freeride

The Orangepicker Tour (or what’s left of it)

Posted on by Smoke

…because only Scott managed to stay healthy enough to make it. Luckily I found a guy from Israel (Erez) who rounded out the numbers enough to make it possible to have a bit of a road trip.

Marble Canyon on the way to the ‘Loops.

The first day we rode Rose Hill with the crew from Freeride Tours. NO pics, just lots of ripping.

We spent the night camped out at Harper Mtn. with some nice Swiss folks. Here’s Rolf on Harper, dropping a rock line.

Rolf again on the Bridge to Nowhere.

…and again at the end of the same stunt.

Erez on a skinny.

Boombatz (Scott) on wheelie drop.

For the second lap we said goodbye to the Swiss (thanks for the shuttles, Danny) and hit up the big stuff.

Scott on a stepdown off of a bridge.

A bigger stepdown.

A BIGGER stepdown.

The double spiral ramp on Harper.

Erez on the outside line.

Yet another stepdown.

After that it was time for a swim and the drive to El Rancho Relaxo.

Day 3 :: Harper Mtn.

Posted on by Smoke

Yup, Day 3 with Freeride Adventures Japan.

Here I am checkng out the view with Paul and Harley.



photo: Sin

Here’s the view we were looking at.



photo: Sin

Noz, with a good point of view of a Noz Pick off of a log.

Toga, going over a fence.

Takeshi, showing off his assets.



photo: Toga

Paul on a bridge.



Photo: Toga

Me, dropping a big one.

Noz, stading around in Paul Lake. Betcha can’t eat just one.

5 Japanese Guys in a Van

Posted on by Smoke

I’m ba-a-a-a-ck!

Say hello to Shin, Noz, and Takeshi (left to right). You’ll also get to know Koji and Toga as we go.

This crew comes to you courtesy of longtime Cove mountain bike legend Paul Chetwynd, who runs Freeride Adventures Japan. I’ll be doing an interview with Paul later in the season so that those of you who weren’t around in the early days can find out a bit about your Canadian Mountain Bike heritage.

Hi Paul. Whatcha doin?

A typical scenic rest stop.

Ahhh, jet lag.

Finally, we’re riding. An easy one, the Rusty Muffler to start. It turns out these guys are not only pretty good, but totally psyched to improve.

OK, here’s a classic on the side of the trail.

Is the name a coincidence or what?

Happy boys.

Surfing the clay.

The end of the trail ends up in the lake. The lake is up a bit from last time. The crew was BLOWN AWAY by the experience. Then again, so am I.

So…..Round 2 on the day was the Peat Bog and Code Four. Lets see if the boys can jump.

That’s Noz, who is the editor of a major Japanese bike magazine. Strong BMX background. No worries on the Canuck singletrack.

Here’s Shin doing his first huck.

…and Koji. Total wildman, that Koji. He has a new see through bike. Crazy Japanese and their technology.

Then it rained a bit. Well, 65mm to be exact. And tons of lightning. Here we are hiding out from it.

So there you are. The first day of the trip. Penticton is such a special place.

Especially when Elvis is everywhere…