OK, this is the reason why I ride bikes. Epics…..I love epics. Especially when they start with the largest water bomber in the world overflying the ferry you gotta take to get to the trails….

OK, so maybe Ian looks…non-plussed.

Holt, Wade and Nicole seem up for it.

It was an epic drive just to start off this one. We had to cross Kootenay Lake to Crawford Bay, then drive over Gray Creek Pass into the heart of the Purcell Mtns. 60 km of gravel got us into this valley:

Since we couldn’t get anyone to be our shuttle driver, the task fell to the lovely Danika. Does here lower lip seem a little larger than usual in this pic?

I don’t know what she was bummed about, it was obviously going to be a bit of a climb.

The PowerBoys do this climb to the pass over into Lockhart Creek in an hour, so I was thinking a little under 2 for our crew….

Because mere mortals such as we are, we require….uhhh…..rest stops.

Even Wade couldn’t pedal up this stuff.

Kind of scenic climbing for all that it was a bit rough.

Some trees to put it in perspective. That’s Nicole in there somewhere.

Some deep shrubbery as we got close to the summit.

Almost there means a good excuse to crack a smile.

Artsy fartsy shot.

Snack break with some 9 000′ peaks in the background.

Action shots….

The reality behind the action shots. Next time you see a pro rider in one of those epic backcountry shots, here’s how it really happens.

Ahhhh, finally the top. I made everyone enjoy a brief moment of silence at the top with closed eyes…

Just so I could crack a beer to break the moment. Good times….good times.

The first pitch was quite technical, and really scenic, so we took some time to shoot some pics.

This rocky area was the setting for an epic shot of our late buddy, Pat von Blumen. Couldn’t find the shot online, but if you want to see some epic shots by the same guy, check out Dave Heath’s site.

Look close, there’s a rider in there someplace…

Wade at work again….

OK, so shortly after this shot, we got the greenlight from the photographers to start rippin. I was all keyed up from being in such a stupendous arena that I kind of lost my head and started pinning it on some sketchy sidehill. Wade said it was one of the more violent crashes he’s seen. I ended up cartwheeling about 60 feet and got out of it with some holes in my tongue, a chipped tooth, assorted bruises, and a hyperextended elbow ( I found out later that I got a hairline fracture in my humerus too). Ooops. I’m an idiot. Oh well, I was overdue for a good bail.

I hope it didn’t impact anyone elses day too much.

The trail down Lockhart Creek semed more like the coast than the deep interior. Huge trees and a dark forest. The only part that was like the interior was the speed. I’ve nover gone so fast in big trees.

Niclas is a big dude. Those trees are bigger…

Can’t even get Wade in focus. It’s fas-s-s-s-s-t….

All I remember about the lower part of the trail was preloading into corners with both wheels drifting…..for like an hour straight. Totally worth it.

Oh, and some beers on the beach at the bottom were sort of OK, too.

If one thing could improve that day…..I think some pints over dinner at the local were maybe all I could come up with.

Cheers! That was epic…..

Oh, and I’ve got a special treat for all you geography geeks out there. Check out Lockhart Creek with Google Earth.