Whistler Report Episode 3
Summer is flirting with us, giving us brief glimpses of heat and sun before the rain and cloud and cool roll back in. After spending a weekend in the interior that was only half sunny, I managed to get out for a good westside XC with Paulo (Stevens) on Monday night where we managed a good mix of the tech that makes that side of Whistler so special. Lower Beaver Pass is short, but steep with lots of off-camber roots to keep you on your toes, then it was over to Alpine and up Rick’s Roost to see how high we could get. Turns out it was only Cat Scratch Fever as there was still significant snow on the road, and in the trees, above that.
Early season conditions complete with snow still persists at mid-elevation in the valley, Paul Stevens through the snow on the way to Cat Scratch Fever. Trail was good to go though!
So we went down CSF and then into Mandatory Suicide which is always good for some fun – more rocks and roots and a fun rolling rock slab. Then it was Get Over It to Re-Bob, a great after-work loop that definitely has potential for much more to be added in given time and energy levels. I love the westside trails and I recommend picking up one of the new maps next time you’re in town to go exploring. There are many options for loops, and plenty of old and new school trails to whet your appetite, although for now we’re limited to the lower elevation trails thanks to the snow!
Meanwhile in the bikepark the trail crew has been busy with the shovel work, although the aforementioned trip to the interior kept me out of there this past weekend, from what info I’ve gleaned from various sources it still tends to be hit or miss. Most of the hard(er) core riders are loving the lack of lift lines and variable conditions, while some have mentioned that it seems like there’s more focus on snow clearing than trail maintaining. It must be a tough balancing act at this point in the season, and I don’t envy their job! Checking the WBP blog of Mr. Berminghurst (Adam Billinghurst), sounds like with all the work that’s going on with the new boneyard slopestyle course by the Joyride crew, the lower Canadian Open course is due for a ‘minor re-route’. Adam assures us that we will like it, and I trust Adam. In the boneyard, Paddy Kaye and his crew are hard at work building the slopestyle course, big dozers pushing around big piles of dirt, and features getting built, check out their facebook page for lots of photos of the progress.
Stephen Matthews gets tagged by his ski partner and takes off on the bike portion of the Crud to Mud race. Big Pete (his brother) and Adam offer some sage advice as he pedals off. The video is pretty standard POV with no fancy editing, but it also shows the conditions of B-Line and Ho Chi Min fairly well.
The Crud to Mud also went down this past weekend, and it sounds like lots of people came out to shred snow and then switch to bikes for a rip down B-Line and Ho Chi Min. There are too many categories to list all the winners here, so check out the full results at you leisure. Thanks to Seb Fremont, his staff, and all the vollies for making races like this possible!
These next five images, giving a window into Crud to Mud escapades, were shot by Mason Mashon.
In Pemberton on the weekend, 300 racers congregated at North Arm Farm for the Nimby Fifty. Squamish rider Neal Kindree bested the men taking the overall, with Kevin Calhoun (who I actually know from my years back in Ontario, almost a decade ago!) in second, and Greg Day in third. For the overall women it was Jennifer Shulz taking first followed by Whistler’s Cathy Zeglinski and Melanie Bernier rounding out the podium, full results here. Apparently the weather held and the course was in great shape, and people really enjoyed the new venue at North Arm Farm. Thanks to the guys for all their hard work in putting on the event, and thank you for your support of the PVTA. I know they appreciate it. And you too should make a donation and/or join that fine club if you find yourself in Pemberton riding their amazing trails. It’s only $10 and it goes to maintaining that fine network!
In WORCA news, the first trail day of the year takes place this Saturday (June 4) and will be hosted by the fine folks from Ticket2Ride. They’ve been strong supporters of our trail days the past couple of years and they’re starting the year off right with more support. Snacks and coffee will be flowing between 8:30 and 9am at 7162 nancy Green Drive in White Gold. Sounds like this will be our typical spring trail sweep style with groups spreading out across the valley to do brushing and general trail clean up work. There’ll be some tools there, but if you have clippers, shears, hand saws, shovels, etc, it probably wouldn’t hurt to bring your own! There’s lots of work to be done after the heavy winter, so please come out and show your support for the trails we all love.
The WORCA Youth Dirt Camp registration is open too, and the early season camps are filling up fast. These may be one of the best values for parents in the valley. Extremely reasonably priced, your kids will learn all the skills they need to become passionate, enthusiastic, and safe riders. The coaches are all seasoned vets and love helping kids on their way to becoming life long riders. All the pertinent information can be found on the WORCA website.
Some fine folks have graciously stepped up this year and are hosting the now defunct Willies rides (they closed up shop). Now billed the Bike Co/WORCA Monday night rides, the first one went this past Monday and apparently they had over 70 riders and guides out! Riders should meet at the Bike Co in Whistler Village at the taxi loop at 6pm to get into your ability groups and head out for rides with guides, emphasis on fun and socializing. Thanks to all the volly guides for leading everyone on the trails!
Well, that’s about it for another week, everyone do a sun dance, or whatever you need to do to shake this brutal wet spring weather, I’m ready for summer! Special thanks to this weeks photo contributors, Matthew Mallory, Brad Holmes, Paul Stevens, and Mason Mashon. I really appreciate the great photos, and hopefully everyone else does too!
In social news, if you’re looking for something to do next week, the fine gentlemen of ‘You Like This’, Kevin Landry and Taylor Loughran, will be hosting a screening party at the Whistler Brewing Company headquarters in Function Junction in Whistler. There’ll be an afterparty at Garf’s too if you want to get rowdy. Screening, appies, and of course deliciously refreshing Whistler Brewing beer will be in abundance. Things get started at 4pm, which is perfect since the brewery is about 200m from my office! See you there.
Bike Park Conditions as of Wed. July 1st, 2011.
I managed to sneak out for a few laps mid-afternoon on Wednesday. Conditions were better than expected, but with the caveat that I didn’t expect much. Some portions are dry and fast, and others are wet. Be sure to keep your focus on the trail as there still are plenty of holes to grab you. There’s also a lot of bears out since the snowpack is still deep, so don’t be surprised to see one, and better yet, leave them plenty of space and don’t get too close. On my third lap some big dark clouds were rolling in and the rain started, which should help melt some more snow. Favourite combo of the day was B-Line to Karate Monkey, World Cup to Ho Chi Min, Lower A-line. Watch out for the bridge on After Atlantis between B-Line and Smoke and Mirrors. It’s pretty sketchy.
Headed to Whistler this weekend? The forecast looks stellar. Share your plans here…
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