Gillies Creek

Posted on July 31, 2011August 13, 2011 by Smoke

Tick off another box on the list of rides to do this summer. I’ve been looking for an excuse to hit up Rock Oven from the top lately, and Olly from the coast showed up just in time to make that happen. It’s a bit of an approach though, and the hike a bike through the Wright Passage is bit of a push.

Bush Pilot Biking - Rock Oven, Penticton

Eric in particular wasn’t a big fan, but he…the time for 40 lb hardtails with 8″ forks and 24″ rear wheels is long over. At least it’s fun rig on the descent.

Especially when it’s a 5000′ descent under bluebird skies.

Hottest day of the year though, which makes the climbing seem harder than it really is. You can tell how mild it’s been this year by how deep the grass has grown.

It’s also kind of late in the season for the first Mariposa Lilies to make their appearance. This endangered species of flower is supposedly delicious. I’ve never tried it, but various bugs seem to really enjoy it.

I was getting enough enjoyment out of the views and riding the slickrock.

34C today. Any wonder why it’s called Rock Oven?

May Long 2011 – 3

Posted on May 23, 2011June 3, 2011 by Smoke

Really? You want to do some more climbing? OK, sure. I don’t get a lot of requests for that, but will oblige.

May Long Weekend Riding - Penticton, Rock Oven

Well, he’s still smiling, so I guess that’s the truth of it.

Rock Oven isn’t an overly long ride, but the climb is fairly intense.

Just ask Barb. I’m sure she’s feeling it here.

At least it becomes more interesting as you ascend. Like this section of singletrack…

Ahhhh…the top and our reward is just beginning.

As is typical of the south Okanagan, the descent is broken up by a bunch of viewpoints.

If you’ve been following the blog for a couple of years, you’ll know that this trail has become a go to standard for us. The short version is great, but I can hardly wait for the snow to melt up high so we can nail this one from the top again.

‘Cause this just isn’t epic enough, right?

Barb likes to test her fear of heights.

Here’s Susan testing mine (that’s a solid 300′ drop right there).

Awwww, no bluebird skies for us? I can’t believe that we even bothered coming here…

A few more standard angles for ya…

I’ve always grooved on the open rock, and this place has an abundance. You can ride almost anywhere you want.

Although you don’t get to see the other side of this ride much. There’s actually a bunch of smooth, high-speed dirt to flow along, but it’s tough to stop and take pics of that stuff. One day somebody will get a flat in that part, and I’ll nab a few pics. Until then, enjoy some more rock.

…And some more texture courtesy of the Olympus “clown paint” setting:

Just a few more of these and you can go back to work or whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing right now.

OK, this is it. Just these last postcard shots and you’re free…

That was a fun time, for sure. A few new faces and another long weekend in the books. If you have no plans next May, drop in. You know what to expect now…

Salad Doggers – 8

Posted on September 11, 2010 by Smoke

Ahhhh…some more summer. It’s still cool out, but it’s trying to be sunny. So we’re going for maximum warmth and checking out Rock Oven today.

First we gotta get through the upper forest of Derenzy. It’s a gorgeous day out in the woods today, making the approach hike a lot more bearable.

Especially once things open up into the grasslands.

A fire rolled through here in ‘97, so it’s very open from this point on. A bit severe looking, but it makes for an awesome contrast with Revelstoke a couple of days ago.

Lunch time…

Yeah, the sun is out and it’s finally warm.

Now we started to get a few mechanicals, so there’s a lot of pics of railing rocky corners while guys are fixing flat tires.

Poor Lee was feeling the effects of 10+ days of riding. He normally has a deep tan…

DOH! And now he has a broken handlebar. Such a bummer, ‘cause now he’s going to miss the best part of this trail. At least he wasn’t hurt in this mishap. Just a little note; carbon bars do not last very long around here. I just don’t trust them. Stick to the Fubars.