3 Blind Mice

Mr & Mrs. Marmalade – 7

Posted on by Smoke

There’s that blue sky.  I’ve been waiting for another bluebird day so that we can go and hit up the Naramata trails the right way.  Some places are meant to be ridden on sunny days.

We got sorta lost today.  Thought I’d try out the middle zone, and it was a classic morning of “technical traversing.”  I wasn’t lost…

See?  I found the place I was looking for.

Eventually, anyways.

Kept things more on track for subsequent runs though.  One flail per trip, that’s all I’ll allow.

Surfs up!

Yvonne has improved leaps and bounds this tour.  Yes, that is technically a step up.

Some more blue skies and big smiles.

OK, another sappy lovers shot and we’re out.

Newlywed or….? – Day 2

Posted on by Smoke

Awesome, these kids are fit.  And strangely well rested for people on their honeymoon.  Well, they HAVE been together for 7 years, so I guess they’re not as anxious as some might be.

Today, I’m finally going to get to climb up to the top of the Naramata trails.  They didn’t believe me that it’s 1000m up, but then again the Okanagan is totally deceiving in that way.

Yup, all smiles, but we are still at the beginning.

No rain last night, but the heat has yet to kick in.  It was perfect out today for a big climb.  Around 20C and the ground was still a bit moist.

OK, so no more pics of the climb, because it got very difficult and we started to hurt.  It was a bit over 2.5 hours for us to get up to the reservoir.  Here’s Mark on the descent.  No, he’s not smiling…yet.

Louise is always smiling, so that’s not really fair.

By this point, both of them were in total heaven.  Check out that ‘singletrack’.  And this would be one of our more popular lines to ride out here, too.

“The best descent we’ve ever experienced,” was the verdict.  I love hearing comments like that.  After a brief wine tasting at Laughing Stock, we went for a quick swim to cool off.

Another solid day.  Mark and Louise may not have a ton of technical singletrack experience, but they are certainly fit and capable, so tomorrow we’ll tackle Rock Oven before they move on to the Kootenays.

May Long – Day 1

Posted on by Smoke

A smaller turnout this year.  I think with the Coast having lots of riding all winter, and spring being a bit colder, plus our renos being sort of slow, well…lets just keep it small this year.  We’ve got some locals to play with anyway.

Like John here.  Mr. Prepared.  I like your style.

Actually, Derek came up from Vangroovy (the guy on the right, obviously not from around here…).  We rode up the Mice and met some freeriders at the top again.   2 hour climb for us, comedy of errors and wrong turns for them.

 

Yeah, not the sunniest of long weekends this year.  Well, we’ve had great weather in May the past 5 years, so it’s about time we got a bit of cooler weather.  Once again, a bit of snow at the top.

A wrong turn at one point led to this great bit of trail. I love riding here.  It’s always a new adventure.

Oh, and Rich came out too.  Almost forgot.  If you’re looking to ride this trail, take note of this next pic, as it’s where the secret turn is.  Now I’ve given it away, I guess it’s not secret.  Riiiiiiiiiiiggghhhhhhhhhhhht.  Oh wait…  Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeefffffffffft.

Last turn, and the new gully ride section.  This is the berm to hip entry for it.  Sort of sneaks up on you fast, eh Derek?

Brant and Jason have a better shot at it.