[knollybikes.com]

So, as anyone who lives in Vancouver knows, this past weekend issued up some of the best riding in months. Most of the snow is gone off the trails, the dirt is damp and hard, and the wood is not its usual slippery mudfest self.

Yesterday, we hit a couple of laps up on Seymour Mountain followd by a climb up Mt. Fromme today.

Sorry the pictures are so bad - We had very limited light and the riding was so brilliant, I really didn't want to stop and shoot

Pictures:

1. Climbing is tricky, but an awesome work out for your balance! About 30-40% of the fireroad climb is covered in this compact snow turned to ice. Temperatures were just below freezing, but quite pleasant for climbing. Bryan ready to start todays ride!

2. All the riding pics are from this one stunt, known as the U-turn on Upper Oil Can trail. here's Derek starting out.

3. A close up of the strategically placed ice just to make things a little more interesting...

4. Rounding the U-turn. THis actually goes totally easily and almost any big bike can make the turn.

5. More strategically placed ice and a nice skinny.

 

[knollybikes.com]

The mountains at Twilight

We hit the well known Black Bear pub after the ride, where we met up with a bunch of other riders. The trails were busy: yesterday we probably saw 60 people on Seymour, if not more.

Here's a shot of Seymour Mountain just before sunset. Again, not great photography, but the light kind of gives an impression of the riding during the day.

Oh ya - I guess this qualifies as "riding on a moutain"

 

[MTBsSd]

sweet stuff... wish I had friends who would ride in the winter

 

[zachdank]

Riding in that weather does not look fun, but i would probably do it every day if i had no choice. I hate ice.
Way to throwitdown

 

[knollybikes.com]

Riding in that weather does not look fun, but i would probably do it every day if i had no choice. I hate ice.
Way to throwitdown

Actually, you wouldn't believe how good the trail conditions are. They are a bit icy at the top, but once you're down a bit, there's no ice and the dirt is super sticky. Unbelievable riding conditions for this time of year. Usually, it's dark, cloudy and pissing rain. The current trail conditions (little bits of ice aside) are rivaling the best summer / fall conditions.

Cheers!

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

looks like really good times...thanks for the pics

 

[pdirt]

Usually, it's dark, cloudy and pissing rain. Cheers!

Sounds like Eugene... right now... but it's freezing rain.

 

[kntr]

Can you usually ride the NS year around?

 

[sriracha]

Here's a shot of Seymour Mountain just before sunset. Again, not great photography, but the light kind of gives an impression of the riding during the day.

nice pics.
i like the shot of the tire on edge.

what kind of camera are you using?

 

[006_007]

Great. Now I am really bitter about bailing on you guys. Maybe next weekend. Nothing like a xmas ride...... ;-)

TJ

 

[FM]

I cleaned that U-turn for the first time in early november!

How are the slabs like big smooth & the ones on espresso- do they ever get icy?

Thanks for posting- Can't wait to get up there again.

 

[knollybikes.com]

Can you usually ride the NS year around?

Pretty much - yup. The only thing that stops us is serious amounts of snow. There is one mountain that can be ridden with tons of snow - Cypress - as it's steep enough not to get bogged down. What's crazy actually, is that in some cases, riding with the steeps covered in a foot or two of snow actually makes them easier! This is because the snow can act as an anchor and help to keep your speed under control. Of course, once a few dozen riders have slid down that steep section, then it has warmed up the next day, then frozen the next night, that nice fresh powder ends up being replaced by an ice coated luge track. THAT is not fun...

Sometimes certain trails are voluntarily closed though, due to errosion problems in the winter.

 

[knollybikes.com]

nice pics.
i like the shot of the tire on edge.

what kind of camera are you using?

Ya, light was seriously lacking. I have a Canon Power Shot Pro 1 which is overall pretty good. It's a bit dodgy in low light, and somewhat bulky for a "point and shoot", but overall it can take amazing sharp pictures with very little artifacts. The battery is brilliant and will last a long time when fully charged.

Cheers!

 

[knollybikes.com]

Great. Now I am really bitter about bailing on you guys. Maybe next weekend. Nothing like a xmas ride...... ;-)

TJ

Ya, get your back in order - the riding was epic today! We hit Pipeline and Skull after UOC. With the rebuild of Pipeline over the past year, it is the equivalent of a Ned's run on Fromme. Man, it is just soooo fast now!

Next weekend would be good. So might a tripple crown ride on New Years day...

 

[knollybikes.com]

I cleaned that U-turn for the first time in early november!

How are the slabs like big smooth & the ones on espresso- do they ever get icy?

Thanks for posting- Can't wait to get up there again.

They can be - we skipped a few ones early on that we weren't sure about, (like the last rock on UOC) because by the time you're on the second plank, you're going way to fast to stop and if you were to slide off, it would be an 8-10 foot fall to the ground. However, in general today, everything looked pretty good. Once we were done Upper Oil Can the next two trails were totally solid - no ice and pretty much below the snow line as well.

 

[Nick.]

sounds like fun to me. Snow rides are fun if not too cold.
Today's -1F start ... not so much fun.

I've wanted to ride up there for years now. Gotta make it happen in '06.

 

[namaSSte]

Actually, you wouldn't believe how good the trail conditions are. They are a bit icy at the top, but once you're down a bit, there's no ice and the dirt is super sticky. Unbelievable riding conditions for this time of year. Usually, it's dark, cloudy and pissing rain. The current trail conditions (little bits of ice aside) are rivaling the best summer / fall conditions.

Cheers!

Noel, I know its not the ice that gets you, its those pesky little 6" roots at the top of No Joke that do you in, right? Good to see you guys are still doing it out there desptie the winter. We are doing the same back here in Ohio. Dont forget to give me a buzz if you're back east. PM me if you lost the phone#.

Hope you have a great holiday bud!

Peace,
Scott

 

[Tarpon]

Looks like fun

Except for the cold weather. We rode UOC last year (or was it early this year?) in similar conditions. I really need to get back out on the bike, my last real ride was in late September .

If the weather is decent next week I'll see if Andy is up for a Shore run. I'll let you know if we head up there.

 

[CraigH]

I've wanted to ride up there for years now. Gotta make it happen in '06.

Ya, ya, ya...

We've been inviting you for years too!

 

[austinb89]

great pictures, good to hear the weather isnt keepign you from riding. what pedals are those in the pic syncros's?