Chile, Patagonia and the Trans Andes

Chile

A land strange and unknown to me at least; what do I know about this remote South American -end of the world country. Long thin, it's border defined by the Andes, water falling on the west is Chilean water falling on the east is Argentinian. Easter Island, Patagonia, the Allendes and Pinoche, some vague concepts of travel, writing, politics and many conflicting views. What I really know is that I didn't know anything. Some rumours abounded; they had mountains and ski resorts so all the ingrediants for a mountain bike adventure were there.

This trip is a multi-part story that will not see a conclusion until after the Trans Andes on January 24-29th. But for the first part and the common theme, the Trans Andes, the route, the area and the culture are all to be captured in a Ride Guide segment.

Some time earlier this year, Juan Pablo Santiagos the director of the TA had dialed me up and invited me down to Chile. Naturally I figured if going all that way, lets crank up the excitement and make the most of it, so I contaced RideGuide and put together a team.

Viola, Chile in November - actually not so chilleee, actually quit warm about 25 degrees. Our goal, segment 1- to get the lay of the land for Ride Guide and secondarily a Rocky Magazine Road trip, segment 2-would be to follow up with the race in January. For the second part of the initial November trip I figured there must be some other people looking to explore and create some adventures. I threw out some invites, contacted some guiding companies and mixed in a little flavour I call Chile, ha. But lets put that pot on the back burner for a bit and get on with shooting the Ride Guide segment.

Josh the cameraman for Ride Guide and I met in LA, flew LAN Chile via Lima to Santiago. Piece of pie, easy, and only a 5 hour time change to deal with. We met Juan Pablo in Santiago, who by the way is an x-World Cup DH racer and grabbed a domestic flight south to Tecum on the northern edge of Patagonia. Patagonia is an undefined geographical region in Chile, not to be confused with their states, provinces or as they call them regions (12). We were in the Araucania region considered to be the middle south of the country. While the majority of the wine growing takes place in the arid Santiago area (800 K north), here it was lush rainforest, logging and mucho Volacanic activity.

As usual the rideguide.ca is about culture as much as wicked riding, so

we ventured out to visit a traditional Mapuche Indian village. They are very representative of global aboriginal struggles to maintain traditional ways in the maelstrom of moderm conveniences. The particular Senhorita that we conversed with was very sharp and very tourism savvy, she expressed some concern with the governments involvement, but let us know she was open to sharing her ways with us and finding some mutualy agreeable ground with the officials. This was on a whole the shocking example of Chile; advanced, calm and reasonable; from the Mapuche natives to the not stressed out airline people, Chile is a first class nation of warm hosting people.

Juan took us out to the sponsor hotel, the start of day 1, in a land reserve and area know as Huilo Huilo. This alone is enought to consider your holiday goals achieved; a full eco-resort in a rainforest built like the ewok village of Star Wars. The next day it was out to explore the course and the land, we were in the middle of a lush rain forrest with Volcanos rising in every direction- we only saw 3 from our vantage point, but apparantly there were a possible 13 to be seen on a clear day above the green canopy.

We spent a number of days exploring the resort and the first few days of the route before our time ran out and it was time to exit stage one of Chile. We had met Louis the director of operations, we had met the local course designers and we had a much better deeper understanding of what Chile is all about. Much of the philosophy of the Trans Andes is similar to that of the BC Bike Race, not to mention Juan was riding a Rocky Mountain Bike, it was very comfortable and reminded me of home.

As we headed back to Santiago we stopped at Stage 3's finish, a natural Volcanic hot spring with a resort built around it, then a night in Pucon, checking out the lay of the land of this Whistler type village the host of the final stage and party.

I was sad to leave having only spent 6 days ripping around such a big country, but knowing this was only the first part of an overlapping trip and that once back in Santiago I would be picking up part 2, I cheered up, grabbed a beer with Juan and promised to be wayyy fit by the time TA arrived in January.

It was only a matter of one night before the boys arrived and the gong show would ensue again. The snow was flying at home in BC and we were in shorts and jerseys down in South America, maybe the old adage "snow birds" is taking a new direction -Chile anyone?

Cheers

Dre

A Friday Ride

Not often, but should happen more, yes? A Friday Ride.

So once in awhile you hear about these massive group rides that go on in Squamish, Whistler, Pemby and this time North Vancouver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taBmTyUtVZg

It wasn't the nicest day to host the Sea to Sky here in Van-Groovy, but hey at least we can ride year round. Not like we are waiting for wind or waves or snow, it's just a little rain.

Anyway this is the second year of this particular event here on the Shore, put together by a notorious gangsta who will remain anonymous for now. Last year it was Seymour, this year Fromme and looking ahead we can see that the plan for an extended Triple Crown will see us riding Cypress, likely in the snow next year.

The cast of characters was large and full of life from all different locals they came with one goal, show us the 'Goods'. As a guide, a host and a rider I too wanted to impress. These rippers were mostly once a year riders to the shore, that in itself is a mystery, anyway always the question, what route, what trail etc etc? Not like I'm gonna tell you but it was epic, awesome and rad, so watch the video, look at the pics and get out for a Friday ride whenever you can.

“Let Us then be Up and Doing Still Achieving and Still Pursuing” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Later Dre

Deadlines harumph

Nothing like a deadline, eh!

(nothing like a party deadline, gotta get there before it's over, Halloween at Ryder's Eyewear with Marc Cambell, Dave Howells and Chris Christie)

Funny thing is, just as Grant Lamont and I finished some reconisaince on Whistler yesterday we got around to mentioning those exact words. Somehow, you set or they set or a deadline is set and things get done, somehow the mortgage gets paid on time, the course gets mapped on time and the race starts on time. I don't think I've missed very many planes in my life, for that matter.

(Sunset while out digging and photo shooting)

Some people have looked into the wording 'deadline' and have attempted to shift the lexiconic nuance of limit/border/reaching a term, but to date nothing quit highlights the importance of getting it done on time like - dead(I don't want to die) and- line(draw a line in the sand) go ahead and cross it!

(Riding with Bike Mag, now those guys have a ton of publishing deadlines, whooosh)

In the recent few months winter has been a deadline, the rain the snow and the coming of the cold weather. We are told this will be the worst stormy winter in a long while. Well, that coupled with my recent re-invigoration for 'railing trail' had me pushing hard mini-epics right into November. Now that deadline seems to have passed and it's still a balmy 10-17 degrees here in Vancouver with some inversions, beautiful yellow and orange leaves and fog madly drifting around like a sci-fi movie set. Really quit glad that that deadline has not yet manifested.

(Grant Lamont on Yummy Numby)

Every morning my kid wakes up at 6:50 am, that is a deadline that generally I dread. I have never been a morning person, nor do I think I ever will be, but that doesn't change what he does or how loud he is in the morning. So I think I am adjusting and it's fun being in a whole new world, the morning world it's just a non-negotiable deadline that has me spend more time with my family ok, sounds good to me.

(Peter V at Rocky Mountain Bikes, working on deadlines, while I drink Redbull and slow down his productivity)

We have set some deadlines at BC Bike Race and we have now set our 2011 route. It's a good feeling to know as we tick things off towards our goal that the deadlines we are meeting are all moving us towards the bigger goal. Many of the deadlines we self-impose don't happen, that's why we get consultants in business to help us and coaches in other parts of our life. Each hour of every day is a deadline and the other big one; Christmas is coming and so is 2011.

Video of New BCBR Stage in Campbell River -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIuODerfIfs

But, while one deadline does not arrive on time there are many others that will. I and a few guys are heading to Chile on Nov 15ht and that is one flight I don't want to miss. It means though, that I have to get a lot of things tied up and sorted before that plane leaves with me on it. So it would seem that deadlines abound, good, bad and those flakey or those carved in stone, but I think it's more of a philosophical question - how do you deal with 'deadlines'?

Dre

End of the Season

Well it seems that we have finally run out of sunshine here in the Pacific North West. Fortunately for me I managed to bag a whole whack of last minute epics, though not quit as many as I wanted.

My goals were large and perhaps a bit lofty. Once one begins to cast about, one sees that there is a big epic or a triple crown around every corner and the question then begs, what do we do annually and what do we simply add to the completed bucket list (more on the bucket list coming).

Seasonly we are going into ski season and I love cross training, running, yoga, snowshoeing and swimming, but it's hard to focus on that when I haven't spent all my summer smiles.

A few weeks ago we shot some great photo's in the Squamish area, and it was truly the last time the alpine will be open until May or June next year. It's like hunting season, you go when the time is right, or for all you powder hounds "no friends on powder days, eh"!

So it is with a final farewell wave that we put our summer shorts away and dig out our speedo's, skis and yoga mats. This doesn't mean the riding is over, but the 'hero dirt' the warm summer weather and the post ride hang out in sweaty gear, that's over.

I hope you got all your hurrah's in and are looking forward to a well structured build to your next season; whether it be ski, board, mtb or road bike, make a plan and enjoy the changing of the seasons.

I myself have overbooked my winter with a Ride Guide episode in Chile, a training camp with Ryder H in Maui and the Trans Andes in January. No rest for the wicked, and likely not too many turns on the ski's but all that remains to be seen. For now the rain is forcing me to cross-train, think about the summer past and plan for the summer future, change up the muscles, rest the mind and spend some well deserved time with the family.

Training Camp - http://www.mauicyclingcamps.com

Ride Guide - http://www.rideguide.ca/

Trans Andes - http://www.transandeschallenge.com/

Get er done

The Triple Crown

Thanksgiving Triple Crown - Coast to Coast

You may query what is a triple crown? Well every town has one, it's just that the N.Shore exemplifies it. A triple crown is the King of Epics in your own backyard, a triple mountain doozy or a big circumnavigation of your valley, the full meal deal etc etc, you get it, right?

Here is a video of last years event -2009 -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yACDNLyTf7Q

Here on the N. Shore we link up all three mountains, from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay - we go all the way. 8100 feet of climbing 63 km's, just another day at the office. Now some people will debate what the official route is, but I don't give a rat's ass, if anyone wants to even put their bike on three mountains, great. If they can even ride the lowest trails on three mountains and dip their toes into the water, great.

and if like our intern in the picture above, you come from France and love to Mountain Bike then this silly ride is gonna put a big grin on your silly face.

We always start early for this neveaux annual event (stay tuned for next years date) 8 am in the Cove. With a good showing this year of 21 starters, Greg Hayes, Wade Simmons, Bob Faulkner, Keith Stark, Luke and Mark Kazmirski, the 'French' Intern, Andrew Clark, Johnny Rockall, Paul Kalish, Alex, Mark, Arthur, the Traslin Brothers, Sam from Victoria, Richard, Doug Horn, a bunch of others and Clark forgot his helmet in the car, so this was the crew for the 2010 Triple Crown.

We cruised quickly up to Park Gate and began our Old Buck ascent. As usual things spread out pretty quickly, but this is a tour not a race and there were many stops planned, in fact there is a store after each mountain.

Our route took us low over Mt Seymour up the Buck and over to the Severed D. My thoughts on this were to entice all the maybe's; once they had two mountains in the bag they would be suckered into the third, well I think my plan worked, I got an extra 2 peeps for sure.

Up we climbed and down the Dick, no problems, great crew, no flats, over Bottle Top and up twin bridges to the 'end of the line'. It's nice to have a coffee on thanksgiving at 10 am in your biking gear, mid-ride, don't you think?

Then it was onto Fromme, where we picked up Bruce Spicer, took a spin down the new Bobsled (nice work gang) and onward to the peak of Grouse. It's a long climb and there were many other groups out there with a questioning look as we purposefuly drove onward to the top - "see yeah next year suckers."

I guess it would seem that the Village Chair or Jet Boy trail gets it's action only once a year, the bang for the buck is debatable, big ass climb, yes a sweet descent, but really I think we can and do do better over on Fromme. Non the less, it's a sweet, loamy steep ass trail, good for a little pucker. We had a quick stop at the engine, and without casualties descended to Skyline.

Here was a major parting of the ways, 21 dudes quickly became 11 as we headed to the Mount Royal store to refuel. And wouldn't you know it Doug Horn was there waiting for us. 11 became 8 as we headed into what was now looking like a grey Cypress Mt, with guaranteed precip.

Yeah it was a bit chilly and I was thinking about my supplies as we headed out, but when you have a purpose there is no thwarting it. Up through the BP's onto the Millstream connector and up to the 2nd switchback and up and up some more. There were plenty of tired legs as we approached the summit and some near aborts, but our little group cajoled and supported itself all the way to the Port o John trailhead. Then and only then are you truly looking down on the finish, it's an awesome feeling to know you are so close and the rest is literally all downhill.

When we came out at Cypress Park estates it was a good cast of characters, Doug Horn and Arthur Gaillot headed home on their bikes, Clark went for a long night shift up the sea to sky somewhere and Richard, Sam, Dre and the Traslin brothers went all the way to Horseshoe Bay for some well deserved Fish n Chips.

and this little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home to the couch. Again 8000 feet patiently climbed with a wicked awesome crew, 63 km's from Coast to Coast and don't forget, see you next year for the Thanksgiving Triple Crown.

Get out there and push yourself just a little, each day.

Dre

'OuterBike' - Moab

Well enough about Interbike, here's --- OuterBike; it's a brand new show happening one week after InterBike, but aimed at the Consumer. Unlike InterBike's dealer focus, Outerbike is all about Consumer awareness, enjoyment and er uh riding bikes.

Put on by the good people from Western Spirits guiding company and based in the Mountain Bike Mecca of Moab the recipe is simple; $160 dollars, a shuttle or 2 each day to a different location in Moab, lunch provided (wicked sandwiches-Dagwoods), guides provided and 4 days of demo bikes, that works out to 40 bucks a day plus tax and you get to Demo cool bikes like the Rocky Mountain Element and Slayer (or some other brand if you want).

This is the first year for Outerbike and me a Moab newby made it the perfect chance to get out and explore this amazing area. Day one we arrived set up and liaised with our Colorado Rep and US sales manager, Ephram and John respectively. Changed some pedals, talked to some peeps about the bikes and generally got the fleet ready. By the afternoon it was time to ride, first shuttle was headed to the Sovereign Area, "ok, sounds good" I said. The heat was climbing as we got out of the Van, about 35 degrees and it was 2pm, ouch. Feeling like a sauna we headed into the trails, fortunately we had two guides with us and they knew exactly which way to flow the trails-if you don't get the flow right it feels like uphill all the way, we got it right!

The Sovereign trail system is a newly developed area that will eventually link with the Outerbike zone creating a whole new venue for Moab.

Temperatures during the week were hot, but only between 11am and 2pm after which things cooled to about perfect. This years temps were unusually hot by about 10 degrees, so expect normal but warm temps next year.

Day 2 saw the crowds pick up as the consumers rolled into town. It was friday and though it got busy we really didn't expect to see the rush until Sat. Fridays shuttle/ride took us over to the LPS, or Lower Porcupine Singletrack. This was again my first time and wow, I will have to add this as one of my all time favorites; down-ish, pedally-ish, technical and fast, but it's so much about the crew we were with and I had a freight train of talent to hang with. It was perfect terrain for the Slayer or Altitude.

At noon on Friday they also commenced a Super D race coming down from the La Sal mountains directly above us. They would race down through Burro pass and onto the LPS. This made for some fun entertainment, but some confusion for those who didn't understand the nature of the racer - Agro! Perhaps as a whole having 2-300 shuttle consumers on the flight path of some 30 nut bar DH racers wasn't the brightest idea? Win time was about 1h .35min and something like 7500 feet of descending - I'm doing it for sure next year.

Sat and Sun came like a fog; altitude, sun and beer soaked into all aspects of our life. The crowds thickened and the rides (for us) shortened but the parties lasted longer into the night (check out Woodie's if you are ever in Moab).

Saturday was a shuttle/ride to the infamous Slickrock, and Sunday was the Amasa Back trail while the entire weekend had a sweet loop right in front of the venue. I finally ventured out to the local trails in front of our demo set up on Sun, what a great place to demo your new bike before buying it.

As you can see after 4 days of shuttles, demoing different bikes and exploring the trails of Moab, that the whole Outerbike experience is something not to be missed. I have barely touched on the cool aspects of Moab, the local restaurants or the swimming in the Colorado river, but suffice it to say, this is a great event and it's here to stay.

Get on down to the Outerbike and find your Outer-Limits..?

Cheers

Dre

Las Vegas - Inter Bike

For some the phrase going to 'Vegas' has some connotation of wicked fun times and sin city. Then you add the plain text 'tradeshow' and or 'inter-bike' and the meaning slides five ways sideways. This is especially true when you are a hardened veteran of the industry a new father or for some other poor souls - on your 3-5th tradeshow of the season, ouch.

I fall somewhere between 1, 2 and 3; I have been hitting the festivals hard this year, launching products and talk, talk talking it up. Crankworkx, BC Bike Race, Sea Otter and Fruita are all virtual tradeshow and with the amount of traveling done leading into Vegas, a new kid running amok at home, I found more than ever the sheer fatigue catching up with me.

Don't get me wrong, we have fun we work hard, there is virtually no riding or exercise, there is a lot of beer at all times of the day and night and it lasts 6 full days in either dessert conditions or hard core air conditioning. All of this leaves one with the proverbial Vegas hang over; when you arrive home, there is an adjustment period like jet-lag. Perhaps it's the weening off of the Oxygen rich casino's (word has it that they pump it in to keep people awake and alert) or the removal of the osmotic absorbtion of excitement brought on by; the heady crowds of excited bike fans, the other Vegas attendees or some residual dessert survival instinct that has all of your senses on red alert.

But I have to admit being the bike dork that I am that I love the 'show'. Teching out on all the new gadgets, talking turkey about the BC Bike Race, going through the facets of the new RMB 2011 line and all the tiny nuances of bike-geek-ness. Ahhhh yes it's like comicon, a bunch of grown-up kids, not to mention that after such a long time in the industry it's a big party with a whole bunch of great friends. So, tired and exhausted after my once a year to Vegas I returned home.

It is rumored that Interbike will be moving to August next year and that it will also be held in Anahiem CA. Interbike is comprised of two parts (the day parts) dirt-demo, outdoors(Mon, Tues) and inter-bike, indoors(wed,thur, fri) - lets not forget that this is a dealer based show where many decisions are made about what products you will see at your local bike store next year.

This years highlights were: a short team ride post the dirt demo, Wade's birthday bash (in our rental house, just the team), The Fro Riders getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, Rockies launch of the new Element and Slayer (two amazing bikes), the arrival of BC Bike Race as the 'Singletrack Adventure' to truly attend and one wicked ride - 'The Legends' with Mountain Bike Magazine a bunch of other pro's and oh yeah leaving Vancouver for the dessert while it dropped 40mm of rain or something crazy like that.

Sometimes the tradeshow and Vegas at this time of the year is 'A-OK'. Stay posted for a view of the movie Lifecycles- we didn't make it with all our work but it is rumored to be amazing.

All in all a trip to the dessert should happen at least once a year if you can and if you are a bike-dork like me get to Interbike at least once in your life!

Bikes forever

Dre