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!
