The Whistler Report #2

It’s a rainy Tuesday in Whistler and I’ve been getting some much needed rest after a couple of jam packed weeks of amazing riding. Okay, so I typed that first sentence then the weather broke and I bolted for a singlespeed xc ride!I decided to head up Kadenwood and then head over towards lower Babylon by Bike. Well, at the split to Tunnel Vision it was clear there was still a fair amount of snow on the road heading up, so I peeled off downhill towards TV. Only a few sections of snow on the cat track out of Khyber above Kadenwood, although it should be melted out very soon. TV itself was in pretty good shape; a couple patches of snow, but nothing you couldn’t ride. Last friday we also hit the westside for a good ride on rode Cheap Thrills. There was little to no snow on the approach via Stonebridge. I’ve also seen some facebook pics around indicating that High Society is also good to go. Looks like the summer-like weather of the past couple weeks has accelerated the melting of those mid-elevation trails, so get out there and get some fresh goods! A friendly request too, it only takes a few seconds to move branches that have fallen during the winter, do your part and help clear the trails as they melt out.

   Chromag’s Ian Ritz shows how you ride the crux move on Cheap Thrills.

Last week a group of us also decided to go check out Tenquille trail for the Mantlelope’s birthday ride (aka Adam Mantle). We were unsure about snow off the Hurly FSR access so we decided to hoof it up the trail from the exit. Lo and behold more of it is actually climbable than I would’ve  thought. We made our way a bit more than half way up, clearing what deadfall we could, and there are only two spots where a bike dismount is required to get over some downed trees. The lower section definitely survived the winter quite well and was already pretty dry and dusty. I’d like to thank the fire crews who worked on that fire last year for clearing out deadfall and building a few new bridges along the way. I rode it from the top in the fall and I have to say, it’s a pretty spectacular ride coming through the burns from last year, it’ll be interesting to see the forest regenerate itself and the greenery shows that its already coming back to life!

In other Pemberton news, the NIMBYFIFTY is apparently very close to being sold out, 30 spots left as of a couple days ago. So if you’re wanting to do this epic, you should probably get on the registration asap!

   Adam Mantle celebrated his birthday riding the burnt, yet green, Tenquille trail.

Ahhhhh the bikepark! If you weren’t in Whistler for the opening of the bikepark this past weekend, well you missed out…on huge lines, but also the best opening I’ve ever seen in my 8 years in town! Yes the lines were big, but the atmosphere was electric, and the vibe was REALLY GOOD! Great to see all those familiar faces after a long winter, and even better to shred all the classics in such amazing conditions! Even though I wasn’t anything close to first up the hill, I managed to somehow roll up to A-Line just as Jerome was about to drop the rope and officially open it for the season. I have to say knowing that there’s no one in front of you on a perfectly buffed A-Line is a pretty rad feeling! Thanks again trail crew for the rebuild, it’s awesome! As of today, Wednesday, the whole lower park is open. Dirt Merchant got the nod on Monday, and Angry Pirate has also opened.

  Don’t like long weekend liftlines? This is mid-week.

The boneyard is taking shape pretty quick too, with what looks like lots of new features and a pretty fun looking giant slalom track. Look for a more wide ranging user-friendly experience in the boneyard this year according to the powers that be. From the looks of it, it could be back to the fun times for everyone instead of the pro-only style of the past couple years.

   One of the new features in the boneyard.

Two big events are coming up quick in the park too. The first being the CRUD to MUD which takes place this coming long weekend on Saturday May 22. The hard working events man Seb Fremont is still looking for some volunteers to help out on Saturday. Fill up your karma cup and help make Seb’s life slightly less stressful! There’ll be a mandatory riders meeting at 6pm, so come by and lend a hand.

The following weekend, May 29/30, the Northwest Washington based Fluidride Cup comes to town for what promises to be an action packed weekend of racing. The categories work a bit different than what we’re typically used to in Canada, but essentially Pro/Cat1 races on one course (Upper Whistler Downhill to Detroit Rock City to Lower Canadian Open), and Cat2/3 riders another (Upper Angry Pirate to Crab Apple Turns to Samurai Pizza Cat to Ho Chi Minh to Monkey Hands), with the ‘subject to change’ caveat. Pro/Cat1 would be the Elite/Expert BC Cup Equivilent, while Cat2/3 would represent the Sport/Beginner categories, Pro’s need to be Elite licenced, but other than that, pick your poison! Race info can be found on the Whistler Bikepark event page, here.

Phat/PhaSt Wednesday season is also quickly approaching, dates TBA, but I’d like to remind people that WORCA has a super easy online registration system. So take a few minutes at home and register for WORCA, and save yourself from standing in a long line at the first race.

  It may have rained yesterday, but it’s still plenty dry. Alex Pro follows nsmb team rider Mason Mashon through the final berms.

Well, I guess the last thing to cover would be this weekends second WORCA Trail Day which takes place on Saturday May 22. Thanks to 26 Grade 5 and 6 students from Myrtle Phillip Elementary School, a route has been brushed out to reconnect Cut Yer Bars to the Nester’s Road area by the municipal yard and bus depot. Jerome hopes that with a number of hard working focused vollies, the trail can be reconnected on Saturday. Remember, trails don’t take care of themselves so do your part by joining your local club. Wherever you live, go out to trail days, and whenever you’re riding take the time to kick out a drainage clog or clear some branches. Every little bit helps keep the trails in good shape!

   The things that have been keeping me going lately; Chromag and Espresso.

Well, no matter where you are this long weekend, take the time to get out for a ride or two. Bikes are GREAT!

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Heading to Whistler this weekend to check out the new Boneyard?  Riding out of the park?  Publicize your plans here…