Kiwis – 2

I’d originally planned on going to Kelowna today, but this seemed like the better option instead.

Tough to beat, for sure.  With another 9k’ of descending on the plate, Kobau was the call today.

Although there’s still a few trees down, Cawston Creek is in good shape.  Maybe a little dry, but good all around.

Good enough views at any rate, and the dust just made it more fun.

Although not the flashiest riders, they were efficient.  Hard to get shots of everyone if they’re following you close.  John was good enough to hang back a bit, so I seemed to have a bunch of decent images of him.  Marc was just following my wheel all the time.  I should probably get a GoPro at some point and at least get some followcam footie of guys like him.

Round 2, and TKO is the call.  There’s still an annoying amount of larger trees down on the first half, and I haven’t found the time to clear it yet.  I’d like to get it done soon, and then go pig out on it this fall.  We’ll see. The view from half way is still unobscured…

Not that there’s a lot of photo worthy spots on TKO.  We just rode and had fun.  Here’s an over the shoulder shot near the end.

This one’s gonna get the boys in trouble back home.  A little dose of wine culture.

As the Legend was our shuttleschlampe today, we hit Osoyoos Lake for some bevvies after.  Marc noticed a little puff of smoke, and I called in my second fire report of the season.  This was a very aggressive grass fire, growing from nothing to 12 hectares in a matter of minutes.

We sat on the beach for a couple of hours, watching the planes work the fire (two tankers, some spotters, and a heli).  They put it out smartly.

Best day ever on a bike?

“Yeah, I reckon.”

Close Call

As it was a mellow Sunday, we decided to hook up with the Flamans for a little shred on the Peat Bog, which we’ve been sadly neglecting this year.

While the riding was great (check the pic of Zack below), other issues were soon to overshadow our day.

I was just checking some messages on my phone when I saw that there was a small, one hectare fire in Peachland.  We lose cell reception on that ride for a half hour or so, but I could see the smoke so I checked in again when we got lower. 

40 hectares.

By the time I got to the beach… 100 hectares.  This is in under an hour.

Luckily the wind shifted before it rolled over into our neighbourhood.  Just part of the price of living in a fire ecosystem, I guess. 

Anyway, no biggie.  We’re fine, the trails are fine, riding is good.

Uh-Oh!

Not what you want to see from your sundeck when you live in the Okanagan.  This one blew up fast, but the fire crews got on it quick and knocked it down in a day.  Still, it scorched 35 hectares and one house.  I guess fire season is here.