29 days of November - The Chambers' Chronicles

Dec 24, 2008

This fall has been a very unique experience for me. Normally I spend my fall and winter up in the Northwest Territories working in the exploration industry looking for diamonds. With the unfortunate market crash, there has been a shortage of work for me. So what do you do when that happens? Ride your bike everyday.

This fall has been incredible. Perfect weather, perfect conditions and all the time in the world. This November I rode my mountain bike 29 out of the 30 days, and it has been the most incredible month of my life.

Fortunately the weather has been more than perfect. This fall has felt like a second summer. It's nice not having any down time between seasons. When the snow comes...let it dump..until then "let's keep riding" was the motto. I found it quite entertaining that most people put their bikes away long before the trails shut down as the weather changes to winter. I have had so many conversations with people this fall about riding...because that is all I've been up to..why the hell did you put your bike away...there is no snow, just tacky trails..DUH!





So I spent the past month and a half hanging out with my unemployed friends lapping the crap out of the Kootenays. Here is a photo gallery of November, and a story of a standout day we had.




This standout day in the fine month of shred, was a trip to Rossland. It was an incredible day of riding...once we got going. One of my partners in crime is Pat Williams of dirt tours (www.dirttours.com). We were getting our drink on one evening with a few hombres, and Pat decides to make plans to go ride Rossland the next morning. Pat is talking shit..and slering a little, and we all agree that he has a great idea and we should go ride out of town tomorrow. So our plans are made, meet at Oso negro coffee shop at 7:30am to convoy out of town..Pat's idea. I'm pretty sure Pat kept er' going, after most of us shut er' down because of the early morning we are going to have. Well we all made it to Oso on time...but Pat was nowhere to be found. So I waited 15 minutes and then made the call...ring ring..no answer. A few minutes later my cell phone rings...ahhh PW.


I put my phone on the table and turned on the hands free speaker. "Hello"..."hey man what's going on?" Pat says.. "Not much Pat, what cha up to today?" The next part of the conversation was a little broken up with Pat mumbling his words and not really making sense. "where are you at?", "we are all at Oso waiting for you ya drunk bastard!" The 4 of us start laughing, along with a few people over hearing the conversation we are having. "For real...awawh! sorry dude...I thought we were going to meet later..I think?!" "Nope..get your ass down here..light is a burning!" .. "Ok man..I'll be down there soon..I have to take the dog for a dump first". Nearly one hour later, Pat show's up looking hurting and smelling like grandpa.




We load up the dodge, saddled up and started the foggy drive to Rossland, having a few good laughs along the way. The drive from Nelson to Rossland was almost all in fog. These where pretty unique conditions, so we were pretty ampt. Once we arrived in Rossland it was time to do some hot laps. There is a good network of trails that start in Rossland and end up in Warfield. We decided to take turns driving, saving us all loads of time and not to mention a second vehicle and all the extra fuel. The timing was perfect. Every lap the truck beat the riders by less than 5 minutes, so there was no down time on the bike. Finish the trail, load up the bikes and drive back to the top..repeat!







Once we lapped the crap out of Rossland (4 laps), it was time to feed the beast. After all we were all pretty hung over at that point. There is no better place to get a hearty, buttery, true Dukabhor meal other than Weezies Borscht hut in Castlegar...the perfect hangover food. This place is ridiculous. Sooo much butter on and in everything! We rolled in hungrier than a fat kid that missed a meal...and left fuller than a fat kid after a hot dog eating contest...look mom first prize!! It was delicious! Just check out the platter of food the five of us ordered.






After that ravenous feast the riding was not over yet. We made our way to the Slocan Valley, half way between Nelson and Rossland. Our next mission was to dominate a trail called Goose Creek. This is one of my favorite trails around this area, and hardly anyone rides it. It's mostly low angle rock slab. Lots of single track, fast and flowie, an all out good time.


There is one section of Goose Creek that is in a big open rocky area. All low angle moss covered rock, allowing you to pick and chose your line. You can have about 5 people riding next to each other doing the same thing, raw dogging lines like a free skier shredding a sick slope. It's a pretty unique section of trail..i love it!





With the unfortunate reality of fall riding, the sun is down by 4PM, limiting our Goose Creek shred time to a mere 3 laps...Awww is that all. I swear riding my bike is like crack to me. Once I have a taste, I just can't get enough. I guess I should be satisfied with 7 rides on a beautiful November day..but I would be lying to you if that were true...haha, give me more!

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There were many days this November that were spent just like this one. Great friends, great riding and no work. I truly am spoiled rotten. Now that the snow is here and the bike is finally put away, it's time to accept the harsh reality of not riding my bike for a few months..and possibly do some work. That shouldn't happen until sometime in February, so I'm heading to Mexico to surf until then. Thanks to everyone I met and rode with this summer and fall. It has been an incredible year, and I look forward to many more just like it!

Video of the final snow ride:

Here is a collection of pictures of my fall riding with some friends..Enjoy!














-Derek Chambers

Derek Chambers is proudly supported by:

Devinci Bikes-
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Troy Lee Designs Canada-
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