XC

WSFE – Day 7

Posted on by Smoke

OK, this is the reason why I ride bikes. Epics…..I love epics. Especially when they start with the largest water bomber in the world overflying the ferry you gotta take to get to the trails….

OK, so maybe Ian looks…non-plussed.

Holt, Wade and Nicole seem up for it.

It was an epic drive just to start off this one. We had to cross Kootenay Lake to Crawford Bay, then drive over Gray Creek Pass into the heart of the Purcell Mtns. 60 km of gravel got us into this valley:

Since we couldn’t get anyone to be our shuttle driver, the task fell to the lovely Danika. Does here lower lip seem a little larger than usual in this pic?

I don’t know what she was bummed about, it was obviously going to be a bit of a climb.

The PowerBoys do this climb to the pass over into Lockhart Creek in an hour, so I was thinking a little under 2 for our crew….

Because mere mortals such as we are, we require….uhhh…..rest stops.

Even Wade couldn’t pedal up this stuff.

Kind of scenic climbing for all that it was a bit rough.

Some trees to put it in perspective. That’s Nicole in there somewhere.

Some deep shrubbery as we got close to the summit.

Almost there means a good excuse to crack a smile.

Artsy fartsy shot.

Snack break with some 9 000′ peaks in the background.

Action shots….

The reality behind the action shots. Next time you see a pro rider in one of those epic backcountry shots, here’s how it really happens.

Ahhhh, finally the top. I made everyone enjoy a brief moment of silence at the top with closed eyes…

Just so I could crack a beer to break the moment. Good times….good times.

The first pitch was quite technical, and really scenic, so we took some time to shoot some pics.

This rocky area was the setting for an epic shot of our late buddy, Pat von Blumen. Couldn’t find the shot online, but if you want to see some epic shots by the same guy, check out Dave Heath’s site.

Look close, there’s a rider in there someplace…

Wade at work again….

OK, so shortly after this shot, we got the greenlight from the photographers to start rippin. I was all keyed up from being in such a stupendous arena that I kind of lost my head and started pinning it on some sketchy sidehill. Wade said it was one of the more violent crashes he’s seen. I ended up cartwheeling about 60 feet and got out of it with some holes in my tongue, a chipped tooth, assorted bruises, and a hyperextended elbow ( I found out later that I got a hairline fracture in my humerus too). Ooops. I’m an idiot. Oh well, I was overdue for a good bail.

I hope it didn’t impact anyone elses day too much.

The trail down Lockhart Creek semed more like the coast than the deep interior. Huge trees and a dark forest. The only part that was like the interior was the speed. I’ve nover gone so fast in big trees.

Niclas is a big dude. Those trees are bigger…

Can’t even get Wade in focus. It’s fas-s-s-s-s-t….

All I remember about the lower part of the trail was preloading into corners with both wheels drifting…..for like an hour straight. Totally worth it.

Oh, and some beers on the beach at the bottom were sort of OK, too.

If one thing could improve that day…..I think some pints over dinner at the local were maybe all I could come up with.

Cheers! That was epic…..

Oh, and I’ve got a special treat for all you geography geeks out there. Check out Lockhart Creek with Google Earth.

Local Classic

Posted on by Smoke

I’ve been trying to hit a few certain local trails ever since I moved up here, but due to a relutance to pedal exhibited by most of my riding partners, I haven’t managed it. There’s also the issue with weather. If I’m going to do a 13 km climb, I don’t really want it to be 35C out.

Luckily, Geoff Pendrell was in town this weekend and he called me up for an XC romp. Geoff is one of the more talented all round racers in Canada, able to win in any discipline, so neither his skills or fitness were in question. Compared to that guys resume, I’m the one to be in question., but no matter, I was determined to hit up the McDougall Rim today.

Oh and it was raining slightly, and George (who will be joining us o the Wade Tour later this summer) was also coming along.

The climb wasn’t too bad. It started off with one really steep pitch, but for the most part it was steady middle ring stuff.

A few extended granny ring efforts for sure, and it got a bit tougher up higher, but with the cool weather it was actually a pretty decent climb of about 90 minutes or so.

Near the top, the trail switched from double to singletrack, and the first view was a true eye opener.

We could just see Bear Creeek below us, and the ridgeline extending off to the east. The big trees and misty conditions made me feel like I was back on the coast. Here’s George, a bit awestruck by the experience.

The singletrack that followed was spectacular. Nothing tech, just great flowy smooth trail with some uphill sections that were actually fun. Yes, you heard me, fun uphill. Really.

After another 20 minutes of rolling trail that was slightly more up than down, we kicked over into the descent. Lots and lots of descent. It hardly ever got steep, so it rolled for a long, long time. Excellent singletrack, the kind that would be a bit more fun on a DH bike, but that you can go stupidly fast down on anything.

Oh and also tons of clifftop viewpoints on the way. The final descent was a wide open blast down some bermed up hyperspeed. I haven’t gone this fast since Prevost on the Island earlier this spring.

Totally wicked ride, a true classic. I doubt I’ll be up there until after summer, but I’m definitely doing that one again.

St. George’s KVR Trip – Day 5

Posted on by Smoke

It’s the final day of the trip and Monica has had enough of us. We argue, we fart, we’re rude, and we have cameras on us when it’s too early to be decent.

The last day is an informal race around the lake, which is just another way of saying that we make the little shrubs more motivated to get outta here. My group kicked some serious ass, and riley of course walked away witht he overall win. Danika, Mike, and me rode sweep behind everyone, and took a little break to hit this sweet, sweet rope swing into Otter Lake.

That would be Danika about to get very cold there. Lots of fun, I tells ya.

This next shot is good fun. Talk about your lineup at the gas pumps.

Yes Pally, we did “Throw Down Mighty” on the KVR. Have a good year, boys.