Conquering the Bear

Another week has gone by and thus another biking trip. We decided to continue the 'Tour de Fraser Valley' and head to the Bear Mountain downhill coarse. The team consisted of my friend Jason Gregor and his cousin Jordan (last name unknown) We got a bit of a later start then our usual 10:00am time, after Jason quickly changed a flat on his bike we were off. We stopped off at Jason's grandma's house on the way to pick up the last member of the crew Jordan. The weather was once again in our favour with little to no rain, we even had the sun come out a bit.

We got to bear mountain at around 12:30 that day, grabbed our gear and started the climb up. The trail was just as we expected: muddy and wet. We stopped a couple times so Jason could perform some 'MacGyverest' trail maintenance, using sticks to cut a path for water to flow so some of the large mud puddles could drain. Jason also gave myself and Jordan and walk back in time explaining to us how the trail and the jumps had changed so much since he had last rode them. The overall state of the trail was good; steep and rocky mixed in with some roots and a nice creek running down the top portion of the trail. I was not too concerned as I had a secret weapon. New Avid Code brakes were equipped and ready to rock, this was the perfect test for them. As we continued up the trail we were greeted by a friendly golden lab that made it's presence known by giving a few quick barks. We also talked to a few hikers that decided to challenge the trail that day. After a friendly hello and Jason stating with confidence that yes he was going to conquer some of those jumps they had encountered on the way up. They seems quite surprised / impressed.

After we got to the top we had a quick snak break discussing the weather in Hawaii and Thiland. It was after 1:00pm by this time, we tossed on our gear and started the decent led by Jason. The top was undoubtedly the steepest part of the coarse, containing 2 main rock faces where the creek had carved out a nice groove and decided to flow through. We all blew down through this and continued down flying over the rocky sections toward the table top. At this point I was giving my breaks a good workout with the trail just lightly feathering them as I descended. The brakes surpassed all my expectations with silky smooth lever pulls and awesome stopping power. When I needed to stop I did not have to panic, a small squeeze was all that was required. It was like throwing out a boat anchor behind me. I could now start to perfect my skills and not second guess myself about stopping. We got down to the table stop and decided to 'session' for a bit, Jason was determined to clear it completely. After spending a good 30mins and after doing some fine tuning Jason was able to make his dreams reality clearing the table.

We started back down the mountain flying down over the mud puddles and rocks; Next stop main rock face / drop. We pulled up to the rock face determined to ride it, Jason was up first after a few calculations he mastered it dropping off the highest point. Well done Jason! Jordan was up next, he decided to right through the grooved section in the middle hitting the nice transition with no problem . I was last to go after taking a practice run picking my line I made the same choice as Jordan and go right down the middle. Keeping with the Team Extreme motto of "balls to the wall" I just went for it. I hit the transition perfectly but grabbed a little too much break causing me to take a trip to the ground. Well at least I know I could stop on a dime lol We finished our run back down to the parking lot covered in mud as could be expected. Another chapter in my biking saga concluded knowing that this is only the 1st of many to come. I can't wait.

Inaugral Woodlot Run

Like two Fireballs hurled out of the mouth of Mount Mesuvious.

It had been nearly a decade since either of us had ventured out on one of these two-wheeled contraptions -- Let alone hurling ourselves down a mountainside. Yet, somehow, encapsulated within this boyhood pastime was an energy long since forgotten.


About two months prior Jordan and I had gone on a ride through the now tame looking Hayward Lake Trail wondering what the future held for us, and now it had become apparent that Woodlot was thy name. What a magnificent mix of terrain. We arrived in the parking lot of the Woodlot around 9:30am, saddled up and started our 1 1/2 hike to the power-line clearing, not a soul to be seen until closer to the top of the trail.

Once we had taken our meal break we laced up our gear and heading down The Carpenter Trail first. I had no idea what was in-store for me, but I was sure thankful my lovely wife splurged on a set of shin guards for me earlier this week (A previous mishap had hampered my attempt to embrace the Woodlot -- Who knew bicycle gears could be so sharp?). Flowy terrain, some great single-track lines - a great way to warm up for our next mission: Tsuga.


You know the old saying "It's like riding a bike, you never forget"? Well, that's only half true. Yes I remembered how to peddle and turn the handle bars, and I could even navigate through, around and over some mild bumps and berms -- but I do not remember how to launch myself over steep embankments and 15' jumps (I don't remember dear ol' Dad covering that one with the training wheels) needless to say my first Trail was a gong show. By the time I had reached Tsuga I figured I had seen the worst of it and now I could focus on doing some log rides. I was wrong, dead wrong. At one point we rode through single track with a patch with larger rocks and roots, my balance gave way and before I knew it I was flying down onto a fallen tree. Thank goodness for my backpack breaking my fall. Now that the first fall of the day had happened, it was time for some fun.

We finished up Tsuga and headed down Snakes & Ladders next. En route we ran into a troop of full susser's with a lone hardtail ripping through and I heard the hardtailer shout

"I can't believe it! I'm not the only one out here on a hardtail!"

Yep -- you sir, were not. Snakes & Ladders is rippin' good time. Flows really well, some super fun single tracks and even a seesaw (No, we didn't attempt this time out).


Next up -- Quick Hit. Just like the name implies, its a pretty quick hit but its packed with some little kickers and gnarly drops and berms, which leads me into our last run of the day; Shotgun. We scooted through there like a hot knife through butter, by far the shortest trail of the day but my personal favourite.

A first for me, a multiple for Jordan, a must for anyone who hasn't yet partaken of the fruits of the Woodlot. Cheers to the builders of these fine trails -- You guys rock!