winery

Farah and Oli – Day 9

Posted on by Smoke

Well, that’s a week and a bit. I see a break in the weather too. We’ve got some more foreigners today. In fact, a bit of a possee has formed for another sesh on Kobau.

Farah needed some female company, so we got ‘stash to come along. She and Gary dropped a bit of a bombshell on the drive up. I guess they’re on the same program as me and Barb. Yup, a mini-Pope is on the way next year.

Brad also returned for another, and he brought one of them dumb red, uhhh….. Neckers along.

That’s him on my ChroMag. He busted his own bike yesterday. Which is total BS, as he earned some good karma points for doing trailwork up here.

Oh well, maybe he’s just cursed.

Whoa, Farah is moving fast. I can barely keep her in frame….

Necker.

I just like saying Necker. He’s long gone in the next shot.

So we’ll look at Farah instead.

Harlan and Dean were out today as well.

..and this would be Gary.

OK, and one more from Farah and that’s a wrap.

Oh right, we have another lap to go.

Now, here’s Dean. what you don’t see is my BRAND NEW OAKLEYS. Because about a hundred feet above that, I managed to lose them out of my poocket. Not that I noticed until the bottom. Maybe later in the year I’ll see if I can find them. Crap….

Brad didn’t care. He was more interested in this little road gap.

Then he entertained us with some random stories about his grandmother. It’s a surreal experience, this ride. Killer steep and gnarly, then high end winery.

Aww what do you care. Here. Check out this Chevelle.

Farah and Oli – Day 2

Posted on by Smoke

We had a traditional “camp out” at Rancho Relaxo last night. Truly the lap of luxury…

It’s IS a nice room, very high ceilings.

As we stayed in the South Okanagan, we went out to Naramata today. Gary and Stash came along too. There’s Stash, killing it as usual.

The first lap on the Beer Run went as usual. We had a good time sessioning some fun jumps, but mostly just shredded the singletrack to the beach so we could get a swim in.

Where we met up with “Vance Armstrong”, local trailbuilding hero and all around good guy.

Vance took us to his latest creation, “Drops-A-Lot”.

Guess why he calls it that?

It’s basically a crazy flowy line with a ton of 4 – 6 foot drops and gaps.

Here’s the master at work. Note the XC bike, the clipless pedals, and the lack of padding. Yes, this is Canadian XC.

Stash takes a different approach. She IS on a new bike though.

Farah found a different line….

Some parts of this trail aren’t even singletrack. Noughtrack?

There, back to singletrack.

Near the end of the trail there’s a bit of a tech feature with a really steep roll into…

…a bit of a sender.

I think Oli had a good ride.

..and it looks like Farah did too.

So lets do a spot of wine tasting, shall we?

As has become the norm, we took our purchases down to the “tasting room.”

Excellent seating in the tasting room.

Plus, the locals have awesome uniforms. Not sure about that arm deformity though.

We retired to Salty’s for some nourishment and evening entertainment.

Does this rate as a good day?

Chocolate Feet – Day 9

Posted on by Smoke

Back to it. This would be our last chance at Kobau this tour, and our first crack at it all year.

Weather looks OK…

Unfortunately, those blue skies didn’t hold, so no big blue sky vistas for you this time around. However, we got ya the goods in the woods. Here’s Rob while he still had working forks…

Kev.

This area has some serious log rides. The biggest ones I know of in the whole Valley too.

Hey. It’s “I can’t ride this sort of thing” Matt. Way to prove yourself wrong….again.

Dropping!

Well, grey skies and all it’s still fairly spectacular out there.

Count the riders.

Doo do doo de doo de doo do dooo do…..(think circus music).

That’s better.

OK, on to round two. The OTHER side of the mountain, also known as TKO. Hoe to even bigger log rides.

You’re looking at the first half of this particular one, and it’s also a good 8′ off the ground.

Scenic goodness.

Incoming!

He’s still smiling. That is one seriously steep pitch, and it’s complicated by a sheer drop of 30′ off the edge of the trail that you can’t see. Good times….

OK, now a series of nice tree shots. This trail is really long and its absolutely stunning the whole way down. Take this as a random sample of the views.

Yeah one footer.

You know, it’s harder to walk it than ride it. Never mind…..

Doh!

did I mention this one ends up at a winery? Here are our dirty boys being served some of Tinhorn Creek’s finest.

Seems our Brits are pretty good at holding
thier beer, but maybe a bit less experienced with the wine.