Well, that’s a change from last year.  No late nights, just tired riders.  I think I was last to bed at something like 1am.  Our friends are getting old or something.  Nice.

Good thing we’re always making new friends.  New guys gotta ride in back though.

Yup, it’s a 9 grand day ahead of us.

A lot of Kobau rookies today.  Something like 30+ riders in the possee.

Spectacular day for it of course.

We even had Joe Average with us (see if you can guess which one).

Cliche mirror lens shot.

‘Tash was out for a shred on her Knolly today.  Another new Mom…killin’ it.

Fields of blooming balsamroot, as far as the eye could see.

I’m still checkin’ out the hot chick on the bike.  You can look at the flowers if you get bored of Sarin.

I think Colin may be happy to see her, too.

Nice t-shirt, Brian.

Doh!

Round 2 today will forever be remembered as legendary.  Hard chargin’ crew, perfect conditions, first tracks of the season, and an absolute stunner of a mountain to ride down.  I had cramps in my thighs from downhilling on this one, and I think I saw more than one guy with tears in his eyes at the bottom.

Speaking of the bottom, here we are.

Ryan threw a nice X on this little road gap.

And Marcie was just throwin’ down like it ain’t no thang….as per usual.

Do it….

The only bummer was Sarah’s broken thumb on the first lap

OK, now for some bonus shots courtesy of Seth…

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Whoa!  That’s me!

Photo: Seth

Quick!  Get his shoes!

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Photo: Seth

Yet again, a full on epic day.  32 riders, 5 babies, one broken thumb, 9500’ vertical, and a lot of giggles.

More coastal types up for a visit from the big city today.  They brought a little taste of that coastal living too.

Not that we get real rain up here anyway.  Actually, it seems to me that it’s still warmer up here than when it snowed on us back in July.

Yes, that’s Kobau.  Not only Dan of “The Mug” fame, but also the Brodie girls, Summer and Spice came out.

Oh wait, they’re boys.  Oh, and Gary always comes out for the South Okanagan romps.

Yep, looking sorta misty out there.

Maybe not as epic in the pics, but it’s better traction that summertime.

Proof that Dan’s jacket isn’t always the most colourful thing out there.

LOTS of colour here.  I love how the orchards and vineyards look at this time of year.

Summers got a new camera. Haven’t seen any results from this day though.  A good half of mine had a big wet blotch on the lens that I didn’t notice until later.  Oh well, maybe I’ll start actually looking at what I’m shooting again.

Of course, we wouldn’t be content with just one lap, so it was back to the top for a TKO run.

I promised Dan a 9 000’ day, and he got it.

Although it was admittedly a bit damper down here.  You don’t see these guys walk much, but it was gNarley down here.

Still, no dawdling allowed.  the tasting room at Hester Creek closes early at this time of year.

Yeah, 9000’ of descending, and a winery at the bottom.  That never gets old.