Go Time!

So it's halfway through summer already and riding can't really get any better. It's been a while since my last post on here and some pretty cool things have happened. A couple more races under my belt and some trips that surprisingly enough, didn't involve biking.

First up - Gatorade BC Cup XC in Panorama, B.C. This event was not what I expected it was going to be. It was super fun, but the lack of people and poor course marking caused it to be something a little different. There was very high hopes for this race to be huge, maybe even seeing some pro's that make it in the magazines! But no such luck. It was the smallest event I have been to yet with a total of 28 riders. Maybe this was because it was the first year the BC Cup was held here? Maybe it was because the course was brand new and people did not know what to expect? Whatever it was, there is no other option but for next year to be bigger and better. With it being only a 2.5 hour drive to Panorama, it would be nice to see this event take off.

Panorama BC Cup

Panorama BC Cup, 2nd Place 

Whatever my opinion on the event itself, it was still a race and a lot of learning was taken from it. It's good to see events in my area and I hope more will follow. Results -> http://www.panoramaresort.com/sites/all/assets/images/content/summer/PDF/Gatorade_BC_Cup_XC_Results_-_Panorama.pdf

Another awesome event that happened was the up and down race in Nelson, B.C. This was put on by the riding club and it was good to see a race like this. One team member rode up the Mountain Station hill XC style, and the other member rode back down the hill DH style. This was an awesome bit of fun on a weekend and hope to see more like it!

Nelson Up and Down race. Nelson, B.C. Cool sight to see!

It's not like I needed a break from biking, but this next sweet adventure is certainly what summers should be about. I had the opportunity to go to one of the last remaining ski-able areas around here for it being this far into the summer. It was a long hike in (especially if you go the wrong way) to access a snow patch that is called the Ladies Leg. 

The Ladies Leg

Climbing the Ladies Leg

After 3 runs down the patch and a couple beer it was sufficient to say that a good day was had.

Lost Boys Lungbuster 2011! This is an event I was looking forward to for much of the season. Last year I bagged 3rd place and I really wanted to see what I could do this year knowing that I was a much stronger rider. The morning started out great. I was camping with a few friends in Fernie this weekend so the mood was good and I put on some tunes to start getting stoked. This was going to be an awesome day.

Lost Boys Lungbuster, Fernie, B.C.

I was able to keep a good pace the whole climb, staying in the lead position. On the last switchback the two competitors that had been right behind me the whole time started to inch past me. I could keep up for a bit but soon realized that they were the smarter riders by letting me set the pace for much of the climb and all they had to do was trail me. I tried with everything that I had to keep up with them but they were older riders with more experience. The pace got faster and faster as the finish grew closer. I was able to keep my pace but not speed up to theirs. At first I was a little chapped that I didn't hold on for first. But then I found out that I beat my time from the previous year by around 5 minutes and was stoked for that! Results>http://ferniesummer.skifernie.com/2011/07/lost-boys-lungbuster-results/

Lost Boys Lungbuster, Fernie, B.C. The final 3.

Lost Boys Lungbuster, Fernie, B.C. 

All in all the day was great and I learned even more about racing, this time - pace setting.
The rest of the weekend turned out great as I rode Fernie trails with some good friends.

Life is good when your on your bike!

Next adventure - unknown!
New bike arrival? - SOON!

Peace