We had planned on riding Saturday and Sunday at Sol Vista but we had some crazy weather come through and everything was unrideable on Saturday. The mountains actually got quite a bit of snow and Sol Vista closed their trails on Saturday.
I decided before the weekend that I would demo a new Intense M6 so I was looking forward to being able to ride on Sunday.
Wow! conditions at Sol Vista for Sunday were, quite simply, perfect! the dirt was tachy and the trails amazing. There were also two new trails Tron and Ashy Larry that were new sections that you reached by going down Cheeze-It. The new trails were rated as Blue trails but both had all sorts of optional black and double black features and trying to ride them at race speeds is just crazy good fun.
It also turned out to be a very poor financial decision on my part to demo the M6 as the difference in how it rides to my current frame is similar to the difference in a $30K sports car and a $150K sports car. Both are fun and decent at what they do, but the high end version just leaves the low end version for dead in terms of fun to use and performance! Between how the M6 rode, the perfect condition of the trails and the new fun trails that were added it was one of those dream days of riding. Amber and I pretty much did non-stop runs all day with just a break for a beer and lunch. We did a few runs with a great guy by the name of Santiago who I chatted to a little at Snomass. Riding behind someone who is better than you is great fun and really helps you push yourself in skills and effort.
All in all an awesome day of riding and the race at the end of the month promises to be even more fun than what Snomass was. The trail builders at Sol Vista really have it going on up there. If you are in the area during the summer find a way to make some time to do some DH riding there.
Random travels, thoughts & pictures with Sean, Amber, Moab, Bishop & Whistler, Driggs
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
some vast action photos
Some action shots from the recent races taken by the guys at vastaction.com
Crested Butte Wild Flower Rush - Amber
Sol Vista Sol Survivor - Amber
Sno Mass G3 - Amber
Crested Butte Wild Flower Rush - Amber
Sol Vista Sol Survivor - Amber
Sno Mass G3 - Amber
Friday, August 15, 2008
August 10th - MSC Race, Snomass G3 - Race Day
Sunday was the last race day and during the night things looked promising as the stars were out and the sky was clear.
However we woke to heavy cloud and some light rain. Amber and I both did a practice run and conditions were pretty decent with the track surface being not too wet and traction was not too bad.
For this race the organizers went back to the normal order of things and the Beginners would be first to race. Unfortunately weather was deteriorating quickly and light rain started before the first racers left.
Amber had a tough run down on the upper part of the course coming off her bike many times. In one of the crashes she broke her gear shifter and because she wasn't sure of the damage and didn't want to risk a jammed chain she opted to run the rest of the course without pedaling. She ended up very happy with her run despite the problems simply because she rode the Waterfall section cleanly and picked up good time in the bottom technical sections.
However she lost a lot of time to Kristin who had placed second behind her in the Super-D on Saturday. Amber had started the day with a 1:10 advantage over Kristin and because the overall standings were not handy it wasn't clear how the overall standings were after the final DH race for Amber's class. It turned out she did enough to hang on and she got 2nd place for the DH race and won the overall by 5 seconds. Her riding the waterfall section instead of crashing or walking it was very likely the difference that let her hang on for the win!
By the time I started my race run conditions were totally crap. It had been raining non-stop and was raining for our race. I managed to pass the two guys who started ahead of me in the upper section but once I was in the tree sections I was pretty much just tripoding my way down the course constantly keeping one foot on the ground. I walked both of the technical sections and was just happy to get to the bottom in one piece! I did enough to comfortably hold onto 3rd place for the final race and for the overall standings. The guy behind me in 4th place entering the race crashed badly in the waterfall section and broke his nose, dislocated his shoulder and tweaked his knee.
It was just an absolutely epic day of racing and was great fun. It was exciting watching the times improve despite the terrible conditions as the experts, semi-pro and finally pro racers came down.
The winner on the day was Aaron Gwinn, he was on an great run but slipped out on a slippery bridge within sight of the finishing line. He was fully off the course and had to push his bike over the finish line - and he still won by 6 seconds. It was crazy to watch! He had placed 10th earlier in the year at his first ever world cup race in similar muddy, crappy conditions so it would seem that he is going to be a guy to watch in the future!
Amber's DH#2 Podium
Sean's DH#2 Podium
Amber's overall Podium!
Snowmass G3 Overall - Beginner/Jr Women:
1. Amber Price 27:19.1
2. Kristin Buell 27:24.8
3. Brittany Engleking 34:07.7
4. Katy Monger 34:41.6
5. Lana Lawson 35:25.0
Sean's overall podium.
Snowmass G3 Overall - Sport Men 40+:
1. Michael Monsauret 20:30.6
2. Blake Nelson 23:30.6
3. Sean Smith 25:34.0
4. Scott Branney 32:54.3
5. Tom Stevens 35:03.2
However we woke to heavy cloud and some light rain. Amber and I both did a practice run and conditions were pretty decent with the track surface being not too wet and traction was not too bad.
For this race the organizers went back to the normal order of things and the Beginners would be first to race. Unfortunately weather was deteriorating quickly and light rain started before the first racers left.
Amber had a tough run down on the upper part of the course coming off her bike many times. In one of the crashes she broke her gear shifter and because she wasn't sure of the damage and didn't want to risk a jammed chain she opted to run the rest of the course without pedaling. She ended up very happy with her run despite the problems simply because she rode the Waterfall section cleanly and picked up good time in the bottom technical sections.
However she lost a lot of time to Kristin who had placed second behind her in the Super-D on Saturday. Amber had started the day with a 1:10 advantage over Kristin and because the overall standings were not handy it wasn't clear how the overall standings were after the final DH race for Amber's class. It turned out she did enough to hang on and she got 2nd place for the DH race and won the overall by 5 seconds. Her riding the waterfall section instead of crashing or walking it was very likely the difference that let her hang on for the win!
By the time I started my race run conditions were totally crap. It had been raining non-stop and was raining for our race. I managed to pass the two guys who started ahead of me in the upper section but once I was in the tree sections I was pretty much just tripoding my way down the course constantly keeping one foot on the ground. I walked both of the technical sections and was just happy to get to the bottom in one piece! I did enough to comfortably hold onto 3rd place for the final race and for the overall standings. The guy behind me in 4th place entering the race crashed badly in the waterfall section and broke his nose, dislocated his shoulder and tweaked his knee.
It was just an absolutely epic day of racing and was great fun. It was exciting watching the times improve despite the terrible conditions as the experts, semi-pro and finally pro racers came down.
The winner on the day was Aaron Gwinn, he was on an great run but slipped out on a slippery bridge within sight of the finishing line. He was fully off the course and had to push his bike over the finish line - and he still won by 6 seconds. It was crazy to watch! He had placed 10th earlier in the year at his first ever world cup race in similar muddy, crappy conditions so it would seem that he is going to be a guy to watch in the future!
Amber's DH#2 Podium
Sean's DH#2 Podium
Amber's overall Podium!
Snowmass G3 Overall - Beginner/Jr Women:
1. Amber Price 27:19.1
2. Kristin Buell 27:24.8
3. Brittany Engleking 34:07.7
4. Katy Monger 34:41.6
5. Lana Lawson 35:25.0
Sean's overall podium.
Snowmass G3 Overall - Sport Men 40+:
1. Michael Monsauret 20:30.6
2. Blake Nelson 23:30.6
3. Sean Smith 25:34.0
4. Scott Branney 32:54.3
5. Tom Stevens 35:03.2
August 9th - MSC Race, Snomass G3 - Race Day
Saturday we had two races, the first was the fast DH track and then in the afternoon we would do the Super-D. We woke up early and got ourselves some coffee and a good breakfast. We had found that at Sol Vista if we were ready a good hour before riding started we both did much better in our race run.
We both took a single practice run on the DH course and then relaxed before the race. Because of the moisture on the mountain the course organizers broken with tradition and sent the races down in reverse normal order. Generally pro racers start last and the beginners go first so by the time I raced (in Sport 40+) the course was in good condition and for Amber it was nearly perfect.
I was very happy with my Race run and felt like I went pretty much as fast as I could for my current skill-set and I placed 3rd and was about 7 seconds back from 2nd place. Amber was also very happy with her run and just placed 1st! She was about 2 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed girl.
We then had to switch modes and get ready for the Super-D race. We both did one practice run to try and get some details of the course in our minds. After the practice run I decided to switch of my big bike and ride it on my Mojo. The decision was a tough one as I hadn't ridden the course a single time on the Mojo but there was quite a few sections where pedalling would be key. The main tough choice was that there were also some bumpy sections that the big bike would probably be faster on and the fat tires would help in many of the corners. Also it was threatening to rain and then the big bike would probably be much more stable if it got muddy.
But I went with the Ibis and was happy that I did. I got a good start in the short run and settled into 3rd place by the time we were on the Single track I kept the other two guys in sight for about the first half of the course but was dropped once we hit the more technical sections. The Super-D course also finished in the mountain cross course and that was somewhat of a concern for both Amber and I as neither of us were comfortable with the jumps and so in practice were slowing down for them and rolling/pumping everything instead of jumping the doubles and tables.
When I got to the mountain cross section of the course I was feeling good and on the last Table I tried to jump it but fully dead-sailored the jump and nose dived into a full crash that sent me and my bike flying. I was able to get up and get going pretty quickly having only just scraped up my arms and back a little and I still held onto 3rd place for the race. I was about 20seconds back from the top two guys.
Amber got a slower start in her race and had to pass a few people as the opportunity presented itself. She ended up settling in behind another girl and they pulled away from the field. Amber was able to pass Kristin in the bottom third of the course and took 1st place for that race as well!
We were both very happy with our races and things looked good for the Sunday final race with Amber holding a comfortable lead overall in her category and I was solidly in 3rd place in mine.
Amber's Super-D Podium
Sean's Super-D Podium
We both took a single practice run on the DH course and then relaxed before the race. Because of the moisture on the mountain the course organizers broken with tradition and sent the races down in reverse normal order. Generally pro racers start last and the beginners go first so by the time I raced (in Sport 40+) the course was in good condition and for Amber it was nearly perfect.
I was very happy with my Race run and felt like I went pretty much as fast as I could for my current skill-set and I placed 3rd and was about 7 seconds back from 2nd place. Amber was also very happy with her run and just placed 1st! She was about 2 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed girl.
We then had to switch modes and get ready for the Super-D race. We both did one practice run to try and get some details of the course in our minds. After the practice run I decided to switch of my big bike and ride it on my Mojo. The decision was a tough one as I hadn't ridden the course a single time on the Mojo but there was quite a few sections where pedalling would be key. The main tough choice was that there were also some bumpy sections that the big bike would probably be faster on and the fat tires would help in many of the corners. Also it was threatening to rain and then the big bike would probably be much more stable if it got muddy.
But I went with the Ibis and was happy that I did. I got a good start in the short run and settled into 3rd place by the time we were on the Single track I kept the other two guys in sight for about the first half of the course but was dropped once we hit the more technical sections. The Super-D course also finished in the mountain cross course and that was somewhat of a concern for both Amber and I as neither of us were comfortable with the jumps and so in practice were slowing down for them and rolling/pumping everything instead of jumping the doubles and tables.
When I got to the mountain cross section of the course I was feeling good and on the last Table I tried to jump it but fully dead-sailored the jump and nose dived into a full crash that sent me and my bike flying. I was able to get up and get going pretty quickly having only just scraped up my arms and back a little and I still held onto 3rd place for the race. I was about 20seconds back from the top two guys.
Amber got a slower start in her race and had to pass a few people as the opportunity presented itself. She ended up settling in behind another girl and they pulled away from the field. Amber was able to pass Kristin in the bottom third of the course and took 1st place for that race as well!
We were both very happy with our races and things looked good for the Sunday final race with Amber holding a comfortable lead overall in her category and I was solidly in 3rd place in mine.
Amber's Super-D Podium
Sean's Super-D Podium
August 8th - MSC Race, Snomass G3 - Practice Day
Amber and I both had Friday off so we packed up the bikes and the dogs on Thursday and headed over to Snomass for this weekends Mountain States Cup race. We would be able to get tent camping in Snomass from Friday in a soccer field but for Thursday night we would have to find another option so we found a nice camping spot near Independence Pass.
This race was a G3 format race and it would be our first time racing this format. I was not sure how it we would go as the normal format is a couple of days practice and then the race day where you do a single run and that time determines your standings. For Sol Vista all the practice runs we were able to do helped immensely with finding lines and then hitting them in the race run.
G3 format is different in that there are three different races over the weekend and you could win those individually but the overall was a cumulative time across all the races. It is like a multi-day stage event like they have in road racing. It was a little intimidating as we had never been to Snomass before and one of the DH tracks was the same as they used earlier in the season and by the sounds of it that track was pretty technical and caused quite a few problems in the beginner classes (i.e. what Amber and I are).
Weather was also going to play a part as it rained all night thursday night where we camped and when we arrived at Snomass on Friday it was very wet on the ground there as well.
There were three tracks for us to race and therefore practise. On Saturday we would be racing a new DH course in the morning that no-one had been able to ride for a few years and the Super-D course in the afternoon. The DH course was a fast course with the main technical sections just being in the form of high speed bumpy or rocky sections, there was also going to be plenty of time made or lost in the corners. The Super-D course was similar to the first DH course but with more pedalling and less intensive bumps and rocky sections.
We opted to start the day on the Super-D course as the first DH course was not open yet and the sunday DH course was pretty wet. We just did a casual run down the Super-D track on our big bikes to get a feel for how much climbing there was and where the tough spots were - there literally wasn't any climbing so this course was going to be well suited to either a big big or a 6 inch AM bike.
We took a run down the Sunday DH course as well and that was entirely ego destroying as it was slick and muddy and super crowded. On the two technical sections it was either a constant flow of high speed pro level riders or a constant clutter of bumbling crashing riders (such as Amber and I). We just did one run down it and switched to the Saturday DH track once it opened up.
The Saturday DH track was being ridden in every single run down so it's speed was getting higher every time. Amber and I were also getting our lines, particularly for the top section that we would run on both DH tracks.
I was very happy with how the first DH track felt but still had a couple of sections I needed to get a fast line for. Amber wasn't sure and the corners in some sections were still presenting issues for her. We were both hitting the jump in the lower section at good speed so things looked promising for our race run on saturday.
This race was a G3 format race and it would be our first time racing this format. I was not sure how it we would go as the normal format is a couple of days practice and then the race day where you do a single run and that time determines your standings. For Sol Vista all the practice runs we were able to do helped immensely with finding lines and then hitting them in the race run.
G3 format is different in that there are three different races over the weekend and you could win those individually but the overall was a cumulative time across all the races. It is like a multi-day stage event like they have in road racing. It was a little intimidating as we had never been to Snomass before and one of the DH tracks was the same as they used earlier in the season and by the sounds of it that track was pretty technical and caused quite a few problems in the beginner classes (i.e. what Amber and I are).
Weather was also going to play a part as it rained all night thursday night where we camped and when we arrived at Snomass on Friday it was very wet on the ground there as well.
There were three tracks for us to race and therefore practise. On Saturday we would be racing a new DH course in the morning that no-one had been able to ride for a few years and the Super-D course in the afternoon. The DH course was a fast course with the main technical sections just being in the form of high speed bumpy or rocky sections, there was also going to be plenty of time made or lost in the corners. The Super-D course was similar to the first DH course but with more pedalling and less intensive bumps and rocky sections.
We opted to start the day on the Super-D course as the first DH course was not open yet and the sunday DH course was pretty wet. We just did a casual run down the Super-D track on our big bikes to get a feel for how much climbing there was and where the tough spots were - there literally wasn't any climbing so this course was going to be well suited to either a big big or a 6 inch AM bike.
We took a run down the Sunday DH course as well and that was entirely ego destroying as it was slick and muddy and super crowded. On the two technical sections it was either a constant flow of high speed pro level riders or a constant clutter of bumbling crashing riders (such as Amber and I). We just did one run down it and switched to the Saturday DH track once it opened up.
The Saturday DH track was being ridden in every single run down so it's speed was getting higher every time. Amber and I were also getting our lines, particularly for the top section that we would run on both DH tracks.
I was very happy with how the first DH track felt but still had a couple of sections I needed to get a fast line for. Amber wasn't sure and the corners in some sections were still presenting issues for her. We were both hitting the jump in the lower section at good speed so things looked promising for our race run on saturday.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
August 2nd - Crankworx Winter Park
It was totally crazy being able to watch, in person, what the slope style guys can do on (and of) a bike.
So much fun it is hard to describe unless you have seen it live as well. Here are a few random photo's from the spot we were standing.
So much fun it is hard to describe unless you have seen it live as well. Here are a few random photo's from the spot we were standing.
August 1st-3rd - MSC Race - Sol Survivor
Amber and I had both been looking forward to this race since we returned from our vacation. We had both spent a lot of time on our big bikes and I felt that I had made some good technical gains as well as being in pretty good shape.
Amber got an extra day on Thursday as they opened the mountain for practice an extra day an she was able to get a good day of runs and also get us a tent site in winter park. This weekend was going to be a hectic weekend with the racing being just down the road from Crankworx Winter Park. We also had the luxury of being able to stay at Mike and Kristi's condo in winter park after it turned out they had room after all.
Friday was practice day for both of us and it felt like we made awesome progress with both of us confidently hitting the last obstacle which was the steep rocky drop/roll in the first part of the trail. We also started to finalize our lines for the other technical sections and so it was a contented night of rest that start with dinner at a great mexican place in Winter Park.
Saturday was more of the same with steady improvement for both of us on our lines and a couple of good top to bottom runs to put it all together. Saturday afternoon/night was spent enjoying Crankworx. (I'll do a separate post with some pictures of the slope style event)
Sunday was race day! Both Amber and I did a last minute practice on the morning of the race and for both of us it went well.
I was happy with my result, I ended up in the middle of the pack in Sport Men 40+. I messed up my lines in the first part of the course but got it together for the last part. Unfortunately I caught the rider who started ahead of me and that slowed me a little as I didn't pass him (which was also a great learning experience).
Amber had a good run as well. The last race we did was Crested Butte and Amber placed 3rd at that but was nearly 30 seconds back from 1st and 2nd place. In her race run she also caught the girl ahead of her and didn't manage to pass. She also crashed into a tree near the end and came to a full stop. Both of us learned that we need to be loud and forceful if you catch the person ahead of you and more than likely they will be totally cool and move out of the way once they hear you.
This race Amber posted a better time than the girls at Crested Butte and she placed 2nd with the winner being a girl that dropped down from having raced Sport previously because there were just no other girls in that category and she was being forced to race against Expert category girls. Amber was just under 8 seconds back from Kira who won - An awesome change from her last race!
Downhill
Pro Women
1. Lisa Myklak
2. Jacqueline Harmony
3. Sarah Elworthy
4. Rachel Bauer
5. Stephanie Hatalsky
6. Sage Wilderman
Expert Women
1. Christen Boyer
2. Jennifer Wolf
3. Soraya Khalje
Beginner/Jr. Women
1. Kyra Alexander
2. Amber Price
3. Katy Monger
4. Anne St. Clair
5. Jamie Edgecomb
6. Lana Lawson
7. Kristin Buell
8. Dani Brownell-Patty
9. Brittany Engleking
10. Jenelle Spedden
Amber got an extra day on Thursday as they opened the mountain for practice an extra day an she was able to get a good day of runs and also get us a tent site in winter park. This weekend was going to be a hectic weekend with the racing being just down the road from Crankworx Winter Park. We also had the luxury of being able to stay at Mike and Kristi's condo in winter park after it turned out they had room after all.
Friday was practice day for both of us and it felt like we made awesome progress with both of us confidently hitting the last obstacle which was the steep rocky drop/roll in the first part of the trail. We also started to finalize our lines for the other technical sections and so it was a contented night of rest that start with dinner at a great mexican place in Winter Park.
Saturday was more of the same with steady improvement for both of us on our lines and a couple of good top to bottom runs to put it all together. Saturday afternoon/night was spent enjoying Crankworx. (I'll do a separate post with some pictures of the slope style event)
Sunday was race day! Both Amber and I did a last minute practice on the morning of the race and for both of us it went well.
I was happy with my result, I ended up in the middle of the pack in Sport Men 40+. I messed up my lines in the first part of the course but got it together for the last part. Unfortunately I caught the rider who started ahead of me and that slowed me a little as I didn't pass him (which was also a great learning experience).
Amber had a good run as well. The last race we did was Crested Butte and Amber placed 3rd at that but was nearly 30 seconds back from 1st and 2nd place. In her race run she also caught the girl ahead of her and didn't manage to pass. She also crashed into a tree near the end and came to a full stop. Both of us learned that we need to be loud and forceful if you catch the person ahead of you and more than likely they will be totally cool and move out of the way once they hear you.
This race Amber posted a better time than the girls at Crested Butte and she placed 2nd with the winner being a girl that dropped down from having raced Sport previously because there were just no other girls in that category and she was being forced to race against Expert category girls. Amber was just under 8 seconds back from Kira who won - An awesome change from her last race!
Downhill
Pro Women
1. Lisa Myklak
2. Jacqueline Harmony
3. Sarah Elworthy
4. Rachel Bauer
5. Stephanie Hatalsky
6. Sage Wilderman
Expert Women
1. Christen Boyer
2. Jennifer Wolf
3. Soraya Khalje
Beginner/Jr. Women
1. Kyra Alexander
2. Amber Price
3. Katy Monger
4. Anne St. Clair
5. Jamie Edgecomb
6. Lana Lawson
7. Kristin Buell
8. Dani Brownell-Patty
9. Brittany Engleking
10. Jenelle Spedden
July 27th - Sol Vista Bike Park
On Sunday I headed over to Sol Vista Bike Park while Amber stayed around Winter Park and did some trails there. Amber would have joined me at Sol Vista but her big bike was still broken and waiting for a new bottom bracket to go with new cranks. She was going to be able to ride Sol Vista later in the week while I was at work.
We had a race at Sol Vista next weekend and an extra day of practice was going to be valuable. I had a great day riding and spent a lot of time on the trail that would be a our race track. It was not quite ready as it was a combination of two existing trails and the connector was not officially open.
After a days riding I was a little concerned as there was one steep rocky drop that was still very intimidating and a lot of work left to do to find lines in the many technical corners that the trail had on it. But things were promising and I was looking forward to next weekend!
We had a race at Sol Vista next weekend and an extra day of practice was going to be valuable. I had a great day riding and spent a lot of time on the trail that would be a our race track. It was not quite ready as it was a combination of two existing trails and the connector was not officially open.
After a days riding I was a little concerned as there was one steep rocky drop that was still very intimidating and a lot of work left to do to find lines in the many technical corners that the trail had on it. But things were promising and I was looking forward to next weekend!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
July 26th - Winter Park trails
Amber and I headed up to Winter Park this weekend as I wanted to get some time on Sol Vista in preparation for the MSC race on the next weekend.
On Saturday we hooked up with Mike (a friend from work), he has a condo in Winter Park and also rides an Ibis Mojo after picking one up earlier in the year. He has the luxury of being able to ride out of his Condo into an awesome trail system on the hills above the town. He can also take trails across to the ski mountain and drop down those if he wants.
Mike took us on a great little connection of trails. D2 -> WTB -> Elk Meadows -> Sunken Bridges -> Zoom, back up Zoom -> FR159 -> Leapfrog.
The riding was an excellent variety with sections of forest road occasionally to connect sweet single track sections. The single track varied from buff, fast flowing sections to steeper rooty sections and the last section Leapfrog was just great technical riding with rocks and the occasional wooden structures. We ended up doing about 20miles of riding and I am looking forward to getting back there after the Race season finishes.
On Saturday we hooked up with Mike (a friend from work), he has a condo in Winter Park and also rides an Ibis Mojo after picking one up earlier in the year. He has the luxury of being able to ride out of his Condo into an awesome trail system on the hills above the town. He can also take trails across to the ski mountain and drop down those if he wants.
Mike took us on a great little connection of trails. D2 -> WTB -> Elk Meadows -> Sunken Bridges -> Zoom, back up Zoom -> FR159 -> Leapfrog.
The riding was an excellent variety with sections of forest road occasionally to connect sweet single track sections. The single track varied from buff, fast flowing sections to steeper rooty sections and the last section Leapfrog was just great technical riding with rocks and the occasional wooden structures. We ended up doing about 20miles of riding and I am looking forward to getting back there after the Race season finishes.
Monday, August 11, 2008
July 7th - July 19th, Whistler - 9 riding days
We spent the rest of our holiday pretty much exclusively riding Whistler Mountain and packed 9 days of riding in amongst the 13 days we spent there. We also took the dogs on a couple of short valley rides in the form of Young Lust (a bail out option from Comfortably Numb) and River Runs Through It.
However the mountain riding really caught our attention and that was our focus for the rest of the trip. We spent a lot of time on a few trails in particular but did ride a wide variety of trails.
The trails that really grabbed us were:
B-Line: We started spending time on this because it seemed like a nice fun warm up, but the more often we rode it the more we wanted to ride it. We found it to be really good to improve our (much lacking) cornering skills.
Crank It Up: This was a deliberate choice to spend time on as both Amber and I wanted to get more comfortable with jumps in the middle of a downhill run. This ride is the perfect progression trail for learning to jump and getting comfortable doing it at speed, there was also the added bonus of a bunch of great corners and number of drop options.
Original Sin: by far this was my favorite trail on the mountain! it was hard for us in that there were quite a number of technical section just at our skill level so we were able to push ourselves to do those sections. Later we were able to start working on linking the entire ride at speed and the flow that started to come as a result was just ear to ear smile riding. From Original Sin you continued (generally) into Duffman which was another great trail. There were plenty of other options we did as well, but we spent a lot of time doing this run and improving our speed and style doing so.
It is hard to describe just how much fun Whistler is, particularly if you get to spend a decent amount of time there. Anyone who loves to mountain bike needs to find a way to spend at least a week or two in their life playing in whistler, bring a big bike or rent one locally and the fun you can have is near endless.
We didn't get many photos of Whistler as the riding just doesn't lend itself to carrying a camera or stopping to use it.
A steeper than it looks exit from a switchback on Original Sin. The upper section of this ride really had a downhill race flavor to it with steep but flowing riding across roots, rocks and switchbacks.
This is the steep rock roller that is the last sequence on Original Sin. It was very intimidating to both Amber and I, but once you did it you just wanted to go back and do it again and again. There is a few steep sections of granite before this section and you end with this roll to a tight turn.
Amber did it by taking the outside line, I did it by coming down the face. Both options had their pro's and con's. Amber's method demanded tighter turning at the end of the rock, whereas my my method had an easier turn at the bottom but steeper rock to roll. I imagine that the section would be a totally different endeavor in wet conditions!
It was fun to see the bears everywhere. At first it was a little disconcerting to to come flying around a corner and see a bear wandering by in the meadow, but there really were everywhere you could watch them from very close by if you wanted and were careful.
Another steeper than it looks roller, this one is an optional feature towards the bottom of Duffman that was just a lot of fun for both Amber and I. It had a clean entrance and a clean exit so it was very easy to try and low risk if you somehow messed it up.
This is not Amber or I, but it was just to impressive not to get a photo of. It is an optional super steep and long granite roller part way down Blue Velvet. The line was to roll the granite until you were about 10 feet from the bottom transition and then you popped into the air to land onto the transition. Those that did it made it look easy. To me it looked insane but spectacular.
One of the other great things about Whistler is all the activities in the Village. This is Ryan Leech putting on a trials show as a part of the Norco 2009 product launch. We had seen Ryan in videos like The Collective and Kranked but to see him do this riding in real life was just incredible.
He had just such an easy going personality and was talking to the audience throughout the entire demonstration. Amber even got a signed poster out of the deal.
Our time in Whistler was amazing and it really felt like we progressed incredibly in our riding skills. Taking what we had learned back to Colorado was going to be fun!
However the mountain riding really caught our attention and that was our focus for the rest of the trip. We spent a lot of time on a few trails in particular but did ride a wide variety of trails.
The trails that really grabbed us were:
B-Line: We started spending time on this because it seemed like a nice fun warm up, but the more often we rode it the more we wanted to ride it. We found it to be really good to improve our (much lacking) cornering skills.
Crank It Up: This was a deliberate choice to spend time on as both Amber and I wanted to get more comfortable with jumps in the middle of a downhill run. This ride is the perfect progression trail for learning to jump and getting comfortable doing it at speed, there was also the added bonus of a bunch of great corners and number of drop options.
Original Sin: by far this was my favorite trail on the mountain! it was hard for us in that there were quite a number of technical section just at our skill level so we were able to push ourselves to do those sections. Later we were able to start working on linking the entire ride at speed and the flow that started to come as a result was just ear to ear smile riding. From Original Sin you continued (generally) into Duffman which was another great trail. There were plenty of other options we did as well, but we spent a lot of time doing this run and improving our speed and style doing so.
It is hard to describe just how much fun Whistler is, particularly if you get to spend a decent amount of time there. Anyone who loves to mountain bike needs to find a way to spend at least a week or two in their life playing in whistler, bring a big bike or rent one locally and the fun you can have is near endless.
We didn't get many photos of Whistler as the riding just doesn't lend itself to carrying a camera or stopping to use it.
A steeper than it looks exit from a switchback on Original Sin. The upper section of this ride really had a downhill race flavor to it with steep but flowing riding across roots, rocks and switchbacks.
This is the steep rock roller that is the last sequence on Original Sin. It was very intimidating to both Amber and I, but once you did it you just wanted to go back and do it again and again. There is a few steep sections of granite before this section and you end with this roll to a tight turn.
Amber did it by taking the outside line, I did it by coming down the face. Both options had their pro's and con's. Amber's method demanded tighter turning at the end of the rock, whereas my my method had an easier turn at the bottom but steeper rock to roll. I imagine that the section would be a totally different endeavor in wet conditions!
It was fun to see the bears everywhere. At first it was a little disconcerting to to come flying around a corner and see a bear wandering by in the meadow, but there really were everywhere you could watch them from very close by if you wanted and were careful.
Another steeper than it looks roller, this one is an optional feature towards the bottom of Duffman that was just a lot of fun for both Amber and I. It had a clean entrance and a clean exit so it was very easy to try and low risk if you somehow messed it up.
This is not Amber or I, but it was just to impressive not to get a photo of. It is an optional super steep and long granite roller part way down Blue Velvet. The line was to roll the granite until you were about 10 feet from the bottom transition and then you popped into the air to land onto the transition. Those that did it made it look easy. To me it looked insane but spectacular.
One of the other great things about Whistler is all the activities in the Village. This is Ryan Leech putting on a trials show as a part of the Norco 2009 product launch. We had seen Ryan in videos like The Collective and Kranked but to see him do this riding in real life was just incredible.
He had just such an easy going personality and was talking to the audience throughout the entire demonstration. Amber even got a signed poster out of the deal.
Our time in Whistler was amazing and it really felt like we progressed incredibly in our riding skills. Taking what we had learned back to Colorado was going to be fun!
July 5th - Comfortably Numb, Whistler
we opted to leave Vancouver Island a few days earlier than we originally intended and it was actually a pretty tough decision to do so since we had been having such a great time there.
However, the offer to ride one of the classics of Whistler with some locals was just to tempting to pass up and the idea of two full weeks of riding Whistle Mountain and the valley was also very attractive.
We rode Comfortably Numb two years ago when we first visited Whistler and to be honest it was just brutally hard for us. It was physical, it was technical and it was long. That combination left Amber and I both riding the end like we were walking dead.
We were hopeful that two years and a lot more riding would make a big difference this time around. We would also be riding with Gerry, Paul and Gerry's brother from Pembarton. Riding with them was a good news/bad news scenario - it was guaranteed to be fun! but they were strong both physically and technically so suffering was sure to be present.
Luckily the fun far, far outweighed the suffering and just as we hoped the difference between this ride and the last time we rode it was night and day. We were treated to great riding conditions where it was cool and overcast and even though it rained on and off throughout the ride the conditions were excellent.
Things that looked steep and scary two years ago now looked fun and enjoyable.
Pretty forest riding.
There was some new wood work in a number of sections, it was great to see that the trail had constant maintenance to keep the feel of the riding and protect the forest around it.
The moisture started to become a factor in the steeper granite sections towards the end, but it was more a mental factor and a real factor as traction remained excellent.
Wet loam is an awesome surface to ride on. (just be careful with wet roots!)
We finished the ride and then enjoyed beers and food in Whistler Village.
However, the offer to ride one of the classics of Whistler with some locals was just to tempting to pass up and the idea of two full weeks of riding Whistle Mountain and the valley was also very attractive.
We rode Comfortably Numb two years ago when we first visited Whistler and to be honest it was just brutally hard for us. It was physical, it was technical and it was long. That combination left Amber and I both riding the end like we were walking dead.
We were hopeful that two years and a lot more riding would make a big difference this time around. We would also be riding with Gerry, Paul and Gerry's brother from Pembarton. Riding with them was a good news/bad news scenario - it was guaranteed to be fun! but they were strong both physically and technically so suffering was sure to be present.
Luckily the fun far, far outweighed the suffering and just as we hoped the difference between this ride and the last time we rode it was night and day. We were treated to great riding conditions where it was cool and overcast and even though it rained on and off throughout the ride the conditions were excellent.
Things that looked steep and scary two years ago now looked fun and enjoyable.
Pretty forest riding.
There was some new wood work in a number of sections, it was great to see that the trail had constant maintenance to keep the feel of the riding and protect the forest around it.
The moisture started to become a factor in the steeper granite sections towards the end, but it was more a mental factor and a real factor as traction remained excellent.
Wet loam is an awesome surface to ride on. (just be careful with wet roots!)
We finished the ride and then enjoyed beers and food in Whistler Village.
July 3rd - Forbidden Area, Thursday night ride.
Massively out of date on keeping the Blog up to date! Going to try and catch things up over this week.
July 3rd we were invited along on a Thursday night ride. The only catch is that we were actually invited along by two different groups. How good is your riding community when you have regular after work rides almost every night and with great people every time.
Amber and I were enamored with the trails up near Forbidden Area so we took Gerry up on his kind offer of a group ride followed by home brew beer and snacks at the base. Unfortunately I forgot to grab the camera in the excitement of getting the shuttle vehicles loaded so no pictures.
The riding, as usual for the area, was phenomenal. We came down Jake the Snake to Two Sheiks. I don't remember the trail sections past that, but the riding was varied and fun and one particular obstacle ("the drop of doom") will remain ingrained on my psyche for years to come if I can't get back to the area to ride it. It was a clean steep granite slab that had a slight lip part way down the slab so that as you approached it all you could see was the edge of a cliff. Beyond the lip was a steep roller with a good exit before a tight turn to finish the sequence. Unfortunately neither Amber or I would commit to try it and we both wimped out and will have to ponder that for a while to come.
We enjoyed awesome company and some home brews after and decided to join Gerry and Paul for another ride in a couple of days - Comfortably Numb at whistler.
July 3rd we were invited along on a Thursday night ride. The only catch is that we were actually invited along by two different groups. How good is your riding community when you have regular after work rides almost every night and with great people every time.
Amber and I were enamored with the trails up near Forbidden Area so we took Gerry up on his kind offer of a group ride followed by home brew beer and snacks at the base. Unfortunately I forgot to grab the camera in the excitement of getting the shuttle vehicles loaded so no pictures.
The riding, as usual for the area, was phenomenal. We came down Jake the Snake to Two Sheiks. I don't remember the trail sections past that, but the riding was varied and fun and one particular obstacle ("the drop of doom") will remain ingrained on my psyche for years to come if I can't get back to the area to ride it. It was a clean steep granite slab that had a slight lip part way down the slab so that as you approached it all you could see was the edge of a cliff. Beyond the lip was a steep roller with a good exit before a tight turn to finish the sequence. Unfortunately neither Amber or I would commit to try it and we both wimped out and will have to ponder that for a while to come.
We enjoyed awesome company and some home brews after and decided to join Gerry and Paul for another ride in a couple of days - Comfortably Numb at whistler.
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