Windows Of Opportunity

This winter has gone from cold and dry to wet and mucky about eight times. Each time things have frozen up the riding has been fantastic.  The meteorologists have been getting it right for a change and we’ve known a few days in advance when we need to get out before things get soggy again.  The forecast for tonight is for 10 – 30 cms of snow, right down to the city, so we knew the window was closing.

  Dirty bike with clean wheels.

Eamonn wanted to start at 12:30 but I needed time to install the set of Easton Haven carbon wheels that have been itching to get on the bike.  Everything went smoothly and I pedalled the newly lightened Enduro up to Brand St.  If I’m testing new gear I can call it work.  Or if I write about the ride.  I’m using anyone reading this to justify my riding addiction.  Thanks for enabling my habit.

  Point it up E Dawg.

I went to Obsession: Bikes this morning to pick up some tires.  New wheels deserve new rubber and I opted for a pair of 2.35 Maxxis Minions – Super Tacky folding up front and a 60A wire bead in the rear.  I’ve been running these tires on my pedal bikes for a couple of years now and I’m convinced they are the bomb.  I’ve been running 60 durometer front and rear most recently and the brand new Super Tacky seemed to be suctioning the pavement on the way to Eamonn’s.  Some rolls in the dirt, I knew, would cure that.

  The bridge was chainsawed in last fall.  Some industrious trail user used one of the remaining halves to rebuild it good as new.  This line up to the Baden is one of the last spots on the Shore where you’ll see evidence of a trail nazi (not the Trail Nazi – who seems to have retired).

Eamonn as usual was only almost ready when I arrived but before long we were climbing up to Princess Park.  When we ducked into the woods we spoke to a couple of women of South African descent walking their dogs.  Their friendliness and curiosity further destroyed the stereotype of the mountain bike-hating hiker.

  Eamonn on top of the re-configured Stairs of Despair.

The fun began once we reached the Baden Powell and it became clear early that I was feeling pretty good.  Was it the wheels?  Was I feeling the 300 gram drop in rotational mass (more with no rim strips needed) or was I just on it?  It’s hard to know but my feeling was confirmed when I made the final steep climb up to The Stairs of Despair.  In 2010 I only bested this particular effing climb once so I felt like a superstar slaying it so early into 2011.  Suitably chuffed I pulled up my knee pads and we tipped it down toward the fire road.

  And dropping in.

Before the summer the aforementioned despairing stairs were getting nasty.  The inside line, closest to the actual stairs, had a hole in it and you could easily miss and catch your fork, a pedal or a rear wheel QR.  After the North Van crews were finished there was an easy ladder bridge line added and some filling in of the big boy line.  Now you can cut the corner tight without dropping down and it flows like butter in July.  I chased Eamo and was happy to keep him in my sights.

  Digger calls Eamonn Cock Monkey.  It makes him smile.

The ground seemed freeze dried. Before the chill returned this time around it had been warm and wet and the quick freeze made it so the trails were literally solid.  Ruts from the weekend were frozen in place and you could dive into a corner way too fast, hearing your tires protest and strain only to dig in at the last moment and fire you out the other side – faster than you went in.

  It’s important to mark your territory.

At the road we met Digger.  In a good mood.  He’s been building water hazards on Ladies Only.  It seems that  hearing how Eamonn fell in last week inspired him to provide more opportunities for the rest of us to get wet.  He also has plans for non-invasive fishies and he’s working on kidnapping a real Blue Heron to watch over the trail.

  This drop in on the way to Crippler and Grannies gets trickier when covered in ice.

The number of DH bikes and full face helmets on Fromme these days reminds me of the old days.  Gradually some of us have moved away from bikes too heavy to pedal while slimming down our protection to a slightly burly non-full face and either no legs or just knees.  This parallels the way bikes have become lighter and more capable with less travel. But I haven’t forgotten the days of climbing up Fromme on a 42lb hardtail or a burly Big Hit, Team DH or Bullit.

  I hadn’t dropped this in a long time – maybe two years.  It’s not very big or technical but for some reason today it gave me pause.  It also gave me a flat. Photo ~ Insanemonn

There was a short section of snow after Pipeline that was too deep for pedalling, but further on our tires sat on top and crunched along easily. We were thinking of going higher but the fading light convinced us to drop in to Crippler. There was a little ice on the way in but once we were on the trail the snow squeaked and crunched while providing world class traction.  Soon the snow disappeared and we were charging.  The hero traction had us pedalling into sections with added rowdiness. Each time we survived a combo going too fast it emboldened us to push faster still.

  Flats annoy me as much as ever – but at least it was dry. Photo ~ E-Dawg Diddly

On Lower Crippler we stopped to take some photos.  Shaun (or Sean or Shawn) rolled down to where we were and asked a few questions about the trail.  He was an English ex-pat fresh off two years in Whistler, eager to discover the Shore on his Demo 7.  He had done something like 5 or 6 lower laps because someone told him the road was impassable after the fourth switch.  We chatted for awhile and then it was time to shoot. The first drop on Lower Crippler isn’t large or difficult but the landing has gotten bony and I was feeling a little gripped. Eamonn said go and I dropped in but landed a little rear wheel-heavy and then came down hard on the front end.  PFFFSSHHHHHHH… So much for my new tire and tube.  I must have landed on one of those bones so it was time to put the Maxle to use.  While Eamonn and Sean (I chose the shortest version) waited for me, Eamonn offered him some work with his company, Green Coast Rubbish and they exchanged numbers.  Now Eamonn could call it work too.

  Best not to leave Eamonn unattended with your camera. Self Portait ~ Eamo.

The rest of the way down the charge continued and we emerged from the forest with little light left but lots of glow coming from inside.  The road is covered with snow now and it’s supposed to get warm and mucky by midday. Luckily that glow should last a few days.

  The Lower Crippler roller coaster has been rebuilt and it’s more fun than ever. (nice work lads!)

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When is your window of opportunity?  Do you ride in the winter or take a break from the bike?  Are the trails rideable in your zone?  Share it up here…