After a year or so of not riding the Oasis Trail due to logging activities, we decided it was time to give it a go again. The plan was to ride up the highway to Larch Trail, ride Larch to Monte Cola to Neptune Creek Road down to six kilometers and pick up the Oasis Trail from that point.
The ride up the highway was fairly painless even though we got passed by numerous trucks and cars packing bikes. We even got accused, by a road biker, of never riding uphill. He bathed us with the comment as we waited at the view point for the last of the gang to arrive. Guess he didn't notice the perspiration on our jerseys.
Off to the Larch Trail and Monte Cola. Now, my camera got lost in the house for a few days, so this blog has been without digital images for a long while, but I found it and brought it with me on this ride. I am going to stop writing and let the sights and sounds of the ride complete the post.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
HW TRAIL RIDE: THE TOUR CAME TO HOLY WOW
Eighteen riders showed up to form the peloton for the first Tour de Red bike crawl. The turn out was fantastic for a ride that promised to be lots of up and down and no car drop at the end. Way to go guys.
The evening was hot and a bit muggy, as we lined up for the start of the crawl. Sitting on the cool lawn was the favourite warm up routine. Talk of skipping right to the cold ones filled the air. But, true to form the Holy Wow Gang answered the starters pistol and the ride was on.
The peloton stretched out as it meandered along Mo's and worked it's way onto Larry's. The yellow jersey was somewhere in the middle of the pack and using his domestiques to keep him cool. There was a small breakaway on Miner's but they decided to wait for the peloton because they did not know which way to go.
After a regroup, we headed up the gas line and on to the gas metering station where the route turned downward for a little scoot. This took us back to Larry's and the speeds picked up and some air was taken. Many of the riders had not ridden Larry's in this manner before and others waxed nostalgically of the old days, when we rode Larry's a lot (still learning to ride) on hard tails and rigid bikes.
Up the back road to Red and onto Oflanagan's Connector to the Centennial Trail and the Rock Cut. The peloton was quite content to just enjoy the country side. The yellow jersey got a little antsy and dropped off the highway into some gravel and did a bit of a swan dive into the bush, but true to the Tour etiquette we did not take advantage of a riders misfortune, so we waited for him to get back up and continue.
On to the deserted subdivision and through to the Coffee Run, spirits were high in anticipation of the time trial that this part of the route would provide. Coffee Run is another Old School ride that is technically quite challenging. The first part is quite over grown and then it settles into some entertaining roots, rocks, and some testy little ups and downs. Got to keep your speed up or endos are a real possibility. We had one rider go down and rearrange his face a little. He looks better now. The peloton waited for him to catch up.
The stage coming up was new to all the riders. We were going to ride up Milky Way to the landing below the saddle. Actually not a bad ride, we'll have to do it again some time. Up to the saddle of KC. The peloton is beginning to bunch up in preparation for the sprint to the beer-I mean finish.
Arriving at the summit, the king of the mountains got confused and climbed to the top of KC even though that was not a part of the route. What a climbing machine? We did not wait for him. Somehow we knew he would find his way to the refreshments-I mean finish.
Seats down and away we go for the last descent including a hard left turn at the bottom part of Snake. Riders took the Mobis strip, the Teeter Tauter, and the final jump as we rolled on to the Centennial Trail and headed to the finish line.
There were Green, Blue and Red and White jerseys -I mean- cans of recovery fluid for everyone. The Tour was complete. A resounding success. Where is that yellow jersey?
The evening was hot and a bit muggy, as we lined up for the start of the crawl. Sitting on the cool lawn was the favourite warm up routine. Talk of skipping right to the cold ones filled the air. But, true to form the Holy Wow Gang answered the starters pistol and the ride was on.
The peloton stretched out as it meandered along Mo's and worked it's way onto Larry's. The yellow jersey was somewhere in the middle of the pack and using his domestiques to keep him cool. There was a small breakaway on Miner's but they decided to wait for the peloton because they did not know which way to go.
After a regroup, we headed up the gas line and on to the gas metering station where the route turned downward for a little scoot. This took us back to Larry's and the speeds picked up and some air was taken. Many of the riders had not ridden Larry's in this manner before and others waxed nostalgically of the old days, when we rode Larry's a lot (still learning to ride) on hard tails and rigid bikes.
Up the back road to Red and onto Oflanagan's Connector to the Centennial Trail and the Rock Cut. The peloton was quite content to just enjoy the country side. The yellow jersey got a little antsy and dropped off the highway into some gravel and did a bit of a swan dive into the bush, but true to the Tour etiquette we did not take advantage of a riders misfortune, so we waited for him to get back up and continue.
On to the deserted subdivision and through to the Coffee Run, spirits were high in anticipation of the time trial that this part of the route would provide. Coffee Run is another Old School ride that is technically quite challenging. The first part is quite over grown and then it settles into some entertaining roots, rocks, and some testy little ups and downs. Got to keep your speed up or endos are a real possibility. We had one rider go down and rearrange his face a little. He looks better now. The peloton waited for him to catch up.
The stage coming up was new to all the riders. We were going to ride up Milky Way to the landing below the saddle. Actually not a bad ride, we'll have to do it again some time. Up to the saddle of KC. The peloton is beginning to bunch up in preparation for the sprint to the beer-I mean finish.
Arriving at the summit, the king of the mountains got confused and climbed to the top of KC even though that was not a part of the route. What a climbing machine? We did not wait for him. Somehow we knew he would find his way to the refreshments-I mean finish.
Seats down and away we go for the last descent including a hard left turn at the bottom part of Snake. Riders took the Mobis strip, the Teeter Tauter, and the final jump as we rolled on to the Centennial Trail and headed to the finish line.
There were Green, Blue and Red and White jerseys -I mean- cans of recovery fluid for everyone. The Tour was complete. A resounding success. Where is that yellow jersey?
Monday, July 9, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
HW TRAIL RIDE: THURSDAYS HAVE IT
Thursday nights have been THE night for good riding this spring. While it always seemed to pour on Tuesday, Thursday has provided us with some very fine weather for rolling the fat tires. The double downhill was on Thursday and it was the best one in a long time. This past post Men's Night (Wednesday is men's night at the golf course) presented some of the warmest weather so far this year and prompted 11 riders to show up for the evenings festivities.
The carnival started with a climb up Malde Creek road. Now Malde is not a fun climb at the best of times, but when it is hot out (complaining already) it can be a real beast, especially when the road is already dusty and the car droppers are in abundance. Ahh stop the whining and pedal, and so the Holy Wow Gang paid the gravity gods as usual.
Life does have a way of rewarding after suffering. I think it is all about contrast. You don't realize how good you have it until you don't have it any more. When that head cold is gone you feel great. When that knee stops hurting (usually happen when you stop thinking about it) you are ecstatic. When the climb ends, any single track seems perfect. Well Tamarac Trail seemed perfect and not just because of the climb. It was better than the last time and perhaps the BEST it has ever been. Dry and tacky. It brought out the best in us. There was hooting and hollering and some tight formation riding around banked switch backs that presented themselves in a way that lured you into speed. HOLY WOW!!!
The plan was to link Tamarac to Dukabor Draw. Dukabor has been closed for a while due to some logging. We heard it was open again. It was indeed, so down we went. Top part was just as usual with a little more mud and water than in the past, but mud and water seem to be the norm this year (where is Norm these days? Think he has been nursing a sore knee and also a very sick daughter Aimee. Our thoughts and prayers are with you buddy. Say hi to Aimee for us, hope she has a speedy recovery) Bottom part is a little bare but the track is still there. Didn't lose much, just the shade canopy that used to cover the road portion. Oh well, just be thankful that the land owner still let's us ride on the property.(it is private land you know)
Along the road to King George Park and the shuttle vehicles. On the way Crash and Stewy had a sudden impact while attempting to jump a puddle. Crash came away with road rash and Stew managed to avoid the ground. Poor Crash.
Refreshments at the shop were as good as usual and Thurday was another GREAT DAY.
The carnival started with a climb up Malde Creek road. Now Malde is not a fun climb at the best of times, but when it is hot out (complaining already) it can be a real beast, especially when the road is already dusty and the car droppers are in abundance. Ahh stop the whining and pedal, and so the Holy Wow Gang paid the gravity gods as usual.
Life does have a way of rewarding after suffering. I think it is all about contrast. You don't realize how good you have it until you don't have it any more. When that head cold is gone you feel great. When that knee stops hurting (usually happen when you stop thinking about it) you are ecstatic. When the climb ends, any single track seems perfect. Well Tamarac Trail seemed perfect and not just because of the climb. It was better than the last time and perhaps the BEST it has ever been. Dry and tacky. It brought out the best in us. There was hooting and hollering and some tight formation riding around banked switch backs that presented themselves in a way that lured you into speed. HOLY WOW!!!
The plan was to link Tamarac to Dukabor Draw. Dukabor has been closed for a while due to some logging. We heard it was open again. It was indeed, so down we went. Top part was just as usual with a little more mud and water than in the past, but mud and water seem to be the norm this year (where is Norm these days? Think he has been nursing a sore knee and also a very sick daughter Aimee. Our thoughts and prayers are with you buddy. Say hi to Aimee for us, hope she has a speedy recovery) Bottom part is a little bare but the track is still there. Didn't lose much, just the shade canopy that used to cover the road portion. Oh well, just be thankful that the land owner still let's us ride on the property.(it is private land you know)
Along the road to King George Park and the shuttle vehicles. On the way Crash and Stewy had a sudden impact while attempting to jump a puddle. Crash came away with road rash and Stew managed to avoid the ground. Poor Crash.
Refreshments at the shop were as good as usual and Thurday was another GREAT DAY.
Friday, July 6, 2012
HW TRAIL RIDE: REDLINE - MUDLINE
Tuesday evening, the gang headed out for a ride to explore the newer chunk of trail that was built on Red Mt last year. We call it Red Line, after the infamous A-Line in Whistler. I think it's real name is Joyride or something. I am sticking to Red Line.
The monsoon season continued Tuesday with a huge hail storm earlier in the day, but it cleared in the afternoon. Tuesday night ride was on. YEAH, we have cancelled way to many Tuesday night rides this spring. Let us go get wet from perspiration instead of condensation.
Decided to take the longer and hopefully drier way over to the Red Line Trail. Up Mo's to Larry's over to Miner's and up to Red Top intersection with Dale's Trail. Mud and water, mud and water, when is it going to dry up?
Headed down Red Top with the plan to turn off on the Old Red Mt Road and ride across the T-Bar to the top of the Old Silver Load lift. On the way we are reminded of the trails that were cut to service the lift riders, when Red ran the Old Silver Load for mountain biking. Too bad that they don't still do that. Based on all the gasoline being burned by the truck droppers around here there should be plenty of riders to make it profitable. Lift passes would be a lot cheaper than diesel. At least Sweetfield Shuttles is busy. Does anybody ride uphill anymore?
Enough ranting, and on to the top of Red Line. What a mud fest? The rain and hail has taken it's toll on Red Line. The dips between the features(table tops, lips, booters and berms) are like swamps. We had water and mud flying everywhere. Dirtiest ride of the year. Everyone looked like they had fallen on the same swamp that I did on SMD last Thursday. Still some good turns but the water has really turned this into MUD LINE. Hopefully when it dries up and is cleaned up it will ride like it used to.
Still smiling, we rode up to Curly's and finished off with some sweet single track and a quick rip to the shop for a wash and a beer. At least we got a Tuesday night ride even if it was on MUD LINE.
The monsoon season continued Tuesday with a huge hail storm earlier in the day, but it cleared in the afternoon. Tuesday night ride was on. YEAH, we have cancelled way to many Tuesday night rides this spring. Let us go get wet from perspiration instead of condensation.
Decided to take the longer and hopefully drier way over to the Red Line Trail. Up Mo's to Larry's over to Miner's and up to Red Top intersection with Dale's Trail. Mud and water, mud and water, when is it going to dry up?
Headed down Red Top with the plan to turn off on the Old Red Mt Road and ride across the T-Bar to the top of the Old Silver Load lift. On the way we are reminded of the trails that were cut to service the lift riders, when Red ran the Old Silver Load for mountain biking. Too bad that they don't still do that. Based on all the gasoline being burned by the truck droppers around here there should be plenty of riders to make it profitable. Lift passes would be a lot cheaper than diesel. At least Sweetfield Shuttles is busy. Does anybody ride uphill anymore?
Enough ranting, and on to the top of Red Line. What a mud fest? The rain and hail has taken it's toll on Red Line. The dips between the features(table tops, lips, booters and berms) are like swamps. We had water and mud flying everywhere. Dirtiest ride of the year. Everyone looked like they had fallen on the same swamp that I did on SMD last Thursday. Still some good turns but the water has really turned this into MUD LINE. Hopefully when it dries up and is cleaned up it will ride like it used to.
Still smiling, we rode up to Curly's and finished off with some sweet single track and a quick rip to the shop for a wash and a beer. At least we got a Tuesday night ride even if it was on MUD LINE.
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