Video: A Canadian Adventure With the GBN Crew

Jan 7, 2015 at 10:28
by gbn-crew  
Views: 26,583    Faves: 216    Comments: 30


There is nothing more exciting in this world than making your dreams come true. First - you think about it constantly, next - you timidly start to realize that it`s possible, finally - you do it.

Whistler. Riding in this place has been our goal since the beginning of our bike adventure. I bet that every rider would love to visit those trails, ride in astonishing Canadian forests and feel the atmosphere of Crankworx. We managed to live it through. Let me tell you how it was.

The Journey

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
A trip to Canada with your own bike may be called a logistical challenge. The bike, spare parts, riding clothes and everyday ones, cameras and plenty of other stuff you need to pack in three suitcases. It`s not easy. Especially when a lady in the information office gives you the wrong weight limits. It`s even harder then. Luckily, we passed the `Argus` at the gate and flew away.

Greenland
Greenland from a bird`s-eye view. I`ve never wished to see this place. Such a lovely surprise.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Tired after the 10-hour flight, we hit the road. However, the next two hours in the car weren`t that exhausting. I will definitely remember the BC-99 road as one of my favourites.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
The freedom and joy given by a rented car is priceless. You've got the time to enjoy the views and listen to your favourite music played by great Canadian radio channels. Vancouver Rock 101 does the trick!

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
High mountains emerging straight up from the bays, the smell of the sea in the air and sunset. Pure magic. We're in Canada.

Nature

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
The most famous mountain in BC – Black Tusk. Majestic and one of a kind, it looks even more outstanding when seen with your own eyes.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
British Columbia is a place created for people who love spending their time actively. Bikes, canoes, ski resorts, sailing boats, climbing, mountain escapades, golf. Whatever comes to your head, you can find it here. There is no exaggeration that it is in face one of the most magical places to practice sport. In the distance of 100 km, there are sections where you can ride your bike in winter (North Vancouver) and the best winter freeride spots in the world - Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Could this be Paradise?

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Bears in Whistler are the showcase of this resort. The animals are not afraid of people and not only walk around the bike park but you can also find them in the suburbs of the city. One fellow told me a story in which a rider jumped over the bear crossing the track. I don`t find it extraordinary. They are everywhere!

Riding

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Downhilling like a boss.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
It`s hard to describe our delight riding the Whistler tracks. They were exactly how we imagined or even better. Just perfect. Prepared, sculpted, perfectly shaped, technical or flowing and various difficulty levels.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Tracks in the bike park are marked in two ways. First one is the difficulty level, here we have, starting from the easiest: green, blue, black diamond, double black diamond and pro tracks. The second mark describes the characteristic of the track. There are two marks F and T. T stands for technical, often narrow and steep. For comparison, typical polish downhill tracks, in Whistler would be marked as blue T. Tracks with letter F are those of which the bike park is famous for. Flowing, very wide and perfectly profiled tracks designed to give riders maximum fun. You won`t find such tracks anywhere else in the world. A-line and Dirt Merchant in a league of their own.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
There are more than 300 tracks in Whistler, 65 of which are located in the bike park. We managed to ride on about 60% of them. This mountain is a model of how bike parks should be built in other parts of the world.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
There are 3 tracks in the bike park marked as 'proline' . One of them is the famous 'Crabapple Hits', which are five jumps in order of a length from 10m to 18m (the last one). In the picture we see Marcel – a friend from Switzerland with whom, we spent 5 really amazing riding days.

Ollie whipping photo by Polak
You never ride alone in the bike park. There is always somebody who will willingly ride a few laps with you, share the impressions, show their lines or help with parts you have problem with. No matter if they are from Japan, USA, Mexico, Switzerland or New Zeland. You will definitely find common ground. You share the language – bike. There is no problem with riding with pro bikers you know from movies, all you need to do is ask. Unforgettable memories guaranteed. Their riding skills get beyond my understanding of reality – `but how? It's impossible - what?` Bikers we had pleasure to ride with include Brendog, Nico Vink, Dan Atherton, Kurt Sorge, Aaron Gwin and others.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
We had wonderful weather almost all the time. There was a small amount of rain one day, which turned out to be a blessing. That day we decided to go to the second, higher part of the mountain called Garbanzo Zone to ride in the mist. Amazing moments.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Every rider will find his favourite track in Whistler. Nikifor spent most of his time riding on Dirt Merchant and A-line. Polok also had great fun riding those tracks, but from time to time, he liked to hit some technical double black diamond like Schleyer.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
The golden hours in the evening were perfect to take some photos and ride without crowds on tracks or queues near the lift. We often mixed these two options.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
We can undoubtedly say that we`ve spent the most wonderful bike-days in our life in Whistler. Riding Dirt Merchant in a train with friends in dust at sunset – that`s how I will remember riding in Canada.

Chillout

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Starlit sky above Whistler.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Whistler is not only bike park. It's an Olympic town and resort, full of life. Bars, clubs, concerts – the best way to relax after the whole day of riding. If it's about food, we can recommend burgers at El Furniture Warehouse and Fat Tony`s pizza. Bike classics, the starving stomachs of riders all over the world can`t be wrong.

lost lake chillout
You may also lay down and sunbathe near one of the crystal-clear lakes. I think that was our favourite way to relax after another tiring riding day. However, not only ours. At the lake, you could meet many guys who were riding in the bike park with us, pro-riders, as well as regular people, not connected with the bike. Everybody was friendly and willing to talk.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Our apartment.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
From time to time, you just want to stay in your apartment, prepare a delicious dinner and drink a cold beer.

Crankworx

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
There is no bike event that could compete with Crankworx. All adjectives I can think of to describe it, are superlatives. I`m so glad that I could feel the atmosphere of Hecklers Rock and be part of the total madness that was happening there.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Waiting in queue next to competitors and freeriders, talking with them, finally watching contests like Whip Off or Red Bull Joy Ride. All of that gave us plenty of joy. It`s such a wonderful feeling to be in the center of the event, walk around with a MEDIA badge around your neck and camera in the hand. Not only to watch the report on pinkbike.

one of stylish riders
Guess who that is.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Travis Pastrana and his friends from Nitro Circus know how to have fun during the Whip Off.

Canadian adventure with GBN Crew
Andreu and his special trick.

The Accident

Heal up bro
Unfortunately our visit didn't end well. In the last day, the attempt to jump the legendary Crabapple Hits resulted in a terrible crash for one of us. As a consequence, Nikifor broke three cervical vertebras. Because of that, his visit in Canada was lengthened by four more weeks. Luckily he is back in Poland, working hard rehabilitating and getting back to health.

Nikifor made this movie during breaks between rehabilitation, using only his thumbs because of hand paralysis. He's had an opportunity to recall all amazing moments he spent in Whistler and thanks to that he has even bigger motivation to practice and get back on the bike.

Nikifor, we all wish you a quick recovery and hope to see you on the bike soon!

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Author Info:
gbn-crew avatar

Member since Aug 19, 2013
9 articles

67 Comments
  • 43 1
 Jak coś miało mnie ostatecznie przekonać do wyjazdu do Whistler na wakacje - to był to właśnie ten artykuł. Dzięki chłopaki - od teraz będę myślał tylko o tym wyjezdzie i o niczym innym, dopóki nie dojdzie do skutku /:
  • 72 1
 I have no idea what that means but i gave it props anyway hoping it meant something like sick riding wish i could do that get better soon mate
  • 15 1
 Thats' it. Beer
  • 23 1
 Titties at 2:11 hayoh!
  • 7 1
 thanks, went straight to 'em !!
  • 5 11
flag demo-dood (Jan 10, 2015 at 11:19) (Below Threshold)
 oh hell, those were more like a couple of little bee stings
  • 2 0
 TIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
  • 14 1
 This is hands down for me one of the best things I have seen on this website.
  • 7 1
 First of all, I hope your rehabilitation is moving on well and I wish you all the best healing vibes.
The Video was really awesome to watch! And you guys wrote an article that sums up perfectly what an epic experience Whistler is. I really enjoyed the time we had together there Smile I hope to see you guys as soon as possible again.
  • 4 0
 Yoooo I'm Pablo, the mexican! It sucks to know that Nikifor got injured! All my best wishes for his pront recovery. Whistler was by far one of the best trips of my life and met u guys was amazing. Got a sweet video and tons of cool pics. Lots of love from Mexico brothers!!!!
  • 3 0
 hey dude! thx for wishes, recovery will be pretty long but its gonna be ok. i hope to meet you guys again there, sometime. cheers!
  • 4 1
 Panowie świetny artykuł Smile Znając polskie realia to wykonaliście pewnie plan niemożliwy w podróży z rowerem Smile Zazdroszczę ale w pozytywnym znaczeniu Smile Mam nadzieję że i kiedyś mi się uda odwiedzić te rejony pozdro ! i zdrówka życzę
  • 4 1
 Nice article , reminds me how much fun it is to live here on the north shoreSmile
The writer missed we also have world whitewater here. Some of the most amazing paddling anywhere..
also roller blading, surfing and on and on.

"British Columbia is a place created for people who love spending their time actively. Bikes, canoes, ski resorts, sailing boats, climbing, mountain escapades, golf. Could this be Paradise? " YUP
  • 8 1
 Roller blading....lol
  • 2 0
 @kickstart
Yup rollerbblading there is 17km of seawall around stanley park, its scenic and a great work out..
  • 2 0
 I'm Australian, moved here almost a decade ago. Was very surprised to see so much roller blading... I guess it's the ice hockey influence (or an excuse thereof). Don't get away it in in many other countries, lol!
  • 1 0
 @ Jhowe001 is it banned?
  • 2 0
 i was gonna go to Whistler too but if they do rollerblades there hell no! jokes 6 months to go till my 4th visit :-)
  • 1 0
 Yeah, luckily when I was in BC we witnessed no rollerblading from Whistler back into Vancouver. Had we seen that I may have had to end my trip early.
  • 3 1
 Loved it! It's great seeing Whistler from the perspective of someone who doesn't live in BC. I'm ashamed to say, although I've only ridden Whistler twice in my life, that having Whistler in your back yard can almost be taken for granted, your video and article put that golden aura back in place. I'm rearing to get back up there now! Thanks guys for sharing your adventure, great job!
  • 4 0
 Definitely didn't case it @3:45...He must have gone 60 feet!!
  • 2 2
 Kinda cool watching it as it reminded me of the first time we ever went to whistler....had no Idea what to expect at all. Similar anticipation like Christmas eve, combined with the fear of sitting outside the principals office waiting to be disciplined.
  • 3 1
 WOW!!this adventure this photo and this story are superlatives.....!!this is the best article I have ever read on whistler..I hope to go there one day.... grandi ragazzi!
  • 3 1
 That movie made me smile from ear to ear, really captured the essence of mountain biking with a great song, Hope Nikifor makes a full recovery!
  • 2 0
 From the Whistler is many videos, but this is the best of last year! Very nice! I wish you a speedy recovery and much experiences on the bike!!! Thank you for this video!
  • 2 0
 Thanks for this amazing video, this is precisely the video i needed. nice vibes. and heal up soon guy with a hospital Leat brace. Again made my day
  • 3 1
 As a full time resident of whistler it's awesome to read an artical like this mid winter to remind yourself how good life is, summer or winter, but mainly summer!
  • 5 0
 BOOBIES!!!
  • 2 0
 Great article in general - I would contend one point however, in that there are other more famous mountains in bc than black tusk. Mt. Robson, perhaps?
  • 2 1
 great article,great shots,averything great guys -"Chciałbym być taki jak chłopcy z ferajny ,zajebisty film fajny " pozdro i wielka piona dla was.
  • 2 1
 Nice vid. That crabapple line is def a challenging one and I am sorry to hear about your accident. I wish a full recovery. Great video.
  • 3 0
 RED IS BADSmile props to guys knowing what's up Smile
Better Dead than Red!
  • 1 0
 proste Cool
  • 2 0
 Get well soon. I wish for a full recovery. Awesome video and article. Thanks for sharing... Smile
  • 2 0
 iv got my flights booked for four months in whistler this summer. never been before and its my dream trip. i cannot wait.
  • 3 1
 Nice story and video!
Get well soon! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 Magical trip! Great edit and get well!
  • 1 0
 Great photos and story, nothing beats Whistler during the Summer. Get well Nikifor.
  • 1 0
 Great Video and music selection! Hope everything goes Ok and you have a speedy recovery mate!
  • 3 1
 Oh that accident sucks. Hope you make a full recovery
  • 2 0
 I love these good times type videos! Thank you for visiting my home!
  • 2 0
 Living the dream.. Get well soon fella.
  • 1 0
 Nikifor I hope your rehab is going well and wish you a speedy and complete recuperation. Thanks guys for the awesome movie.
  • 3 2
 hahah Travis Pastrana at 1:55 Smile sick video too tho!!
  • 2 1
 Super edit!!! Really captures the feeling of your trip.
  • 5 5
 All electronic devices should be off during take off and landing...just sayin'
  • 3 1
 nope, they can be on flight mode.
  • 3 0
 Also that's a lie. If phones affected aircraft in any meaningful way, do you really think they'd trust you to turn them off?
  • 2 1
 This couldn't sum whistler up any better what an awesome video!!!!
  • 2 1
 Not sure I've ever read an article with more "stoke" in it. Great piece!
  • 1 0
 Get well soon!!
  • 1 1
 Im sooo jealous
  • 1 1
 heaven on earth
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