Ride Report Whistler (Summer Gravity Camp)

[Marshall Willanholly]

RR: Whistler (Summer Gravity Camp)

CB and I just returned from the 6 day Summer Gravity Camp in Whistler, BC. The conditions were perfect. It rained the day before we got there and a little on the last day, but that's it. The trails were nice and tacky with no dust, which was quite a shock to us SoCal locals.

First day conditions:

Ryan Leech did a show in the village the night we got there. Truly amazing!

He bunnyhopped over this bar from a trackstand. It was at about handlebar height.

Carla practiced her drops in the skills area:

I played around on this fun teeter:

They opened up the bottom half of Crank It Up a couple days before we got there. Now it goes all the way down to Heart of Darkness. What a fun flowy trail! Here's me on one of the nice grippy berms:

And Carla on the wood section of the lower trail:

 

[guero]

f**king awesome! im jealous!

 

[foofighter]

excellent pictures.

 

[tkblazer]

sweet pics so far... i'm gonna have to sign up for that class in the future

 

[Marshall Willanholly]

View of the village from the middle of Crank It Up:

Carla with two of her coaches during the week, Katrina Strand and Joe Schwartz:

Me on Schleyer:

Carla on Heart of Darkness:

Carla on Crank It Up:

 

[foofighter]

man not only do they have the best snow around but the lush green forest and the trails look really well groomed.

 

[Marshall Willanholly]

Carla rings the gong at the top of Karate Monkey. Another fun trail. Like BMX in the woods!

Me on Karate Monkey

Warming up at the Joyride drop practice area

Then, onto the A-Line drop:

and the GLC drop

 

[allison]

Dude, GREAT shots!!! Really captured everything well so far. Love it.

Only, now I want to go back.

Like, right now!

 

[Chaos]

so sweet Eric!
thanks for the pics

 

[Marshall Willanholly]

The end-of-camp party was fun too.

Carla with another one of her coaches during the week, Adam Billinghurst (of ROAM fame).

Carla and I with coaches Jordie Lunn and Tyler Morland

Now, back at work, and the post-Whistler blues have set in:

 

[tep]

tell me about the camp

Hey Marshall, just wondering your thoughts on the Gravity Camp? Would you do it again? What skills did they help you with? How many other adults were taking the class?

Any other insight can you give is appreciated.

I was suppose to be up there this week, but hurt my shoulder a month ago, and since it's still giving me grief, I had to cancel.

Thanks for the pix,
-tep

 

[Dirty D]

Now thats what I'd call money well spent. Looks like a blast.

D

 

[allison]

MW - I have that shirt!! Wore it the other night. Love that last photo.

BTW, is Jordie really in person like he is in the movie? That photo of him alone looks way different, but just thought I'd ask.

 

[Dirty D]

i have bad news for you....

it has been 2 months and i still have post-whistler blues.

Sheesh...you've got the bikes, no kids, or a 6K mortgage. Move up there and bike-bum it for a while.

D

 

[allison]

Sheesh...you've got the bikes, no kids, or a 6K mortgage. Move up there and bike-bum it for a while.

D

Mebbe next year. Unless the housing market crashes.

Anyone want to rent a 2.5 bedroom 2 bath condo?? Attached garage!

Just need to coverage the mortgage and utilities.. and our bike habits.

 

[Marshall Willanholly]

Hey Marshall, just wondering your thoughts on the Gravity Camp? Would you do it again? What skills did they help you with? How many other adults were taking the class?

Any other insight can you give is appreciated.

I was suppose to be up there this week, but hurt my shoulder a month ago, and since it's still giving me grief, I had to cancel.

Thanks for the pix,
-tep

I really enjoy the Gravity Camp. This was my third year. There were five weeks this year. The first 4 were all for 18 and under, the final week was all 18 and over. I'd say there were about 35-40 people in the camp, usually about 6 per coach. I got to ride with a number of different coaches, which was great as they all had different suggestions and insights which helped me progress quite a bit during the week. The coaches will help you with any skill you want to work on.

Bummer about your shoulder. Hopefully you'll be healthy for next year!

 

[Letyrides]

Nice pics! I have Whistler envy.

 

[Marshall Willanholly]

MW - I have that shirt!! Wore it the other night. Love that last photo.

BTW, is Jordie really in person like he is in the movie? That photo of him alone looks way different, but just thought I'd ask.

Jordie is hilarious as well as being an incredible rider. I had a good time riding with him. The camp has a foam pit so the campers can work on their jumping. Jordie was usually there in the afternoons and he is really good at seeing what you are doing and making suggestions. Here's some photos of the Airdome:

 

[allison]

MW - more cool photos! He's definitely a super talented rider, either way

 

[ghixon]

Looks like I found my vacation spot for next year!!!!!