Mayo Clinic – 3

Posted on September 5, 2013September 11, 2013 by Smoke

There were supposed to be 4 days with the Aussies, but they’re done. 3 days, and they’re blistered, bruised, beat up, and singularly happy. So to make sure that they go out with a bang, it’s off to Powers Creek for some Builders Only laps.

They might have some issues with the technical, but even the unfamiliarity with the built up jumps isn’t enough to keep them from getting their huck on today.

3 up, and 3 down was the theme all day. It was nice to see that Powers is in good shape too. Having not ridden here much in the past couple of seasons, I was a bit concerned that it might be in rough shape. Not so, not so…

OK, Crazy Train was over the top for the gang. Gaby got it, but the other guys couldn’t get the line. Not for lack of trying, and Gaby sent it a few times to make up for all.

The old 2.5 line was in even better shape. Looks like someone has taken over the maintenance on that one. Nice to see the old spiral back in action.

Pat making like Schroedingers Cat…

Jaime may have not gotten all of Crazy Train, but he couldn’t let that last gap go without a little steeze for the camera.

A bit of rain, some horns, a big Russian, and we’re out.

No rest for the wicked, as always. Right after this shot was taken, it was off to the Kootenays and Retallack for me.

James, Finally

Posted on July 22, 2011July 29, 2011 by Smoke

Sometimes the dialogue to set up a good tour really drags on. With James, it’s taken years. This was originally supposed to happen a few years ago, then it was gong to be last summer for Wayne’s 50th birthday, and it finally happened this weekend. I think it may have been worth the wait.

A crucial stage in Le Tour had us out there a little after 9, and as we had all day long we settled on an ‘Old School’ style session lap on Builders Only to start things off.

This meant that we could spend a bit of extra time trying out all the stunts and getting our groove on. It always helps to spend a few extra minutes slaying the Dominator. The rest of the trail goes so much better then.

After that, this stuff is easy.

It never hurts to have some awesome weather, either.

As icing on the day, Barb was able to come out and jam with us. It’s never a bad thing to have a World Masters DH champ along.

Inspiring, isn’t it?

Sometimes it’s also emasculating, but it’s all part of the Bush Pilot experience. You’ll just have to deal with it.

OK, it’s time for the usual beauty shots on this gap to berm move. Everyone gets to be a superstar on this one.

Happy belated 50th, Wayne. Hope it was worth the wait.

Welcome to image number 9000.

That one was definitely worth the wait. That’s part of the new additions from Dirty Dave this year. With all the wet weather this summer Builders is in incredible condition. Here’s Jim getting some of his own on the same hit.