Ridgerama

Well its been back to the office and back to almost hard work this week but as Adrian is departing soon we headed out to ride Ridgerama today which I've been interested in finding for some time.

The route climbs up Taylor basin road to the Taylor Mining cabin (1hr 45 climb) and then up to the top of Camels pass (45 mins hike and bike) where instead of descending the High Trail we cut up left to the peak and followed an invisible trail across the ridges of several mountains on shale and scree slopes. Too loose to pedal up most of the climbs but loose and drifty to decsnd down again.

The views were incredible as you would expect. Even with the large amount of smoke haze from the large fires still burning a few kms away.

Adrian took 7hrs or so last time but some of that was trying to find the trail. This time we left at 12:45pm and had to be at dinner by 7pm so he kept us moving, no rest.

We dived off the ridge down into Cinnabar meadows and climbed the switchbacks to pick up the North Cinnabar trail right from the top this time. The trail became more obvious and we descended twice the number of dusty switchbacks than our usual ride. 40mins of descending until we got back to the lodge.

Just 4hrs 45mins to do the ride- and my legs could feel it- it's an epic and should be done at a slower pace to enjoy those views but it certainly was an excellent workout! Must do again some day.

We had an excellent buffet dinner with Dale, Jane, Bobbi and Jack at the Tyax Lodge. Food here is superb as usual! Then a few beers to say farewell to an emotional Liz. No-one ever wants to leave here!

Gromit Ride

Well I'm a big kid and I'm missing being an Aunty and taking my neice and nephew for bike rides so today I got 5 substitutes- Charlie (12), Bobbi (12), Jack (10), Eric (10), Emily (10) plus 2 rather more mature kids Jane and Terry (each a parent of some of those kids).

Dale shuttled us up to Cinnabar trailhead and we came down the dusty loose switchbacked singletrack through the forest, faster than most of my adult groups! Bobbi setting a good pace on my tail and Jack trying to stay with us. All the kids just love riding the trails around here- except when they go up too long!

Bobbi is a future champ for sure- already racing and placing 1st/2nd in Squamish XC races. Watch out for her.

Next Bobbi led us down the singletrack maze from 10mile corner to the back of Dale's place where we had some snacks and the kids played with toys like mini-motor bikes, trampoline snowboarding tricks, remote control jeeps and Nintendo Wii. I resisted joining in and drank beer but it was a tough dilemma!

It was a great ride, lovely bunch of kids, the sun was out and I was the only one who crashed (great guide eh!?).

Staff MTB trip

Some of the lodge staff have been asking me to take them out mountain biking. Well you know me, I love to share my passion for the sport but I like everyone to have a good experience. Problem is there is no easy trail around here, nothing flat and nothing non-technical! So where do I take a bunch of beginners?

Well today I finally said "Come on then let's go" and I had a big recruitment- 6 staff decided to come out, others were on duty and could not make it so maybe another trip to come.

I set them all up with rental bikes, adjusted everything and pumped tyres then taught them all how to change gears and gear selection while they rode round the parking lot. Off we set to the Freiburg trail and the first climb (2 mins in). Lots of huffing and puffing and getting off to walk their bikes. Elisha had to give up after the first bit of singletrack as her heart was beating too damn fast so I pointed her down "Johnny be good" singletrack to get back on the road home. Still she'd made it further than her last attempt and she'd tasted singletrack.

The rest were up for the challenge and were soon falling off the sides of the narrow strip of singletrack into stumps and brush. New battle scars emerged. We carried on up the logging road climb towards the lookout and it was great to hear the exclamations of "Wow!" as they got to the top of the hike a bike and saw the view.

Down the dusty chutes I made them walk as I did not want to be responsible for a third of the staff being injured and unable to work! But gradually they all attempted some of the slider descents to varying success. Finally we emerged onto Gun Ck road and started the big climb home as fast as possible so as not to miss dinner. We made it back at 5:40 for our 5:30 dinner- everyone grinning and asking me when we can go again.

Ah yes I do love spreading the religion of mountain biking- it sure can be infectious!

Camels Pass

Today while I sent Terry and his family off to ride the Spruce Lake trip, I headed out on the 2 hour climb up Taylors cabin and then an hour bike and hike a bike to Camels Pass then down the High Trail.

It was pretty hot, John had set out way ahead of us and waited at the top of the pass, Jane was around 15mins behind me as I reached Taylors cabin but she never wanted to stop and rest as the flies were too annoying.

It was a helluva climb over the pass but son we were descending narrow steep singletrack with wonderful views (par for the course around here but I'm trying not to get used to it!). We traversed a knife edge piece of trail then a steep rut before dropping into fast rolling meadows. We got chucked out at High Trail logging road and had a very fast brake melting descent- past a black bear at the side of the trail!

We left John and headed back along the Friburg and straight into the Lake at Tyax to clean and cool off with Adrian's clients. We just hjad time for a post ride beer before we had to go change a tyre on the van so I could shuttle Terry's gang from Gun Creek road. They'd been riding for 6hrs and were exhausted, but relieved to see me with a beer and a van for them.

Lorna Pass Epic Mountain Bike Tour

Today Terry and I hitched a float plane ride into Lorna where Dale was to pick up some camping gear. Lorna is a fantastic lake nestled right in the mountains, no roads to access teh area, miles from anywhere.

We had to find the trailhead at the end of the pond and after a while we found it but the creek crossing was deep and running fast. I didn't want wet boots for the hike a bike so we hiked back alomng the creek until we found a better place to cross. I started across with my bike in the creek and my feet on rocks and logs then my bike's front wheel got swept away in the rapids and pinned under a log. Terry had to help me yank it out and then we got across!

We hiked up almost vertical scree slope for the next 50mins- it was tough going but worth it at the top- fantastic views and not a soul around. All we could see was a sweet sweet strip of singletrack for miles and miles! Yes!

Headng down the first section I was hurtling along when I suddenly dipped into a huge hole and nearly went over the bars as my front wheel disappeared into a marmot hole that had been excavated by a grizzly- huge!

We rode for 3 more hours of singletrack through Lorna pass, along Tyaughton creek and then we hit the 4 major creek crossings. the first one we rode through over our hubs and feet pedalling through teh water- shoes full of water and squelching. The 2nd was bigger so we waded through and the rapids were running up over my knees and my shorts got wet too. The next 2 were slightly shallower but still mid calf height.

On we pedalled in wet shoes! Then just as my shoes were drying a little we joined the WD trail by crossing another big creek- soaked again! We climbed up the singletrack through wooded forests and over roots then it descended into Spruce Lake- great forest singletrack with roots and rocks to bump over and twists and turns- mmm mmm!

At Spruce we sat on the dock in the sunshine- drying our boots and socks and dangling our feet in the water as we refueled with Clif bars, clif shots and Ryvita. After a good rest we set off down to Gun Creek Trail through Spruce Meadows which were now less dusty and more tacky. So they rolled so well and flowy!

We did good time down and by 7pm we had a pick up from Terry's dad Ray and back to the cabin for a feast and some beer.

Another awesome day- some 60km of riding predominantly singletrack. Good times!

T2R guest ride

Here I am showing off my new gloves won in a competition from Calgary Online cycle store- this photo was one of many we took so they can promote it on pinkbike. Actually the rest were serious but this was me fooling for my audience.

So its funny now, having been a regular guest of T2R that I am guiding their guests. This week we had 10, 3 girls and 7 blokes and we took 3 flights up to Spruce Lake on Thursday morning and set out in glorious sunshine with a storm buildiung up. By the time we reached the potato patch it started thundering down which was a great relief from the heat.

For once no-one wanted to wear a waterproof, the rain felt good. The tracks soon became tacky where they have been so dusty and the rolling was good. It rained on us most of the way down and after the 2nd bridge it was now mud not sand- first time I've been muddy since England!

We rode down in around 4hrs and after washing the bikes we hit the showers and bar.

Friday we rode North Cinnabar and then the local trails to Monkey See- riding as tail guide I was eating and breathing dust from everyone's wheels- must hang back further. Some of the group started to hit the wall so I fed them Clif shots and kept the back runners moving.

We finished the ride in the burn zone on the Turkey trail down to Mowson pond. I decided while the girls were walking up the hill that I'd hang back and get a good singletrack flow run near the end. I was going full pelt when my front wheel hit a burnt out stump and I went over the bars and was buried in soot! I could not extract myself from my bike until I unbuckled my camelbak!

Now covered in soot from head to toe I rejoined the group only to be told I looked like I'd been fighting fires! Black face and grey ash all over my kit.

Back at the lodge we just all ran straight into the Lake to cool off and wash off! Refreshing! It's damn hot here 35 degrees. And after the storms there are a lot of fires started.

The Hurley road (the shortest FSR out of here) has been closed, we can still get out via Lillooet, but its the busiest weekend of the year and we hope our customers are able to get here. More importantly we hope the fire fighters can contain these fires and keep everyone safe.

The local govt have called for a voluntary avoidance of travel in the backcountry - not good.

They say some 1,817 wildfires that have burned approximately 51,042 hectares of forests and grasslands have occurred since april 11th.

Currently there is 345 hectares burning on Copper mountain near Pemberton Meadows and I believe there are evacuation alerts there and in Lillooet. We watch with interest and hope that they are contained soon.

Days 48-50- Tyax

(check out Housser's VR photo's here)

What can I say!?! It just get's more and more awesome around here.

I did this float plane trip back in 2005 with Pete, Ken and Dennis and it was amazing. I have to say 2nd time around and on a lighter bike (my Lapierre Zesty) it was just as awesome and maybe even more so!

Tom, Laura and Housser picked me up in Housser's F15o pick up on Friday and we hit the road to Tyax, stopping at Pemberton's Pony Express for lunch.

Now the road to Tyax isn't one you usually ride. It's a gravel FSR (Forest Service Road) which bumps along and twists and turns, up and down a mountain for 60km. So it is not the most comfortable drive.

To add to that we were not without mishap! 16km up the gravel road climb smoke started pouring out of the bonnet/hood and we stopped and evacuated! Lifting the hood the coolant was gurgling out of the radiator like some geyser exploding. We all stood well back and worried! After all the coolant had gone we searched the car for water. Draining everyone's camelbak's into the radiator then flagging down some pick-ups and nicking their water. Then Tom hiked up to a stream and filled all our camelbak's twice to fill the truck! We were on the move again but gingerly!

We were almost at Tyax when we had to pull over and wait. Some helicopter crews were flying in and replacing broken powerline poles from the recent fire and we could see the devastation the June fire had caused in the burnt out forest all around.

When we got the signal to go we couldn't go- the car would not start, so out we jumped and pushed the truck to jump start it (and this was not the last time this trip). Well bad things come in 3's they say so we all hoped for one more bad thing before we boarded the plane tomorrow!!

Finally we arrived at Tyax and pitched camp before we went to cool off with a swim in the glacial waters of the lake. If you've ever seen the movie "On Golden Pond" well then you can picture this place at Tyax. Log cabins and lodge next to a lake with mountains in the background and us jumping off the jetty and screaming in the cold water!

A cold night in my $20 Walmart sleeping bag and an early start as we were the first plane out at 07:15am. We loaded our bikes into the float plane at 7:15 and took off from the lake for a 15 minute flight through the mountains to Warner Lake. The views were amazing in the early morning sunshine- glassy blue lakes and mountains galore.

We landed on Warner lake which was like a mirror (see below)- no single ripple to indicate how close we were to the surface- a real challenge for Terry our pilot who hadn't landed in such conditions for 5 years having been flying 747's more recently!

Bikes unloaded and we waited for the next flight in while we battled mosquitoes off and stared in awe at the views up here away from all civilisation, no roads or rail just a narrow singletrack trail to follow out for 42km+.

Dale and the Swiss crew from Bergrad.ch arrived (in their team colours) and we were off on the trail.

What followed can barely be described but the pictures and video will try to explain the wonders before our eyes. It started with a rocky but gentle climb to the end of the lake and then evolved into buff singletrack exposed on our right with a sheer drop down to Gun Creek if you veered too far that direction.

The fast flowy stuff was interspersed variously with some scree slopes providing a challenge to ride across or a washout where no trail existed, then some swooping track through the forest and sometimes emerging into meadows of wildflowers. Mainly we could see Gun Creek to our right and then each glacial blue lake as we passed Trigger lake and Hummingbird lake.

Again we were still waiting for that bad 3rd thing but as it turned out it did not happen to us but rather to Oliver who wiped out on a creek crossing, got caked in mud and broke a Carbon Formula Brake lever off his Lapierre Spicy 916. He rode on with just a rear brake only to crash again and lose the other lever! Yup he had no brakes now!

Dale hashed together a trail fix with a tyre lever as a brake lever and Oliver managed to ride on until we reached Spruce Lake where Terry picked Oliver and Shane (our tail guide) up. We rode on from Spruce downwards.

The trail got pretty dusty and we were riding some 200m+ apart. The Swiss guys ahead following Dale then Housser and I interchanging for the helmet cam and then Tom with Laura bringing up the rear together.

About 6 and a half hours of buff singletrack later we emerged on a fire track near Dale's cabin and we piled our bikes on his truck for a 5 min drive back to Tyax for beers on the deck followed by a refreshing dunk in the lake (Count to 3 and jump in! Scream!) and a warm up in the hot tub!

Tonight we dined in style in the Lodge. Tired, grinning and totally chilled out.

I slept well, and warm in my $20 sleep bag tonight with many other layers on that is!

We packed up camp and left on Sunday back to Vancouver but I have a feeling I'll be back pretty soon- there is so much more to be done there!

Day 46- Canada Day Heli Drop Rainbow Mountain

The first heli drop of the season for anyone in Whistler and I was on it! An awesome experience being the first ones to land on that patch of snow and to ride the trail that's been untouched since the snows started to fall last October.

8am breakfast at the main lodge and at 9 we headed to the heli-port. Brakes and shifters were loosened on our bikes and then bikes stacked on the heli-pad and strapped together. We signed our waivers for a one way ticket no pick-up, meaning we have to find our own way off the mountain!

I managed to ride shotgun for the first heli up so I had an awesome view and was able to film it. Headsets on and harnessed in we took off in what feels rather wobbly fashion as we headed backwards then turned 180 to start climbing over the forest, over Green Lake and up into the mountains. At one point I looked down through the bubble window in the floor and suddenly realised I was suspended in mid-air- this is really flying!

We landed on a tiny patch of snow again a little wobbly and I struggled to get out of my harness but could not ask the pilot for help as he was balancing the chopper on the snow so was rather busy.

We crouched down on one knee on the snow as the pilot took off above our heads and then in a woosh was gone back down the mountain for the next load. We were alone and stranded!

After a few pics of the amazing views the pilot was back with our bikes dangling on a rope below the helicopter. He skilfully placed them on the snow, released the cable and Chris was waiting to untie them. Off flew the pilot again and we were less stranded as at least now we had bikes to ride down on!

Brakes and shifters tightened and checked we hiked across the snow to the trailhead, then headed down a rocky descent, we hit quite a few patches of snow at the top which we mainly had to hike our bikes across which was tough work. Eventually the snow was gone and we had some rolling singletrack through meadows until we hit the treeline. At the treeline things got a little steeper and we hit some very loamy steep rooty descents that had my back wheel drifting all over the place. Another case of just point the bike and hang on to the bars and hope you make it!

In between the steep chutes were a few nice rock slab rolls some steeper than others, I rode round the one that Tom rode after I saw him nearly go over the bars! We popped out onto the Flank Sproatt trail about 50m above Billy's Epic trail a great black diamond descent with an awesome viewpoint. Also a trail I have not ticked off yet. (There are 135 trails in my guide book and I've ridden 112 so far)

This led us down onto descend 27 switchbacks, fast and tight then onto Bob's Rebob a lot wider but very fast and swoopy until we hit Alta Lake Road and pedaled down to Rainbow Park on Alta Lake for a Canada day picnic.

Great runs down and a superb experience.

I pedaled home and got Dan to fix my Stroker brakes as the damper on the back lever had gone and the front disc rotor was rather bent and dragging. All fixed in double quick time I went for a few gentle runs in the park (Ninja Cougar and Angry Pirate and Crank it Up) and to watch the race down Schleyer and Rock City. I rode til 8pm then joined everyone in the GLC for the prizes and beers.

Exhausted... tomorrow I must REST!

Day 45- Cat Scratch Fever- Get Over it-Bike Park

Desperate to do an XC ride today so I took Mark out first thing up Ricks Roost down a steep but flowy Catch Scratch Fever into Mandatory Suicide (which lived up to its name, hardly used this trail anymore and some very sketchy, loamy steep steep descents had me off my bike twice) then into a much more flowy trail called Mel's Dilemma. I wanted to find the new trail "Get Over it" which was finished just 2 weeks ago and has loads of great woodwork on it that joins Mel's too Bob's Rebob. The woodwork certainly is great especially the last run of ladder bridges and the narrow river crossing with bailout ropes that probably would not catch many a bailer as they are too far from the bridge but hey they might just catch some.

After Bob's Rebob I took Mark on his first run thru River Runs thru it. He had some bad SPD moments- never nice on woodwork and then he sorta rode the log bridge holding onto the ropes and feeding them thru his hands- so I sent him back to ride it properly. He reluctantly but successfully made it.

As we came round to teh double teeter I shouted to him not to follow me on to it and I promptly fell off. So he decided to video me and again I fell off the first teeter with a perfect demo of the how to bail technique. Finally my 3rd attempt I managed to complete it by focusing on the end and not on the first teeter dropping and oh yes moving much faster over it! Woohoo moments!

A bit of a snooze at home after that then I went up to the Bike Park and rode with Sean from 5:30 to 8:30- we just seesioned and did some filming on Ninja Cougar and then we ended up doing the sweep run down Ninja Cougar at 8pm on the last lift of the day to make sure vereyone was off the mountain.

Got home and ended up on the phone outside for 30 mins while trying to get my armour off but I decided to join the Heli Drop for tomorrow.

Day 44- Whistler Bike Park

Early start and on the first lift at 9:58am we went to the top of the mountain to ride New Joke- but it was very very very wet and muddy! Yuk!

I rode with Sean all morning, then had a quick break to Skype my sis before heading out again and riding more with Sean then riding some trails with various T2R groups.

I got chatting to a Banshee Legend rider from Oz and Sean had some pics on his bike which he loved.

I ended up riding til 6pm with Parky and Andreas and then had beers with Parky and Ben at GLC til 9pm. When I decided I must eat as I'd done almost 8hrs riding and had 3 beers - that equation means very wobbly riding home!

Day 43- Kill Me Thrill Me

Here's a video of my ride today. After the rains of last night came the Sunshine (long may it last!), trails were greasy this am on Section 102 but dried up in time this afternoon for me to ride some dry rock slabs on Kill Me Thrill Me one of my favorite trails in Whistler. (The double diamond rock was a bit too greasy for me to risk on my own but I did the lower woodwork feature instead and the rock on that was pretty greasy too but way shorter so I could lay off the brakes completely).

I was happy that I managed to ride over the little log ride with the steps roll off ramp- I didn't manage it last year. I also got some great lines down all the rock descents near the powerlines cleaned it all this year- better on my Zesty than my big Cove from last year. There's a great new ladder roll where the steep rock/ladder used to be - it's quite steep and curvy and gets your speed up for the jumps shortly after.

I really enjoyed this ride so had to capture some of it.

Back at our pad I found an injured Matt. He'd had a battle with a tree on HOD and came off worst. I feared a break to his forearm so took him to the med centre where they relieved him (his insurance company at least) of $800 to get it X-rayed but fortunately no break just tissue damage and a huge swollen arm. Let's hope he can get back on his bike before he leaves on Saturday.

Parky's brother Si and friends (Will, Jase, Paul) have moved in for the week and came back drunk at 7:3o and a very merry bunch they are. Will was walking around half naked and managed to get me to sort out a hot shower for him. I expect to hear from them again in the early hours of tomorrow morning!! (They already apologised for it)

Day 41- Squamish Squirmishes

Yay! The Sun is back out and the blue skies have returned. The van picked me up just after 9 for our day trip to Squamish about 45mins South on Highway 99. We've been there trail building for SORCA already and now it was time to go and ride what we'd built.

Ian from Scotland and Christof from Poland (now living in Bristol) were my guest companions for the day and guiding us were Parky, Chris and Dan.

We drove up the Mamquam FSR, a gravel road I am more used to pedalling up in pain rather than driving up. We took Rip Creek North FSR and stopped off at the top of Expect to Fly for a warm up run. After the last 2 days of rain expect these trails to be muddy and slick roots and rocks! Armour and full face helmet on!

We rode down Expect to fly and Pseudotsuga which were flowy trails with a few stumps and wooden bridges and a fairly fast but gentle gradient. They were wet for sure. Then we dropped into the ladder bridge at the start of snakes and ladders and into the rocky chute. It was a very steep, wet and rocky, narrow chute indeed and I was soon catching Christof up as he dabbed his feet and slid off his bike. Ian held back so as not to crash into us both. I gave Christof a good head start before hitting the rooty switchbacks after him, no brakes in case I skid! It was fast! Then we hit the bermy section- almost as good as Ninja Cougar- woowee! Spat out to the shuttle car park- that was quick! We beat the van back.

Warm up donw- onto the serious stuff and up to ride Upper Powersmart the trail we worked on 2 weeks ago. The boys let me go first following Parky and boy the start was steep and wet and rocky and I slid around a couple of wet rocky switchbacks holding onto the handlebars for meer survival. Amazed everytime I got down a section intact only to be met by another tough section.

Soon we were riding the bit we built- it was great although the last bit still needs that bridge as its too loamy and in the wet akmost stops you dead!

On the bit we built on Powersmart

From there we headed straight into the fast direct descent down Skookum- jumping between trees following Parky I only saw the wet roots on the landing last minute while in the air so I held my breath and kept my speed and luckily the back end only squirmed a little and I was still moving forward intact!

After that we again rode Expect to fly-Pseudotsuga-Snakes&Ladders (as I did 5 times today and each time it was drier and faster and I knew the line until it became really flowy for me).

Dan arrived and we had lunch at the top with great views before another run down Powersmart, this time Dan leading, me, Ian, Christof and Chris at the back, and Parky drove the shuttle.

Next step it up again to ride 19th hole, a double diamond black. At which point Christof called it a day. I was a bit afraid now as Chris described it as a step up from Powersmart which I felt was at my limit of ability! It used to be a fall line ride and still is at the top but the impossible middle section has been cut into the hill now to flow more. Chris led, then me then Ian and Parky playing sweep. The first section was extremely steep and rooty, crazy swicthbacks but mainly crazy long rooty steep decsents - bike squirming all over the place.

Then it mellowed into the new built bit and was a fun descent with great banked swicthbacks, still steep and rocky so brain must be engaged but not quite as scary! We took a look at City Boy with its slick narrow high woodwork and decided better. So we rode Home Brew just peeking at the huge gap jump on Home Grown- Woah!

Now I was getting much faster on the last runs in as I knew the lines. At the bottom Ian called it a day but you know me- I wanted more but my arms were tired so maybe a little mellower? Is that possible here?

So we aterted in the same place but missed the 1st section of 19th hole by riding P-nut Wild and dropping into 19th hole a little above the new section so still some hairy rooty fall lines to negotiate but I rode much more with just a foot dab here and there to keep me steady. Some great helmet cam footage of me on this run too- will be posted soon. I absolutely loved this run down and was riding pretty much at my fastest on the bottom runs, to the extent I almost lost it a couple of times. Especially with Dan right on my tail filming me.

What a great day- it really reminded me that this is the type of riding I really love- trails you don't know too well, technically challenging to scare you a little but prove you can ride them. A sense of achievement! Great. (I want to ride it in the dry now too!)

BBQ tonight and watching the footage that I'll try and publish here soon when I get it.

Day 39 & 40- Wet Weather Days

Well it had to happen sometime and boy did we need the rain- the trails have been so dusty that they are starting to slip off the mountain. So it rained on Wednesday- a lot!

I sensibly took a rest day and did some work finishing off a project I aimed to finish by end of June so that was a good deadline hit! Everyone else hung around the house all day and then last minute Matt and Sean joined Mark for the PHAT wednesday DH race down B-line. Modt of the T2R guys did it chainless. It was wet and very very muddy- yuk!

Sean managed a 4 minute chained run, the winning time was 3:44mins. Mark was around 4:45 chainless. Matt saved his money and did not race.

Thursday was better weather but still cloudy and a few showers. I needed to stretch my XC legs and pedal but nothing too slick i.e. no techy rooty rocky trails. So I pedalled the Valley Trail tarmac for 11km to Function Junction and headed up the blue run trails along the Cheakamus River. Up via Farside to the Suspension bridge and then up Riverside on the other side. It was a good climb but not technical at all, so from the Olympic Village construction site I managed to find the new entrance to Trash a black trail and started to negotiate the rocks and roots I'd been avoiding!

It was very wet and the river was roaring down. I had to hike a bike up over some wet slabs and logs but managed to ride others. Eventually I came out ona gravel singletrack so I started following it. After anout 30 mins I looked at the terrain below and decided this was taking me down the highway South somewhere. Fearing I might have to pedal back along the highway I turned back.

At the trailhead I found I was on teh new Sea to Sky Trail. I guess it could have taken me to Squamish or further sounth but it was signposted 11km to Brandywine Falls. I would have liked to have made it that far but I'll leave that for anotehr rainy day as its a pretty tame trail- only good if you want an easy pedal down the highway or to acheive a long distance.

Well I hope that my trip to Squamish that was planned for today will happen tomorrow, but more than that I hope its sunny and dry or else Squmaish will be an extra challenge to ride!

Day 37- Ninja Cougar Bites Back

Back in the Bike park today and on my Scythe.

It's been raining for a few days and pretty cold and cloudy today but the sun started to peak out and so I headed up the Fitzsimmons express. Crank it up was smooth and tacky and not slick at all- the wet has dampened the dust down so it rides really fast. As a warm-up run I was really flying down there and getting great air off all the tabletops.

I ran that a couple of times breaking off to session the joyride drop park to remind myself I can ride drops! Then I hit Ninja Cougar or did it hit me?

As this trail is tight singletrack berms in the woods it was a lot slicker but on the first few turns that was not an issue and I was riding it as fast as I rode it in the dry but then I came round a right berm and as I unweighted and hopped into the left berm my front wheel slid out and my bike disappeared and hit a tree whilst I continued turning left, now head first and only now did I realise how fast I am moving relative to the ground as my shoulder hit the next berm and my head smacked into it- digging a nice dirt divot in my vents. Ow!

A bit shaken I quickly removed my bike from blocking the whole trail, checked myself and realised I was Ok but will have a bit of a headache/neckache later! A big part of me wanted to call it a day but I carried on down Karate Monkey and B-line and even dropped the GLC drop and got myself straight back into the lift line to head up again.

Next I rode Angry Pirate a Black that had potential to be slicker than Ninja Cougar in these conditions so I hit it at 70% to be careful, especially as they have changed the trail- there is a new hop into a right hand berm to tight left hand at the start. It was a great run down and I love Lower Angry Pirate with the boardwalk to drop. I finished on Hornet where a group was standing being told the line to ride as I shot by them, apparently I gave a perfect demo as it turned out to be a T2R group.

Another run down Angry Pirate and then Crank it up and I bumped into the other T2R crowd so I rode with them down Fantastic into CIU and then Angry Pirate and then CIU all the way again. It was great to follow people again as I was flying off the TTs and round the berms- such fun. Keeping that confidence up on the blues and blacks today- no DD's (double dimaonds)!

Apparently you can ride the Gondola to the Roundhouse and ride down from there- Dan says Original sin is in poor condition but Freight Train and No Joke are good- but the guys who'd been up there were covered in mud so not really tempted to go up til it dries out as Orig Sin is my fave up there. However I do want to check out New Joke. Come on sunshine dry us out!

Days 34-36- Whistler PMBI Course

I've spent the last 3 days on a Professional Mountain Bike Instructor's course with Zep Techniques.

Up early on day 1 I pedalled over to Lost Lake Cross Country Connection where I was meeting Paul Howard from Zep Techniques and the other student instructors Nicole (from Vancouver), Morgan (from Whistler) and Jeremy (from New Zealand).

It was a nice day- a little chilly but dry and we spent the first morning riding the gravel tracks and singletrack of the Lost Lake concentrating on one of six skills at a time, the 6 skills we would be learning how to teach. Paul would show us how to break the skill down and then we would have a go at perfectingour demos and skill at performing that skill on some techy singletrack that is similar but probably harder then the Welsh trail centres. Really fun to ride.

We lunched at Portobello and in the afternoon we learnt how to teach each skill as well as how to guide a group and keep it safe and fun as well as having effective teaching.

That evening we were all allocated a lesson to teach tomorrow so we could read the manual and prepare. I had cornering- so I read most of the manual in time before we went to the movies tonight to see Year One. It was a funny movie a little in the Life of Brian Monty Pythonesque style!

Day 2 it was pissing down as I pedalled over and it was pretty cold- I had merino wool on! We all taught a lesson in the rain, I went first and my lesson went very well, it was not perfect but it seemed to go across well and I go great feedback. It was fun being a student too as we all tried to subtely hint when the instructor missed something- e.g. at one point Nicole started our warm-up and forgot the bike check so as she cycled off I just said "Ooops my tyre is flat" and we all fell into a fit of giggles as she realised she had to stop and do a bike check!

After another yummy lunch at Portobello's we started working on Maneuvers (in the sun in the skills park) and how to teach them- riding skinnies, front and rear wheel lifts, rolling drops and riding small drop offs. Once we had learnt how to do them and how to teach them properly we all had to teach one. I did a great lesson on front wheel lifts so I was pleased with that.

We were all allocated a skill to teach tomorrow for our evaluation but had to learn all the maneuvers as one would be picked on the spot. So I read the manual thoroughly until I was almost asleep and then wrote some bullet point lesson plans for each one.

I PASSED!

Day 3- still raining, we took it in turns to teach. I went 2nd this time and taught Line Selection- I used my Mr Magoo and Buzz Lightyear examples to set the exercise which made it fun and visual. I got great feedback that it was a strong lesson so I was glad as I had prepared well for it. By lunchtime we were very cold and hungry and wet. Another lunch at Portobellos with the market in Blackcomb on reminding me today was a Sunday.

Then we taught Maneuvers, Jeremy did Skinnies, Nicole did front wheel lift, Morgan did rolling drops and I had to do rear wheel lifts which seemed easy but then he asked me to progress it a level off the cuff so I ended up introducing a front wheel and rear wheel lift maneuver. That was tough as I had not practiced my demo and had to hop over a small log for everyone cold- it was not perfect but I did OK and everyone got it in the end which was a good result.

Back at Cross Country connection we filled in some feeback on the course and received our certificates and feedback as we all passed.

Now I'm keen to do level 2- I know I could instruct it but the riding skills may be an issue as I can clear tabletops on Crank it up but I hate the ones on A-line.

Anyway this was a great course, very structured and effective. I do hope that hey are successful in creating a governing body and getting it to be a formally recognized qualification as this industry really needs that now.

Day 33- Whistler

Today I got myself set-up for my instructors course this weekend. I washed my bike kit, did some work and then took my bike over to the main lodge for a clean up and some TLC to check it was all working well.

It was a nice day so I could not resist taking it for a spin so I spent an hour or so just riding the singletrack around lost lake and sessioning a few lines where I find it tough to get up and over the rock climbs.

I've no idea how good my riding needs to be or how fit for the next few days so I was taking it gently today.

Day 31 & 32 Whistler

On Tuesday I needed a rest, it was kinda rainy and cloudy so I sat at my PC and worked all morning. Matt had issues with his RockShox Boxxer bushings so when we found this bike shop in Function Junction called The Fix inc Matt and Sean and I decided to pedal over there.

The pedal along the Valley Trail on DH bikes was longer than I remembered but it was nice to have an easy flat(ish) smooth pedal. The bike shop was great not a typical bike shop but mainly a spares and repairs shop. James the owner realised a gap in the market as so many shops here don't carry essential spares to get riders back on the hill ASAP. So he bought this CNC milling machine and some CAD software and can make parts for you on the spot. He has a whole wall of dropout hangers for just about any bike riding the park.

To top that he was a really helpful guy and spent ages chatting to us and helping Matt out with what to do with his forks as Rockshox bushings are hard to come by. He sold Sean some grease but he checked the tub and decided it was too empty so he topped it up from his own grease!

I'd definitely recommend him for anyone wanting to fix a bike- it's worth the pedal or bus shuttle down to Function Junction.

On Wednesday it was a bit showery so I worked again in the morning and sat around with everyone else mocching around the house but got very tetchy. Suddenly at 4:30 the sun came out so I whizzed over to the bike park and started to session Crank it up, then Ninja cougar and then Angry Pirate and every time coming over the middle GLC drop- it was a lovely evening, sunny, dry, tacky trails, really quiet lift lines. I was down the hill and straight onto a lift every 20mins.

I rode right up to 8pm- getting 8 runs in and then they were calling for people to sweep the hill (that means be the last person to ride down a set of trails and ensure that no-one is left up there before they sut down for the night). I got to ride Ninja Cougar, Karate Monkey, Samurai Pizza Cat, Devils Club, Monkey Hnads and the middle GLC to finish. I don't think the Bike Patrol guy thought I was up to it when he looked at me but when I arrived back and handed my card back in it set him straight and he was grateful. (I ride better than I look!)

So yeah I got to ride until 8:30pm and it turned out to be a great day in the end!

Day 30- Whistler Westside Black Diamond Ticking

After tasting Squamish (albeit on foot) I was keen to get some pedalling in and ride some of the very technical valley trails around Whistler. So instead of hitting the lift assisted bike park I took off on the Valley Trail to Alta Lake Rd and joined the Flank Trail climb opposite the entrance to River Runs thru it North trail entrance.

I climbed and hike a biked for quite a long time- insect repellent turned to insect attractant with my copious sweating I think and my eyes and ears were alert for Cougars and bears as I got higher and higher and more remote from anyone else- no riders here they're all in the lift line!

I crossed a beautiful thundering waterfall and then hit the heights for fantastic views over Alta Lake and Whistler and Blackcomb mountains up at about 17oom. I had my lunch sitting on a rock overlooking these great sites, fresh air, bright sunny day and blue skies- ahhh!

Then the descent into "Cheap Thrills" a double diamnod black- I've only ever ridden it on my freeride bike so let's see how the Zesty copes. The first rock slab descends next to a great waterfall gushing water sounds all around, then some steeper longer rock slabs to skid down as they were dusty- not sure how in control I was. Next up some very steep exposed ladder bridges- OK I'm on my own so just walk these CK- you have to ride at 70% when alone not 120%!

I didn't want to keep walking so I rode a few sketchy steep descents where I'm not sure I was entirely in control of the bike but it was exciting! The Zesty stood by me and took the trails well, besides most of this is easier to ride down than walk down. (But let me tell you neither opstion is easy!)

Eventually some super steep exposed switchbacks brought me out to 99'ers- another great black diamond run keeping my adrenalin running and turns onto Danimal Middle which was a tough singletrack climb/hike a bike before it hits Danimal South and turns steeply down becoming rock slabby and severe switchbacks with a couple of ridiculous rock drops I had to throw my precious bike down and clamber down myself on all 4s!

Ph-ew! Now a road climb up Stonebridge drive to find Beavers Trail- the only trails with Granite rock trailhead signs- it's a posh subdivision! My chain broke on the entry climb and I was releived to find I had my chaintool on me!

On beavers is the big whaleback rockslab with incredible views I had to spend a few mins staring at and as luck would have it I got to watch 5 float planes take off from the lake below me and climb up to above my head- waving at the pilot! I rolled the narrow rock slab section and even though I was alone I said out loud "F#@k that was scary!" so imagine how scary it was. Then dropped into the tight techy singletrack- really twisty with a few wooden structures- sweet flowy fun!

Exhausted I rolled down to Rainbow Park beach- stripped off armour and paddled in the glacial lake before collapsing for a snooze in the sun, then pedalling on home on the Valley Trail.

Even though I was ready for my bed after this I managed to make it out to the Mongolie Grill for dinner with the T2R gang and to Crystal lounge for beers and karaoke before crawling into my bed.

That was a good dose of thrills and exercise- just what I craved!

Day 29- Squamish Trail Building

It was time to put something back into the trails for all the fun I've taken out of them over the years. So today we volunteered to go trail building in Squamish with SORCA or rather trail maintaining.

We had a big contingent from T2R- 11 of us, 3 guests and the rest were staff. It was a long day driving down to Squamish to meet the trail crew on the Mamaquam FSR by 10am, muffins and coffee for brfeakfast and lunch provided by Bean Around the World coffee shop.

We all piled into 4WD vehicles and drove for 20mins up the dirt roads, then grabbed an axe, a shovel and a hoe and a bunch of buckets and then hiked up a trail called Skookum and then up Upper Powersmart to the log roll bridge. About a 30 min uphill hike.

The bridge was pretty decayed and getting dangerous so our job was to build a new diversion around it. Barry from SORCA flagged the trail and we set about benchcutting it, digging down far enough to remove the organic top soil and get down to the mineral base or what they call BC Gold.

It was back breaking stuff but with about 20 odd people there we soon saw the whole trail section come together. Chain saws were working busily around us and axes and machetes were being wielded to cut through logs, branches and roots until a sustainable trail appeared.

In places the trail was built up and fortified with rocks that we gathered from around the area- loads of materials here to work with- then some BC gold was dug up from away from the trail and laid on top of the rocks to make a good solid sustainable trail- we hope!

By 3 everyone was flagging and those axes weren't being swung with so much enthusiasm anymore so it was beer o'clock! We collected up tools and headed back on down the trail with them over our shoulders- hi ho!

On the way back down the dirt roads we stopped at the Quest university and had a BBQ and some beers on their patio that overlooks the mountains- wow what a place to study!

The drive home was a sleepy one and those aching backs and shoulders will really tell on the hill tomorrow! But I have a good conscience for putting a little love back into those trails. Got to go ride them now!

Day 28- Whistler Double Teeter

Started the day with a few runs in the bike park - it's Saturday and going to be a busy one as its so hot and sunny today and some trails are opening up after some buff and polish! I was on the first few lifts and even then Crank it Up was busy and I was catching people on it. Let alone HOD!

As the lift line started to grow I got through quick on the singles line (spoilt by the no lift lines last week or so). Ninja Cougar was shut even though they'd buffed it and I was desperate to ride it, so I took Schleyer nailed the drop this time (phew) and cut off to Karate Monkey which was fast now I know the line on this narrow rocky rooty trail.

On my next run I took Angry pirate as it was not being ridden and I wanted to checkout the work done. The berms were tight and smooth on the upper black section but really smooth on the lower blue and then I came round a corner to find a new bermed boardwalk into a small drop- just the right size for me even if your dropping and turning at the same time- I rode it and loved it- must do again now!

Last run this am was Ninja Cougar in near perfect condtions as I was one of the first dozen to ride it and I know the lines now- All the bumps and stones gone those tight berms and chicanes were so fast as I bounced from one to another! But a queue was building for Karate Monkey so I went over to run Lower Angry pirate again- oooh soooo great!

It was getting really busy so I swapped bikes, de-armoured and went to ride Emerald Forest and River Runs thru it in the valley. This time I could not resist it and I rode the double teeter totter (see short video as proof)- I had to ride it twice of course! Like it! Must build one at home- as if!

I also fitted in some Skype chatting with all the family at home- everyone just loves the novelty of video chat when you are in different continents and time zones!