah! It’s somebody’s birthday!

Nice Present – 1

Posted on July 11, 2014July 20, 2014 by Smoke

Training is over, let’s get down to business.

First Retallack crew of the year is up. Former World Cup DH guy Ryan scored the ultimate birthday present from his girlfriend with a trip to the Kootenays. Oh, and their pal Wylie came along too. Looks like it might be a good little crew to kick off the season with.

They seem to know their way around the bike, at any rate.

Kinrade doesn’t count; he’s always doing this stuff.

Ryan showing us all how to whip.

Havoc has a different style.

Almost forgot to mention that there’s a lot of new trail going in around the lodge. Looks like there will be a new top to bottom from Reco Peak. The lower section of this new trail is now ready to ride. The whole line is called Timber Terra, but this particular part we refer to as Pork Chop Sandwiches.

That’s Syd in the last pic, who not only shouted for the trip as birthday present, but is also just learning to ride. Keep that in mind if you’re wondering if you can handle Retallack. This girl is only 20 rides in and is having a blast here.

I think the boys had a good day too, don’t you?

Bush Pilot Biking

Savage mountain bike adventures in the heart of the freeride capital of the universe: British Columbia, Canada.

Month: July 2014

Nice Present – 3

Nice Present – 2

Nice Present – 1