Squampton photo-fest

I've been itching to get up and ride Squamish since my coaching session with Shaums last year so it was with great pleasure that Euan, Jon and I went over the long weekend :)

I saw this gap with Shaums last year but we didnt have time to do it and its been nagging me ever since - totally easy but makes a cool photo. I think it has a Dukes of Hazard kinda "the bridge is out" quality ;)




This was supposed to be the money shot - wiggly trail, beautiful forest and Jon and I pinning it. Unfortunately the light was flat and despite timing it for the golden light at the end of the day it just turned out overcast. I still like it though :)

Cheers Euan

Rat Race pics

Just found these pictures of moi on Pinkbike:


"I was trying to capture the speed"












Ah, that's better- in focus














Oh and I guess this was his mate standing next to the last photographer!

















And here's one of my fastest friend, Danice landing the 'chalet jump' at the World Cup in France.

"she really is the real deal" : James Wilson earlier today

The Rat Race

Yes, ladies and gentlemen I made the podium! :D
2nd place in the "30's" was an awesome result - I asked permission from Cycling BC to race 30's this season as I think I'm fast enough - I should really be in the "40's" with my 40th birthday this year

I was pretty happy to have beaten all the 40's too- it would have been embarrassing to make a big fuss to stay in the younger (faster) category only to have been beaten by the 40's!!









"Battlestar Galactic" loaded and ready to go (you can't see the bikes inside or the rack on the back)













Yay!!!! (1st place (Eric) is on the previous page of the print out)












The Pro Men - the winner was 17 seconds faster than this old man. Tim (2nd) lent me tyres and gave me some great coaching so thanks Timmeh.











Eric had to catch the Ferry so just Clark and I on the podium












Loads of my friends made the podiums including Dr Mega (Meghan) who moved up to the (serious) licensed category this season and smoked the opposition to win :)










Our shuttle drive Rich, pretending he doesn't have a broken arm and recently dislocated shoulder - Tim's bike.

Thanks for the all the driving Rich. Awesome.

Hopefully I'll find some photos of me to put up soon.

Our thoughts go out today to Danice's bike which got mangled by the Canadian Ripper at this weekend's world cup. Fingers crossed to get everything up and running for Andorra and healing vibes to Danice who is pretty sore from the experience. Awesome ride to 11th in quali's though :D

More Cypress

I'm starting to get the hang of the new bike now. It was about 7 months since I last rode a big bike so it's taken me a while to get the hang of it again but I'm starting to get faster on it now :)

Here she is in her natural element














Jon, Euan and I spent a little quality time on Cypress again the other day. Euan brought his camera so we did a few little photo sessions (on my Session haha)

Here's Euan on Sex-Girl (its the name of the trail - one of the best trails on Cypress)







Jon on the rocks


















Euan on the same move













Jon dropping a sniper downhill drop that comes at the end of along slippery rock - pretty scary to ride into as it feels like any minute the speed will get away from you, you'll miss the corner and fly off the rock into the rocks!! Nice one Jon













(Euan's pictures here on)

This is another view of the same move - although it doesnt look it, from me (background) to Jon is steep and slippery










This roll is a lot steeper than it looks - I almost couldnt work out where this was - until I thought back to where we'd stopped. a shame the photo flattens it. I was considering jumping it but the speed I'd land with frightens me! As ever with The Shore, it's not the move itself that's the problem, it's the run in and/or run out!

Riding by Jon.




Me on the big rock roll - again the photo flatterns it. It's pretty big and pretty steep but I have to say pretty fun (as long as you make the corner) ;)









Me on another techy drop - this is an optional line but I always go this way cos the rocks are off camber the other way and they freak me out!










How about in black and white?












Another angle of the same thing - I like this one - nice shooting Euan!


So another great day on Cyp - particularly as the conditions are so good right now (below the snow line that is) For now though, I'm concentrating on the fast trails to try and get my groove on before the racing starts.

My sweet new ride :D

She's here. Session88DH by Trek
If you have the means.....





















































































my babies












and nestled in the quiver back home












:D

Sunshine Coast 2009 visit #1

It's been way too long since we've been to The Sunshine Coast. Obviously snow has been the main problem - as with most places round these parts but reports said it was good to go so off we went to the ferry (not so) bright and early Easter Saturday








The snow stopped us driving right to the top but only by a couple hundred metres - the trail itself was mint :)


















Here's me enjoying the legendary SSC flow












....and then we took a connector trail to the DH track. There was a ton of deadfall which I insisted we clear.











Fortunately Guy had a pocket chainsaw with him which made quick work of the trees we couldnt drag out of the way










We had a great day (of course) but the cherry on the cake was possibly my favourite trail anywhere - Gnome. No stunts, no technical bits and no tight corners - just flat out fast trails weaving gently through the trees with enless opportunities to take to the air. Gnome is the perfect metaphor for The Sunshine Coast, If you have the means, I highly recommend it ;)



Me seconds away from dropping into Gnome :D
The Rat Race is here in a few short weeks so we'll be back for some race training and then of course the for race itself. I managed 3rd last year so hoping to do well again this year. I can't wait. A shame D won't be there though :( she'll be in Andorra (of all places) racing the 2nd round of the World Cup - lucky (although luck has nothing to do with it!) girl :)

mmmmm Cypress

After being on-ice all winter the snow is finally melting and the lower trails are now back in action. Cypress is perfect right now - dry enough to ride without ripping it to pieces, but moist enough to give some grip (Cypress gets pretty sketchy in the summer when its dry and dusty)

Here's the picture-of-the-day by Euan of moi on an old trail we've just discovered






....and another angle. This log was covered in slime so there were only a couple of takers!
















Penny Deck's an extremely good technical rider and so very at home on steep, technical Cypress


















Jonny

















This drop is way sketchy - a loooong slippery approach down the steep muddy rock across some roots then drop down onto a very small landing - kinda fun ;)
















In between runs we saw this bride and groom having their pictures taken on the mountain
(they're the tiny spec on the left!)











mean while, back in the woods, here's Dave rolling into what is actually a scary feature. It rolls over steeper and steeper then into a sketchy(notice a pattern here?) run out - although it looks like nothing in this photo lol















a better angle - you cant really stand on it beyond where Jon's standing and certainly not where Penny is riding!

















Mrs Deck again


















One of my favourite bits here - a whole mess of roots with a log right where Euan is in this photo. There's two choices here: 1: manhandle your bike over the log and down (riders) right or 2: jump the log, go straight across the roots and down riders left














Euan and Euan taking the right line


















Penny and Penny again - like I said, extremely good technical rider


















and here we see me on a very un-Cypress like trail with a series of smooth jumps and drops
(picture by Euan)










And again from the side












....we did multiple laps - here's Jon and I back at the big rock roll "you go first" "no you" "no you"

(3 more of Euan's photos)









Jon went first ;)












...and then me :)


Another great day on Cypress. Thanks to Euan for taking some awesome photos.