yesterday

We just returned from a killer two-day jaunt to the beauty Chilcotin Range just up past Whistler. You've most probably heard us talk about this region in the past here at Big Mountain. It's pretty special. One of the rare places left where cell phones don't work, roads are gravel, there are more dogs around than humans, being outside means really being outside and where the trails are fine like fine red wine. Dale Douglas from Tyax Air bombed us up from Whistler in his Beaver which was very nice indeed...

PK riding in post-fire apocalyptic otherworldlyness.

 

Dale and Claire pondering the view and taking a break.

Paddy and the Beaver.

more crankworx...sat ride!

Ahhhhhhhh....Khyber. So we were graciously given some free day passes to the Whistler Bike Park which we put to very good use. After several coffees and a crack-of-noon meeting in the village we boarded the gondola for the 20 min cruise up Whistler Mountain. A few scenic viewings and token pointing to distant vista, we boarded our steeds for the 30 min climb to the peak and down to the Khyber into Babylon and into Tunnel Vision, a head-shakingly sweet and technical singletrack descent that ends near Creekside. Highlights...taking turns following Gray Rodier and Paddy Kaye on Khyber - railing tech root sections that can be taken at speed with uphill slopes that can be coasted up...Babylon and it's video game of overgrown saplings a la two wheel drift and finally Tunnel Vision which has been worked on and has some killer wood ramps and new berms. What a ride! Rolled home for a quick shower and a few beers and straight to the Crankworx Slopestyle event...


PK negotiating some roots and rocks and trees...


Gray with his wheels in the air, again.

crankworx..friday ride

my Crankworx Whistler week-end was all about riding epic all-mountain singletrack with Pemberton + Whistler + Squamish friends...what a blast! On Friday our good friends at Chromag Bikes hosted a fantastic ride-bbq-beers event. We left the Chromag headquarters in Function Junction and headed up Flank trail on the westside of the valley and rode Cheap Thrills and a quiver of other trails that i can't remember and 4 hours or so later we were enjoying cold beers and smokies. Thanks to Ian Ritz and Kevin Phelps and Chromag for the great times. That night turned into a shaker...drinks are the Blake Jorgenson Gallery and then more drinks and carousing at the Fireside and the 10th anniversary of New World Disorder. Congrats on the milestone and thanks for the great movies.


Ryan Sullivan, Paddy Kaye, Ian Ritz and Paulo Valle...and 19 other rippers about to start off.


Jonny I from Pemby Bike Co and his dog.

Off to Europe this morning

Ahhh...it's always the same each year when the departure for Europe looms. "Oh, no problem, i've got everything dialed," I think. Next thing I know i'm putting in 15 hr days staring at my computer for a week straight. Trips have been planned months ago, it's that list of stuff that needs to get done. Anyway, bags are packed, bike is in his box, everyone's happy. Watching the Tour this morning is especially sweet knowing that i'll be hanging with our Swiss Cloudraker crew on the sidelines watching Lance go by in the next few weeks. How sweet is that?
Hope your summer's going well and riding's been great were you are!

Vegas XC Spring Training Camp...

We just wrapped up our first annual Vegas Spring Training Camp with Andreas Hestler...what a blast! Dre kept us riding and learning all that we could about riding skills, training techniques, nutrition, periodization, rest....and more! Did i mention that we rode more sweet trails that we could have imagined? You have to join us next year...unreal riding and you'll come back fit and very happy! Check out this slideshow on Flickr. Or, some more photos by participant Kathy, here.

Latest Decline Mag issue

Journalist Dave Smith and photographer Blake Jorgensen came to Switzerland last summer and joined us on Alpenrock DH trip. We're super stoked to have the pleasure of hosting these two heavy hitters. If you get a chance check out their story, "Riding Big in Switzerland", in the latest issue of Decline Magazine.

more downhill fun from the Alps...

Downhill Mountain Biking in the Swiss Alps: part one from big mountain on Vimeo.

Misty Mountain Hop!

We just wrapped up our inaugural BC Kootenay's Misty Mountain Hop all-mountain adventure today. BIG thanks for guides Joe and Pat for their hard work leading a group of Californians, a Vancouverite, an Edmontonian and Seattleite. What a trip! Highlights... Idaho Peak in New Denver, Rossland's 7 Summits, Meadow Creek and of course Nelson's epic web of singletrack. The Kootenays rock and there's no doubt that we'll be back soon. 'Til then...happy riding.

Todd and Sarge letting off the brakes on Idaho Peak.


"I love riding my mountain bike!" Sarge, stoked.