Whistler Forest Fire

After the morning spent on the downhill runs, we stop for a rest and rehydration at a cafe with a great view of the hill. This day, like the previous two, is very hot and very dry. Thunder rumbles in the distance. Someone mentions something about a fire and all heads turn towards Blackcomb mountain to see a thin column of smoke rising skyward followed quickly by licks of orange flame. This is a little close for comfort. The fire spreads incredibly quickly and now the smoke is rising in huge billows. Soon helicopters arrive to drop water but the fire is hardly affected. Eventually water bombers arrive (7 of them, according to CBC News) and red flame retardant blankets the hillside. At mid-afternoon, the sky is full of planes and choppers. By evening the smoke has been beaten down and the flames doused.

Whistler Day 3

Okay, enough cross-country warmup, time to get serious. We book a 1/2 day bike park lesson which includes bike rentals, armour, full-face helmets, and lift passes. The lessons normally cater to 6 or so pupils but we luck out and get an instructor all to ourselves at the normal group rate. Instructor Mike leads us to the top and takes us down B-Line which is a fantastic introduction to the park. It has gentle bermed corners and is built for speed. We do a total of 5 runs on various intermediate and black diamond runs. Only one wipeout apiece.

Did I mention that Whistler rocks?

Helmetcam video to follow.

Whistler Day 2

On day 2 we attack Whistler's longest single XC ride: the Comfortably Numb trail near Green Lake. It is an epic ride of 24 kilometers of pure singletrack, mostly ridable with a few sections that we decide to walk. It is challenging but fun terrain with a climb of 400m to the summit. By the time we get there we are seriously low on water and the descent is a welcome break in exertion but induces some white-knuckle moments as we drop toward the valley. At the lake is a resort where we recharge our water supplies and continue home.

Whistler Day 1

Day one dawns cool and clear but the thermometer is destined to reach the low 30s. We decide to approach Whistler gently with a ride of some recommended XC trails Northwest of the village. We do part of A River Runs Through It and then get up into Scotia Creek to get a crack at Danimal. The latter is great fun punctuated with moments of extreme terror. All are intermediate or black diamond for the most part. Then we get back into River and find some sections which I recognize from the 2008 BC Bike Race. Lots of cool man-made stuff. In the evening, the heat of the day wanes and we do Cut Yer Bars near the village to round out the day.

Whistler rocks!

Butchart Gardens

Visited the amazing Butchart Gardens near Victoria, B.C. The Gardens were created by the Butchart family from a bleak limestone quarry starting in about 1908.

Lightning in Nanaimo

A spectacular lightning show in Nanaimo B.C.

Rafting Crabs

Here are some tiny crabs (size of your pinky nail) in a tidal lagoon. In the second video clip, watch as the 'raft' of crabs goes floating by. I didn't even notice them when I was filming.

Nanaimo Trails

Another beautiful day in paradise. Why does anyone live anywhere else? A hot sunny day and I'm hitting the trails south of Brannen Lake, just outside of Nanaimo. A narrow paved road leads steeply up the mountainside and enters a forest. From there, a massive network of singletrack emanates from both sides. I try one of the first on the left and find an assortment of crazy built-up stunts which are mostly beyond my skill level, but fortunately they all have bypasses for wimps like me. Wow, somebody put a lot of work into this area.

Later I go further up the road and then dip down into some remote singletrack. I get lost for an hour or so and finally get spat out at the stunts area again. Phew. I like the compass function on my new bike computer!

Fav trails: S&M, Three Sisters, Styx, Mary Jane, Corona.

Campbell River

Visited some friends in Campbell River, B.C. Checked out the trails near John Hart Lake just outside the city. Wasted some time on crappy stuff before finding some awesome singletrack in Elk Falls Provincial Park.

Frank Slide

On the edge of the valley of the Crowsnest River stands Turtle Mountain which was known to local First Nations people as "the mountain that moves". In the early morning of April 29th, 1903 a huge slab of limestone "moved" and thirty million cubic metres of rock crashed into the valley bottom. Part of the town of Frank, the rail line, and the entire surface plant of the Canadian-American Coal and Coke Company were destroyed. An estimated seventy people lost their lives.

Canmore Trails

Rode the trails of the Canmore Nordic Center with the good folk of the Calgary Outdoor Club. Heart-attack inducing climbs followed by exhilarating switchback descents. Nice views of the mountains!

Ottawa to Thunder Bay

A couple of cold rainy days followed by clearing skies.