Lord of the Squirrels: Perhaps the Best Ride in Whistler?

Sep 5, 2017 at 6:44
by SCOTT Sports  


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!


Video: ShapeRideShoot


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MENTIONS: @SCOTT-Sports


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Member since May 29, 2013
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75 Comments
  • 65 0
 if you start the climb as fast as Kevin in the opening shot you’ll likely die and won’t make the top
  • 10 0
 True.
  • 7 0
 So true. 2 hour grind for normal folk.
  • 41 0
 Had to walk the rest of the trail to have that pace in those frames...
  • 5 1
 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.
  • 16 0
 That is one happy dog. Beautiful scenery also, but that dog made the video. Pretty sure mine would run through my spokes killing us both.
  • 4 4
 So flippin happy my trail dog doesn't bark. Couldn't stand this dog.
  • 6 0
 @zepper: Mine doesn't bark either but the bonus with his dog is it is a "bear bell".
  • 2 0
 can't be barking and chasing the bike like it's a car...trying to bite the front wheel....love dogs but this would suck.
  • 2 0
 @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
  • 6 0
 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!
  • 5 0
 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!
  • 8 1
 Well if you thought it was busy before, just wait until people see this.... Nice Edit though.
  • 1 0
 I'm on my way!
  • 5 0
 Every year I say I'm gonna pedal more. Trails like this can definitely help with the motivation factor. Another reason to buy a new bike.
  • 3 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 Noticed that. Smile 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.
  • 1 0
 I did the same thing, there wasn't a sign at the intersection yet.
  • 1 0
 A sign has been up at the fork for about a month. I believe budget issues is the reason the ascent/descent were combined for that stretch.
  • 1 0
 @davecheng: Same here!
  • 6 0
 Such a rad trail. Thanks for the hard work WORCA.
  • 5 0
 I rode the up the entire loop with our 12-year old this past weekend and it was just awesome. Thank you trail builders!
  • 2 0
 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
  • 4 0
 I regretted starting from Function... too steep too soon
  • 9 4
 Fun bike ride lisining to the dog bark and be anxious the whole time.
  • 3 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 Get ya an Aussie. Cheers from across town.
  • 3 0
 I hear the 2018 dogs come with boost spacing in the rear, can prob pick up this year's model for pretty cheap real soon!
  • 1 0
 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!
  • 5 1
 Perhaps the best ride in the World?
  • 2 0
 It's up there for sure. Loved it!
  • 4 1
 judging by the 400 people a day not using e-bikes to get up there I'd say it must be one of the best.
  • 3 5
 not even close, sorry but i found it kind of boring
  • 17 1
 @imho4ep: You're dead inside, bro.
  • 6 0
 @imho4ep: too easy on your e-bike?
  • 3 0
 @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.
  • 3 0
 @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.
  • 1 0
 @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!
  • 1 0
 @philshep: True, but that is what is there now and on Trailforks....unless you're a local, it's what people will follow.
  • 1 1
 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!
  • 2 0
 Make sure not to mention the 4,000ft of climbing in the first 5 miles....Worth every pedal.
  • 2 1
 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?
  • 1 0
 Was good. I posted to IG a couple of times.
  • 1 0
 Constant connection.
  • 2 0
 My eyes were fixated on the huge back pack... had to re-watch the vid to appreciate the trail.
  • 1 0
 Bwahahaha!! Same here. I was wIting for the sheer mass and momentum would take him off the bike. Definitely had the kitchen sink in it.
  • 4 0
 @DHaddict82: Splitting the camera gear with Gaetan, kitchen sink may have been lighter then a bunch of red bricks...
  • 1 0
 Too funny. Just did this today. Was insanely epic. The climb is a sucky suck suck but still good. And the down hill is awesome. Much better than TOTW.
  • 2 0
 Going there in two weeks! So stoked.
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 @RussellTinka: Fingers crossed. Thanks dude!
  • 1 0
 Speed of the dog makes human look slow. He should be chasing the dog, not the other way around.
  • 2 0
 Looks cool.
  • 2 0
 Great video!
  • 1 0
 How does it compare to SEVEN SUMMITS?
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 Can't stop riding LOTS.....so good
  • 1 0
 also, definitely one of the best trail names for sure.
  • 2 3
 That fu kin d o g is sweet. Looks like myne and prob cuts corners like myne. Fuggin dogs Hahahha. Awesome
  • 1 0
 Song made me sleepy
  • 1 0
 Clearly you spent to much time in cya later lounge bud. Sick video, sick riding and a sick roost hunting pooch!
  • 1 1
 Don't hurt me but....The vid makes it look standard trail centre fair.
  • 3 0
 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!
  • 1 0
 Imagine 10 trail centre climbs stacked on top of each other.
  • 1 0
 Love riding with my dog.
  • 3 6
 The last section shown is riding down the climbing trail. Fail!
  • 2 1
 Out through the in door. Dog is also off-leash and jibs nicely.
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