tour

Wade Simmons Freeride Experience

Posted on by Smoke

That’s right, the Wade Simmons Freeride Experience is back. An all inclusive*, fully exclusive tour of the BC hinterland with the godfather of freeride, Wade Simmons.

After a lot of consultation and negotiation, the dates are finally set. This August, from the 19th to the 27th. There are only 8 seats available for this epic experience. The focus of the trip is riding. Every day, all day. We will be visiting several world class hot spots for off roading, including the legendary North Shore and Wade’s home town of Kamloops.

This will truly be an experience to remember. Wade’s gifts as an athlete go beyond his skill with the bike. As a long time riding partner, I can attest to the fact that Wade will inspire your riding to new heights of skill and creativity. No one will go away from this trip unaffected by it. You will be a new rider, and a better one because of it.

Of course, many of you will be thinking that you aren’t good enough to ride with The Man. Pffffft, that’s crazy talk. First of all, the fact that you are thinking that way is a sign that you are ready. Secondly, attitude is everything. If you are over 19, can handle 2-3 foot drop offs, are reasonably fit, and have an open attitude towards new experiences, then this trip is for you.

The Wade Simmons Freeride Experience
August 19th – 27th

  • 8 days of riding

  • 8 riders

  • Guided by Wade Simmons and Johnny Smoke

  • Includes all meals and accommodations, but not alcohol.

  • Must be over 19 to attend.

    • Cost = $2000 per person.

    EMAIL me to reserve your seat today.

    I’m Ba-a-a-a-c-ck…

    Posted on by Smoke

    ….And so is my camera. You must have thought I’d given up the bike for winter. Well, not quite yet. Richard and Julie were just starting their three month tour of North America, and kicked off in grand style at Casa de Smokie.

    Aren’t they cute?

    Yes, that’s snow on the ground. For those of you from Australia, that’s frozen water that falls from the sky. Amazing yet true. Makes for some interesting riding. The wood that has gotten super saturated from all the rail now has ice on it.

    Yee haaa.

    It’s also nice and dark in the woods right now. Total Sleepy Hollow/Blair Witch weather.

    Very scary. Also makes for lots of blurry pics. I got the camera back from servicing, but I lost all my custom presets for low light. A few pics turned out though.

    We hit two Seymour runs today. Richard picked it up pretty quickly. Julie did well for the first bit, but was quickly overwhelmed by slimy roots (all the Aussies can laugh now) and jetlag (not so funny).

    Actually, Richard picked it up rally quickly. Look how skinny this one is. Must have been that COOL BIKE he was riding.

    Good enough that we braved the twilight to do a sunset run down Corkscrew. Check out the golden light. Man, I wish I had a tripod for this one. Oh well, maybe next time.

    Rain

    Posted on by Smoke

    Another wet one on Seymour. Lots of riding today. Holger came out for one more ride before returning to his tour company on the Continent. Also, Bill Tuohy and his buddy Michael came up from San Fran for a rip. AND….I had the first day of a local kids group out for a shred.

    Here’s Bill, giving his broken scapula a test. Those white spots are raindrops if you haven’t been here yet.

    Holger on CBC.

    Bill, barely visible in the gloom.

    Seet autumn shot of CBC. Holger and his bright jacket again, with Bill spotting him.

    Sliding into the corner.

    This is how dark it actually looked. All I could see was Mike’s chrome visor all afternoon.

    Holger on Salvation.

    Supa cool shot of some fungus on Pangor.

    Poor Bill. He broke his derailleur hanger on the first run, and with a short day we opted to lend him Barb’s pink bike. It was a little small and unfamiliar, combined with big vertical, and 12 weeks off the bike with injuries.

    Bill was tired. Hell, I was tired…..

    So, after two runs with the big boys it was time to go for a rip with the young guns. Four of ’em. I think they must have been shut up in a classroom all day or something. Holy, can they ever rip it up.

    Lucas, second generation Cove ripper.

    Another punk riding bridges in the dark.

    Artsy fartsy shot of Chronister (my tailgunner) on the Ned’s Gap.