The Bucket List

The Bucket List “what make a successful summer season”!

Another year in the bag, was it a good one, well that’s what we must decide. Upon reflection there are a number of qualifications/must do’s to make the criteria for a ‘great year’. I’m not giving any thumbs up to anyone until you justify how and why 2010 Rocked.

In Skiing they count the number of days, why don’t we do that in mountain biking. I’m pretty sure some of the guides out there had a wicked year and logged over 200 riding days, so too did the racers, but arguably that’s not enough to qualify as a great year, but it sure ranks high.

So what are some of the ‘bucket list’ adventures that would put a summer season into orbit?

Here are a list of things I have come up with that can help define a successful bike season and separate the good from the great, cause a bad day on the bike sure beats a great day in the office.

-Dawn Patrol – I originally had this phrase introduced to me by Mark Wier, exactly what it sounds like; get your ass up early and be dropping into your favourite trail as the sun comes up. What better way to start the day, eh?

-Frozen Dirt Winter Ride – when the conditions are just right and everything just gets ‘sticky’. It’s what’s happening right now – weeee!

-A Grand Fondo – yes, get out, change bikes and enjoy a long day in the saddle. These tend to be very scenic and will contribute greatly to your fitness. Doesn’t have to be the same one every year either, turn it into a road trip?

-Road Trip - Domestic – like a tour, but without a guide, surf style, exploring getting out there.

-Multi Day Race – BC Bike Race, no excuses, this is just a must do, it includes Road Trip, Travel and Friends but lasts for multiple days and you get to ride sans extra gear, just you and the bike wizzing through the singletrack.

-A Tour – Abroad or at home –Switzerland, Peru or Rossland, hiring a guide to show you the goods, no thinking required here, just wicked biking. Only the locals know all the secret stashes, this is investing in trails and the local economy.

-A Weekend in the Alpine – a committed weekend dedicated to big miles and big smiles – there are some amazing places in BC, Europe and South America, do it- it will make your heart pump faster.

-A Heli Drop or a plane drop – usually means something awesome rare and exposed in the Alpine, pucker up.

-RedBull 5000 down - or a mega avalanche or a super/enduro D – Do it just for the fun, don’t get all serious an shit, enjoy.

-One legendary poach -that nobody needs to know about, you didn’t hear this from me.

-Exploring you backyard by extending your natural range – go farther and keep your ear to the ground for hot new trails. For me this is Powell River, Port Alberni, Pemberton, Kamloops, Nelson, yea they are out of the way, but nothing good comes easy.

-A Triple Crown - every town has one, that local backyard epic, the one you only do once a year, make sure you bag it and tag it !

-Big Group Rides– I love getting out to Victoria, Squamish and Whistler and hooking up with some legendary bro’s and having an impromptu bike-fest. This year I hit a couple notables; a Friday Chromag ride in Vancouver and a winter solstice night ride in Victoria, they each had 21 people attending, it was awesome.

-Toonie Races –mid week races, cause it’s fun and you’ll never believe the benefits and the excitement. Find a local series and jump in, it doesn’t matter how fit or not, just enjoy it.

-Cruiser bike ride – head out for an afternoon on the cruiser bikes, bring some road pops, have a picnic, it’s still a bike ride, still a workout, but changes the scenery.

Now you might say, booo we don’t have the time, the money or the resources to accomplish even half of that, but I say you do. It might not be done all in a year or a season, but setting goals that take you out of your comfort zone, putting ones ego about results aside for just a minute can allow some serious magic to happen.

When I stopped racing I didn’t lose my passion to bike, or to go fast, but that simple change brought into focus different trails, different zones and different people – essentially it enriched my whole cycling experience.

Bucket list for a year, bucket list for your life= Goals for your race season, goals for your career – now blend em up, pour em over a few cubes and liberally add alcohol, cheers to 2010 and now for 2011.

Dre