Down the Rabbit Hole with Wade Simmons

May 27, 2014
by Danielle Baker  
Views: 28,038    Faves: 96    Comments: 17


There is always an element of the unknown in mountain biking and this race embraces that sense of adventure. The route I chose this year showcased everything that Fromme has to offer, from fast, manmade new school trails to old North Shore chunder - the kind of trails that I cut my teeth on. We rode the hell out of that mountain! - WADE SIMMONS


Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.
  There may not have been any puppies in this van, but the eery music and promise of adventure drew in 160 racers. "Step right up!"

We followed Wade down the rabbit hole for his Excellent Adventure again, en masse this time, and found ourselves surround by bright colored helmets, keytars, and an afro-clad Brett Tippie while creepy ice-cream truck music hung in the air. Surprisingly, now that the event is part of the Sea-to-Sky Enduro series, there was a severe lack of fanny-packs. The last time Wade had an excellent adventure was in 2012, and it was enduro before enduro was so enduro, with timed sections and casual connections. On Saturday he continued his theme of relaxed racing, fun riding, and lots of surprises. Once again, at the end of the day, he left 160 riders feeling like their buddy, Wade Simmons, had invited them out for the biggest, bro-est, chill-est, group ride ever.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Wade’s Excellent Adventure was exactly that – a fun day on the bike spent with some awesome people and some hard charged-up riding! The course was very much ‘Wade’ with unexpected aspects of an epic adventure – a la enduro – I had an awesome day shredding my mountain bike with ‘like minded’ individuals! - ANDREAS HESTLER

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

The atmosphere was awesome! All the stages were varied and long, I had a lot of fun riding the incredible handmade singletrack! Every time I finished a stage, even if I was tired, I wanted to do it again because it was just fantastic! - DEBORAH MOTSCH

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Racers took on 21 kilometers of North-Shore-flowy-which-is-not-actually-that-flowly singlerack on Fromme with a generous mix of new school smooth and old school awkward. Trails used included; Floppy Bunny, Roadside Attraction, Upper and Lower Griffen, King of the Shore, Leopard, Kirkford, Crinkum Crankum, Cedar Trail, Pile of Rocks, Expresso, Badden Powell, and Dreamweaver. This was not a race easily ridden blind, as dropping in to any of these sections will give you a drastically different experience, from slip ‘n slide to brick wall.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

I've never raced on the shore before and it was everything I thought it would be. Awkward! The theme of the day was 'go slow to go fast' You never knew what was coming up, whether it was a steep, drop-away corner or just a 4 foot wheelie-drop so you had to be on your game and ready for anything. We got to ride some of the old school trails as well as the new school ones so it was an awesome mix and made for a really interesting and fun race. Thanks to Wade for the rad day! - JESSE MELAMED

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

On Stage 3 racers went against the gun for a little “race within a race” action, vying for the fastest time through the Marzocchi sponsored speed trap. The official win went to Ken Perras who hit 62.3km/hour. There was a contentious and unofficial tie between Brett Tippie and Margus Riga who both hit 57.9km/hour. Although neither was registered in the event, they both chased the racers around the course all day. The prize, a Marzocchi fork, went to Andrew Vincent who took the median speed at 52.9 km/hour, proving once again that being average is awesome. On Liaison 5 racers popped out of the woods and were drawn up a paved climb toward the sound of creepy ice-cream truck music. At the top of the hill was a scene that your parents have probably warned you about, the Rocky Mountain sponsored ice-cream station where racers were lured in by adults hocking treats. Riders were rewarded for their efforts with fudgsicles, popsicles and other lactose-icles full of enough sugar to get them through the fifth and final stage of the race.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

I know what it takes for an event like this to run smoothly and I love being involved in our community, whether it is participating, or in this case, volunteering. Stage 3 had people pedaling a lot more than they were expecting, a typical ‘Wade surprise’, and I loved how happy and relieved all the racers were to see me, because it meant that they were finally at the end of it! - SUSAN SHELDON

Wade’s Excellent Adventure has evolved throughout the years, from a local ‘Ripper’ race to an industry challenge before taking a hiatus last year. Now legitimately enduro and a part of the Sea-to-Sky Enduro series, the event has never lost its grassroots vibe. From smiling and engaged volunteers to homemade pulled pork sandwiches, it has remained community driven from the core. This year the race raised $4500 for the North Shore Mountain Bike Association, money that will go back into the trails.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

I'm very competitive, but the enduro format with pizza and ice cream ‘nutrition’ breaks along the course really made it feel like you were just going for a nice big ride on the Shore rather than getting all nervous and feeling like you had to prove something! - LEANNE TOMPKINS

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.
  Bacon, pizza (thanks to the Raven Pub), pulled pork, and ice-cream - this event had top notch aid stations.

In every incarnation of the event the revered ‘Fromme Cup’ has been the sought after by racers wanting to attain immortality – or just bragging rights. The winner of each category from this year’s event will be added to the trophy. The top three in each category received medals engraved by North Shore Billet and first place in pro men and women received $250 each (prize money sponsored by MTB Trail Guide Books). Additionally racers received prizing from SRAM, Chromag, 100% Goggles, OneUp, Marx Conditioning, Suspension Werx, Suspension Therapy, Bell Helmets, Marzocchi, RaceFace, and Oakley.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

There was controversy over some misplaced, displaced, disappearing course marking on the fourth timed stage. The problem was quickly rectified and had no effect on the majority of the participants, however it came into play for the pro men field. Despite the grassroots vibe, the wig on Tippie’s head, and at least one volunteer playing keytar, there was some brief tension surrounding the resolution for the final results. Eventually, after some back and forth, some man love, and some well presented arguments, the fourth stage results were dropped from the overall for pro men only.

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.

It is such a great event for Rocky Mountain to be involved with. It is local, and directly supports our athlete, Wade Simmons, in his quest to bring a great event to the local mountains. - BRANDON CRICHTON, Brand Manager at Rocky Mountain Bicycles

Press images by Margus Riga from the 2014 Wade s Excellent Adventure.
  The liaisons are all about making new friends.

And as we finally found our way out of the rabbit hole and Wade’s magical spell started to wear off, we overheard someone saying, “it is called Wade’s Excellent ‘Adventure’ for a reason; it’s an ADVENTURE!”

I still haven't found the perfect event, my race is still evolving and will be a whole new adventure next year. - WADE SIMMONS



Pro Men
Jesse Melamed
Drew Pautler
Jamie Biluk

Pro Women
Amy Pryse-Phillips
Megan Rose
Isabelle Jacques

Masters Men (35+)
Lars Andrews
Aaron Lyons
Jason Bond

Masters Women (35+)
Aimee Dunn
Heather Schram
Tina Plumb

Open Men (under 35)
Kenneth Perras
Brett Grayson
Pat Foster

Open Women (under 35)
Deborah Motsch
Simmone Lyons
Leanne Tompkins

More results.

Author Info:
daniellebaker avatar

Member since May 10, 2007
235 articles

33 Comments
  • 33 0
 Love the idea of giving the fork to the most "average" rider. Really great idea more events could take on to reward the normal Joes who try just as hard as the pros!
  • 2 1
 Yeah, totally agree! I raced a small fun local race at carting hall this winter and while it was a great experience, the results were known before the start - bunch of pro BMXers were simply flying above the small track! Just like they are used to doing for years of pro carrier. Average Joe has no chances to beat pros.
  • 12 0
 Wade's World, Wade's World, Party Time, Excellent!
  • 10 0
 Hmmmm bacon Smile
  • 2 1
 Is that real bacon or halal turkey bacon? Just wondering... I think we've found a bacon cut within the common turkey here in England.
  • 12 0
 Dude this is Canada, of course that is real bacon.
  • 2 0
 turkey bacon? is that even real?

(/sarcasm)
  • 1 0
 They have Turkey bacon in some subways over here to keep the halal gang happy
  • 1 0
 Shirk-007.... I think half of Canada doesn't know real bacon. I'm glad you found the light. =)

www.nueskes.com/canadian-bacon.aspx#.U4ZV83Y-3Mc
  • 4 0
 If you American's would stop calling back bacon "Canadian bacon" it would sure help clear up the confusion.

Good old normal bacon is made from pork belly. It's what most people eat.

Back bacon is made from pork lion (usually smoked). Really it's just like smoked ham slices.

Peameal bacon (another Canadian style of bacon) is also made from lion but it soaked in a brine and rolled in cornmeal. Originated in Ontario, great as a sandwhich.
  • 2 0
 LOL! All in good fun, buddy. And I'm sure you meant loin, but I wouldn't be opposed to eating lion. =)

BTW, I love Canada (well, northwest for sure) and would move there in a heartbeat. Bacon notwithstanding.
  • 9 0
 Gooooo Tippie!!!!! Smile
  • 6 0
 One thing I don't get these days: What's the fun of hurting elbows and forearms? Why are elbow guards out of fashion? :-|
  • 1 0
 +1 - I ride coastal BC and I use my pads to keep me warm for a lot of the year...not just for protection. Wink
  • 6 0
 Those photos though! This is how all bike events should be! that was legendary!
  • 4 0
 Your video turned out great. Thanks for shooting it. I've got it up on the front page of our SeaToSkyEnduro.com website now. Brian
  • 1 1
 Spandex with a tatoo on your leg, very manly.
  • 4 0
 Great story and coverage for an awesome race - Margus' images are epic, Connor's vid is awesome and Danielle's story is great!
  • 2 0
 Love riding the Shore. Every time I go there it reminds me how smooth my home trails are, and it forces me to progress. A different style of riding AND I LOVE IT. Mad props to Wade for putting the race on and all the participating riders!
  • 3 0
 My stomach almost turned upside-down scrolling through the pictures first seeing the dude with bloody elbows followed by the detail shot of the bloody elb... then i realized its just bacon not a detail shot...
  • 1 0
 Tippie used the cliffshots as a microphone too perfectly! He's got experience with a mic for sure. And I love the list off between him and Wade! Those guys are pretty quick witted!
  • 1 0
 Oh man, that photography. Words fail me - Margus Riga, you sir are a genius. Such beautiful images!
  • 1 0
 This is why I love mountain biking!
  • 1 0
 Bunch of new wallpaper pics right there! Nice : )
  • 1 0
 Schley was missing, we could have the Fro riders again...
  • 2 0
 These guys are the reason I still "Freeride". I pedal up and hammer down! Just cause you call it something else doesn't change it. A selfie is just taking a "Picture of me"! Long live the FroRiders!
  • 1 0
 song?
  • 1 0
 Röyksopp & Robyn - Do It Again (Moullinex Remix)
  • 1 0
 Yea Drew!
  • 2 0
 Drew actually won if they didn't drop stage 4 because some of the pro's went the wrong way and complained about it not being properly taped off, how all the other riders figured it out was a complete mystery.
  • 3 0
 2/3rds of the other pros figured it out as well;-). But what can we do. A precedent was established in Pemby when they dropped a stage, so it's an easy argument for those that fought for it. The one that stood the most to gain was the most vocal obviously. But sh$t, it's racing....and it's suppose to be a 'fun' series. Maybe return the fun to the pro class by just dropping the pro class next year and run Open men:-)
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