Everyone is talking about "Lord of the Squirrels." But just how good is it? Turns out, it's better than good. Enjoy a fun after work ride with Kevin Landry aboard his new Genius and his dog Indy!
Rode it twice last week. Full 6 hour loop with wife and friends, worth every stop. Then went back solo and completed entire ITM/LOTS loop just under 2 hours. If you only get one shot at it, take your time. But pinned is a blast also, if respectful of other riders.
@leem1212: Funny thing is that I was coming back from a hike this past weekend and I saw a dog doing EXACTLY that. That poor rider was just trying to stay on his bike. If a dog behaves like that, best you leave it at home or you'll end up with some serious medical (you and/or the dog) and bike repair bills
Fantastic trail, but the video does not do justice to the steepness of the climb. Was there 4 days ago and I saw more people pushing up the steep parts than actually riding (kudos to Duncan for riding the entire thing!). The dust was only a problem when catching or riding behind others. Signage at the exit was unclear, so I used the Trailforks suggested route via High Society. Another great trail, but it would be a bit of a nasty surprise for those that were expected something like a continuation of LOTS. Great work WORCA and Whistler!
I rode this a week ago and this video kinda makes light of this ride. The climb is tough, just the climbing trail Into the Mystic and the connector to Squirrels at the top is a two hour climb at best for the average guy, plus you have to climb to the climbing trail. If you stand and sprint like that then good luck even making it to the top. This, "Fun after work ride" is a solid 4 hour loop that is definitely fun but will make even the best climbers wonder when its going to be over, and it never is!
Took the wrong exit. Ha. You aren't supposed to come out where you enter. There's a left above that. It seems more obvious to exit the climb trail though so I think a sign is needed. The climb and descent trails are the same for a short distance. We are supposed to get rain in a few days. Last time I rode these trails we had rain but it was on thick dust so the bike was covered in a thick layer of wet dust. Very strange.
Noticed that. I did that the first time I rode it too. I didn't find it very intuitive to stay left at the fork. I think it needs better signage there.
rode it for the first time today ( not that fast mind ) but managed the whole loop from function j and back in 3.5 hrs was a really tough ascent but absolutely worth the toil , amazing descent in every way , tech , flow , and laughs , will be back for more when the smoke clears to enjoy the views
Great vid. trail looks dope! I'd have to get off at noon to ride 15 miles with a 6k' climb after work. I wanna trail dog. Keep searching Jenson USA but so far, no luck.
Pretty epic ride. Did it last week under blistering hot temperatures. Great views and a lake to refresh yourself is always a bonus! The descent is pretty good too. For all you Europeans a blue descent here will be more like a red in the UK with some black features. Piece of advice - leave some mental energy for the the blacks/double blacks at the bottom ... there is a high Gnar factor there!
@onemind123: no the climb nearly killed me, i'm just saying the downhill - LOTS was just ok, not worth the crushing climb, views were amazing, but the actual trail itself was a bit meh.
@imho4ep: Definitely some truth to that. I did it on a warm and perfectly sunny day, so the views were outstanding. The upper section was fun and extremely scenic. 5 stars for sure. I was getting a bit "OK, what's next" by the lower part. 3 stars. Doing High Society refreshed my outlook. 4 stars. It was only a first impression, so I'm curious as to what it will feel like on a 4th or 5th ride....or in the rain.
@mudrunner: I wouldn't use old school west-side trails to sway your rating. I'm sure WORCA has plans to route something more blue-ish down to the valley floor in the future. I agree if you're pretty beat after riding that loop, it's not a great idea to jump into Whistler blacks and double blacks!
1600meters is a sweet spot for epic rides when you thrive on endurance and dropping vertical on 2 wheels....this will my mission next time I am in the Whistler valley. Thx to all who do the incredible work in that area as it is an amazing place to ride. The fact it is built as a loop is big $$ and big fun factor for all that dissent it.....Iwannagopackthetrucknow!
How's the cell phone coverage along the trail as a safety if I planned to go alone? Or any time one can be alone on that trail or enough traffic for safety?
Hope for some rain before you go. Got back a week ago and the trails covered in 2 inches of the finest dust you can imagine. It still surpassed all expectations. Have fun man.
I'd say a bit better because it's not a point to point. You can loop it without a shuttle at the end or a long road climb to start like 7 Summits. But ultimately both are awesome. Having also done the alpine trails in Revelstoke I'd say this is the probably the best in alpine mountain bike trail in BC.
It's a machine built climb trail up to the tree line. Pretty common in BC when funding is available. The real joy for us is getting above the tree line. Very common in Colorado or the Alps but extremely rare here. The dh is a solid blue trail - really fun. If you still have energy at the bottom you can ride any number of blacks or doubles to get back to your car if you like. No hurt - try it and you'll love it!
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Great work WORCA and Whistler!
The descent is pretty good too. For all you Europeans a blue descent here will be more like a red in the UK with some black features.
Piece of advice - leave some mental energy for the the blacks/double blacks at the bottom ... there is a high Gnar factor there!
The upper section was fun and extremely scenic. 5 stars for sure. I was getting a bit "OK, what's next" by the lower part. 3 stars. Doing High Society refreshed my outlook. 4 stars.
It was only a first impression, so I'm curious as to what it will feel like on a 4th or 5th ride....or in the rain.