We decided to bust out the big bikes today and head up to Mount Washington. We needed to get the rear wheel on Amber's Mojo rebuilt as she broke a spoke on the first day riding in the area and none of the shops were open to get it repaired. The wheel was due for a rebuild as last time we had her bike over-hauled and serviced at out local bike shop The Fix they told has that the wheel was in trouble as when Phil (our mechanic) trued the wheel we would constantly pop a spoke out as he tightened the other side. The wheel held up just fine on the previous two days of riding but this was a good opportunity to get it fixed once and for all.
So we dropped Amber's bike in a great little store in Cumberland called The Riding Fool and they were able to get a new rim laced to her existing hub for us to pick up later in the day.
We enjoyed a day on the big bikes at Mount Washington. The riding in some ways was kinda strange as they had "groomed" trails that were fast and immaculate with perfect berms and table-tops everywhere. Unfortunately since neither Amber nor I can jump worth a piece of shit it made those trails a little less as good for us as they would have been for others. We did stumble onto an old DH trail that is the classic race track called Monster Mile. We were only able to pick it up part-way down it as the upper part of the mountain wasn't open yet. It was rocky and steep and reminded me a lot of some of the trail sections we have in Colorado.
I managed to take a good tumble after deciding that the Blue trails would be great for a fast run on my Mojo as well and I totally lost it on a steep, loose and rocky entrance into a blue run and went fully over the bars. I had taken my upper body armor off, the fall was a gentle enough tumble and I didn't feel like I had hurt anything but later that night I started to feel some bruising in my right shoulder. Nothing to be concerned about but it was a good lesson that my Mojo can't ride the steep rocky stuff as fast as my DH bike can!
We had a great time getting in a bunch of runs and having an awesome lunch at the grill. I absolutely love the food in Canada, it reminds me a lot of home in Australia. You can get good fish and chips where the fish is done in nice Batter and the chips are proper chips and not the fries that you get in the USofA.
We were tired and exhausted after the previous 4 days of riding on-top of a long drive so we ended up standing up Gerry on his Thursday morning offer to go riding and instead will catch up with him (or Bob) for a Thursday evening ride.
Random travels, thoughts & pictures with Sean, Amber, Moab, Bishop & Whistler, Driggs
Thursday, July 3, 2008
July 1st - Forbidden Trails again
July 1st is Canada Day! We failed in the local custom of wearing Red and White but we were not alone as no-one we road with today did either. It was very hot again and we joined Bob and Jane again for a ride up in Forbidden trails area. They were riding with some friends and had an epic day planned. They adjusted plans slightly as it was very hot but it still ended up being a full and tiring ride.
The group was seven people strong consisting of: Bob & Jane, Doctor Dave, Steve, Gerry, Amber and I. Steve was trying to develop his urban skill so at various waiting places as the group rejoined it was fun to watch him hopping his bike up onto cut 3-4ft logs and then down the other side. Gerry was also a crazy strong rider that was super friendly to boot. He invited us to drinks and food later that night at his place and fun times were had. It was eye opening watching him cruise skinnies to teeter's while being 5-6 feet off the deck.
The ride linkage we did today was: Two Sheiks & a Dog -> Dirty Jane-> KMA-> Cliffe Ave-> ?Easy Rider? -> Bics-> Bear Bait-> Nymph Falls-> Twister. We ended at the Rock Pools on Duncan Bay Main and cooled of with a beer and a dip in the pools in the river.
Another awesome day of riding with again a huge variety in riding styles. Two Sheiks is a local classic that has stood the test of time. It has been around for nearly twenty years and although stunts have been added along the way it fundamentally hasn't changed in all that time. The riding was flowing with roots and logs to tackle as you went. I would totally ride this almost every other week if I lived in the area. (I say this with a deep level of experience having ridden exactly 3 days in the area. :P but it certainly was enjoyable and I would love to go back and ride it again before we leave).
Dirty Jane was entirely different in feel but was also most excellent. It was put up by Bob a couple of years back and spent most of it's time riding Granite rock sections with up's (lifts) and steep downs and drops, there is one section in particular that was excellent!
We pushed a couple of hills in the lower sections and were rewarded with fun, flowing sections of fast single track in the trees. The final section called Twister was physically demanding at the end of so much previous riding with roots, logs and bridges the norm. It was technically difficult but had so many fun sections that you could try or watch people like Gerry clean.
Another great day of riding that was capped of by dinner at Gerry and Kathy's place. Beer and good food in the presence of great company - it really doesn't get any better! We have really been spoilt on this trip so far, it definitely has not been the normal dirt bag road trip we normally do.
Amber getting encouragement from Gerry (right) and Steve (left) has she finishes off a skinny practice section on the ground.
Steve cleaning a steeper, harder than it looks rock section.
Beautiful sunny days show off B.C. Clear-Cut terrain. Amber on the exit out of Two Sheiks. A great trail!
Amber learning new body english on a section of the Nymph Falls trail system.
Cleaned it including the turn at the end.
Gerry showing us how to ride a long log in Twister.
Teeter-Totter a few feet off the deck.
The group was seven people strong consisting of: Bob & Jane, Doctor Dave, Steve, Gerry, Amber and I. Steve was trying to develop his urban skill so at various waiting places as the group rejoined it was fun to watch him hopping his bike up onto cut 3-4ft logs and then down the other side. Gerry was also a crazy strong rider that was super friendly to boot. He invited us to drinks and food later that night at his place and fun times were had. It was eye opening watching him cruise skinnies to teeter's while being 5-6 feet off the deck.
The ride linkage we did today was: Two Sheiks & a Dog -> Dirty Jane-> KMA-> Cliffe Ave-> ?Easy Rider? -> Bics-> Bear Bait-> Nymph Falls-> Twister. We ended at the Rock Pools on Duncan Bay Main and cooled of with a beer and a dip in the pools in the river.
Another awesome day of riding with again a huge variety in riding styles. Two Sheiks is a local classic that has stood the test of time. It has been around for nearly twenty years and although stunts have been added along the way it fundamentally hasn't changed in all that time. The riding was flowing with roots and logs to tackle as you went. I would totally ride this almost every other week if I lived in the area. (I say this with a deep level of experience having ridden exactly 3 days in the area. :P but it certainly was enjoyable and I would love to go back and ride it again before we leave).
Dirty Jane was entirely different in feel but was also most excellent. It was put up by Bob a couple of years back and spent most of it's time riding Granite rock sections with up's (lifts) and steep downs and drops, there is one section in particular that was excellent!
We pushed a couple of hills in the lower sections and were rewarded with fun, flowing sections of fast single track in the trees. The final section called Twister was physically demanding at the end of so much previous riding with roots, logs and bridges the norm. It was technically difficult but had so many fun sections that you could try or watch people like Gerry clean.
Another great day of riding that was capped of by dinner at Gerry and Kathy's place. Beer and good food in the presence of great company - it really doesn't get any better! We have really been spoilt on this trip so far, it definitely has not been the normal dirt bag road trip we normally do.
Amber getting encouragement from Gerry (right) and Steve (left) has she finishes off a skinny practice section on the ground.
Steve cleaning a steeper, harder than it looks rock section.
Beautiful sunny days show off B.C. Clear-Cut terrain. Amber on the exit out of Two Sheiks. A great trail!
Amber learning new body english on a section of the Nymph Falls trail system.
Cleaned it including the turn at the end.
Gerry showing us how to ride a long log in Twister.
Teeter-Totter a few feet off the deck.
Monday June 30th - Forbidden Trails.
Sunday night we called Bob and Jane and organized a ride for Monday. They had been away for the weekend at a motor bike trials event elsewhere in British Columbia.
On Monday they suggested we do a shuttle ride that started up at the parking lot for the Forbidden Plateau since it was still very hot. Amber and I were only to happy to take that as an option.
We started down a steep loose fire ride to access the trails that are also known as the Lakes trails. The initial fire road was actually pretty fun as it reminded me a lot of a down hill trail on a disused fire road. It was fast and loose and had a couple of fun little whoops along the way.
The trail Bob was taking us on today started with Screamin Demon and it started right next to a local classic called Two Shieks & A Dog which we would be doing tomorrow. Jane had appointments in the afternoon so we needed to keep moving and take the fastest trails down and in some ways this made the introduction ride to the area even better!
The trail link up we did was: Screamin Demon -> Two Pond Pass -> Lumpys -> Puntledge Plunge -> Nymph Falls Trails (Bear Bait). It had an awesome variety of riding and reminded me of the old school trails in Whistler Valley like Shit Happens. You were riding rooty loam sections to Granite faces with dry moss and then loose eroded steep trails. There was great flow and lots of technical sections to try or walk and add to a list for another day. The friction on the trails was perfect as it was dry and warm.
Bob and Jane were also great to ride with, for an old guy :p Bob can ride! heh, he can roll almost anything it seems and it was great to see an Ibis Mojo getting put through its paces. Jane was also riding a Mojo and was really strong at riding technical obstacles like logs and roots and was great at telling Amber options for the next section as they were riding towards it. It meant we were able to keep a good pace and flow going all there way while also getting a little history on the trails and at junctions details on what the other options could be when we came back alone.
After the ride we got to have dinner with Bob and Jane at their place in Comox and we also took their advice and moved our camp to a pay for place by the beach. It was very cheap and had great showers and a laundry as well as being right on the beach. We had been camped up near Forbidden and it was stinking hot up there such that you couldn't lie in your tent during the day and relax.
Dinner was great! Jane is an impressive cook and I doubt we will get anything better from any of the restaurants we eat at along the way on this trip.
The finish of the fire road above the start of the main trail system. This is where you start Two Sheiks and Screamin Demon.
Loamy single track.
On Monday they suggested we do a shuttle ride that started up at the parking lot for the Forbidden Plateau since it was still very hot. Amber and I were only to happy to take that as an option.
We started down a steep loose fire ride to access the trails that are also known as the Lakes trails. The initial fire road was actually pretty fun as it reminded me a lot of a down hill trail on a disused fire road. It was fast and loose and had a couple of fun little whoops along the way.
The trail Bob was taking us on today started with Screamin Demon and it started right next to a local classic called Two Shieks & A Dog which we would be doing tomorrow. Jane had appointments in the afternoon so we needed to keep moving and take the fastest trails down and in some ways this made the introduction ride to the area even better!
The trail link up we did was: Screamin Demon -> Two Pond Pass -> Lumpys -> Puntledge Plunge -> Nymph Falls Trails (Bear Bait). It had an awesome variety of riding and reminded me of the old school trails in Whistler Valley like Shit Happens. You were riding rooty loam sections to Granite faces with dry moss and then loose eroded steep trails. There was great flow and lots of technical sections to try or walk and add to a list for another day. The friction on the trails was perfect as it was dry and warm.
Bob and Jane were also great to ride with, for an old guy :p Bob can ride! heh, he can roll almost anything it seems and it was great to see an Ibis Mojo getting put through its paces. Jane was also riding a Mojo and was really strong at riding technical obstacles like logs and roots and was great at telling Amber options for the next section as they were riding towards it. It meant we were able to keep a good pace and flow going all there way while also getting a little history on the trails and at junctions details on what the other options could be when we came back alone.
After the ride we got to have dinner with Bob and Jane at their place in Comox and we also took their advice and moved our camp to a pay for place by the beach. It was very cheap and had great showers and a laundry as well as being right on the beach. We had been camped up near Forbidden and it was stinking hot up there such that you couldn't lie in your tent during the day and relax.
Dinner was great! Jane is an impressive cook and I doubt we will get anything better from any of the restaurants we eat at along the way on this trip.
The finish of the fire road above the start of the main trail system. This is where you start Two Sheiks and Screamin Demon.
Loamy single track.
Sunday June 29th - Cumberland, BC
Sunday we woke up after getting a few hours sleep in the car and decided to try and energize by going to check out some trails in Cumberland. We found a decent little trail map in a free tourist guide that the hostel behind the Riding Fool bike shop and more than got us riding.
We were pretty tired and it was really hot (it turned out that the temperatures were unseasonable warm and were setting records all around the island). We just did a few runs on a link of trails where you rode up a section of fire road for about 15minutes and then dropped into a great section of riding with all sorts of technical sections. There were roots, logs and man-made obstacles. Amber and I had a great time on it and were really looking forward to the other riding around the area.
Riding over logs would be a challenge for us as in Colorado you rarely find logs left on the trails. We have rocks and roots in Colorado, but for some reason the logs are removed very quickly.
A fun little A-Frame over some fallen timber.
Learning new body english.
The end of a really great section of riding that had a bit of construction and some fun steep loam with roots.
Amber trying a section that was higher off the ground. It is funny to me how easily we freaked out as soon as the wood got more than about a foot of the ground.
Also, just as we have to learn to ride constructed better, I need to work on my dark forest photo skills - chopping Amber's head off as she rolls a steep exit.
We were pretty tired and it was really hot (it turned out that the temperatures were unseasonable warm and were setting records all around the island). We just did a few runs on a link of trails where you rode up a section of fire road for about 15minutes and then dropped into a great section of riding with all sorts of technical sections. There were roots, logs and man-made obstacles. Amber and I had a great time on it and were really looking forward to the other riding around the area.
Riding over logs would be a challenge for us as in Colorado you rarely find logs left on the trails. We have rocks and roots in Colorado, but for some reason the logs are removed very quickly.
A fun little A-Frame over some fallen timber.
Learning new body english.
The end of a really great section of riding that had a bit of construction and some fun steep loam with roots.
Amber trying a section that was higher off the ground. It is funny to me how easily we freaked out as soon as the wood got more than about a foot of the ground.
Also, just as we have to learn to ride constructed better, I need to work on my dark forest photo skills - chopping Amber's head off as she rolls a steep exit.
Vacation - British Columbia for 3 weeks!
Amber and I have 3 weeks living in the dirt and loam up in British Columbia. Our plan is to spend a week on Vancouver Island riding the Courtenay and Forbidden Trails and then after that head over to the Whistler Valley area to ride the trails there and do some days in the Bike Park.
We left Friday afternoon for the long drive. It is about 22hours of driving and we stopped in a Walmart parking lot in Bozeman to grab some sleep until dawn. It the best (only?) good thing that Walmart has done for America - easy, no hassle place to sleep while on the road. On Saturday morning we hit the road again and made it to Vancouver by about 7.30pm and waited for the last ferry to Vancouver Island that left at 9.30pm.
A brief stop along the way to stretch legs and let the dogs run around. A beautiful river that would outstanding fly fishing terrain.
We finally got to Courtenay late Saturday night and tried to find a camp ground to sleep for the night. We normally are philosophically opposed to pay camp grounds as they are never as nice as free bush camping but since we were exhausted anything would do. Unfortunately the only camp ground we could find closed (with a gate) at 10pm so we headed up towards Mt Washington in the hope that we could find somewhere to sleep on an old logging road. Sadly we spent another night sleeping in the vehicle. We got total of about 9 hours of sleep from Friday Morning through to Sunday.
Travel days are always brutal and tiring which is why I always prefer to just visit one or two places on shorter road trips like this one. You also get to meet the locals and feel like a welcomed visitor rather than a random Tourist. And we certainly have been welcomed with open arms! We had a contact from MTBR who was also an Ibis owner. Bob and Jane had offered to show us around to get us started in the area if we wished and we took them up on the generous offer on Monday and Tuesday.
We left Friday afternoon for the long drive. It is about 22hours of driving and we stopped in a Walmart parking lot in Bozeman to grab some sleep until dawn. It the best (only?) good thing that Walmart has done for America - easy, no hassle place to sleep while on the road. On Saturday morning we hit the road again and made it to Vancouver by about 7.30pm and waited for the last ferry to Vancouver Island that left at 9.30pm.
A brief stop along the way to stretch legs and let the dogs run around. A beautiful river that would outstanding fly fishing terrain.
We finally got to Courtenay late Saturday night and tried to find a camp ground to sleep for the night. We normally are philosophically opposed to pay camp grounds as they are never as nice as free bush camping but since we were exhausted anything would do. Unfortunately the only camp ground we could find closed (with a gate) at 10pm so we headed up towards Mt Washington in the hope that we could find somewhere to sleep on an old logging road. Sadly we spent another night sleeping in the vehicle. We got total of about 9 hours of sleep from Friday Morning through to Sunday.
Travel days are always brutal and tiring which is why I always prefer to just visit one or two places on shorter road trips like this one. You also get to meet the locals and feel like a welcomed visitor rather than a random Tourist. And we certainly have been welcomed with open arms! We had a contact from MTBR who was also an Ibis owner. Bob and Jane had offered to show us around to get us started in the area if we wished and we took them up on the generous offer on Monday and Tuesday.
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