Bush Pilot Biking 2008 Wrap Up

Jan 12, 2009

2008 in review with Bush Pilot Biking!

You know, I could ramble on for hours about how magical it all was, but instead I think I'll just post a whole bunch of rad pics for you to check out...

Enjoy!

And another one’s gone, another one’s gone…

A truly huge year over at Bush Pilot Biking, thanks to all the great folks that came out to visit and play. Our first full year in the Okanagan, a new daughter, and so much singletrack I wonder if I'll ever get to ride it all.

I'm just finishing the website these days, and getting a schedule together for next year. What with the 'interesting' state of the economy, we're offering up some weekend clinic style camps this spring in association with the local bike club (MTBco). Just working on details for the next month or so, but if you're interested in doing a women's only clinic with Barb Haley and some other rad girls, drop me a line. Likewise, there's been some interest from a few legends of freeride that are stoked on doing something similar for the guys. Sometime in May or June, maybe even late April.

You know what? It's the middle of winter. Instead of a bunch of hype, how about I just drop a ton of pics to drool over? You'll get the point better that way, and it's more enjoyable for all...

This is my year. These are the pics that stood out for whatever reason. Oh, and a video too. Enjoy, and I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

Our first ride was New Year’s Day with the folks that were here from the new bike club in the area.


That club got formed in the dark of winter and has become the behemoth that is the MTBco. Good things are happening on the club scene. It's amazing to be a part of such a motivated group. The trails are in good hands up here.

March was spent in the Chilcotin assisting Radical Films with wrangling the talent. Who knew the Canadian North could be so good for riding in winter?


It was so good, we had to return in April with the Knolly gang for a repeat...


...with a little side stop in Pemberton to keep it real.
Well, there was also a little visit to the Shore. It's a bit of a commute to me now, but the Shore will always be home turf.


May brought on the season with a vengeance bent on making up for long and cold winter. The snow stayed late, but it all melted when Noel tried to cross a creek.


An amazing month of riding with all out pals, like Radek,

[PI=2803982 size=m align=c]Crazy chick, doesn’t she know she’s pregnant?[/PI]

Turns out May was just the appetizer. Things really got going in June. Brits, bears, and non-stop action turned June into one big blur of mountain bike mayhem. Well, that and the 22 staples in my shin. Oops.


July: High Summer. This is when it all happens.











Things get really blurry now. As Barb was due in late July, I didn’t book any tours for that period. Well, late July came and went, and then so did a good portion of August. I had another tour coming, but still no baby.

Junior showed up on August 16th, and in the middle of a great trip. I actually got the call while on the trail with the tour. Massive thanks to Super T for coming through to guide. Between tours, beach events, and babies, August was supreme.


After a short rest, the season changed from Summer to ….. EPIC. Epictember is always a favorite for a reason.


October slowed down just enough for Barb to get back on the bike, so we returned to the Chilcotin for another visit with the whole family. There were plenty of adventures all month, as it stayed quite dry this year.


You’d think the season was over by November, but no….this one was busy.

Still lots of rain forest refugees coming up to dry out, and we got thirsty ourselves and went to the coast to re-hydrate.


Also had to have some quality time with the club. Chainsaws are awesome.


Well, Christmas came and left, so I guess it really is over. It’s currently about –18C outside, and there’s close to a foot of snow in the yard. I’ll be hitting the ski hill for the next little while, but to keep you amused here’s the highlight video from the past year.

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Thanks to Noel at Knolly, Tyler and everyone at SRAM, Wyld Willy and Spectrum, all the guys down at Bean Around the World, Tyax Air, Danika, Super T, and of course my girls:


For next year, we've got lots more goodness planned with the resurrection of the Wade Simmons' Freeride Experience as well as new stuff with Brett Tippie, some clinics just for the ladies, and all manners of madness. Stay tuned to Bush Pilot Biking for more ....

-smoke.pinkbike.com