Bear checks out new van

We were sitting in our NCCP coaching course classroom today when we spotted an inquisitive bear heading over to check out our new ride!
The Bear in question was probably about 2 and recently left his mothers company to go off on his own life path.

Anyway, the little chap seemed to take quite a liking to the new Bear Back Biking van and seemed to try have a ride on it himself :)










Recently there have been a few incidents of unpleasant notes left on some shuttle vehicles and shockingly vandalism to vehicles at trail heads in nearby towns!
Lets hope its not a conspiricy by the bears against riders and he was just taking a look at the van and not peeing on our tires!

Test of Metal

The Test of Metal annual 67km mass start point to point XC race got underway on saturday at 11am with 810 starters in the pouring rain.
The Powerhouse Plunge was still the epic descent it always has been even considering the controversial logging that has been in processover the last months.


The course was wet, muddy and a little cold, but all riders and supporters in good spirits including the official Bear Back Biking chear squad bringing smiles to the faces of many of the days racers! (n.b. attempts were made to ensure no flashing of minors occured)



This years race was won again by Neal Kindree in a mind blowing 2:40, quite the superhuman effort from the local hero with his sister making 2nd spot for the elite women.

Improved results for both Bear Back Biking riders with improvements over last years race times - presuamably thanks to the 'added motivation' of reaching the next set of boobs around the course ;)

Rainy day - more trail work

After riding Ricks Roost to the Flank lookout to check on the snow situation up there and to see how our trail clearing work had faired over the snow packed winter, it was evident that with increased snow fall comes increased melt off.
The drainage ditch running down the side of the flank towards the top of the 27 switchbacks was in bad shape and choked with dead fall, leaves etc resulting in the trail being pretty much a river in its own right!

We headed back up on foot in the rain to set about restoring the previously dug drainage system to try and minimise the erosion due to the run off. Cutting branches on our way up before we started to clear out the ditches to let the water follow its proper course.
A few problem areas that need some significant trail/bridging work, but all said and done, a positive days work.

A Spark is born

Finally, all the bits arrived from the sponsors leaving the only job left to put everything together.
A big thanks to all our sponsors: Scott USA, Fox racing shox, RaceFace, Magura, DT Swiss and Kenda for their continued support with our business and also a big thanks to summit for helping us keep the cost down on the Shimano bits.

The bikes look great and definately looking forwards to putting them through their race paces getting them dirty!

Loonie #5

So, Loonie #5 (I think) was kindly hosted by our friends at Summit Sports and Dups Burritos.

It was brought back to the bike park for a good slog up Easy Does It, down angry pirate, up B-Line and then back down to the base of the mountain via Karate Monkey, Hochi Min, and lower B-Line to finish.

Good course and great food, although theres a lot to be said for ticketing the racers as there were 225 people signed in who paid their $2 entry, yet 290 burritos went and some 30 people went without!
A bit disapointing but testiment to the reputation of Loonie race apres and in particular the superb hospitality extended by Summit as always!