We've been scratching along, hardly daring to breath, holding our collective breathe - will we actually have a summer? In fact while we wait, discuss and ponder I have noticed a summation of facts; the road trips are adding up, the days of riding are getting into the triple digits, the check list of wonderful adventures is growing and, and, and summer is quietly being rolled out.When did I notice that the summer of 2011 was actually occuring.,?? I think it slowly dawned on me as I recovered from the BC Bike Race, sometime late July. For me there are certain keys that must happen to unlock the spirit of summer - number 1 being a big event, something that resembles a 'Challenge' an achievement, something awesome like the BC Bike Race - you know seven days of sick singletrack with hundreds of like minded people. Number 2 was the coming down from such an event and the seguay into regular activities like group rides, planned adventures and Crankworkx; this year at a much earlier time than normal, perhaps that's what is effecting the flavour of 2011, a paradigm shift in major events., hmmmmm?
Recently we concluded the first two weeks of the BC Bike Ride Tour, and that is when the number 3 tumbler was unlocked - a wicked fun road trip, filled with more rides than days - 9 rides in 7 days, thats something to crow about.
BC Bike Ride Tour 1: Our first week was a media launch held in conjunction with Mountain Bike BC - they had hosted a contest similar to the Bike Parks BC and BCBR was the vehicle to showcase these contest winners. Our route started in North Vancouver (what a great place to arrive to if you are about to spend 7 days riding your mountain bike), then the tour headed to Squamish took in the Slopestyle at Crankworkx and headed to a heli-drop in Pemberton, this all rounded out the mainland activity but we had to get to the Island for the second half. Try taking a float plane to Victoria directly from Whistler's own Green Lake and straight onto cruiser bikes with Seamus McGrath for a downtown tour, followed by an mtb ride in Victoria, a ride in Cowichan Bay on Mnt Tzouhalem, up to Cumberland for 2 more rides (1 a shuttle off of Forbidden Plateau) and the grand finale on Hornby Island sometimes referred to as Fantasy Island. Of course I am missing out the ice cream stops the beers and the laugh a minute shuttles between the stops.See Dave Norona's video's to get the full flavor;
Other Videos:
- day 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pcxrmjdhRg
- day 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfQVl8yjb84
- day 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J5qnDTkVGc
- day 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOknZUi3Zyk
- day 6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qVuzgV-GN4
- day 7 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oROq7_lbsjk
BC Bike Ride Tour 2: had us host 5 clients, four from Puerto Rico and one from California, USA. At this point I had to pinch myself to check if we were really working or just riding our bikes and having a good time. In fact we were doing exactly that, riding bikes and having a good time the only difference was sharing it with some clients. These guys were amazing and the product the BC Bike Ride Tour got polished to another level.
Over the last few years I have taken tours to other countries and very much enjoyed that mode of travel, working with companies like Big Mountain Adventures and Ride Guide has allowed me to see the world in a very different way. Now we can offer a similar experience here in BC for those who are looking to see a little slice of our pie.
Looks like old Rip Van Winkle here has woken up to the fact that summer is here and it's time get out and shred the loamy powder - see you out there.
Dre
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