Before we get to Sunday, have a look at this. It’s an action shot of that elk from Saturday’s ride.
Use the space bar to play or pause.
On Sunday we got into some more freeride action. Here’s Callum deciding that he really likes the G-Spot suspension.
A scenic view of Barb and the old fire in the canyon.
Finally, a panorama of the canyon. If you look closely on the left you can see Barb and Christian under the clilffs.
Here ya go. The first ride of the year for me. I’ve got a little animation in this update, so if your computer slows down, I apologize. Just playing around with technology.
Anyway, I went out for a special occasion. Paul Chetwynd (Chizzer) was in town this winter from Japan. Paul was one of our top racers back in the early ’80’s. He married a nice girl from Japan years ago and has been running a tour service there for several years. He decided to try the freeride side of the sport this winter.
These shots are from the day I got him to shed his panties.
Chizzer on CBC.
More of Chiz on CBC.
Hi tech animated shot of Chiz going the wrong way on CBC.
We got into some old trails that are being redone on Seymour. A bit too Fromme in nature for my tastes, but killer work by Jacques and company.
Yours truly dropping a four footer to tranny.
Tom taking the two foot line on the same stunt.
…and me again hitting a five footer to tranny near the end of the trail.
Till we meet again…..
Holy Crap.
That has to be the scariest heli trip ever. I thought it was all over, for sure.
The first drop of the year was a bit spur of the moment. Sterling called me about doing one with some UK bike mag that wanted to do it all in a week. They were into a small group with a bit of talent and Sterl to do some pics. Then Wade got the Oakley crew in for a product shoot, which led to a spurious NWD IV presence. The final roll call? Get this list, a virtual who’s who of Freeride:
Sterling Lorence
Wade Simmons
Andrew Shandro
Derek Westerlund.
Richie Schley
Grant Allen
John Gibson
Sebastian Paradis
Gareth Dyer
Thomas Vanderham
Stokes, the Oakley Man
Axl, Overpaid Canadian Cinematographer
Four guys from the UK, only one of which is afraid of heights
Me
….and of course Harley, the hell-y dog.
Predictably the organization flailed. By the time we got our shit together there was some pretty substantial thermals rising out of the valley. On our first landing attempt, the chopper got bucked by a gust and we had to do an emergency power out. I thought for sure we were going to flip and get tossed over the edge. Luckily, our pilot was no chump but the ensuing power dive over the edge of the mountain had my appetite a bit off. And the bikes took a bit of a hit on the landing too.
Now look at the list again and think of the impact of that crash. Gnarly.
I could tell you more stories, but I’m waiting for pics (notice that I never have any). I should have some stuff for you next week. Until then, here’s the highlights.
The UK guy on the G-Spot did a flying starfish on a 50 degree snow slope at speed.
Seb almost took himself out with a 40 pound boulder.
Gibby gets lost easy.
Harley bit Richie in the balls.
Sterling takes a lot of photos.
It took us eight hours to get out.
……and Big Andy isn’t coming out from FreeRideSouth this year. What a bummer. Oh well. I get a little break before the next crew come in.
‘Till the next one.
