ERregular profile

Since you already own a hard tail, a big bike might be a good idea - particularly if you plan on riding Whistler a ton. It is kind of nice to have choices. If you are looking for a do-it-all bike then something with ~160mm front and back is more than enough. Right now I have a DH sled and a beefy hard tail. I have also had a (almost) do-it-all fully (~160mm). I have been happy in all cases. Ride the HT at Fromme, and save the bigger bike for the shuttle days. (Or really, ride whatever the hell you want to ride wherever you happen to be riding!)

I'm late to the party, but happy birthday anyway! Nice to hear you are back on the bike!

I cant climb to save my life, but I'll ride my HT down Fromme. Post details.

Galbraith just South of Bellingham is a good one - pedal up, rip down. Ask at Fanatyk bike shop if you need directions.
If you are in for a bit of novelty and quality flowy jump trails (short but highly session-able) try Duthie Park in Issaquah.
I hear lots of good stuff about Hood River, but I've never been myself.

The Omega X-1 might be worth a look. I use an older K-1 and really like it. The X-1 has a lower profile and should work with a wider range of helmets. I like the way it distributes force unto the large muscles of your back, rather than onto the T-spine itself the way the Leatt does.

A bit of a tough call. Perhaps Crinkum Crankum /Leopard / Kirkford? To be perfectly honest, I have always considered the Shore trails to start at Pipeline and get trickier from there. Once you can comfortably ride Pipeline, then you can likely handle a bunch of other stuff as well. My first run down that trail was an exercise in semi-controlled panic and death grip braking. It is better now.

Until you get more in the swing of things, you might want to ride Burnaby Mountain (SFU) for a bit. Floppy bunny has seen some love recently and it is now a good stepping stone as well. Plus you can run lots of laps on it. One other thing I learned when getting used to the Shore - there is really no shame in walking. Just try to do a bit less of it every ride and things come together quickly.

My first Shore ride was on Seymour, following a group of guys I met in the parking lot down CBC, Corkscrew and Boogieman. Not the route I'd recommend for a beginner.

That vid of In Deep makes me cringe. I have done exactly that exactly there. New bike, came in WAY too hot and missed the pop off the end, burying my front wheel in the hole at the end of the rock. It is a long way to the ground from that spot…=/

Upper/Lower Joyride always shows up on my lower mountain tech trail list.

I like Ladies -[HTML_REMOVED] Skull on the HT. Lower Skull especially is a blast and you definitely feel like you have accomplished something.

Definitely Drop In Clinic

I second the EB guides idea.

If it was me, I think I'd head to Seymour. There is a huge variety of trails there and since it is a shuttle oriented hill, you will spend less time chugging up fire roads and more time in the good stuff. Seymour also tends to be a bit less demanding than Cypress. If you are not used to the riding here, hitting Cypress on day 1 might leave you walking more than riding and cursing your decision. Even for those that have done a lot of riding, the first time to the Shore is a bit of an eye-opener.

13ThingsYouMightSayOnTheNorthShore

EDIT: If the timing works out, feel free to give me a shout when you get into town. I can take you for a run or two down some Shore standards.

Sorry to hear this news. As a "middle age" mountain biker myself I find this one hits close to home. Does anybody have any more information?