Island Mountain Rides - Guided Trip

GOOD E NUFF, is what the sign says!

Another road trip, yup, but with the changing weather it feels like we are on a count down to get as much of the warm weather in before it all goes - sideways!

So the BC Bike Race crew and friends headed over to Vancouver Island to hook up with Martin Ready and Island Mountain Rides. Most of the crew were on a bigger itinerary, but I was on the shrunken version, so I will give you what I got, but include the extra bonus that Dean and the crew got.

Monday morning Pemberton - Helicopter Drop, sweet 4 hour descent with some fresh snow and a ton of Alpine -ahhhh fresh air.

Tuesday we headed up to Cambell River to check out Swicked Cycles (James and Chenoa's new bike shop) and the legendary singletrack. We threw Mike (operation manager from Mt Washington) into the mix and finished at Painters Lodge for a couple chilly ones and an awe inspiring view.

Cambell River is a wee bit of a hidden gem, located North on Vancouver Island - they have been developing trails there since the early 90's and have linked two major areas together to provide a huge mature trail network.

Wednesday we headed out from our housing digs at the Riding Fool Hostel in Cumberland into the local trails. Cumberland like Cambell River has been developing their network for a good number of years and with the heavy influence of Jeremy Grasby they have carved out a mighty empire of singletrack. Must be something about the island and or 'island time' but what's going on over there is impressive.

Cumberland was simply amazing and every time I ride there it gets a little closer to my heart. Sweet flowing singletrack, technical to challenge and all riding right out the back door of the Hostel.

Thursday was Shuttle day, and I knew finally that my extra super RMB Slayer 2011 would be the bike of choice - we did 3 big shuttles and in truth these represented more of the All-Mountain or "Down Country" style that we all seem to enjoy. Little more vert, little more challenge, same all-mountain bike - Dean and Mark were running Altitudes while Dave and I were running respectively 2010 Slayer and 2011 Slayer.

It's amazing how much time riding, shooting, riding, driving and eating can all take, but zoooom it all wizzed by and it was time for me to get home to the family.

I have taken to documenting trails these days, in a few different ways, but one thing I really enjoy are the custom trail head signs that people personally design. Heck if you put a couple weeks of sweat equity into a trail, why not spend some effort on the signage.

Friday I missed the boat and found myself here (in the office) telling the story, while the boys are on Hornby Island riding some of the Worlds most flowy trails: Three Dead Aliens, No-Horses etc etc, but someone has to tell the story and I guess that's my job, eh?

Thanks to all for making this trip 'Swicked',

Dre