USA!!!

Also known as the Union of South Africa. Who knew?

Lisa and Andrew are also from Australia, but have been backpacking all around Europe and North America. Their accents are definitely hard to place.

Now smile, and slowly back away from the stick. Don’t show fear…..careful now…..

First time on the Shore, and making it happen. Good one, Lisa.

Andrew enjoys the view on Seymour.

Andrew and some Skunk cabbage.

Some more Pangor stuff.

Gotcha!

North Shore Ripper

It’s race day, ladies and gentlemen. Up Fromme and down 7th. Teams or solo.

Lucky me, I’ve managed to tear my meniscus, so I’m not racing today. Just shuttling competitors up the hill. It’s a thankless task, but it got done.

It was also an ungodly hour, and pretty grim weather. I was kind of concerned that there would be too much snow at the top to get the van up (it was fine).

Scenes of mass confusion at the lower start area.

The fastest climbers were up to the 7th corner in about 20 minutes time.

If you can interpret the look on Mike’s face, it’s saying “all that for 2nd?”

Feel his pain.

Apparently the young women in the race had the climbing part a bit more under control. Must have been the pink skull on the helmet.

Oh right, there was a downhill portion. Kudos to Pete and Dean for buffing out the trail. 7th actually has flow now, and not just rain runoff either.

Dropp9ing in on the XC hardtail.

It was so dark at times it seemed like maybe lights were a good idea.

The legendary Hoots Jay, who managed to flat on the VERY FIRST PITCH. He ran the whole run on a flat tire and finished the race.

Results and a story at NSMB

More T-Dot Victims

It doesn’t rain, it pours. Lately it’s been tech convention refugees from Ontario. 2 guys from Toronto and another from Ottawa today.

Now, these guys are the typical North Shore virgins, but they rode pretty much everything I threw at ’em today. Lots of fun, rollin around in the mud.

Kevin had a bit of a hard time with a few parts, but he still managed to pull a few stylish manuevers. The Shore is a long way from riding a touring bike in Ontario.

Jimmy had pretty much no problems at all. He rode better than a lot of locals I know. That BMX background always comes in handy.

John had a pretty good go of it too. He said this is his second time on a mountain bike.

Of course, the tank had to run dry sooner or later. Here we are, later….

Tired, dirty, a bit bruised, and all smiles.