O Boy!!! We’re Going Where…?

Dodging bad weather and a crowded schedule makes for a difficult time getting to do heli drops. I’ve usually got a few in by now, but it looks like May was the month to get them done this year. Oh well, looks good for this one.

For those of you who were there, drop me an EMAIL to get the ftp info. I’ve set up an ftp site for us to share all the shots on. Mine are already on there. You can also check out Pete Campbell’s PHOTOSITE for some more heli shots taken by the Angry Pirate on the Sept. 18th ride.

Harley’s starting to look a bit jaded, like “Why don’t I get the front seat?”

The weather was a little bit iffy today. Wasn’t sure how the cloud cieling was going to affect the day, but in the end it cleared off enough to let us in, and the cooler moister air made for superb conditions on the trail.

Not wet at all, just supa grippy and rippable. Kind of, oh I don’t know….perfect?

Yup, that’s the word.

A real mixed crew of guys from the area came out today, including one guy who’s 66 years old. …And he wants to come back nest year. Man, if I can be riding Disney when I’m 70, this getting old gig is going to work out just fine.

Droppin….

Your friendly neighborhood Cove Bike Shop mechanic calls in sick.

Yeah……..SICK.

More dropping….

….and still more. Wanna talk progression? Lots of people are saying that the progression hasa slowed since there’s not so much change in the vids lately. Well, the trickle down effect is going strong. This rock used to scare the bejesus outta most riders, now EVERYONE doesn’t just roll it, they air it.

Your friendly neighborhood Cove Salesman calls in Sick. Isn’t anyone running that show today?

More air off big rocks.

Classic angle on Andrews Wall.

The sun even came out for a bit here, check the shadow.

OK, no pics for a long part of the trail, because we were all riding strong so we just punched it through the middle part.

Until the usual session at Awesome Rock.

CycleActive XC Tour — Last Day

Last day, time to shine people. We pulled off an epic North Shore line today. Since everyone was staying at the Holiday Inn, we rode up the old Lilloeet road to the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge to get started.

We worked our way up various sneaky little paths through the valley until we got up to the top of Mountain Highway, and cruised up to Upper Oilcan.

It was a little much for some of the crew, but everyone rode part of it, and we got to check out the Circus too. Bike Mag recently rated UOC as one of hte top 10 trails ever or some such thing. I’m not sure if I completely agree, but it’s definitely a good one.

Now, after that we rode up again and hit 7th Secret. I used to hate this trail, but that top 10 rating should have been applied to 7th. It’s amazing with all the work that’s gone into it recently.

Some others seem to agree with me….

So, funny story….

Kate,who rode stronger and strnger all week, nearly cleaned this log ride. Of course, jerk that I am, I was standing so close to the log that I elbowed her off into the canyon at the end. Just one more “souvenier” to remember me by….

Actually, most of the crew rode it clean and everyone tried it.

We finished the ride by going all the way down Leapoard, Crinkum Crankum, Kirkford, the Griffin Trails, Mtn View trails, back across the Demo Forest and the Fisherman’s Trail via Twin Bridges.

That about did everyone in.

Great trip, and a nice change of pace from all the huge hucks of summer. It’s nearly fall, must be time to switch to rotary power soon……

CycleActive XC Tour — Day X

OK, enough of this easy stuff. Time for the piece de resistance; The North Shore. Are you afraid?

You will be…he heh…you will be….

OK, maybe not. Everyone seems to be adapting quite nicely.

Still, it’s quite a change to be in the rainforest after those mellow desert trails all week.

The log rides are just a tich bigger here, eh?

Paul seemed to like this stuff a lot more.

Em’s doesn’t care, so long as she’s riding her bike. It’s ALL good.

Craig got a charge out of the bigger options on all the trails on Seymour.

Even Barb put in an appearance today between shifts at the fire hall. Just so those UK types know what Canadian girls can do….

Barry wasn’t fazed in the slightest.

Clinton seemed to take it all in stride too.

Kickass Kate was also flying. For that matter, everyone was killing it on Seymour. Good riding by all.

We finished the day with a little session at the local dirt jumps. Too funny, because this is an XC tour, and we’re throwing down at the dj’s. Craig had a little breakthrough today.

It was probably the locals that inspired him.