naramata

Shock Monkey Okanagan – Day 2

Posted on by Smoke

Our man Gabe took a day off from his busy schedule to ride some more rain with us in Naramata.  Oh, and also to show us his dance moves.  He’s got some pretty hot party moves, that boy.

Don’t let that sunny bit there confuse you, it was wet again today.

Well, Okanagan wet, not coastal wet, but still…

…we made up for it in other ways.

That’s pretty green for a desert, eh?

AARRRRRGGGGHHHH!

Had to call it after two runs.  Gabe’s party moves were too much for us, we needed some drinks.

So we beelined it for a winery.

Yeah, we’re kind of a big deal.

So they fed us a half dozen sips of grape juice.

And some of us had a hard time with that.  I always thought that Aussies knew how to hold their liquor.  Hmph.

Trouble was a bruin, I tells ya.

May Long – Day 1

Posted on by Smoke

A smaller turnout this year.  I think with the Coast having lots of riding all winter, and spring being a bit colder, plus our renos being sort of slow, well…lets just keep it small this year.  We’ve got some locals to play with anyway.

Like John here.  Mr. Prepared.  I like your style.

Actually, Derek came up from Vangroovy (the guy on the right, obviously not from around here…).  We rode up the Mice and met some freeriders at the top again.   2 hour climb for us, comedy of errors and wrong turns for them.

 

Yeah, not the sunniest of long weekends this year.  Well, we’ve had great weather in May the past 5 years, so it’s about time we got a bit of cooler weather.  Once again, a bit of snow at the top.

A wrong turn at one point led to this great bit of trail. I love riding here.  It’s always a new adventure.

Oh, and Rich came out too.  Almost forgot.  If you’re looking to ride this trail, take note of this next pic, as it’s where the secret turn is.  Now I’ve given it away, I guess it’s not secret.  Riiiiiiiiiiiggghhhhhhhhhhhht.  Oh wait…  Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeefffffffffft.

Last turn, and the new gully ride section.  This is the berm to hip entry for it.  Sort of sneaks up on you fast, eh Derek?

Brant and Jason have a better shot at it.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Posted on by Smoke

Mmmmmmmmm…

Shanny Cakes for breakfast, it must be Gronross’s birthday.  Yes, that is bacon being cooked into pancakes.

Sort of like how this cat is trying to get a bird inside the feeder.  It’s two meals in one.

Oh, beer and cake!  Wait, that’s supposed to be after the ride.  I’m so confused…

Ahhh, here’s the ride.  We went back to Naramata to try out another route today.  Up Jose and over to Wild Pony.  The catch was that our coastal friends had FR bikes.  At least we managed to hook up with some DH riders at an appropriately random reference point partway through.

OK, so it’s not all sunny and hot like you wanted.  At least it’s not raining (it did snow a little bit).

This is the almost downhill part.

It’s mostly downhill most of the time.

Actually, it’s downhill for about 3000’, but when the guide goes the wrong way it doesn’t feel quite like that.  At least the sun came out.

Mike, it’s sunny and you LIKE pedalling. Try to look happier.

There’s our Okanagan bliss, now.

This section (Bronco), isn’t even singletrack.  We lost the line a couple of times in here.

Brant, you need a bigger bike.  Or maybe a stiffer spring.

Shan posing for a shot while we fix a flat.

Final section of the trail is a brand new banked gully ride a la Williams Lake.

Sho fun.

Finish the day with a rainbow and some ultra dramatic light. Oh, and also beer and cake.  Happy Birthday, Dan!