Make It Reign – 5

Heli time again?  Sure…why not?  4 heli drops in a week sounds about right to me.

Here, enjoy the spectacle of landing a bunch of bikers in the alpine of BC.

Seb Wild, one of the hardest working dudes in the bike business, gettin’ the job done with Brice.

Nate and Adam doing trailwork?  Nah…they’re just trundling some rocks, as is tradition.

Made ya look!

Beer in the alpine, as also is tradition.

Not beer.  Alpine water through a straw.

Yeaaaaaahhhhhhhbooyyyyyeeeeeee!

Yeah, it’s time we saw some riding shots.  Lots of lifestyle today.

A few more postcard pics for ya, including a rare one of Sterl.

…and another rare one of Brice.

Almost to the lake.

Is that a chick over there?

Another rare shot of Sterl.

Yo Brice…that’s not how it goes.  It’s an easy trail over all, but little mistakes can cost you.  While I was helping Brice out of this pickle, other shenanigans were afoot.

Although most of us made it out in one piece…

…Clayton had a bit more of an issue with the consequences.  Such a bummer, as it was apparently a fairly innocuous bail.  I guess he had a previous injury that complicated things, but he still did manage to somehow fracture both elbows.  Here’s hoping he has a quick and straightforward recovery.

Well, that was still a full on epic week.  Thanks to Giant Bicycles for having the vision to do something this rowdy for their product launch.  I gotta say, I’m more than a little impressed.  Not only with the itinerary this week, but also with the bikes.  The Reign is quite a rig, and I think I’m even more stoked on hearing how they were developed.   Meeting the designers was very cool.  They are really on the right track over at Giant.

Thanks to Colby, AJ, and Tabetha for the call.  Kevin for all the knowledge. To Adam, Nate, and Silas for setting the tone. To Sterl for some good reminiscing out there.  To all the journos and new friends I made this week.  And to Seb for saving my bacon when I was so tired from not sleeping.  Couldn’t have done it without ya, buddy.

OK, gotta roll.  Germans are coming and we’re going to the Coast Gravity Park!

Sun + Fun + Germans – Final

After a much needed rest day, it was time to start heading towards Whistler and Crankworx.  Of course, it would be a bit silly to NOT go to Squamish on the way.  After all, it’s a  bit of a "Cakewalk" to get there.

As has been the theme with almost no rain in 5 weeks, the trails were blown out and loose.  It was OK, but not the usual standard.  On the plus side, we saw a Great Grey Owl.  I didn’t get a clear shot at him, so this blurry thing is all you get to see.

He hissed at me.  These are huge birds, and it’s amazing that they can manoeuver at all in the forest.  The local natives sometimes refer to them as unlucky, and associate them with danger, death, the underworld, and hidden wisdom.  Foreshadowing, anyone?

Anyway, we cracked off a couple of laps of Angry Midget, Full and Half Nelson, and P-Nuts to 19th Hole. 

It was tough to shoot any shots, but I managed a few in the occasional darker or lighter area.  Plus I’m never shy about getting bum shots.  Looks like Susi gets the award again…

Oh, and we had a couple more guest stars on the trip for today.  Another German and a Swede ( at least I think he was a Swede.  With a name like Bjorn….).  I forget his wife’s name.  Then could ride, that’s most important.

Show off…

I think the haggard state of the trail was reminding the crew of home, because they sure liked Cakewalk.

Daniel even sent this drop, which is wayyyyyy gnarlier than it looks in this shot.

Shortly after, while doing some shots with Wolfgang, we heard a clatter, a loud SNAP, and then "SCHEISSE!".

That owl was trying to warn us, I guess.  Bummer Wolfie.  That’s a busted elbow you got there (not bad as far as these things go, but a bummer nonetheless).

That took our crew down a bit, and thinned the herd for after lunch.  Because casualties or no, you don’t ride Squamish with a vanload of Germans and not ride Galactic Scheisse.  It’s just not done.

After a solid lunch at the Shady Tree, the remaining survivors got their Galactic Scheisse on.  The approach has been fixed up, and lucky for us it had been cleared just a week before of all the deadfall. 

A thousand vertical meters later, and we were having a great end to the first stage of the trip.

Great times with Germans once again.  Looks like we’ll be making this another annual trip.  Although I think 2 days on the Sunshine Coast will be in order for next year!

After dropping the kids off in Whistle-Dog, I had to hit the road.  Another major ride is on deck for tomorrow in the Okanagan, and with the delay at the hospital I was looking at a 3am arrival at home. 

Ain’t no rest for the wicked!

Day 3 Swiss Kids Peat Bog

Hi Kristy!  Thanks for shuttling!

Last day with Paul and Dani, and for an added bonus Darcy came out.  This is Darcy’s first ride since he almost died last year from a ruptured aorta.  Basically, one guy a year survives this condition.  Greyballs lives!

However, one run was enough.  We did a couple, and this is what they looked like:

The boys have been busy buffing up the Bog this spring.  It’s got more flow now than it’s had in years.  Lots of fun, and not too hard either. 

Thanks to Troy for fixing up the gaps near the end.  They used to be a bit jarring with different lips and oddball distances, but now they flow so sweet…

After a couple of Bog laps, it was time for the Thursday night shop ride.  I think all the epic runs from the past couple of days finally caught up with Paul.

He got away with a little knock to the head, so nothing serious.

Ah yeah…. Thursday.

Good to see you again, Paul.  Have a great time in BC.