Whistler '07

[Sprockethead]

Alright, finally made it up to Whistler in the summer and it does live up to the hype. Our first day was pretty uneventful, just a travel day. We stopped by Gastown in Vancouver to grab a bite to eat check out the jazz festival. Also, June is Bike Month in Vancouver so there were tons of bicyclists all over the place.







By the time we got up to Whistler, the weather was cold and windy. On our first day riding, it was rainy, windy, and I was wishing I had packed my winter gear. Once on the trails though, I forgot it was cold.

Blackcomb Mountain




We hiked around first and checked out Lost Lake




While we were walking around, Ann and I found a rental shop in the valley trail that had bikes for $25/day. Before long, we were on our way to "A River Runs Through It"



Ann on a ladder


Me, I couldn't finish this ladder cause it kept getting skinnier and skinnier





The trail was a blast to ride. It was pretty technical and there were quite of few sections where I walked. I couldn't get enough speed/traction climbing up the rooty sections. One thing that bothered me was the bike had Kenda Kinetics tires. Man, they suck when the terrain gets wet. I slid out quite a few times and washed the rear end out on the ladders when braking. Thus, leading to this bridge. I was so tempted to cross it, but with the rain falling on the bridge and my tires sucking, I decided to take the safe route. Walking across it wasn't cake either.


The river was really moving too.

The trail ended at Alta Lake and we enjoyed warming up under the sun.



Didn't do any riding today, we picked up the Trail Papparzzi in Vancouver so look for pics later.

[guero]

nice andy! i checked out your gallery and some of those ladders and stunts looked pretty fun!

[Sprockethead]

Brett, there was a ladder that included 2 teeter totters with a platform in the middle. As you descend the first one, the second one drops into place and you can keep rolling. It was a bit too slippery to try, but whoever built it, did a great job.

[RidetheRAAM4]

nice pictures, i checked them out earlier. looks like some pretty gnarly stuff

[Schecky]

I remember that clock! We ate at a cafe across the street.
Vancouver rocks, I love it! Daylight 'til 10:30.
Nice pics Andy!

[Sprockethead]

Originally Posted by Schecky

I remember that clock! We ate at a cafe across the street.
Vancouver rocks, I love it! Daylight 'til 10:30.
Nice pics Andy!

That cafe is really good too!

[Dino Brown]

...How 'bout a few more pics to remind me what (I) am "missing" out on!!!

... a pic of Ann with her pink DH gear? C'mon Andy!

[Sprockethead]

Today we drove down the mountain to hit up some singletrack in Squamish, the Canadian Adventure Capitol. We arrived at Tantalus Bikes in Squamish to pick up our rentals, '07 Kona Dawgs. Nice rigs and they were practically brand new. The guys were nice enough to suggest a route that featured singletrack climbing (Hike a bike) and some fantastic downhills. The route is the upcoming Gear Jammer race. It was a fireroad climb to the top before we hit some singletrack descents. There were trails all over the place that intersected the main fireroad. All along the trail, we'd see some wooden stunts built here and there. Some were actual trails coming down the moutain. I think we did something like 21 miles with almost 3300' of elevation gain.

Climbing through the neighborhood to get to the trailhead.


We found this jump and sessioned it for a bit


Fireroad climb


Justin closing the gap


A steep roller


Where are we again?


Log bridge


Ann and I


Wall Ride anyone?


Riding through the forest.


Justin lost his rear wheel traction and went down. He's showing Allison where the tires spun. Check out where he ended up.


Ms. Wiggles Bum, this trail is absolutely insane. A double black diamond





Log bridge. It was about 12' off the ground with a rope to grab onto if you lose it.


Who let the Dawg's out?


Food...mm



For those of you heading up next month, we HIGHLY recommend stopping off in Brackendale and hitting up the Brackendale Bistro. The food is f'ing great. You'll easily pay double in Whistler for this gourmet food.

Squamish has got to be one of the most scenic rides I have ever been on. The trees are so tall and the forest is green and lush. The trails were pretty technical and the switchbacks, quite tight. It was kinda neat to be able to rail a switchback without worrying about washing out like Socal. The tires just stuck and you can lean into the turn. Tomorrow....Bike Park...Finally!

[Edog]

Man I've got to make it up there!

[ShinKen]

do Allison and Justin ever work? they're just all over the place!!

nices pics Andy!! it looks like tons of fun

[ride hard]

dam that ms wiggle bum trail looks like a lot of fun

[Mudd]

I was just there last weekend! Stayed at the Hilton, Super-close to the bike park!

[Sprockethead]

The third day of riding brought on Whistler Bike Park. Like Justin says, this place is simply amazing. The trails are well designed and the jumps are out of this world. I'm a puss at taking doubles, but here, they're easy...well I only did small ones. The table tops were huge. I got so much air on A Line, I kinda winced and prayed that I landed the bike. The pucker factor was there fo sure.

The girls on the otherhand were taking jumps. Ann is finally getting some air. Her progression today was tremendous since she never takes a drop or jump. Both Allison and Ann were solid all day. We dragged them all over the mountain. Unfortunately, the top wasn't open so we only skied the Fitzsimmons Express chair. This place blows away Mammoth, the dirt is tacky and the views of the valley are stunning. I also liked the skills area where you can session jumps.

They're still boarding


Coming down into the valley


Justin


Ann


Allison on Bear Cub

Ann




Momma bear and her cubs


Apres at Longhorns, with Ann's boo boo


Oh yeah, forgot to mention, while having drinks at Longhorns, we were watching Darren Barrecloth practicing for the upcoming Red Bull Event. I didn't have much time to take photos since we were having so much fun. I did take videos so at the end of the trip, I'll try to put something together.

[jcampbell]

I hate you guys... I seriously do! Looks to be so much fun. Have a great trip.

[carbonman]

I keep telling the wife that we need to make a trip up there. Looks like a great time. Guess we'll need to wait a couple of years until Adam can ride a bike of his own. Thanks for the pics.

[dstepper]

Ann's a Hucker...sweet! Thanks for the pics.

What were the temps? Nice to gearup and not cook?

Dean

[tkblazer]

ok ann, no holding back now girll.... you're an official.... HUCKERRRR

[guero]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

ok ann, no holding back now girll.... you're an official.... HUCKERRRR

exactly! way to charge it ann!!!

looks like a great time! thanks for the pix and RR andy and justin. im sure it is a pain to stop and take pix when you are really feeling it and flowing on the trails.