2008 Ripper Super D Wrap
Was it Super?
Words by Dan Gronross. Photos by Danielle Baker unless noted.
Date: 2008-05-09
Guess what? It rained, it poured in fact! The entire night before the event it rained, petering off to a light drizzle in the morning.
James Wilson, the Grand Master questioning why Danielle Baker is standing in his spot. Photo Danielle Baker
The intrepid bunch of Rippers was unfazed as usual and arrived in a plethora of festive attire. Festive attire you ask? The whole point of the Ripper Events are to get out on the trails, Seymour Mountain in this case, and have a blast with a group of great people. Honestly, what is a Ripper without at least one man dressed as a woman? Or in this case, 4?!
Mother Nature had interjected her own plans by keeping temperatures low enough at night that the snow on CBC had yet to melt. The event would have to find a new way to weave its way down and up the mountain.
A hush fell across the crowd as James stood to speak. All those that were cold and wet, were lifted in spirit, until they heard where they were going. Photo Danielle Baker
The route the SUPER DH Ripper took began at the top of TNT on Pinch Flat Alley. After navigating TNT, which in my case was more like hanging on, we rode down Cabin Trail to Mushroom where the first climb of the event awaited. I remember there being a remark that the climb wasn’t “that” bad, but with all the baby heads, it made for some pretty difficult climbing. Past Incline, to Corkscrew and onto Salvation with bonus points for hitting the wall ride. Then it was down Pingu to the Baden Powell. The BP is a slight incline here and it takes you over some swell new skinnies that the NSMBA built across the pond just before the entrance to Severed. Severed is a great XCish trail that brought the Rippers down the mountain and onto Bridle Path, as in horses, not brides, and up to the finish just on the other side of the big rock at the top of Empress. If you managed to make it up the rock, which I didn’t, sadly, you got bonus points. Or was it Ripper Points? Ripper points are integral to the event. 1 Ripper point = nothing.
The Grumpy Trail Builders made sure that you knew the trail was closed. Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.
First down the trail were the Grumpy Trailbuilders. Connor Gillan, Andrew Major, Mathew Bond and Steve Sheldon entered the trail, promptly closed TNT and made sure that before any Ripper made their way down the trail, it was clear of snow and dead fall. I am not so sure the yelling as we passed was necessary, but thanks for ensuring the trail was clear.
Kevin Tafts sporting an Obsession: Bikes jersey up on the Hiro wall.
While waiting in line there was a bunch of slightly “older” gentleman ahead of us. The Ripper Dads was their team name. They made sure that we knew they were in front of us and that if we were to ride up behind them, to be nice as we passed them. Truth of the matter is that in the end Vincent Beasse, Arama Jillings, Alec Black and Steve Bauer beat us down the mountain by about 2 minutes. Way to go guys, you sure showed us ‘younger’ guys who knows the trails best.
Team Mega Chamois were highly visible all day. Meghan Illingworth and Derek Timmerma are frequent participants, but medical orders kept Derek at home for the 7th Secret.
Now onto the youngest Ripper… ever! Eight year old Jake and Marilee Stefiuk, Team Ratchet and Clank made it down the mountain in an impressive time. Jake is a great little Ripper and is shaping up to be a force to reckon with. Can’t wait to see that kid in a few years when he will surely be challenging the best of us.
Team Ratchet and Clank, Jake 8 and his mom Marilee trek on.
Little Red Riding Hood (Maya Klvana) was chased all over Seymour by the Big Bad Wolf (Last year’s Ripper King Brian Earle). I am not sure if she made her way to Grandma’s house, but the treats that she had at the top were delicious.
Little Red Ridinghood tried to elude the Big Bad Wolf the entire event. Funny though as Maya and Brian live together.
If she needed any help evading the Big Bad Wolf she could have stopped and asked the Seymour Samurais. Andrew Prenty (of the Team Moosel duo) and Nic McMahon (pronounced McMan for the unknowing) ripped down Seymour with Samurai speed in Samurai fashion. Complete with helmets, swords and cute little dresses, I mean Kimonos.
Seymour Samurais looking lavish in their Kimonos.
Special mention goes out to the Shuttlewhores who come out to every event and showcase a level of class and sportsmanship that only they can offer. They support these events continuously and for that we are thankful.
Team Shuttlewhore rode in a team of 10. They were their own category. They won and came last.
To the Muddbunnies that participated and the ones that helped running the event. Seeing that many women on the trails is a refreshing change from what it has been in past years. Although at this rate of growth, they may out number the rest of the riders. Please note, stay away from the Shuttlewhores!
Laura Prinipe and Judy Garren, just some of the bunnies seen all over the mountain, and all over the Lower Mainland, and all over BC. Photo ~ Corey Toews
The Stars of the event were undoubtedly ABBA. Dorothy Luebke (Last year’s Ripper Queen), Sven Luebke (her lucky husband/guinea pig), Ashek Kreowski (soon to be moving to England) and Aimee Dunn (Volunteer/Ripper Organizer Extraordinaire) dressed to the 9’s, in drag as the famous Pop Band. Their timing to the event was perfect, just as the Rippers were all intent on listening to “The Word of James”, they strolled up, full one piece white pantsuits for the ladies and white skirts and rhinestone belts for the men. Sven’s even had a fashionable off the shoulder feature. Way to show some skin buddy! Their timing for the event… a cool 1 hour and 22 minutes, 16 seconds. Don’t worry guys; I was blaming the fact that I too was wearing added padding in the chest as a member of Team Double D.
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life. See that girl, watch that scene, and dig in the dancing queen. Nothing more needs to be said about ABBA.
A special shout out goes to the Photographers. Jenny Lee Silver, Dieter Bahr, Dan Barham, James Healey, Jeremie Bermardin (who also volunteered), Corey Toews and Danielle Baker. You guys stand out in the rain and try your hardest to make me, I mean the Rippers look so good! You all deserve a big round of applause.
Jason Boyd followed by Pete Roggeman in the Lezyne zone.
The North Shore Ripper Events are graciously sponsored by the following great companies. I sure hope they don’t have any dressing in drag conditions in their sponsorship.
Jim Pattison Toyota North Shore
Specialized
NSMB.com
NSMBA
Obsession: Bikes
Cycles Lambert
Lezyne
Bean Around the World
Dakine
Pedros
OGC
Ryders Eyewear
Bella Candella
Manitou
Hiro
Syncros
Emdoubleyou Design
Reaction Lab Communications
Trident Sports
Insurance provided by the good folks at,
GRMBA
Wade’s Big Adventure is next up on the 24th of May, 2008. Mark that day off and you had better mark the next one off as well. The mighty Fromme Mountain in a day!
A brief note on the format. This is another team event. Teams of two or more. You could be a team of 6 or 16 - it's up to you. You must have two riders on course at all times. The maximum number of laps (some short, some medium and maybe one long lap) is six and you can choose exactly how many you would like to do. Do them all if you like or cheer the gang on. You can set up a tent of some sort (hopefully that won't be essential) or just a couple of lawn chairs. At the beginning of the event your team will be given an envelope with a clue inside
See you then!
Did you ride the Super D? Want to next year? Costume or not it's about the best time you can have on two wheels. Spill the beans here.
Dylan Dunkerton of team Double D showing off his great rack. Cycles Lambert has been a great supporter of the Ripper - and of the trails as a result - since the beginning.
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