Weekend in Whistler

Popped down to Whistler for the weekend to collect my snowboard gear and have a play on the pistes.

It was -15 and pretty icy on the mountain but a dusting of snow (2cm) made for better conditions than I expected. It did not take me long to remember how to snowboard and I got loads of runs in on my own and with no lift lines!

Still it all seems pretty tame compared to the backcountry. Nice to visit but looking forward to going back. I remember how much I like being one of only a few on a run!

Pretty great day on the hill before I drove the 4.5hrs back to Tyax over a very icy snowy Duffy Lake road.

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 47- Disc Golf and Lakeside refreshment

Today is rest and pack day but it's sunny so pretty tough to stay indoors!

Matt and I went hiking over to Lost Lake to play Disc golf. We both kinda thought it might be lame and we only had one red frisbee acquired from the Reuse It centre for $1 but hey it's sunny!

Well even the 1st tee we were addicted, hilarious trying to throw a frisbee through trees up rock slabs and around dog legs to land in a cage or hit a single metal pillar.

I won the first 2 holes, then Matt tried my tactics ans we drew the 3rd, Matt took the 4th clearly improving it was 2-1 to me.

The 5th was atough one, longer, narrow and uphill but I made it in 5 and felt confident. Matt teed up and threw a powerful effort but oops it hooked right up and into the trees.

Well we searched and searched those bushes and trees but the disc was lost and Matt had to forfiet the game.

We were both frustrated as we had started to get addicted- it was a great fun day off activity.

It was really hot so we stomped back to the Lost lake beach area surrounded by views of mountains and we just stripped off and walked staright in to the beautiful clear blue waters that looked so so tempting. Well Matt went straight in I went up to my waist and waited a while as boy it sure was glacial in there!

Then a girl floating by me on an air bed just said "You gotta count to 3 and dive in" so I did- ooooh that is refreshing! Cold but wow such a great feeling!

We swam around for a while, out to the jetty and back. I can kind of see how a guy drowned here last week if you are not a strong swimmer the cold can get you quick if you are out of your depth.

Then we laid in teh sunshine on the beach area until we were dry and hungry and headed home.

Sure was a nice change of pace today.

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 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 38- Peeking at Peaks on Peak 2 Peak

Today dawned very sunny again and since its been a bit cloudy recently I roused the whole house and got us up to the top of the mountain to ride on the new Peak 2 Peak cable car between the Roundhouse at the Peak of Whisler Mountain to the Rendezvous at the peak of Blackcomb.

Some Facts: -

• Longest cable car in world 4.4km
• Longest unsupported suspended span - 3.024km
• Highest point above ground- 436m
• Speed 7.5 m/s
• Duration - 11mins
• Capacity- 2050 people per hr each way

We didn't queue for the silver glass bottom car as the queue was too long, instead we had a car almost to ourselves. The views were amazing and you forgot that you were suspended so high above the ground with no structures to hold you up.

I wanted to hike but there was still too much snow and only a small section of hiking trail was cleared so we hiked out on the Overlord for a few kms to the Seventh Heaven lift line and then we had a picnic with great mountain views towards Black Tusk.

We decided to take the 7th heaven lift to Horstman Hut to see the glacier views and watch the ski and snowboarders - this was a true sightseeers trip! It was pretty cold on the lift back down and hoods and hats were on! Then we Peak to Peaked it back to Roundhouse and down the mountain where it was warm and sunny.

Matt and I headed into the park and whipped down 3 runs before we lit up the BBQ on the deck and sat and ate and drank and entertained JJ for a while.

Great touristy day, bit of a rest from biking which is good for the body!

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!

Day 27- Whistler Bike Park

This morning Sean and I rode a few easy trails in the park with Sue as she is just learning to ride this sort of stuff.

We rode B-line, After Atlantis and Crabapple, Ho Chi Minh then we did Golden Triangle playing on the wall berm on EZ does it for fun. I kept riding the GLC middle drop as I have not got my head around the crashing off the big one so need to build up to it again.

We treated ourselves with a break to our budget today and had lunch on the GLC patio with Matt. Mark and Chris, Warren and JJ were there too.

After that Sean and I went up and rode Schleyer (I had a small fall after dropping the 1st rock drop- too slow again!). Then we rode Crank it up to get my air time experience going again. Matt's forks were finally fixed but then the lift shut for a lightening storm so we decided to go ride Cut Yer bars. It's a lot tougher climbing that stuff on a big heavy bike but still a fun ride! It polished us off for the day.

BBQ at the main lodge tonight and got ourselves signed up for some trail building on Sunday in Squamish with SORCA.

Day 26- Whistler Lost Lake etc

Time to get out and stretch my pedalling legs a little more. I was craving some XC singletrack with some flow so I headed out to Lost Lake trails for the morning.

These trails are so much fun to ride - it's like having Afan Argoed on my doorstep just with a lot more woodwork, and dry sunny conditions. All the trails appear to be named after Frank Zappa songs apparently and very odd they are too- it's a maze of short blue graded trail sections.

Peaches en regalia- Dinah Moe Hum- Disco Boy-Fountain of Love-Pinnochios Furniture- Dwarf Nebula-Zoot Allures- Toad of the short forest-Gee I like your pants-Son of Mr Green Genes- Jellyroll gumdrop- Hooktender- Tommy Moore- Packard Goose- I'm not satisfied- Why Johnny can't read- Molly Hogan. (there seems to be another trail being constructed after Why Johnny can't read so watch for it opening)

I also climbed up the last part of Comfortably Numb previously known as Secret trail and had a fun singletrack double diamond descent back down.

Once again I was loving it so I went oveer to ride Cut Yer Bars close to the house. I could climb most of the techy rock climbs on my Zesty and roll over all the steepish slab descents. This is a really fun trail to just pop out from the house and get a quick ride in.

There's a great wall ride/berm at the end which I did not ride as you need speed!

Day 25- Whistler

What happened to Day 24?

Well it was a rest day so not really too cool to talk about doing my washing and shopping is it!?

But today I was back in the bike park and another gorgeous day it was too- the trails are riding really well but quite a few bits are closed today as they prepare for the weekend onslaught. Upper B-line and Ninja cougar and Lower Angry pirate are clearly getting some TLC.

We startedout with Matt, Sean and I down Crank it Up but as Sean's rear swing arm was swinging one way while the front trinagle swung another he had to retire after that run.

So Matt and I went double diamond black scoping! We headed down Upper Whistler DH first and we stopped at all the rock slabs I have done before so I could show him the line and we stopped at all the ones I cannot ride so we could walk it. (Actually I have done them all - it was the next trail we had to do that on).

Next up was Detroit Rock City - there are some serious steep rock slabs here- Matt could not believe we would ride them but after I rode them and he could see the line he was down them too. But it has to be said some of them put your heart in your mouth as you tip over the edge and feel you'll be going over the bars! The fast dusty rock slab was fine but the dry conditions made the dusty roll out a real fishtail drifter until you hit the right hander berm at speed.

We were enjoying this even if we were slow down everything- next up was Joyride, we rode the 1st section then stopped on the long dusty rock chute which I've always taken the chicken run on- and we both did the latter. Going from Upper to lower you take a wood bridge across crank it up but I pulled up just in time at the top of that as the drop off is seriously steep and you really need to lift the front wheel on the roll off (something I don't think I can do while descending so steeply). We walked round. But I do love lower joyride- nice techy rock sections, quite steep and then suddenly your rolling on log rolls through the trees- fun!

We took a look at Clown shoes but the wood in their seems seriously high and challenging. Maybe one day! Certainly the 2 drops off the woodwork at the end are serious.

We finished with a flowy ride down Crank it Up - sweet!

Day 23- Whistler GLC Crash

Play it in Full screen mode and with sound!

Bear Sitings: 1

Runs Ridden: 6

Right well first I want to start by saying that I ticked more boxes today!

Also that I did promise you a pic of me on GLC that would impress you!

(I was only supposed to be getting a few hours riding in anyway this pm)

Sean and I took Matt out for his first proper runs in the park and showed him B-line, Crank it up, Ninja Cougar, Karate Monkey, Samurai Pizza Cat, Ho Chi Minh, Heart of Darkness, Schleyer, Crack Addict, Devils Club, Smoke & Mirrors, World Cup Singletrack, GLC drops middle and big.

Matt had no issues with anything we threw at him. Sean had us dropping off the big GLC drop on run 3. So then we hit Crack Addict (Double black diamond) and I decided to do the drop off the wood ramp onto the wood ramp and managed to clear the whole run for the first time. 1 tick!

Then we rode Schleyer and at the rock drop just beyond the junction with Joyride we took a look and I decided I could do it and indeed I did- yeehaa I was very happy with that! 2 ticks!

So now down to finish on the big GLC drop I decided after landing it 3 times I'd be safe in asking Sean to video me this time. Of course that is always a sure recipe for entertainment and just so I did not bore you all- you can see what happened from the video. I went too slow, too far right and nose dived a little. I can say I sorta landed it though! Damn I was so close to impressing you!

3 ticks! (Well as you know if you ain't crashing you ain't mountain biking!)

Ho-Hum- More work to do!