Ansgar & Tina

Ahh, the lovely couple on their honeymoon.   As is the wont with Germans these days, they are on a cruise across BC in a motorhome.  Although only around here for a day, I’d hoped to make it a memorable one.

I think the Koots put a bit of fear into them.  A common experience really.  Not to worry, we’ll get them up to speed with a nice progression.  Like from this…

To this…

Gabe came out today too.  This is likely his last ride here, as he’s got upcoming knee surgery and then is in self imposed exile to North Bay Ontario.

“Ja, in Germany ve also know how to rock.”

Tina seemed to be getting over her fears re: Canadian riding.  Nothing like the Mice to get that sorted.  Unlike many riders that come out this way, she got stronger as it got more technical.  Here she is killing some of the trickier lines on Bronco.

Even getting a bit of air on the Dead Horse Extension.

Gabe, you know you’re gonna miss this. 

You’re gonna miss this even more, I think.

A couple more shots of the happy couple shreddin’ berms and boostin’ hips, and we’re out on another.

Not to mention it was one of the hottest days of the summer.  I’m so glad to be having a real summer for a change.  This is the first really hot one in about three years, and I’m LOVING it all the way. 

This will be it for a bit, as I’m about to head on the infamous Hurtin’ For Vert rematch.

Rest-ish Day

Just what the doctor ordered, a nice mellow ride on the home turf.  Lisa has been pestering me for a couple of years for a ride in the Mice, and today I could finally oblige.

Nice and sunny today, and not at all rainy. 

Looks like it’s going to get hot over the next few days, too.   Lucky that today it’s just about perfect.

Lisa was just my speed.  We cruised up to the Ashtray on a roundabout route, and enjoyed a leisurely descent on White Rabbit and Narnia.

I’m pretty sure she had a good time.  Wouldn’t you?

Girls Got Skills – 2

Yay!  Time to rebuild the ladies after yesterday’s humbling.  We’ll start by making everyone fall down.  Barb, show ‘em…

We did a shorter skills session in the park this morning so we could hit the trails a bit fresher.  It was all about dynamic riding today.

Very dynamic riding.

This is what the 2 day format is all about.  It seems that human beings respond very well when they are offered a chance to rest, recuperate, and absorb new information.

So after taking things right back to basics on the first day, we can build back up to new heights on the second day.

And we do mean heights. 

Plus, just having the chance to session a trail with riders of similar abilities rather than playing catchup with guys that hit that stuff all the time makes success more likely.

Once you get into the flow of things, rollover moves like this become easy.

Right, Rowena?

OK, time for a candid group shot.

More advanced rollovers are still no problem for this crew.

Hanna even threw in some dance moves for us.

Tova has it dialled, so she put on a couple of demo’s for the group.

That made it easy for Denise, who is my new hero. She is proof positive about the old adage “you’re only as old as you feel.”  I’m not gonna spill any secrets here, but suffice to say that our most mature client this weekend was also one of our strongest.

Beth is just a shredder.  ‘Nuff said.

And Pauline is sort of just plain nuts, but it’s probably just the Irish accent.  Here’s a shot of her nearly getting bucked off, but she never panicked and is well on her way to the next skill plateau in her riding.

A bit further down the trail we did hear a scream, but it seemed more like an “eeek!” than an “owww!”  Sure enough…

I love rattlers.  This one is a beauty.  Not the largest I’ve seen around here, but from the looks of the tail around 10 years old.

Look out!  She’s gonna git ya!

Casey, having a gas shredding with the gals.

Just like yesterday, it was the Williams Lake girls on the beach at the end.  Nothing like cold bevvies on the beach to make you forget about the wounds.

..and that’s a wrap.  Time to pack up the stunts.  We’ll do this again next spring.