URT 2009 - Day 5&6: Sun Peaks - Whistler

Days 5-6, August 5th & 6th:

We woke up to clouds on our final day at Sun Peaks. It was a great relief because the bone-dry mountain was in need of some moisture. After another feed at 5-40’s the rain began to spit. Raincoats were grabbed and we headed to the lifts.

By the time we got to the chair if was raining with some authority. The air turned crisp and for the first time on the trip we had perfect and tacky conditions. I think everyone one was excited for the traction but even more rewarding was that we could now follow each other with out being completely dusted out.

Literally when it is dry and you’re tailing someone you can’t see the ground, which makes it tricky for some who have never ridden here before. Anyway another great day was had, a few more laps down Sugar and then we took on the steeper descents of Kaboom, Honey Drop and Hi-Octane.

We had to leave today but a forest fire blocked our route to Whistler. So instead we drove the long way around adding an extra 2 hours. This was ok for the crew as it gave them more time to create a party in the van. As for the driver, after a long day on the trails and a long 6 hours on the road it was bedtime. The crew continued the good times on the town when we arrived in Whistler.

When the sun rose the next day we were all excited about riding Whistler. I could see all the new found confidence was about to pay off big for the crew. Whistler has a way of testing a riders strengths and endurance. Shaums gave the crew a refresher on hitting jumps and drops and soon we took the lessons to the actual trails.

All the goods were hit up on the lower mountain and we even made it up for a Garbanzo lap. Time really does fly when your loving life. Before we knew it we were running late for an ATV adventure with Whistler Outdoor Adventures. They have new terrain up Cougar Mountain and it really was a lot of fun and much more challenging than the previous tours on Whistler Mountain.

They have a really classy operation there; Lindsey our guide is awesome and quite familiar with our antics so her tours always make for some extra fun. But, truth be told we were filthy after. If hasn’t rained in Whistler for weeks and our next stop was the amazing Edgewater Lodge restaurant located on Green Lake. The view from there is simply the best in Whistler.

So what were 6 dirt bags doing in a fine dining establishment like that? I don’t know but the food and ambience was stellar. That meal pretty much shut everyone down and all had an early night.

Highway rest stop with Andy.

Shaums coaching Nate on how to get some pop at slower speeds.

Andy takes some time to practice his drop in the ‘drop zone’ at Whistler.

Lets meet the riders… David form Cranbrooks

Andy worked for DT Swiss in Switzerland

Shaums – Shaums is the boss.

Luc – Luc builds homes for the wealthy in Switzerland.

Alex – was a late addition on the trip, he wanted to race in Whistler so we gave him a ride from Sun Peaks. He is going to be one to watch over the years.

Nate – makes clothes called ‘dedicated’ look it up online in the next few weeks. Some really nice designs.

Luc takes the steep exit of Blue Velvet.

Shaums rides a long messy rock on Captain Safety.

David (no comment)

The ATV’n was amazing, a great time of day for some backcountry riding.

Luc, Nate and I, all taking a picture.

Doing it in Style at the Edgewater.