James Wilson of Obsession: Bikes is walking around talking to riders, directing traffic and generally making sure everything is going as it should.  It's 7:15 on the morning of the Super D Ripper and he's been here for 45 minutes.  Tents are up, the Bean Around the World Coffee has just arrived and a fleet of Toyota Trucks is all lined up - ready to shuttle riders up after the Rip, for another lap or two or to retrieve vehicles. While everything clicks into place there are some common elements missing;  nobody is losing it because their bike isn't perfect, or running off for one last nervous movement - and, stranger still, everyone is smiling.   After removing their chains Team CLHT are posing for the cameras and taking an occasional swig of Malt liquor while Ernie and his sidekick Crist are shaking hands and kissing babies.  It feels more like a festival than a mountain bike race. 

Actually it feels just like a Ripper.  Riders are here to support the NSMBA and raise some money for trail advocacy and maintenance while riding with their buddies and making some new chums as well. 

The Ripper Super D is a team event.  You can ride it with one pal or three but not solo.  That's one element that makes it feel like a great big group ride with a complete absence of attitude (but plenty of good natured ribbing).  Let the Ripping begin.

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There are an infinite number of trail combinations you can put together on the Shore but you'll find most folks operate with this mantra; more downhill, better downhill.  This is the ethos behind the Ripper Super D as well.  There are more direct routes down Seymour than the one we chose (this one had 361 metres/1181 feet of climbing and 923 m/3028 feet of descending over 5.8km/3.6 miles - thanks Jeremy!) but not many that lead to more fun.  Yes there was some pushing but the gravitational rewards made it all worthwhile.  In fact I didn't hear a single complaint about the route - except on our bulletin boards.

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Costumes didn't factor into our early North Shore Ripper discussions.  In fact we were too busy jumping through bureaucratic hoops to worry about the fine print.  It fits in perfectly with the Ripper ethos though - it's about having a laugh at yourself and your mates and there's no way you can take yourself too seriously dressed like the Tinman, Eminem, Ernie Crist or the cast of ER.  There were a few forces to be reckoned with though.  Gord Moreside and Greg Hayes dug out their skin suits from the long defunct Westview Cycles, slid bananas into their chamois, strapped on their V1 Pro helmets and pointed it downhill.  They narrowly beat out the Crist twins for best costume.

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I really appreciate the riders who go the extra mile.  Ryan Walters puts in that extra effort and on Saturday his surgical blues were accessorized with latex gloves, blood stains, shoe covers and a mask.  He and his team from ER even rode most of the stunts that way.  Dorothy - who arrived in North Van from Kansas via Seattle (the Emerald City) was perfect right down to the Ruby Slippers - although Toto missed the trip when she clicked her heels.

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers were made by Shimano. Photo ~ Dan Barham Click to enlarge.

Ryan Walters came to the Ripper straight from the operating theatre. Photo ~ Dan Barham Click to enlarge.

Part of the fun of any event is putting in some effort and there were certainly some teams out to ride their best time.  In fact it seems like there were some scores to settle from last year.

Costumes weren't essential for a good time. Jeremy Schaab leads his partner Clive Bolt through the opening boardwalk on CBC. Photo ~ Jenny Lee Silver Click to enlarge.

Wade Simmons and Andrew Shandro have been huge supporters of the Ripper.  This is their busiest time of the year but they always make time for a Ripper if they are in town.  Andrew and Wade teamed up with Steve Mitchell and Paul Kallish to set the fastest time of the day - 36:00.  After starting every single rider James Wilson and his compadres on Team Obsession: Coffee dropped into CBC themselves.  Jeff Boeda was on a borrowed bike, Eron Calderbank had just built his new frame up the night before but to my knowledge Arthur Gaillot was well prepared.  The lads covered the course in 38 minutes which was good enough for second place - two minutes ahead of last year's winners, team 'Different Steeds, Obsessed by any John Henry.' nsmb.com's first squad managed a solid fourth place finish.  Apparently three of  our team lads were towing the weakest link who shall go un-named here.  I'll put Colin Miller's name here instead.  At least it wasn't me this year.

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Shandro and Wade looked fresh after climbing up Ned's.  Photos ~ Cam McRae Click to enlarge.

I heard several riders and volunteers (everyone is a volunteer at the Ripper) say that this was the best Ripper yet.  Sure the weather co-operated and the trails were in good condition but it also seems our little 'event series' has hit the next level.  When the participants take the reins of an event and point it where they want it to go you know you're on to a good thing.  The riders of the North Shore have marked the Ripper as their own territory and as a result it's going places we never thought possible and it's getting to be more fun every time.