Video: The Staycation - A Vancouver Island Adventure

Sep 11, 2013
by Rocky Mountain  
The Staycation: A Vancouver Island Adventure

by RockyMountainBicycles
Views: 46,780    Faves: 388    Comments: 22


Rocky Mountain's athletes enjoy traveling all over the world to ride their bikes in unique, beautiful locations. Everywhere they go—from the backcountry of Argentina to the Great Wall of China and countless places in between—they hear people share their dreams of one day riding on our home turf in British Columbia. That’s why this year Thomas Vanderham, Brett Tippie, Geoff Gulevich, Wade Simmons, and Andreas Hestler decided to reinvigorate their love for home by exploring Vancouver Island, just a short ferry ride from our North Vancouver headquarters.

Fun times x 4. Hestler Vanderham Tippie and Gully.
The mystery of where TV gets his pop is still not solved. For this hit he basically popped off a blade of grass.
Victoria s Hartland trail system in full effect.
Just a short ferry ride from our North Vancouver headquarters, our trip began on the gorgeous singletrack around Victoria and Sooke.

Gully getting in a quick lap in Tofino.
I wish I could post a photo of one of the Rocky crew slashing waves but unfortunately they didn t look as good as this un-named local. Cox Bay Tofino BC.
Just because you re injured and can t ride doesn t mean you can t hang. Wade Simmons Tofino BC.
Wade Simmons Thomas Vanderham Geoff Gullevich and Brett Tippie...Team Rocky Mountain 2013. Cox Bay Tofino BC.
Then it was off to Tofino to meet Wade Simmons for some surf. Though Wade was nursing an injured wrist and couldn't ride, the laid back culture of Tofino was awesome for relaxing around a blazing campfire.

Andreas Hestler comes up to check the views at Mt. Tzouhalem BC.
Insert photo quote here
With the last light photo and video session over it was a mad dash to make it out before dark.
Winding our way up Vancouver Island, we had a great time sampling some of Duncan’s best trails before getting lost on Mount Tzouhalem and descending the wrong side of the mountain by full moon.

Cumberland s trail crews have made good use of the numerous clearcuts that keep popping up all over the place. Forestry is still king in BC.
This trail was such a blast Sorry couldn t help it Oh you need a magazine clip that holds a dozen rounds Is that in case the deer starts shooting back
Gully blowing up this corner in Cumberland.
Andreas I got a pair of deuces. Whatchu got Margus Two queens and a Tippie. Andreas I fold.
We found incredible riding in Cumberland, a small, idyllic town that has amazing mountain bike culture. Protip: The Waverly is awesome.

Approaching Alert Bay.
The shrubbery enshrouding parts of Alert Bay are so thick you could cut a trail through it. Hestler playing peek-a-boo I see you.
Getting down to business in Port McNeill. Mid-ride snacks...fresh prawns and a whole lotta weirdness.
We concluded our trip in Port McNeill and Alert Bay, at the north end of Vancouver Island. Between the quirky trail networks brimming with potential, the beauty of the many First Nations artifacts, and the fresh seafood we feasted on around a fire with a group of great local riders, the North Island was easily the most unique area of the trip.

Hestler and Gully scanning the seawall for Killer Whales.
Fancy a mid-ride hammock session No problem in Alert Bay.
Fueled by too much coffee in the mornings and too many beers in the evenings, this was a great trip and one that certainly helped reconnect us all to our roots. There's no question that we'll be back to continue exploring the island’s rich trail networks and connect with the many amazing people we met along the way. Love the Ride!

———

Check out Margus Riga's Photo Epics from this trip: Part 1, and Part 2.

Visit bikes.com to see the 2014 Rocky Mountain lineup.
Say hi on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram.

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61 Comments
  • 27 0
 Why did all my riding buddies have to knock up their girlfriends...?
  • 4 0
 BWAHAHAHAHA!!
  • 4 1
 Same thing happened to me a while back, now all anyone wants to do is group rides around town with their little baby trailers.
  • 16 1
 Tippie always makes me smile. Dude is infectious! Looks like a dream trip, never ridden the island. Hopefully sooner than later.
  • 11 0
 Dream trip! Sick trails, surf ,BBQ and a good team!
  • 6 0
 I feel like every video Rocky Mountain produces is an epic. This one didn't disappoint.
  • 1 0
 "getting lost on Mount Tzouhalem and descending the wrong side of the mountain" Ha too funny, I ended up in a farmers field after my way down
  • 7 1
 THAT is how you sell bikes to those of us that can afford them.............as in older, more established but still fancilful
when caught up in seeing our heroes (peers too actually) living the dream! Good call Rocky........you might get us back
yet! Brilliant either way. Marcus
  • 12 2
 Tippie for president!
  • 32 1
 Ya cant have em - he is going to be our next prime minister
  • 2 0
 Tippie belongs to the Shore
  • 3 0
 Hey, he can't be worse than Harper! Harper always looks like he has some evil plan he's not telling us.
  • 8 0
 hahhaha Great pic with shotgun shells !
  • 9 1
 Brett Tippie is the man!!! Awesome photos and cool vid
  • 7 1
 Tippie seems like a great guy to hang with. Full energy!
  • 4 0
 it's video like this that make me want to buy a rocky mountain bike rocky mountain got a long term relation with rider
  • 3 0
 incredible riding in cumberland, plus an unexpected picture of the queen mother necking a pint
  • 3 0
 So cool to see a trail that you have worked on, in a video. #tzouhalemrocks
  • 2 0
 Tzhouhalem had so many great trails, thanks for getting your hands dirty!
  • 2 0
 Yeehaw, headed to cumberland this Saturday - it's really in my backyard (15 min drive). Best spot on the island. The Waverly is always a must after a ride
  • 5 1
 Tacos always make mountain bike videos 1000% better.
  • 4 0
 Damn poachers, pick up ya fuckin shotty shells man!
  • 5 0
 Heh... Pretty sure I know where that is taken in Cumberland. Don't worry, it is not poachers. Just young people heading up the logging road and relieving stress by shooting off rounds Smile They should pick up their trash though...
  • 3 0
 So I married a Canadian her Grandmother lives on Vancouver Island really need to get out there! And stay!
  • 2 0
 Just hope that your wife is included in her Grandma's will Wink
  • 2 0
 Brett Tippie. Y U NO CLEAN CLIMB??? I shouldn't be talking smack after watching him throw knives and darts like a boss tho.....
  • 2 0
 That's what mountain biking is all about. Good friends, fun times, awesome trail and beer Smile
  • 3 0
 Sooooooo many legends in mountain biking
  • 1 0
 Haha, highlights why Tofino is such a dangerous spot to surf...mals flying around out of control all over the shop. Looking forward to heading to the island this weekend!
  • 1 0
 Ugh....in Port Angeles right now staring at that island hating myself for not bringing my bike with me...no time this trip but next year I'll make the pilgrimage.
  • 1 0
 God damn! I love MY Island! Good to see them up in my neck of the woods (P.Mac & Alert Bay). Great edit boys!
  • 2 0
 Awesome to see my home trails showcased here....awesome video!
  • 1 0
 If this was my back yard, I'd stay at home for the holidays too!
  • 1 0
 All time conditions at tzohalem, as always!
  • 1 0
 Right I want to move to BC
  • 1 0
 It really looks like the perfect life, Im moving too ahaha
  • 1 0
 leaving saturday 2 day in whistler the rest same as them.cheers
  • 1 0
 great trails & great movie
  • 1 0
 Ya! The wavery is a damn cool watering hole.
  • 1 0
 And that I am glad to say is my backyard, Island life is a secret no more!
  • 1 0
 Hey! Do you guys know if we Costa Ricans need a visa to go up to Canada? Because it looks amazing!!!
  • 1 0
 The weird part of being local is watching the edit. Top of the trail shot -> bottom of the trail shot -> unrelated obstacle shot -> other trail shot -> middle of first trail shot. Cool to see my own stomping grounds from a different perspective...
  • 2 0
 Bomdadics^

I hear ya, island life is the life to live!
  • 2 0
 Yes Costa Ricans need a Visa, unless you can get me about 100lbs of coffee beans, then I'll see what I can do!
  • 1 0
 Well, my family owns a very small coffee farm, for sure I can take some coffee with me. I think the Visa is a better idea, you know, just to avoid issues with the police.
  • 1 0
 Rocky Mountain high with the dream team.
  • 1 0
 That water looks COLD! Guess it's good for empty lineups though...
  • 1 0
 Helps to have shitty waves too. Keeps the people away...awesome
  • 1 0
 The island has fantastic riding and a great community with regular events. I'm heading to Cumberland this weekend!!! Stoked! I love it here too.
  • 1 0
 Geoff looks like Ben Afleck. Tipper never frowns.
  • 1 0
 goddammit i'm not even from BC but this made me homesick for the place.
  • 1 0
 geeeez can that margus dude take a picture eh?
  • 1 0
 All I wish is that I could ride in Canada...
  • 1 0
 i wouldnt want to stand behind him when he was throwing the knifes
  • 1 0
 Sooo many pod's right here! Looks like so much fun Smile
  • 1 0
 ONLY TIME TIPPIE HAS BEEN CAUGHT ON CAMERA NOT SMILING
  • 1 0
 AWESOMEEE !!!! ¿Que mas se quiere de la vida?
  • 1 0
 POD Central much!
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