Four Chilcotins in the Chilcotins

Sep 26, 2013 at 16:10
by Margus Riga  
bigquotesWe've done four already, but now we're steady... One, two, three, four - John Bonham

What happens when a bike company has named one of its bikes the same name as the place you are going riding at? Read on to find out, and join Garett Buehler, James Doerfling, Ryan Berrecloth, and Margus Riga as they take their Knolly Chilcotins for a three-day, floatplane-assisted rip through the Chilcotin mountains of British Columbia.

Lillooet pre-trip late-night antics with James Doerfling Garett Buehler Ryan Berrecloth and friends.
  Lillooet, BC. Pre-trip, late-night antics, with James Doerfling, Garett Buehler, Ryan Berrecloth, and friends.

The road from Lillooet to Tyaughton Lake has a bit of a rockfall issue. Flats are a common occurrence on this road. Buehler being Buehler while the rest of us try and contain ourselves and not try to make fun of yet another classic Buehler moment.
  The road from Lillooet to Tyaughton Lake has a bit of a rockfall issue. Flats are a common occurrence on this road. Buehler, being Buehler, while the rest of us try and contain ourselves and not make fun of yet another classic Buehler moment.

They re forming in a straight line - They re goin through a tight wind - The kids are losing their minds - Blitzkreig Bop - They re piling in the backseat - They re generation steam heat - Pulsating to the back seat - Blitzkreig Bop - Hey Ho Lets Go - Shoot em in the back now - What they want I don t know - They re all reved up and ready to go Joey Ramone

bigquotesThey're forming in a straight line. They're goin through a tight wind - The kids are losing their minds - Blitzkreig Bop. They're piling in the backseat - They're generation steam heat - Pulsating to the back seat. Blitzkreig Bop - Hey Ho Lets Go - Shoot em' in the back now - What they want, I don't know - They're all reved up and ready to go - Joey Ramone

Getting ready to land on Lorna Lake. The starting point for our three-day bike extravaganza.
  Getting ready to land on LornIa Lake. The starting point for our three-day bike extravaganza.

So long solace. With air support gone we were left alone to fend for ourselves. I believe at this point we were all thinking the same thing... What did I forget .
  So long solace. With air support gone, we were left alone to fend for ourselves. I believe at this point we were all thinking the same thing... "What did I forget?".

The two steps to getting across rivers in the Chilcotins. Step 1 Walk gingerly across sketchy bridge. Step 2 Don t fall in.
  There are two steps to getting across raging rivers in the Chilcotins. Step 1: Walk gingerly across sketchy bridge. Step 2: Don't fall in.

The path to glory is not an easy one. Ryan Berrecloth James Doerfling and Garett Buehler dealing with it.
  The path to glory is not an easy one. Ryan Berrecloth, James Doerfling, and Garett Buehler, dealing with it.

Doerfling s little jockey what I like to call our backpacks seemed a tad larger than the rest of ours. That didn t seem to slow him however.
  Doerfling's little jockey (what I like to call our backpacks), seemed a tad larger than the rest of ours. That didn't seem to slow him however.

Buehler and Doerfling making their way along Elbow Pass.
  Buehler and Doerfling, making their way along Elbow Pass.

What goes up...
  What goes up...

... must come down. Buehler Berrecloth and Doerfling navigating towards Tyoax pass.
  ... must come down. Buehler, Berrecloth, and Doerfling navigating towards Tyoax pass.

James Doerfling. Insignificance Chilcotin BC.
  James Doerfling. Insignificance, Chilcotin BC.

Doerfling Buehler and Berrecloth splitting the boundary between Big Creek Provincial Park and Spruce Lake Protected Area on their way down to Tyoax pass.
  Doerfling, Buehler, and Berrecloth splitting the boundary between Big Creek Provincial Park and Spruce Lake Protected Area, on their way down to Tyoax pass.

Lines as far as the eye could see. Ryan Berrecloth plays amongst the rock gardens that pepper our descent towards our camp spot for the next two nights.
  Lines as far as the eye could see. Ryan Berrecloth plays amongst the rock gardens that pepper the descent towards our camp spot for the next two nights.

Home sweet home. Doerfling stakes his claim.
  Home sweet home. Doerfling, stakes his claim.

Day one in the bag here s to two more days ahead.
  Day one in the bag, here's to two more days ahead.

Don t say epic. Oh please don t say epic.
  Don't say epic. Oh please, don't say epic.

DIY camp spot. Actually this spot has served riders well for many years. There s a fire pit hidden camp utensils and a clean flowing river right beside the camp.
  DIY camp spot. Actually, this spot has served riders well for many years. There's a fire pit, hidden camp utensils, and a clean flowing river right beside the camp.

Camp life.
  Camp life.

On day two we awoke to rainy skies and a long hike-a-bike to the top of the day s goal Mt. Davidson.
  On day two, we awoke to rainy skies and a long hike-a-bike to the top of the day's goal: Mount Davidson.

Doerfling doing his best to keep warm.
  Doerfling, doing his best to keep warm.

Buehler and Doerfling are used to hiking their bikes and it shows.
  Buehler and Doerfling are used to hiking their bikes, and it shows.

Ryan Berrecloth playing in the fields of the lord.
  Ryan Berrecloth, playing in the fields of the lord.

There s a storm a brewing. This is where things got rugged.
  There's a storm a brewing. This is where things got rugged.

Up in the alpine there s not much in the way of shelter. You do your best with what you got. In this case it was this mess of rocks.
  Up in the alpine, there's not much in the way of shelter. You do your best with what you've got. In this case it was this mess of rocks.

Pre-built alpine booted. Thank you very much Chilcotins. Doerfling steezing one out.
  Pre-built alpine booter. Thank you very much Chilcotins. Doerfling, steezing one out.

More insignificance.
  More insignificance.

The view from the top of Mount Davidson. Not so great.
  The view from the top of Mount Davidson. Not so great.

Diminishing weather conditions slowed our trudge up to the peak and in a big hurry got us off the peak... the same way we came up. Out here things can fall apart fast.
  Diminishing weather conditions slowed our trudge up to the peak considerably, and also forced us off the peak, back down the same way we came up. Out here, things can fall apart fast.

Trying to make the best of our retreat from the alpine we took the singletrack down from the bottom Mount Davidson all the way to Tayughton Creek and back up to our camp spot. One of the best pieces of trail in the area. Just don t tell anyone. Buehler demonstrating that not only can you hike the crap out of a Knolly Chilcotin but you can also ride the crap out of it.
  Trying to make the best of our retreat from the alpine, we took the singletrack down from the bottom of Mount Davidson all the way to Tayughton Creek, and back up to our camp spot. One of the best pieces of trail in the area. Just don't tell anyone. Buehler, demonstrating that not only can you hike the crap out of a Knolly Chilcotin, but you can also ride the crap out of it.

Epic actually refers to a long story. So inserting it here is not only played but totally incorrect. Screw it... epic.
  Epic actually refers to a long story. So inserting it here is not only played, but totally incorrect. Screw it... epic.

Buehler and Berrecloth working with what they got. And what they got is a lot.
  Buehler and Berrecloth, working with what they got. And what they got is a lot.

The three horsemen returning to camp.
  The three horsemen returning to camp.

Don t remember what was so funny but I m sure it was more Buehler antics.
  Don't remember what was so funny, but I'm sure it was more Buehler antics.

Remember when you were young and there was always that kid that stayed out playing longer than anyone else. His name is Garett Buehler.
  Remember when you were young and there was always that kid that stayed out playing longer than anyone else? His name is Garett Buehler.

Last light last night.
  Last light, last night.

Morning of day three speeding down from the camp spot to Tyaughton Creek...
  Morning of day three, speeding down from the camp spot to Tyaughton Creek...

then right back up to good ol Lorna Pass.
  ... then right back up to good 'ol Lorna Pass.

Buehler in full effect.
  Buehler, in full effect.

Just take this tablet and put it in your bottle...trust me. Ryan and James not trusting me.
  "Just take this tablet and put it in your bottle...trust me." Ryan and James not trusting me.

The piece of trail heading up to Lorna Pass is a work of nature s art.
  The piece of trail heading up to Lorna Pass is a work of nature's art.

More art.
  More art.

Dropping down the other side of Lorna Pass the terrain changes dramatically. Doerfling and Buehler leading it out.
  Dropping down the other side of Lorna Pass, the terrain changes dramatically. Doerfling and Buehler, leading it out.

Berrecloth trying his best to not have his backpack pull him off the trail.
  Berrecloth, trying his best to not have his backpack pull him off the trail.

Happiness is
  Happiness is:

What was a bitch to hike your bike up before was now a breeze to rail your bike down.
  What was a bitch to hike your bike up before, was now a breeze to rail your bike down.

Berrecloth Doerfling and Buehler reaching the sub alpine down from Lorna Pass.
  Berrecloth, Doerfling, and Buehler reaching the sub alpine, down from Lorna Pass.

Last bit of trail before reaching Lorna Lake to wait for our floatplane pickup back to reality.
  Last bit of trail before reaching Lorna Lake to wait for our floatplane pickup back to reality.

End of the road at Lorna Lake. Nice to have a float plane as the support vehicle.
  End of the road at Lorna Lake. Nice to have a float plane as the support vehicle.

Lorna Lake. Quite possibly the most majestic camp spot in BC.
  Lorna Lake. Quite possibly the most majestic camp spot in BC.

Coming in sideways onto Tyaughton Lake.
  Coming in sideways onto Tyaughton Lake.

Getting out of the floatplane at the end of a trip doesn t feel nearly as good as getting into the floatplane at the start of a trip.
  Getting out of the floatplane at the end of a trip doesn't feel nearly as good as getting into the floatplane at the start of a trip.

Cheers to another adventure in the bag.
  Cheers to another adventure in the bag.


Author Info:
Margus avatar

Member since Aug 4, 2009
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58 Comments
  • 120 0
 This right here is why I'm always checking pinkbike. Thanks again for taking us on your adventures!!
  • 8 0
 Love it. Multi day trips seem amazing. Definitely on the bucket list! Solid group of riders there as well!
  • 4 0
 Did they just quote Bonham? Time to get the Led out.....
  • 3 1
 @coreybender, u nailed it, you this stuff that crosses your mind a lot and you never know exactly what is it. But when someone says it than you are like yeaa that's it!! Right there, and yes this why i check out pinkbike.
  • 1 0
 Me too. This is the best photo bike series I've ever seen. I've marked lots of these pics as my favs. Gorgeous!
  • 2 1
 gad dammit, led zep. the ocean washed the mountains away.
  • 51 3
 Now THIS is mountain biking! Bike parks are cool and all, but this separates the men from the boys.
  • 23 0
 Thats some of the best bike photos I have ever seen. Great work!
  • 18 0
 Props to the photographer, some of these shots are just unreal and probably involved a good bit of hiking! Not to mention the photog doesn't get in on any of the photos... well done sir
  • 12 0
 Margus man! Four guys on the trip, three in the pics. Thanks Margus for taking the back seat and showing us how the other side lives. Amazing pics and hope you enjoyed it as much as the the other guys. Can't prop you enough.
  • 7 0
 Did a similar trip in early September. Started with a float drop in Lorna, then rode back to Tyaughton. 4 passes in 2 days. The night between we stayed at Spruce Lake camp, in army tents with a nice lady to cook us food and pack our lunches. Life changing experience and anyone who gets a kick out of this article needs to go check it out for themselves. Just make sure you have a good map and know how to read it. True adventure biking.
  • 7 0
 This is my idea of a vacation. The GF does not agree.
  • 9 1
 find one that rides
  • 5 0
 The most dangerous part of your trip was getting out of the Reynolds in Lillooet no doubt
  • 2 0
 Vic...
  • 2 0
 Even more respect for making it thru the food
  • 3 0
 I love stories like these. The word epic is thrown around a lot these days for insignificant stuff, but trips like this definitely deserve that label
  • 5 1
 As the owner of first gen cummins, to whom ever drives the one in the second pic, that thing is sicker than tits
  • 4 1
 Cummins turbo diesel. Climb errrthing
  • 1 0
 Yeah thats a good one
  • 2 0
 Margus Riga, your pictures are sensational! Of course always nice to see a photo report of Buehler and Doerfling and good to see Ryan on the trip this time. Excellent location, wish they had made a video of this as well.
  • 3 0
 So stoked to be able to say I had my own float plane adventure up around there this summer too! Beyond beautiful country!
  • 2 0
 Looks like the campsite at bottom of Little Paradise Creek Trail ! It's good to see free ride types actually mountain biking !
  • 3 1
 I will be doing this in New Zealand for about a month... if anybody is interested.
  • 1 0
 When are you coming and where? I may be keen for some big mountain riding.
  • 1 0
 I'll also be in Queenstown for 3 weeks starting in early November. SB75 in tow.
  • 1 0
 I'm at school at Canterbury right now. Using a Sinister Gruitr.
  • 3 0
 Buehler and Doerfling. Knolly all the way.
  • 1 0
 Love the knolly . especially the warden +chico Number 2 on my wish/shopping list this year. Get sum wider UK dealers and it might be number 1. Nothing up north :-(
  • 1 0
 Awesome and Classy Shots! and here I thought you would have ridden back from Lorna Lake in one day with those back packs! THAT would have been impressive!
  • 1 0
 Also just did a 3 day Chilcotin trip with my Chilcotin! This trip has better photos than mine did, though.
  • 2 0
 Great post fellas. Wish I was out doing something epic like that Smile
  • 2 0
 Yeah, and unlike the never ending things that get called 'epic' these days, this is what epic actually is!
  • 1 0
 Fantastic, wont say it, but did they feed off each other! Agree this is why I ride bikes!
  • 2 0
 Someday...maybe someday...sigh.
  • 1 0
 Wish there was a video.. But by far some if the best pictures I've seen on Pinkbike. Thank God I own this bike!
  • 3 0
 PODland
  • 1 0
 That's my idea of the perfect few days out on a bike. Really enjoyed reading that, and the pictures are fantastic.
  • 1 0
 i like article like this,thank's allot for all of you,and Mr. MARGUS you are the man Smile
  • 1 0
 make me fall in love with MTB all over again..Big Grin
  • 1 0
 What jackets are they wearing?
  • 1 0
 That Cummings belongs to James Doerfling.
  • 1 0
 Epic photos!! Wish I could have been there!
  • 1 0
 Felt like I was there, great photo journalism mate!
  • 3 3
 It's good that they've got such bright bikes, that way, if they get lost, they'll be easily spotted!
  • 1 0
 Ya but in usa, u want to be lost...from the rangers!
  • 2 0
 INSPIRATION
  • 2 1
 Nice pics, but is the high gamma look really necessary on every photo?
  • 1 0
 Incredible write up. bravo
  • 1 0
 Simply unreal! Best trip report of the year IMO!
  • 1 0
 beautifall , lindo , tres jolie , que bonito
  • 1 0
 am gonna favorite this twice
  • 1 0
 now i understand what is the real DNA of my knolly chilcotin!......
  • 1 0
 Such a great adventure to be had. I'll put that on eon my list to do!
  • 1 0
 Riga and the Knollyboys - best team
  • 1 0
 Epic
  • 1 3
 Awesome documentation. I love it. What I dont love is the look of the rear shock linkage. YUCK
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