Pumpkin Ride – 2

OK, seasonal shenanigans are over. It’s time to get back to some serious shredding, and a full day of Farwell laps.  I think Cheryl would agree.  That lady likes it steep, and steep it shall be today.

Getting ready to drop in on the Fingers, and can you believe the weather?

25C and sunny.  Lots of wind though.  It made some of the more exposed lines incredibly dynamic today.  Once again, all time conditions were on tap.

You can’t just hit the Fingers once.  At least twice is always the call.  The secret with all these trails is to go WAY too fast.

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Oops. Got a flat.  And also the van rolled off the jack.  Cheryl called it with never taking the last bolt off the wheel until you’re out from underneath the vehicle.  Good call.

We got ‘er fixed in no time and got back to the business at hand of shredding the Classic.

You know that we were not going to leave without a lap down Godsmack.   It was on my mind all day, since I haven’t been able to hit it for a few years (the last two times I visited I had to guide people around the easy way, and the time before that it was baked hard and I crashed).

Today it was butter smooth and wide.  Maybe the best I’ve ever seen it, or at least even with the best it can be.

I think Cheryl got her steep fix, and I know Chicken was having a time.

Shred.

JC continued his mission to rip the local trails up before he leaves.  He went way too fast, as is tradition, and nearly lost it on the g-out.   He did pull through here, though.

One last drop in to finish the line.  This always feels like Spanky’s at Blackcomb to me….but on dirt…with bikes.

Hey Mark!  What’s the point?

Ha!   We got one more run in to grab Chicken’s bag that he dropped, but this was the climax of the day for sure.

What a way to finish the last big road trip of the season.   There’s still some more shenanigans to play out this year, but we’re in the final few weeks before the snow hits.

Pumpkin Ride – 1

It’s been quite a year, but something has been missing.  I haven’t been to Williams Lake since last July.   Well, I guess I should send it then!

OK, that’s not me.  That’s Justin, who is moving away from the Puddle shortly and was taking the opportunity this weekend to dial a couple of lines before he’s gone.  That little road gap was something that’s been bugging Justin for a while.  I think the town will miss him.  He did a lot of great work with Ride the Cariboo and the Peel Out.

Yeah, that’s a skinny. There’s a whole bunch of new ones on Snakes and Ladders.   I don’t care if the kids can’t ride em.  I love those things.

It was very nice out this weekend.  Sunny and warm enough for short sleeves all day.  Plus insane fall colours.

My mom is worried that I’m having my mid-life crisis.  Maybe I am, and maybe I’m not, but this here Fire Chicken sure looks awesome right about now.

Of course, we were really here to take part in the Pumpkin Ride, so after a good 5 or 6 laps we met back at the shop for the annual event.  Antlers are optional.

Good thing I brought my Petzl.   With 50 or 60 riders, you really didn’t need your own light.

This ride goes down every year just before Halloween, where everyone goes for a night ride on the South Side trails and end up at Uncle Kenny’s and Adele’s for a mad feast.   The final trail is all lit up with pumpkins and lights, and there’s enough food for an army.

On the way we have to stop several times for refreshments…

Several times…

Decisions were made, actions happened…

Oops.   Jer, I don’t think those old Manitous are supposed to take air.

While we waited for the ambulance, Doerfling killed some time by killing this hip into the sand pit.

Here’s some more carnage for you.

Luckily, Jer was only ‘Mostly Dead’ after that crash, and so they released him from the hospital with enough time to make it to the feast and eat pie.

I think he needs another slice. He’s looking a lot skinnier…

 

Puddle Style – 2

OK, day 2, and we’re down a few riders today.  One sick, one not signed up, and one just too beat up from yesterday to continue.   It happens, and I think there’ll be a ‘make good’ for next year.

Today it was time to go over a few more technical concepts, but mainly it was about conquering some specific features on the showpiece trail in Williams Lake, Snakes & Ladders.

The suspension bridge was not the issue, although it looks awesome with the leaves turning right now.

Neither was it about this steep section, although it is a bit of an issue for some.

Nope, today was mostly about the Sky Berms.

Nailed it…

Funny how people obsess about some things.  In actuality, this is an easy move.  The entry to the berm looks a little odd because of the angles, but once you commit to it…

…boom!  There it is.

The “Gates of Hell” is the other tricky part for some folks.  I love how it’s rated “More Difficult.”  While not an extreme part of the trail, it’s definitely a step up from intermediate.  At best, I’d call it a Dark Blue…

Denise nailed it easily, and it’s been bugging her for a while.  Lexi did the usual teenager manoeuvre and killed it on sight.

Mark was also riding really solidly, which is all the more impressive as he’s just discovered technical mountain biking at the age of 60 and was demo’ing different bikes all weekend.

The star of the clinic was definitely Lexi.  14 years old, and nailing everything.  Apparently she was afraid of a bunch of smaller airs.  We put those away in short order and moved on to some better ones.  Awesome progression in two days.

Great times with a tight crew today.  Might have to put on another one of these early next season to get everyone up to scratch in the Cariboo.