Kiwis – 3

They’re not just good bike riders, they’re also really nice boys.

Gonna have to make them honourary Canadians if they keep this behaviour up.

A bit of a slower start after the epic goodness of the past couple of days.  As they are off to Silverstar tomorrow, we were riding Kelowna today.  There’s been lots of work out on the Gillard trails (thank you, MTBco and all other like minded trail fairies), like this nearly finished skinny line on Squaw Hollow.

In fact, almost all of the old woodwork on Squaw has been replaced with awesome pieces like this.

Dr. No has also seen some much needed love.

That trail is so friendly now, it gives hugs to unsuspecting tourists.

What with all the rock rides we’ve done this week, it seemed only fitting that we finish with the Boss Hog rock.

You should know that all the wood on Boss Hog has been removed.  Sort of sad, but it was all rotten and it was all for the best.  Knowing the local trail fairies, I’m sure that something new and wonderful will appear to replace those features.  At least the rock won’t change.

A couple of more airs before we’re done.

The boys were pretty tired, the day was hot, and the rad in the van sprung a leak, so we headed off to the beach for some cold ones.

A full moon barbeque and some more refreshing drinks were all we needed to cap off this near perfect 3 day trip.

Alright, I think we’ll be seeing these guys again sometime.  Now I have to get packed, because I’m Kootenay bound.

RETALLACKA!

MTBco Toonie #5

Another Toonie, another pair of socks from Evan.   It seems to be working for him, at least for this series.  Setting new course records at the Toonie’s is, in Evan’s own words, his “biggest accomplishment of the year…”

Another first was the Le Mans start.  Thank Mike for that brainwave.

Although the route wasn’t all that clear.  “Do we go over here?”

Nope, it’s this way…

Hey, wait for me!

The evil genius that is our leader…

OK, how about some action photos of racers?

That would be Brian, the new Rocky Mtn. Bikes rep that showed up to represent.

Here’s a few more….

Check out the swag you’re missing out on.  That’s a ti railed saddle there.

The first place woman get’s her prize from our podium girl.  Even better than the Tour de France ones in my book.

Yeah, that’s the prize you want. There’s cold beer in those bags.

Big thanks to Union Cycle for providing the GIANT burgers.  They look like 29’rs from this angle.

The Le Mans start seems to have worked.  A new course record again (the clock started when the leaders crossed the start on the bikes), and everyone seems to have clocked a quicker time today.

1 Evan Guthrie Peachland Bike Barn 0:37:41
2 Aart Van Kooy Peachland Bike Barn 0:40:21
3 Gary Wade Kelowna Kelowna Cycle 0:42:27
4 Manuel Zuppiger Winfield   0:45:25
5 Bryan Anderson Vancouver Rocky Mtn. Bikes 0:46:32
6 Chris McKillican Kelowna Kelowna Cycle 0:47:10
7 Matt Cameron Penticton Bike Barn 0:48:10
8 Daniel Westwood West Kelowna   0:50:27
9 Will Pratt Penticton Bike Barn 0:50:32
10 Christophe Zuppiger Winfield   0:52:55
11 Brent Bolleman Kelowna   0:54:15
12 Lance Carroll Kelowna   0:56:33
13 Russ Brandt Kelowna   0:57:50
14 Simon Ferguson Kelowna Kelowna Cycle 1:00:28
15 Brian Marjoribanks West Kelowna   1:04:25
16 Barb Haley Peachland Bush Pilot Biking 1:18:05

Mission Creek Bike Park Officially Open!

Yeah, it was late and over budget.  What did you think was going to happen?  At least the city provided ALL the right amenities..

There was also a great turnout for a blazing hot summer day.  We hit 36C in the park by noon, and all these rippers were still throwing down.

Deputy Mayor Angela Gutzman did the honours.

Now THAT’S how you cut a ribbon.  The dude is the head of the parks dept. in town.

Had to do a few more runs to cut the ribbon, but that first one was the best one.

Local superstar Casey Groves put in an appearance and gave a couple of great interviews to the local media.

Graham Agassiz also showed up.

…and our own Andrew McIntosh went old school and broke the helmet rule on his vintage Rocky Mtn. Equipe.

Looking forward to many more years of good times at the park.