Video: Riding Heinously Technical & Decrepit Skinnies on the North Shore

Dec 20, 2023 at 11:12
by Dave H  

From triple teeter-totters to skinny roller coasters, Vancouver's North Shore is chock-full of nightmarish creations that most people have absolutely no desire to ride. But for a select few, there is nothing more satisfying than cleaning a particularly janky piece of woodwork. The skinnier, the better.

photo


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Member since May 28, 2000
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58 Comments
  • 43 3
 I love this kind of stuff. I want more "downhill obstacle courses" that require balance and maneuvering.
  • 6 0
 I thought this style of riding was a thing of the past. Very cool to see.
  • 7 0
 You and me both :p
  • 1 10
flag Ignaciosc22 (Dec 24, 2023 at 12:57) (Below Threshold)
 imo it those resources that could go into an actual trail and it would be worth it. Makes no sense whatsoever to me , unless youre riding a trials bike or something...
  • 1 0
 @Ignaciosc22: do you even MTB bro?
  • 29 0
 Maybe having a trials background is better than a bmx background?
  • 9 7
 Imo having both would be ideal. Add road cycling too as background
  • 13 0
 Do every discipline you can to become a better mountain biker without actually riding your mountain bike.
  • 20 4
 I was the first who rode this feature again in summer 2022. This was unrideable for many many years.

My riding is about photos, check out my work from this spot:
www.instagram.com/p/Co6GoLDro2B/?igsh=ZzM0MXVtbzl2d29j
www.instagram.com/p/Co6IH7JLtHU/?igsh=NDRwYzVybXpoM2Qx
www.instagram.com/p/Co6JYOjLPkH/?igsh=MTJ4N244Y21mYnRodw=

Here is my video with some bad attempts.
www.instagram.com/reel/CpCD9pbvqYG/?igsh=MTc5cnNpYmtvY2o3eg=
  • 6 1
 Thanks for rebuilding it Lukas. Hiked by, saw the work, respect!
  • 4 0
 Thank you for rebuilding lines like this. My friends in UK refer to Shore features when they ride a skinny but its fun for me to know that the origin is with pieces of history like this one. Insane pieces of mtb art and builder dedication hidden away that must not be forgotten for their historical value. I haven't spotted this one before but I suspect it is on Cypress??
  • 1 0
 Nice work! Love the 7 shot lapse pic.
  • 14 0
 Mad props to these guys; great riders!
I have noticed that some of the classic built features on the NS and in Squamish are unrideable (for me) on my new bike, but still rideable on my 2005 hardtail due to the shorter wheelbase. (Yet these guys are still shredding it so I guess I can't just blame my bike)
  • 4 0
 New school bikes certainly make things more challenging. I rode that staircase twice: once on a small frame and again on a medium frame. On the medium, I had to nose pivot at the highest/most exposed part of the feature to make the corner because of the longer wheelbase. Not ideal!
  • 22 15
 Good reminder that I do not miss the days of elaborate woodwork and slow ponderous “trails.”
  • 12 0
 Reminds me that I was not nearly as good a rider overall in those days, but my balance and low-speed control were impeccable.
  • 29 3
 #MAKESKINNIESGREATAGAIN
  • 6 0
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: AMEN! Big Grin \m/
  • 9 0
 I was thinking just the opposite! Some of my fondest memories are ticking off wild stunts with a crew. I don't miss replacing derailleurs though lol.
  • 8 0
 Extra points if you're clipped in
  • 7 0
 Pretty impressive as always!
  • 2 0
 Love/hate relationship with the north shore. Every time I think my skills are improved and I am riding better than ever I see people riding these trails soooo much better than I do and my ego drops back to square one. Well done Dave and crew!
  • 1 0
 this is "somewhat" riding in my books. More like tricks and trials than "riding". So do not blame yourself, you just wouldn't cut for a circus but maybe pretty strong MTBer otherwise
  • 2 0
 If (like me) you enjoy this type of riding, check out the "Serenity and Adrenaline" trail that Stowe Trails Partnership built in 2022. At the start there are signs pointing to the left and right and both say "harder". The first half is all skinny boards with multiple possible paths. Then the trail turns down hill with big wooden whale tail, berms and small jumps before finally dropping down a big band of slick rock with 3 possible lines. Afterward, the descent down "Haulapalooza" is a glorious mix of flow berms and optional features (drops, skinnies, boulders) that connects you back to the Stowe Rec Path so access is super easy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu9ajH-CWvg
and
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6xSFqo5hNE
  • 2 0
 Those trails look sweet!
  • 4 0
 @dangerousdave Great video as always! I still appreciate a good NS skinny but you make them look too easy.
  • 1 0
 Thanks Jonathan! Hope all is well over on the island.
  • 4 0
 upper oil can is the only north shore trail I have ridden and it was incredibly fun. I hope to ride it again someday.
  • 8 0
 Did you just ride down the fire road after that or were you airlifted off?
  • 1 0
 About the only thing our old bikes had going for them compared to new were their short wheelbases to make those crazy step transitions easier.

Everything else: the v-brakes, rock hard tires, lousy forks, triple rings and long stems, I’m happy we’re moved on from.

Case in point: This 1999 Santa Cruz Chameleon of mine www.pinkbike.com/photo/23609279
  • 3 0
 Nothing like running a Black Spire Ring God, 60mm travel RockShox Indy XC and riser bar with cross brace
  • 4 0
 My hands are sweating just watching this.
  • 3 0
 Man, those guys, and I guess all the trials guys, have got some serious skills! That was some pretty awesome riding!
  • 4 0
 Yikes. Nice one Dave, that stuff is crazy
  • 3 1
 Looks awesome and challenging but once above about 3 feet from the ground I sign off.
  • 2 0
 Nice work. GMG must have been quite the trail at its peak

www.pinkbike.com/video/529083
  • 1 0
 I wasn’t around during it’s prime, but from the videos and old relics I’ve seen, it looked amazing
  • 1 0
 I avoided skinnies for the longest time mainly because I was terrible at them. After deciding that I wanted to become better at them, turns out they’re quite enjoyable .
  • 1 0
 Preach
  • 1 0
 I like the occasional skinnies. Scared of them, but boy is it a rush when you clean a section of skinnies on the north shore. What a rush
  • 2 0
 NOTHING is more epic than the old school North Shore features, including the pioneer riders and builders that made them...
  • 2 0
 Thanks folks that was compelling
  • 2 0
 I didn't realize hating super tech features was a thing for people.
  • 2 0
 @dangerousdave This video is better than the 500+ I watched this year !
  • 1 0
 @luckynugget you’re a tool.
  • 1 0
 Dangerous Dave continues to deliver the goods. Great rider to watch.
  • 4 5
 Most of these look immensely not fun. I dont miss high-risk skinnies at all.
  • 1 1
 Ridiculous tech features. Don't want to be clipped in riding these.
  • 1 0
 Dangerous Dave!!
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