A few months back, I got an email from Pinkbike's Tyler Maine, asking me if I was busy a couple weeks down the road. As my eyes quickly scanned the message, I caught a glimpse of a word that would set any mountain biker into a fit of unadulterated joy: Retallack. Yet as my brain tried to get over the fact that I might be going to Retallack, my eyes continued to scan the message for more details about the trip. And that's when I read three words that told me I was going to make it for this trip, no matter what it took: Simmons. Tippie. Schley. I was being invited to Retallack's newest weekend offering, the Legends Trip. The only thing I really needed to write in my email reply was simple: "When do I leave??"
With the two van's loaded up, it was time to hit the lodge trails. One van was loaded with the guests and the Legends themselves. The other, filled with media from various parts, who aimed to help tell the story of this trip and the operation that is Retallack. As the two van's drove up the road, everyone shared stories to pass the time. Our van quickly drove past the other one, as the two groups started in different locations to keep us from running into each other on the trail. As we rolled passed them, both the guests and the Legends had huge smiles on their faces, in anticipation of the trail that lay ahead.
The two groups spent the morning riding the trials above the lodge, which includes one main trail that branches off into a couple of lower sections, including a Paddy Kaye/Joyride jump trail. To add to the legendary status of the weekend, Paddy Kaye himself was at the lodge, scoping and buidling some new trails that will be available next season. After a few laps on the lodge trails for each group, it was already lunch time and people were looking to refuel and rehydrate in the scorching September heat. And that is one of the perks to riding at a lodge like Retallack. All of the lodge trails end right in front of the building, so grabbing a quick bite or a drink is easy. Loading up the bikes takes a few minutes each time so there is plenty of time for socializing amongst the guests.
While Retallack continues to build trails (and it's brand), there aren't quite enough trails directly above the lodge to fill an entire weekend. Lucky for us that Retallack lodge is situated smack dab in the middle of the Kootenays, with loads of trails in the surrounding areas that are within the guiding tenure. One such trail, located high above the small Kootenay town of Kaslo, is named "The Monster'. Keeping with the legendary theme, this trail was built by Kootenay boy Sam Brown when he was only 14 or 15, a testament to his drive and passion for building, which would later lead him to build some of the most innovative trails and stunts in the area. This trail is long, steep and technical, everything you could ask for when riding amongst legends.
After getting picked up at the bottom of the trail, we all packed into the van again and headed back to the lodge for some much needed apres ride snacks and beverages. All the while, Brett, Wade and Richie regaled us with stories from the past, 3 friends reliving old tales while the rest of the group just listened to the freeride pioneers, counting ourselves lucky to be able to listen to these first hand accounts of mountain bike history.
When we got back to the lodge, the apres riding party was already in full swing. The trail crew had recently finished off the pump track/campfire area and there were beers and wings waiting around the fire pit. Everyone tried their hand at the pump track, working off a few more calories per lap, finally putting down the bikes and having a few beers or a plateful of wings. The culture and atmosphere surrounding the lodge is palpable, with everyone from the lodge manager, chefs, builders and owners, committed to giving guests the best experience possible. When everything is taken care of for you, from the first thing in the morning till late in the evening, and the only thing you need to focus on is the riding, you have an experience that is worth paying top dollar for.
After destroying all the appetizers, everyone headed back to the lodge to clean up and sit down for a wonderful meal prepared by Retallack's chefs. More stories, lots of laughs and great conversation was the name of the game. After dinner, people lounged by the fireplace, hit up the games room for some ping-pong or gathered by the bar for a game of world-famous Neglin. This game involves using the smaller end of a mining hammer, trying to smash a nail into a large round of wood, till only the head remains in sight. This is the basic explanation of the game, though the owners had a plan to explain the game more clearly. That would have to wait till the next night.
The next morning, we awoke early (after staying up late) to breakfast, coffee and the promise that today was going to be one of the best day's any of us had ever had on a bike. Shuttling to the top of a mountain with a van, only to drop into a great trail that takes you all the way to valley bottom, like we had done the previous day....that's pretty amazing. But today, we were going to do the same thing, only with a slightly nice shuttle vehicle....a helicopter! Driving into Nelson after breakfast, we arrived at the airport and began prepping ourselves for an amazing day. The plan: heli-drop the world famous Powerslave trail. Built mostly by legendary builder Riley Macintosh, this descent starts at the top of Toad Mtn. and descends through a network of trails all the way down to valley bottom, just outside the town of Nelson. Having previously ridden this trail, I talked up the descent to everyone as one of my all-time favourites. Great views, amazing forest, un-matched singletrack riding, this day was going to have it all.
While the logistics for all the guests were being taken care of by our guides, the rest of us had time to chat with each other, learning more about everyone's lives and making connections as a group. There were pictures being taken together, stories being told and of course, a bit of horsing around.
Check back later this week for the second instalment of this story and see how the rest of this amazing weekend turned out!www.retallack.com
After arriving late the night before, I awoke from my comfortable bed, went to the window and this is the first thing I saw. Breakfast at Retallack: coffee and pellet guns.
Safety meeting? Im in!
awesome bit of BC riding!