Down Country

There are many terms for types of riding; road, cross country, downhill and cyclo-cross to mention just a few, but these do not adequately describe the true nature of the variety of bikes and terrain available. Freeride was a term coined not too long ago to describe what - non competitive, aggressive semi-downhill, or heavy duty xc? and into this equation we enter shuttling.

For those purists out there who say "we don't shuttle", I say pooh pooh. When headed to a remote location to start a ride at a trail-head or a distant town, surely you load your car and shuttle your bike over there. And when during a heavy spell of training one is tired and not really looking for a physically demanding ride, but still one requires some 'good times' then perhaps we can consider Down Country as a viable option.

Down Country: to drive to a trail-head that enables more down than up, but does not exclude all the climbing. A route that maximizes enjoyment over physical activity, but is not exclusionary of effort.

So it was that following the Sea Otter Classic April 14-17, I found myself in Santa Cruz Ca. with some other burnt-out industry folk. After a trade show; standing all day, drinking beers all night and talking bike, thinking bike and generally doing everything bike but riding one we all were in need of some bike excitement, but it needed to be time efficient and conscientious of our fragile bodies and minds.

Down Country has one other amazing quality, it enables less fit riders to participate and the group to stay cohesive. Uphills are what put big gaps into groups, generally on the down gaps are kept to a minimum.

I headed to Santa Cruz to meet our group, upon arrival there was some confusion as to what our route and type of ride would be. It was concluded that a Down Country sortie was the best for everyone present. Bikes ranged from DH rigs to 29 XC's and encompassed everything in between. We totaled 10 as we loaded the bikes into two rigs and headed to the trail-head. It sounds like a normal XC ride, except that the premise of Down Country is to lessen the climbing and increase the singletrack. Up, Up we drove knocking off a one hour road effort.

The DC route included several lung busting climbs in addition to the uphill roll to the start. The extra energy saved was clearly funneled directly into the shred factor and shred we did. For over an hour and a half we careened down the mountain over the ridges and blew out the cobwebs of the weekend, it was exactly what was needed.

Other terms for discussion; Freeride- Lite, All-Mountain, Heavy Duty XC, Trail, it's the beauty of this day and age - don't let anyone tell you how to ride your bike.

Get out and shred
Dre

Trans Andes Challenge as posted on BIKEMAG.com

Trans Andes as published on Bikemag.com, Jan 25, 28, 31 (three instalments)

http://www.bikemag.com/?s=trans+andes&x=0&y=0

Day 1: Trans Andes Challenge

Dre Hestler's Day 1 recap.

By bikemag.com /  Posted on January 25, 2011

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

By Dre Hestler
Published: January 24, 2011

A stage race is like a big tour and what better way to see a country than from the saddle of your trusty steed? Chile’sTrans Andes Challenge takes place in the rugged mountains of the Lake District, 600 miles south of Santiago, amid lush rain forest and adjacent the Argentine border. There are a staggering number of volcanoes, and all this differentiates it from anywhere else in the world.

I begin this blog on the eve of the completion of Day 1. And let’s not forget: It’s January and no matter the beautiful weather, the amazing countryside and the volcanoes, it’s still pre-pre- season/ski season.

For years I and others have ebbed and flowed with the seasons of North America and to a somewhat greater degree the European circuit. With some Australian and New Zealand influence we then heard of the ‘endless summer;’ the people who link together tours Down Under sandwiched between two North American summers. But not many have stretched out the travel tentacles as far as South America, and it is here that I must admit my own ignorance.

Fact or fiction? South America is a scary place to travel, a dark continent where revolutions run rampant. You may be robbed at any moment and later likely held hostage or forced to work as a drug mule to earn your way home. Pure nonsense, at least in Chile.

Cue the ewoks... Photo: Dre Hestler

Enter the Trans Andes: A wonderful excuse to escape to a warm paradise… just a hop skip and a jump away. They even have wi-fi (crazy I know) and it’s only a maximum of five hours jet-lag depending where you’re coming from in North America. Many of the international attendees here are logging base miles with the goal of getting a jump on the 2011 season. There aren’t many places in the world as hospitable, as exotic and as safe as Chile for an off-season adventure.

Day 1
The start is at the eco-resort of Huilo Huilo (pronounced wheelo wheelo) and there is no way to imagine this place other than to describe it as the Ewok village from Star Wars. A short neutral jaunt (two miles) up the gravel road and we board a barge that takes us 1.5 hours across the lake to Argentina and the true beginning of this stage.

The statistics are impressive for this time of the year, but we plunge in anyway.

• 90 degrees, 32.5 Celsius
• 38.5 Miles, 62 Km’s
• 5,500 feet vertical, 1,700 m

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

The day is punctuated by two major climbs and while not a long stage, for our off-season legs, it’s certainly long enough. I have heard tell of amazing trails here in Chile and this is my goal, and my search. No amount of hardship will deter me from seeking singletrack and trails anywhere in the world, yet to have a supported excursion like this is gold.

Heading up the first climb it becomes apparent that my miles to date are insufficient and I should instead relax and enjoy the panoramic vistas. The day unfolds without much drama—some brutal leg-breaking climbs and some more amazing views as day one of our adventure comes to a close.

Hanging out for lunch with 100 exhausted but happy riders is always fun. Tales from the big ring today are few and far between as the major objectives—completion, miles and adventure—take precedence over competition. Tomorrow may be another story though.

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

Part 2: Trans Andes Challenge

Stages 2 & 3: Tiredness, more volcanoes and jungle for miles and miles

By bikemag.com /  Posted on January 28, 2011

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

(Ed’s note: Dre Hestler is filing reports from the in-progress Trans Andes Challenge. This is No. 2, covering stages 2 and 3; the first dispatch is here.)

By Dre Hestler
Published: January 27, 2011

Day 2
Our adventure has us leaving Huilo Huilo/Ewok Village on a journey of 45 miles (67km). We will be traversing over hill and dale today—many small climbs and many small descents. Our goal is to arrive at Termas de Conaripe (thermal hot springs), one of many dotting this land of mucho volcanoes.

The day begins early, with me hauling yesterday’s well-done hams up to breakfast. It’s a feeling I have put out of my mind since sometime last summer, but somewhere in the dull throb of my body is a flickering flame of pride. It would seem that as much abuse as I give myself, I always seem to get up for a bit more.

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

The spirit is jovial on the start line and no one is jockeying for position; one hundred kindred souls ready for a mountain bike ride. The day’s weather is slightly overcast as we head out onto course.

It’s not long before we hit some steep walls that climb through a forest of vines and flowers in full bloom. The lake below, Lago Natume, is the namesake of the village we just quit. The climbs are bench cut and parallel the lake, slowly taking us higher and higher onto the forested hillside of the valley. The field of athletes thins out and people begin to “find their groups,” or get stuck alone between groups. My people pull away leaving me behind, just like yesterday only a little sooner today. I am comforted as I ride along alone with the knowledge that there are no big snakes or spiders to worry about, and only a few pumas in Chile. It’s just me and the jungle.

My reverie is abruptly halted as the terrain turns down. To the lakeshore we arrive and a true jungle scene is presented. Now I am directly on the riverbank, lush bushes are over-growing the singletrack as the route weaves through mint, brambles and bamboo. The fresh scent of cow dung and drying mud mix with the mint and it is all real because the brambles won’t let it be otherwise.

I’m pretty much loving life, the temperature, the location and cruising through this awesome place called Chile. The rest of the day is punctuated by a bit more interaction with the locals (Mapuche Indians), their remote rustic farms, and a few other bikers.

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

The sun is beating hard late into the afternoon and my legs come and go, but I can feel them settling into a pace. The final descent is a total hairball with a few internationals caught out. I feel like a total stud as I let the brakes go and woo hoo all the way to the finish.

Termas De Conaripe is essentially one of those “health spas”—people are lying around half-naked in open air pools. It’s like a bunch of lizards, and except for the kids yelling and screaming, you’d think you were at the zoo. Imagine how we look as we descend onto the resort post-ride covered in sweat and mud, smiling like group of looney-toons (and this is high season for them?)

Day 3
Termas De Conaripe to Termas De Menetue – 77km, 48 miles

Sounds terrible, switch one health spa for another. We have all basted our skin in the volcanic hot springs, likely for too long, but it was sooo good. Lying in an outdoor pool with the steep forested walls of the valley holding us in, it’s like the resort is designed to hold you and make you feel safe.

The routine is getting established: Up at 7:30 for breakfast, bags packed into the truck by 9, final pee and it’s time to go at 9:30. Today will be a doozy of a day, a leg breaker short climb to begin, followed by ascending one of those massive volcanoes. There is some chit chat and a few cat calls as we roll out and funnily enough it all happens in a couple different languages, but we all get the gist and smile. Everyone is hurting a bit, but it’s also a wait-and-see mentality, and like a bunch of fatalists we take it one day or one mile at a time. Let’s see how the body is today?

Photo: Dre Hestler

Photo: Dre Hestler

Photo: Marcelo Tucuna/Trans Andes Challenge

Cresting the first climb, a small group of us hit the singletrack; It swoops along a river, behind some small farm cottages and heads down for a good bit of time. The knowledge that we will soon be heading up quiets our elation, but nothing good comes easy and I like to earn my turns.

Today the sun has crept out early from behind the clouds and we are feeling the heat. I put on my SPF 20, but I could certainly use a re-supply about now. The climb is long and arduous, but near the top we get into the Volcan Villarica national park and the trees are marvelous. Over the top we get a couple sneaky peaks, but aren’t well rewarded with views. We rip down 9 miles of beautiful undulating single/double track; this is what we have earned. The descent continues with Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts galore all over the road, like pylons, sleeping bags in hand, all headed to the park behind us. We hit 40 mph (60kms) at some points and are really cooking. It’s exhilarating and even though it’s just a gravel road, it’s still 10 miles more of fast, fast ripping.

The day concludes at 50 miles (80km). It has been a big day, but Day 3, or hump day, is in the bag. We are halfway home and our tans are getting really, really, good. Stay tuned for more of the ‘endless summer’, the Chilean adventure.

Part 3: Trans Andes Challenge

Bringing it home, from the six-stage Chilean tour

By bikemag.com /  Posted on January 31, 2011

Photo: Dre Hestler

(Ed’s note: Dre Hestler is filing reports from the Trans Andes Challenge in Chile; see earlier, Part 1 and Part 2.)

By Dre Hestler
Published: January 30, 2010

Nothing good comes easy. I guess this is one of the mottos I live by, but man, did someone take some liberties when applying it to the Trans Andes Challenge. Actually, all of the hard stuff is generally self-induced, which means there is no one to blame but myself (doh!). Of course, at the end of every awesome week of riding it’s time to saddle up the beer steins and celebrate. Perhaps this is also one of the credos I live by, and heck we sure earned it.

Photo: Dre Hestler

Day 3 saw my legs come around and the routine begin to take shape, then it all became a blur of super radness. The big difference between this and the normal rides I do in January—and for that matter, between a good business and a bad business—is location, location, location… and a bit of timing.

Photo: Dre Hestler

Photo: Dre Hestler

My head is foggy now as I attempt to recount the tales of the last few days. Last night we celebrated the completion of the route, and together we shared this accomplishment and together we celebrated. And what better brokers friendships, multi-national relationships, or simply some camaraderie than sharing not one, but six, epic rides, six nights of camping and some 18 meals together? We’ve become something of a family over the week and parting ways becomes a wee bit sad, but we all know there will be another event in the future and likely we will see the same smiling faces again.

Day 4 was by far the best pure mountain bike day yet. We ripped up an amazing piece of trail that wove around a pristine alpine lake. The forest was like nothing I have ever seen before and riding another surreal experience becomes commonplace as again and again the sublime beauty of Chile is revealed. We came together, eleven of us, late into the day on this piece of singletrack. Some were going forward, some backwards, but all of us were fully moved by this particular small moment and the experience it provided.

Strengthened by the days of riding and the fresh air of the forest and the mountains we all seemed to find new vigor and push through to finish the longest day of the event.

Day 5 was rumored to be the “Queen” stage, but we were reminded to keep our heads up and take a glance or two behind, as the views were not to be missed. The trail was clearly marked but sometimes one can lose oneself anyway, and so it was that I meandered off the course, had a mechanical and managed to make an absolute botch of this day’s navigation. Thank God it mattered little in the grand scheme of things as I caught some different people and managed to spend the day in good company enjoying myself thoroughly.

Photo: Dre Hestler

Photo: Dre Hestler

Onto yet one more hot springs resort with a beautiful river and boat load of pasta to quench my endless hunger. This was an epic day and we were not sure what the final stage would bring, but having made it through five, the sense of near completion was exhilarating.

Day 6 followed a 9.5-hour sleep, and it feels like I could go on riding my bike forever at this point. Our routine is smooth and the weather fair, the food is plentiful and my taste for exploring is not quenched, so why stop now? Ah yes, life comes crashing back and it’s time to go home. A short 25-mile jaunt into Pucon (the Fort Lauderdale of Chile) with some climbs in the front and some fast descents in the back has me winning the stage, placing second in the over all, but more importantly putting to rest this amazing chapter and journey through in and around Chile. Get out of the ordinary and get on with the strange, I say. See you around.

Chile Part II

Our last installment had week one with Ride Guide covered, here we will pick up for the photoshoot and magazine story that became week two:

Chile 2010, week one blurred into week two at an appropriate pub in downtown Santiago. One day I was saying goodbye to Josh from the Ride Guide and the next it was hello to the Magazine and Rocky Mountain Crew. The pub auspiciously enough was called the 'Phonebooth' and we sat out on the patio as it was warm and British.,?

The crew for week 2 included, Jason Sumner on the pen, Chris Christie on Camera, Peter Vallance directing, Chris Winter media support and professional guide, with Wade, Dre and Curtis on bikes. Well we were all on bikes and our guide Marteen, winner of the Trans Andes and all around awesome ripper.

Hoist ye pints and we can begin our trip - Cheers and they were off. Our mission/itinerary/schedule was quit chock a block; get the catalogue shots, get the magazine shots, get some tourism shots and oh yeah have a good time. So it was with this in mind that our adventures began.

Day 1 - we had to shake out the plane ride and get the legs back into pedaling shape, so a quick rip around Santiago

Day 2 - A couple hours out of town through the vineyards and towards the coast, half way up a mountain; today turned out to host a view of Aconcagua (the highest peak in South America), a huge meat lunch and actually turned out to be 2 shuttles, sweet.

Day 3 - a.m. - Morning shoot in the downtown area.

Day 3 - p.m. - La Parva, the ski resort located right above Santiago, 52 switch backs into the still snow covered peaks that loom ominously and permanently over the city. Our downhill began from above the ski resort and dropped nearly 5000 feet, awesome. We managed to shuttle about 1/3 of the way back up for round 2 and had the company of a 3 legged dog for the whole time, twighlight zone strange, yes.

Day 4 - Had us on the way south to Pucon, with an afternoon of riding in the resort of Cheian. This resort had recently hosted a UCI DH and XC event that had been nationally broadcast. The courses were both still intact so we had a go at them, nailing a number of the jumps and a few quick laps on the XC,  we followed our work out up with an amazing BBQ at a ghost town of a hotel called the Eco-Box.

Day 5 - We finally arrived at Pucon, the Whistler of Chile. While the driving was taking a bit longer than we thought (go figure Chile the longest country in the world)  we were still motivated to push hard and get as much riding under out belts as possible. We met out local guide and proceeded to make our way up Volcan Villarica the most  picturesque Volcano I have ever seen. The trail proved to be superb, the guides amazing and so it was an absolute ripping descent, woo hoo, lets do it again and we did.

Day 6 - Took us to the other side of Volcan Villarica, literally the other side of the Volcano, we crossed some lava fields shot some pictures and generally soaked up a great day in the sun. The afternoon was filled with another shuttle on the Pucon side and an investment in the local BBQ scene (we located, bought and had prepared - a lamb), it's another story all together.

Day 7 - finally feeling the effects of our travels and biking adventures, we all piled into the van sans ride, reconciled to our fate - one wicked long drive back to Santiago. We slept, we talked and we watched the country roll by, as bad as a long drive is, when you are in a new country it's always interesting.

Day 8 - Valparaiso, a world UNESCO site, 1. 5 hours from Santiago, where the Spanish and the sailors of all nations first set foot on ground after rounding Cape Horn. This was the premier spot on the west coast, right up until the Panama Canal was completed in 1914. After which it was just another Chilean port town, but what a town. Unique and beautiful, this was truly the perfect last day after an amazing trip - Viva Chile.

November and January are terrible months even if you are a skier, go south, go south
Dre

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