This was the 4th trip we've made in the past 4 summers, and it's been awesome watching the evolution of my son. Our first 2 trips were on his 16 inch Haro, followed by 20 inch wheels on his Kona last year, and this year his 24 inch wheels.. in all the past trips he did very well, but this trip he just attacked everything and really forced me to 2nd guess myself as I followed him on some runs.. I love it but as I've said before, following him can be a humbling experience In addition, we got to meet Cam McCaul, Graham Agassiz and he got to spend time with Ian Morrison, which was very cool. With 4 days of riding and video from 2 cameras, there is a ton of footage from all over the mountain. I put together a few clips last night which include footage from A-Line, B-Line, Blue Velvet, Freight Train, No Joke, Original Sin and Duffman.. and have included them below for anyone interested in viewing them.. [video=youtube;6ZZOhH2pbWs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZZOhH2pbWs[/video] [video=youtube;FjxvwRk8UxA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjxvwRk8UxA[/video] [video=youtube;ZPS4WD-P_CE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPS4WD-P_CE[/video] [video=youtube;ycW3U2v3xUM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycW3U2v3xUM[/video] [video=youtube;KakyZeV8oFo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KakyZeV8oFo[/video]
no container jump? what a sissy! J/K - those are awesome! Count your blessings....I wish my 9 yr old was into it like Ryan is. Those memories will last forever. Maybe next year we can plan to be up there at the same time again, but actually ride together this time.
That would be great, let's see if we can coordinate that next year.. as for the container, he eyed it on a few runs, and almost went for it, but as you know that kicker looks almost vert as you're approaching it and I was the voice of reason and asked him not to tackle it just in case.. I'm sure he will hit it next year. For me, I'm not a huge fan of step up jumps anyway, so I definitely didn't hit it and yes I am very stoked he enjoys it like he does.. I'd much rather be riding or skiing with him than standing on the sidelines of a soccer game on weekends.. so I do feel blessed for sure!
Thanks.. and he's always offering me an out if I want to go around a feature.. he's kinda paranoid about me getting hurt.. this is the only Whistler trip I didn't come home with an injury, and had just healed an injury from Big Bear. On that 2nd video, that was the 2nd time he had ridden Original Sin, so he showed me the way. He spent 3 hrs with one of the private coaches the day before on the mountain, and he took Ryan down that trail, so he had to show me he could tackle it!
So, what happens when he gets so skilled that he goes places where you can't follow? That would be a proud but sad day, wouldn't it?
Proud and sad is a good way to put it.. we aren't far from it now.. luckily I can still tackle the trails but I am already deliberately slower through certain lines on certain trails.. it's only a matter of time but I am OK with it.. thanks for reminding me of the inevitable
