It seems that we are riding further and faster every year, although it could just be that we can't remember what we have done due to lack of oxygen.
How can there be more up than down when you start and finish at the same point? Just that same problem, no memory, lack of oxygen. Climbing Monte Cristo road is always a favorite (NOT) and the reward is sweet single track followed by a loamy root infested trail along the Coyote swamp. Then comes more climbing as you pass old mine workings and crest out on the somewhat rocky decent to the KC Saddle. Remember when that decent seemed so hard on those hard tail 1.5 inch travel bikes. Oh yeah, memory, none of that on this ride, NO OXYGEN.
Off to the top of KC, NO camera, NO pictures, and NO OXYGEN. Down Pale Ale. This trail has been used alot since we rode it last. Too much skidding. Note to self, going to have to reroute some of this one day.
Top of Milky Way was smooth, sweet, and tasty just like it's name sake. Up the road to Green Door, Rogers, Cemetery and up though Happy Valley with thoughts of a cold one infiltrating the oxygen starved brain. How do riders in the Giro d' Italia or the Tour de France do this stuff for 20 out of 25 days. Finally a Canadian won one of those marathons. Congrats Ryder Hesjedal.
Maybe the victory put us in the mood to celebrate, or maybe the lack of oxygen, but celebrate we did. The people at the local libation outlet are going to think I have a problem. Maybe I need to take pictures next time.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
HW OFFSPRING: MIKE HOPKINS NEW WEB SITE
http://mike-hopkins.com/
Check out Mike's new web site. He is riding Norco Bikes these days and is highly involved with all his sponsors. Just finished a couple of gigs with North Face. The boy has got it happenin.
Check out Mike's new web site. He is riding Norco Bikes these days and is highly involved with all his sponsors. Just finished a couple of gigs with North Face. The boy has got it happenin.
Friday, May 25, 2012
HW TRAIL RIDE: TAMARAC_DRAKE'S with VIDEO
Haven't had the camera out due to inclement weather, but I got tired of waiting for the weather to shape up, so charged up the batteries and strapped it to my pack for this ride. Turns out Murray aka Murdog brought his Contour too. Let see if we can come up with a reasonable combination of photos, camera video, and Contour footage. The Contour will be on board with Murdog.
Tamarac is such a great piece of single track and the Drake's Connector and Drake's trail has been worked over so well that this is one of the prime rides in the area. I think the video will say it all.
Tamarac is such a great piece of single track and the Drake's Connector and Drake's trail has been worked over so well that this is one of the prime rides in the area. I think the video will say it all.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
HW TRAIL RIDE: RED TOP IN THE RAIN
This weather is certainly keeping the dust down, but not the Holy Wow Gang. Eight riders braved the cold and rain (including Brent Watkinson, welcome back Brent) and ventured up the Red Top Trail. Sorry no pictures yet. I had plans to bring the camera on this ride but the distant rumbles and the liquid falling from the sky led me to believe that this was going to be a really wet ride.
We do have a rule about leaving for a ride when it is raining. You don't leave if it is raining. So, we mulled around waiting for it to stop. It stopped for maybe 30 seconds and off we went. Marginal violation of the rules but everyone was into a ride.
Up Moe's and cut back on Larry's, on to Miner's and we crested onto the gas line. Trail conditions were excellent. I was expecting a lot more mud but it was not the case. The KCTS has done a fantastic job on this and most other routes in the area.
Continue up the Red Top road to Dale's Trail and then down we go. The Red Top Trail is such a gem. Great flow. Some slippery corners and roots just to keep you on top of it, but super fun. Red Mt road always comes way too soon. We took a detour over to Red Mt. to check out the collapsed wall. WOW that's going to be a tough one to fix.
Cold, wet and smiling we arrived @TheShop and partook in some refreshments. Not often the boys ask for warm beer. Pretty much sums up the ride. Cold, wet but still worth a libation.
We do have a rule about leaving for a ride when it is raining. You don't leave if it is raining. So, we mulled around waiting for it to stop. It stopped for maybe 30 seconds and off we went. Marginal violation of the rules but everyone was into a ride.
Up Moe's and cut back on Larry's, on to Miner's and we crested onto the gas line. Trail conditions were excellent. I was expecting a lot more mud but it was not the case. The KCTS has done a fantastic job on this and most other routes in the area.
Continue up the Red Top road to Dale's Trail and then down we go. The Red Top Trail is such a gem. Great flow. Some slippery corners and roots just to keep you on top of it, but super fun. Red Mt road always comes way too soon. We took a detour over to Red Mt. to check out the collapsed wall. WOW that's going to be a tough one to fix.
Cold, wet and smiling we arrived @TheShop and partook in some refreshments. Not often the boys ask for warm beer. Pretty much sums up the ride. Cold, wet but still worth a libation.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
HW VINTAGE GOPRO VIDEO FROM HOLY WOW 4
Was going through some old VHS movies the other day and I came across a recording of the fourth Holy Wow outing from 1995 or 1996. Check out the clothing, the hair, the equipment and the riding style. Most of all check out the on board video. Remember there was nothing like a GOPRO or a CONTOUR at that time.
The whole thing is quite entertaining but the sound track is hilarious. To think that most of that gang is still riding together after 20 years. We are going on an outing again this year. Enjoy.
The whole thing is quite entertaining but the sound track is hilarious. To think that most of that gang is still riding together after 20 years. We are going on an outing again this year. Enjoy.
Friday, May 18, 2012
HW TRAIL RIDE: TAMARAC TO WARFIELD
Thursday night May 17 saw 8 Holy Wowers climbing the infamous Malde Creek Road to the Tamarac trail head. Tamarac was BEAUTIFUL. The corners are starting to berm naturally and the trail surface is quite perfect. It did not take long to arrive at the Drake's intersection. Now, how are getting to Warfield? Very elementary dear Watson.
We rode the Drake's connector and then cut right on the road and rode the old route(and I mean old, many of the riders had never been on this route) back to Malde Creek Road. From this point you could ride the Rail Grade back towards town, but considering our constant efforts to get in shape, we stayed on the pavement and rode uphill towards town.
Back at Norm's, and focused on the truck parked in Warfield, we zipped through Normie's field and zig zagged our way down the Trail Creek (Louis Joe) to the Golf Course and UP the Old Golf Course Road to the top of Bones.
At this point the light was waning and our speeds were rising (thoughts of cold bevies) as we buried Bones and rolled the Wagon Road to the parking lot at Warfield Community Hall.
First time for this sequence of trails. Really good fun. Lots of flow. Note to self, DO THIS AGAIN.
COMMENT: We had two Hopkins with us. No not Mike. Where in the world is Michael Hopkins? It was great to have Joseph Hopkins join us. Of course Norm was there sporting a NEW NORCO SIGHT. Sweet bike. Norco has really stepped up the game. Joseph was riding a Norco too. NEW NORCO RANGE, a little more free ride than the SIGHT but very nice for our type of riding. Joseph could really make that bike dance.
We rode the Drake's connector and then cut right on the road and rode the old route(and I mean old, many of the riders had never been on this route) back to Malde Creek Road. From this point you could ride the Rail Grade back towards town, but considering our constant efforts to get in shape, we stayed on the pavement and rode uphill towards town.
Back at Norm's, and focused on the truck parked in Warfield, we zipped through Normie's field and zig zagged our way down the Trail Creek (Louis Joe) to the Golf Course and UP the Old Golf Course Road to the top of Bones.
At this point the light was waning and our speeds were rising (thoughts of cold bevies) as we buried Bones and rolled the Wagon Road to the parking lot at Warfield Community Hall.
First time for this sequence of trails. Really good fun. Lots of flow. Note to self, DO THIS AGAIN.
COMMENT: We had two Hopkins with us. No not Mike. Where in the world is Michael Hopkins? It was great to have Joseph Hopkins join us. Of course Norm was there sporting a NEW NORCO SIGHT. Sweet bike. Norco has really stepped up the game. Joseph was riding a Norco too. NEW NORCO RANGE, a little more free ride than the SIGHT but very nice for our type of riding. Joseph could really make that bike dance.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
HW SO YOU NEED TO GET IN SHAPE RIDE
The trail choice is still a little limited but it is improving by the day. With that said, the gang usually like to ride some of the XC type trails that we do not ride regularly during the year. This usually turns into a training ride. Tuesday night's ride was exactly that, a workout. How can there be more uphill than downhill?
We started in lower Rossland for a change and rode the Louis Joe trail down to the golf course. This is such a great addition to the trail system. Such a gem. The switch backs close to the club house are a blast. So much fun that we rode past the turn off to the Rubberhead (our intended route) just to be able to swoop through the turns at the bottom. Now turn around and ride back up to the Rubberhead.
The Rubberhead is one of the vintage bike trails that has been around forever. It was the go to trail in the 90s when many of the Holy Wow Gang first started riding. It is still a very cool piece of single track which skirts the golf course. When they built the golf course, they made a good effort to preserve this trail and it paid off. Nice ride but hey it has uphills on it. Did you say training ride.
From Rubberhead we took the Railgrade back to Malde Creek Road and then CLIMBED up the old road to the top of Dukabor Draw and headed back UP towards Drake's. Still some patches of snow but we did our best to bust them up so they should be gone soon. Probably nearly melted from all the heat the ten of us were generating.
Drake's is UPHILL in this direction. Who's idea was this anyway? WOW finally at the top of this ride and the next reward(no not cold beer yet), just really swicked single track dropping back down towards the Lion's Campground. FUN.
Guess what UPHILL to get to @TheShop where there really is cold beer waiting. In the end nobody complained about the ride. It was an excellent spring workout and it will make the rest of the season better because we will be in just a "little" better shape. Time for a car drop on Thursday.
We started in lower Rossland for a change and rode the Louis Joe trail down to the golf course. This is such a great addition to the trail system. Such a gem. The switch backs close to the club house are a blast. So much fun that we rode past the turn off to the Rubberhead (our intended route) just to be able to swoop through the turns at the bottom. Now turn around and ride back up to the Rubberhead.
The Rubberhead is one of the vintage bike trails that has been around forever. It was the go to trail in the 90s when many of the Holy Wow Gang first started riding. It is still a very cool piece of single track which skirts the golf course. When they built the golf course, they made a good effort to preserve this trail and it paid off. Nice ride but hey it has uphills on it. Did you say training ride.
From Rubberhead we took the Railgrade back to Malde Creek Road and then CLIMBED up the old road to the top of Dukabor Draw and headed back UP towards Drake's. Still some patches of snow but we did our best to bust them up so they should be gone soon. Probably nearly melted from all the heat the ten of us were generating.
Drake's is UPHILL in this direction. Who's idea was this anyway? WOW finally at the top of this ride and the next reward(no not cold beer yet), just really swicked single track dropping back down towards the Lion's Campground. FUN.
Guess what UPHILL to get to @TheShop where there really is cold beer waiting. In the end nobody complained about the ride. It was an excellent spring workout and it will make the rest of the season better because we will be in just a "little" better shape. Time for a car drop on Thursday.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
HW TRAIL RIDE: PALE ALE- MILKY WAY
It finally feels like the season has started. A dozen riders showed up for the Tuesday night ride. The boys are slowly crawling out of their winter cocoons and kicking the Moab moths out of their bikes. For the biggest turn out of the new riding season, we decided to ride Pale Ale.
Now Pale Ale is actually a Holy Wow creation, so it is always interesting for us to ride it after the snow, and take stock of improvements or maintenance needed. The trail surface is always smoother after the snow melts and Pale Ale was no exception. Smooth and tacky with no evidence of skidding and sliding. It would be really nice if all riders of Pale Ale made it their goal to descend without skidding. IT CAN BE DONE!!
The trail needs some re-routing and root extraction which we will get to in the near future, but all in all Pale Ale lived up to its name, cool, smooth, refreshing and perfect after taste. A perfect kick start to what is bound to be a great riding season.
The flowing stream of riders headed down Milky Way and enjoyed the banked turns and scoots through the trees. Props again to the KCTS, for keeping us in great single track. Not meaning to be greedy, but banked turns all the way down the field to the left would be awesome.
Said goodbye to Kim at this point. His seat came unglued from his seat post and he was worried that he was going to get a hemeroidectmy before he needed one. Sent him back to get the beer and ice and prepare for his retirement celebration. Retirees have nothing but time on their hands anyway. CONGRATS ON YOUR RETIREMENT KIM, welcome to the world of busy.
Milky Way was it's usual beginning of the season sweet chocolatey self and there were grins all around. Once again the trail surface was perfect. NO BRAKE RUTS OR BUMPS! This trail can be ridden smoothly without heavy braking and skidding. Let's try and keep it that way all year.
What goes down must go up, so up Green Door we went with a stop at the Roger's view point and a traverse to Happy Valley through the Old Cemetery. Kim and Tracy put on a great spread at their place in celebration of Kim's retirement. This capped of a perfect evening. THANKS KIM AND TRACY.
Now Pale Ale is actually a Holy Wow creation, so it is always interesting for us to ride it after the snow, and take stock of improvements or maintenance needed. The trail surface is always smoother after the snow melts and Pale Ale was no exception. Smooth and tacky with no evidence of skidding and sliding. It would be really nice if all riders of Pale Ale made it their goal to descend without skidding. IT CAN BE DONE!!
The trail needs some re-routing and root extraction which we will get to in the near future, but all in all Pale Ale lived up to its name, cool, smooth, refreshing and perfect after taste. A perfect kick start to what is bound to be a great riding season.
The flowing stream of riders headed down Milky Way and enjoyed the banked turns and scoots through the trees. Props again to the KCTS, for keeping us in great single track. Not meaning to be greedy, but banked turns all the way down the field to the left would be awesome.
Said goodbye to Kim at this point. His seat came unglued from his seat post and he was worried that he was going to get a hemeroidectmy before he needed one. Sent him back to get the beer and ice and prepare for his retirement celebration. Retirees have nothing but time on their hands anyway. CONGRATS ON YOUR RETIREMENT KIM, welcome to the world of busy.
Milky Way was it's usual beginning of the season sweet chocolatey self and there were grins all around. Once again the trail surface was perfect. NO BRAKE RUTS OR BUMPS! This trail can be ridden smoothly without heavy braking and skidding. Let's try and keep it that way all year.
What goes down must go up, so up Green Door we went with a stop at the Roger's view point and a traverse to Happy Valley through the Old Cemetery. Kim and Tracy put on a great spread at their place in celebration of Kim's retirement. This capped of a perfect evening. THANKS KIM AND TRACY.
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