A new season for the Bteam

We managed to make a few day trips to Invermere but the Easter Long weekend was the real kick off to the new season. It was strange because even though we were lucky enough to ride all the way to Christmas day last year it seemed like an eternity since our last road trip. Aaron (Cro-Mag) and I were glad to put and end to our winter induced plotting and scheming over what this year would hold for us and just get out and RIDE. . . .

(Robb writin')

We managed to make a few day trips to Invermere but the Easter Long weekend was the real kick off to the new season. It was strange because even though we were lucky enough to ride all the way to Christmas day last year it seemed like an eternity since our last road trip. Aaron (Cro-Mag) and I were glad to put and end to our winter induced plotting and scheming over what this year would hold for us and just get out and RIDE. Steve (The Cabbage) was happy to test out his new Balfa 2step DH and we were excited to see how our new 5th Element BB7’s would handle a weekend of air and rippin’ trails.

Giddy and a little sick from eating too many chocolate Easter eggs on the drive out, we pulled into Kamloops around noon on Friday. After dropping our gear off at my girlfriends parents house we suited up and headed up to Rose Hill. We were shocked to see more mountain bikers and shuttle trucks at the base than we have ever seen before! I am not sure whether the numbers are a result of the newly opened Bicycle Café at the base of Rose, or just a sign that our sport is finally gaining momentum and an indication of how many people have started riding big bikes.

Other than a little wind at the top of Rose, we were treated to a gorgeous sunny day. It took us a few runs to get the feel of the new bikes, but after our 3rd run the flowing trails and numerous hits on Rose lulled us back into our comfort zone and Aaron and I were confidently sessoning the Rose Hill road gap. This was a big deal for us because although we have hit this before, never on the first day of the first road trip of the year. This was also cool because it is an indication on how things have progressed in Kamloops. The road gap would prove to be a warm up for some of the new shit that the locals have been busy building. It was great to start the season off where we left off. Steve was thoroughly enjoying his new 2step DH and said it was the most fun he’s ever had on Rose. It was great to see him rippin trails again now that his leg is completely healed from last season’s catastrophy.

Aaron was feeling really good and decided to take a look at another road gap at the bottom of rose hill that we had been scooping since the year before, but never hit. Personally I though that one road-gap the first day was good enough but Aaron wanted more! After some careful wobble testing on the rickety ladder take off and a few run-ups later, Aaron hit it up and decided that once would be enough for today. After all it was still the first day.

Saturday morning we woke up and fought off all the old people to get a tasty breakfast at A&W and then headed up to Juniper for some dirt jumping. The step-ups were a blast and after sessioning some dirt jumps we headed over to a new road gap we had spotted the day before. It was a great looking gap that had very recently been finished and looked as if hadn’t seen a lot of traffic. It was a little different than the rose hill gap, it was taller but without as wide a gap. After inspecting the dirt kicker take off and (the not–so steep or long) tranny, Aaron and I discussed the speed necessary to dial the gap.

It was my job to hit it first because Aaron had took the plunge the day before with the ladder drop road gap. I pushed my bike up the hill and stopped a little bit above where it looked like the builders had built the starting point. After a little mental preparation I put my helmet on and took a few pedal strokes and then coasted in toward the take off. I have to admit that although I wasn’t questioning my ability to hit this, I did feel like shitting my pants.

(Cro-Mag writin')

Well it turns out that you needed a little more speed than Robb took. He cased her pretty good, but those shiny new bb7’s can take anything you can throw at them so he rode it out as best he could. I felt pretty sketched watching Robb come up short. I took a few runs at it but decided to leave it for another day.

We decided to head out of town to ride Harper that afternoon. The locals told us that the trails were still under snow but we figured it should be good to go. It was a good thing we didn’t listen, the trails were bone dry all the way to the top and even dusty in many spots. We rode a couple trails from the top and had a blast, not our favorite trails in Kamloops but great to mix it up with. After Harper we decided to check out Lolo Mountain. Unfortunately we could only get part way up the road because the snow hadn’t yet melted. We did manage to shuttle the bottom of the trail a couple times and had some fun on the old school stunts found near the bottom.

Sunday was the day of road gaps for Robb and I. We all started the day dirt jumping at Juniper once again and the Cabbage was getting in the groove. We sessioned the rhythms for a while and then decided to head back to the road gap that I had passed up earlier in the trip. This time I was ready! One run in and off I went. I can’t say I’ve ever soared that much. A really cool feeling.

Robb hit it up next and had some trouble dialing it in but was persistent in going after it. We played for a bit and then decided it was time to move on to some trails. Back to Rose Hill. It was our last day so we only had time for one run. Cabbage was rippin faster than I’ve ever seen him ride before. Was it the new bike or the fact his leg was in one piece? Who cares, he was hauling ass! We ripped down the trail and stopped at the good old road gap to play around a bit. Robb styled it out with a big moto whip while I just pulled some major dead sailor style. Cabbage got it in his head that he wanted to hit this thing this year and I plan on holding him to it next trip to the Loops. We ended the day on the gap at the bottom of the hill. Robb had turned it down earlier so it was his to hit first. It was windy, f*ckin windy! I was a bit nervous of him going for it but he spanked it.

I waited for the next wind window and hurled myself off it. I didn’t make it look smooth, nor did I care, I was happy to be alive and to have not blown away with the wind. We both laughed and decided not to tempt fate and call it a day. The roadtrip ended on a high note just as it should and all that was left was the long daunting drive back to good old AB.

All in all this was a warm up road trip, we took things slow and kept the antics to a minimum. We’re not sure what this season will bring for us. Hopefully we will all progress, hit up some bigger smoother gaps, ride some new trails and get some style. Maybe even learn some tricks! If nothing else I hope it will be a super fun antic filled year with good weather and hopefully no major injuries (knock on wood)! The Loops was a great way to start off the year and we’re looking forward to another trip later in the year.

Next stop……Nelson, may long!