Whistler Day 8

Tunnel vision, originally uploaded by kendyck1.

July 20

Bear sitings= 0
Replacement parts = many (Keith's bike build)
Kms completed = 32 (no chair lift assist!)

Today my ankle did not look so big but my foot looks enormous! All the swelling has sunk into the foot and is making me look like elephant man as well as making a disconcerting squelchy feel as I walk around. The black and blue toes are particularly attractive! Arnica galore please!

So I knew the park was out of the question but I wanted to ride. I took off down the valley trail all strapped up and I felt fine. Then headed up Riverside trail a blue singletrack from Function Junction where all the work is going on to build the Olympic athletes village.

It's a beautiful trail, gently rolling with fantastic views of glacial run off rivers and fallen trees and rocks. Just a few rocks and roots and switchbacks to test out the shock absorbing power of my foot. Not bad so far!

I rode across the wobbly suspension bridge, then up Highline trail for quite a hike a bike til I got to the start of Tunnel Vision (pictured). I love this little trail- marked black diamond on the old map but clearly downgraded to blue (probably as BD in the park is way harder).

I rode all the rocks rolls and generally tried to use my good foot to do the suspension bit and I only felt small twinges of pain nothing major. As long as I did not have to put that foot down in a hurry or awkwardly I'm alright. I even rode the wooden ladders except the drop offs as that would be too much impact to test my foot so soon.

Feeling good I rode up Kadenwood several tarmac switchbacks to Steps and into Big Timber down to Creekside gondola. Lunch at Subways although Dustys looked tempting (but I was keeping it cheap. )

Back along the valley trail and up and down Blueberry a blue singletrack with 2 black diamond descents joining Alta Vista to Whistler Cay- this time I just went for the black diamond rocky descents and my foot took it well.

Keith and Tom were in the apartment competing at http://fr2b.fr/ and I joined in too. It was so addictive that they never made it out for a ride in the real world! (See photo)

Dinner was at Brewhouse- a great pasta to replenish the energy burnt. So great to get out today and pedal up aswell as down and test those lungs again!

However I know I can't take this ankle back in the park yet so I'm going to work for trhe next 2-4 days and see if I can get fully recovered for next week riding the tough stuff.