The Whistler Report #18

Words Todd Hellinga

Photos Todd Hellinga

Date Sep 9, 2010

scion whistler report, whistler bike park, nimby 50, fluid ride, extreme mountain biking, nsmb, pinkbike

There’s a chill in the air, moisture is lingering, and the days have gotten strikingly shorter. After a summer full of Phat Wednesdays’ usual shenanigans, it was a pleasant change to get out in the woods on a Wednesday evening to shoot some pictures with Seb and Dylan. And let me tell you, it’s kind of nice to have things starting to chill out a bit as we get into fall. The Phat Wednesday crew definitely sent the race season off with a bang last week at the legendary, and maybe now infamous, chainless fancy dress A-Line event. More than a few years ago a group of us decided it would be fun to wear some costumes for it. We didn’t have known what a beast it would be turned into – but maybe we should have. This is Whistler and people love a good excuse to get decked out in a sweet costume.

whistler, a line, crankworx, whistler report, whistler bike park 2010, trail status Seb wearing a LOT more clothes than during his chainless A-Line run.

Last year Mr. Seb Kemp took his second consecutive victory with a body-painted troy lee skinsuit. All eyes were on him again to see if he would, or even could, top it. He played his cards pretty tight and generally shrugged off any and all enquiries into his intentions, and then for his race run he shrugged off all his clothes and took to the trail in the buff, and he was not shy about it! But it wasn’t enough to threepeat the best costume award as he ran square into the biggest lady parts anyone has ever laid eyes on. Ryan Newton made a costume like none other – it was actually rather disturbing! As this is a family column I won’t go into much more detail. There are pictures around if you do some hunting. It’s pretty stunning! Coast Mountain Photography was out and took pics of the mayhem, check them out here.

whistler, a line, crankworx, whistler report, whistler bike park 2010, trail status A dark narrow ribbon of singletrack weaves its way through the forest, Seb and Dylan make the most of it.

As per usual the large celebratory crowd closed down the GLC in tremendous fashion, in a display of costumes, dancing, high fives, and bro hugs all around. Good job on the spirit everyone. It’s a yearly highlight and this one was all time! Oh, there was some racing too, but it was really secondary to the costumes. Ian ‘Scrub’ Morrision put his skills to use and took his first victory of the year on his most favouritist trail. There were some other winners too, check them out here. Huge thanks to Seb, and all the staff and vollies who worked so hard all season. Without them we wouldn’t have the best downhill race series in the world to call our own! Cheers!

whistler, a line, crankworx, whistler report, whistler bike park 2010, trail status Kevin Landry believes in huck vision, wear goggles and it turns every little rock into a huck!

In another yearly tradition, nearly 100 of us gathered in Function Junction on Saturday morning to take part in the annual West Side Wheel Up. Phil Chew and his wicked team of vollies put on another great event that’s used as a fundraiser for the BC Para Alpine Ski Team. A really fun 10km course on the westside trails kept things techy and fast, with some steep punchy climbs to keep us honest. It’s a deceptively tough course, and one that I really enjoy. Thanks Phil and your helpers for another fun year. The bbq and beers in the forest was fun, and Paul Fournier spun some funky tunes for us while we socialized. I’m horrible and can’t remember the women’s winner, apologies. Matty Ryan took the men’s title again, and wouldn’t stop talking about how much he loves racing in Whistler. I believe he was just over an hour on the course.

whistler, a line, crankworx, whistler report, whistler bike park 2010, trail status Rocks and moss and little bikes, and Dylan and Seb enjoying the goods.

It’s fall, and in the bikepark that means new trail time. The much anticipated trail in between Ninja Cougar and A-Line has opened. It’s called Fade to Black and from the video I saw posted on pinkbike, it’s fast and flowy with some drop gaps for good measure. Haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, what with extended play being over, and being a working stiff, but I hope to see what it’s all about this weekend. Speaking of this weekend, the Red Bull 5000 Down event goes Sat/Sun, and the weather is heading down the toilet just in time! Last years conditions were less than desirable and I hope that things clear up, because I’m not sure the trails can handle it again. Lower In Deep hasn’t been the same since last years Exodus event, so I’m hoping that things hold up a bit better this year. Worlds Silver Medalist Steve Smith is allegedly in the house for this one, so come out and see a whole bunch of World Cup regulars and local rulers rip it up on Sunday. Qualies go on Saturday, so check the bikepark website for trail closure info.

whistler, a line, crankworx, whistler report, whistler bike park 2010, trail status Landry huck vision convert Paul Stevens.

When it comes down to it, mountain biking is about exploring the unknown and going on adventures. On Monday we assembled the boys for a good old fashioned adventure ride. By picking a trail that none of us had ever done we also lured the elusive Kevin Landry out of hiding to join us. Paul, Dylan, Seb, Kevin and myself sped away from a rainy Whistler towards drier climes. Armed with a thirst for adventure, a crude hand drawn map, and many a tale from friends about wandering around lost in steep overgrown, buggy clearcuts, we set out. As we pedalled down the road the alder began creeping in closer and closer, bush slalom turned into tunnelling. Waves of green smacking us in the face. At least it wasn’t raining or else we’d be taking a very wet shower.

The alder closed in more and more and eventually we were literally riding through a sea of green. As the token cartographer in the group and self proclaimed directions guy, I’d have to admit that I was a bit nervous about getting my group lost but I’m happy to report that I only had to consult the map once (not that it had much to consult!). Eventually the alder thinned out as we found the end of the logging road at the top of the clearcut. We left the alder behind and pedalled into old growth cloaked in old man’s beard, deep green moss lined the trail as it weaved through the forest. Fast flowing singletrack punctuated with steep surfy chutes, rocks and roots trying their hardest to knock us offline. Laughter and shouts followed us down the trail as we relished in the pure unadulterated joy of riding something new to us. There’s nothing like sharing in that kind of adventure with a group of great friends. Thanks guys for an awesome day, we’ve got a few more of those trails on our list that have to be done before the snow flies, so let’s keep getting after it!

whistler, a line, crankworx, whistler report, whistler bike park 2010, trail status Good friends make for good times. Seb hoots and hollers and leads out the gang.