Seventh Ripper Wrap
'Twas the Night Before Ripper
Words by Dan Gronross. Photos by Danielle Baker unless noted.
'Twas the night before Ripper and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring not even a grouse
The bikes were lined up by the front door with care
In hopes that the Ripper soon would be there
The spare tubes and chains all packed by the bed
While hopes for race karma danced in my head
With my girl in her silk chocolate brown teddy
And me nestled down all eager and ready
When out on the lawn there arose a soft patter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter
Straight to the window I made a mad dash
Tore off the curtains and busted the sash
WHAT THE &%@%?
SNOW?! April 18th and there was snow falling in the city! The snow was coming down and blanketing everything in sight. I stood there in disbelief scratching my head. Eventually I returned to bed figuring that snow wasn’t really possible this late in the year and that if it were true it would melt by the morning. A few wordless mumbles under my breath and I returned to bed chalking it up to the beer and curry that I had for dinner.
After I tore off the curtains and smashed the sash, I was confronted with a vision of winter in Vancouver in April. It's always great to know North Shore Search and Rescue has our back as well. Photo ~ Cam McRae
I had torn the curtains off the window so it was pretty bright in the room when I woke up. But there was something different about the light this morning. After rubbing my eyes and stretching I knew that it could only be one thing. One dreaded thing. You see I am from Ontario and when you are a kid, or 28 in my case, these are the days that you dream of. SNOW DAYS! I will explain the highly complex scientific reasoning for this light in the morning. When it snows the sunlight reflects off the white surface and streams back in through the windows - making the morning light especially bright. Usually it means that you could be late for work or class because you could blame the snow for the traffic. Or better yet, call in the army.
Photo ~ Cam McRae
Fresh snow on the morning of the first Ripper for 2008? Snow in the city at the end of April? What was I to do? What was I to ride and what should I wear? If there was this much snow here, how much snow there?
The snow has been a force to reckon with this year. If the rumours are true, on the original date for the 7th Secret Ripper the snow was neck deep at the entrance to the 7th Secret. It was so deep in fact that the crew had a hard time locating the trail head, even with the sign marking the entrance.
Jonny Rockall (shown) and his partner Kevin Calhoun were the fastest duo and the fastest overall. It was their second Ripper win. Photo ~ Corey
Several phone calls flew back and forth all week with the decision being made to change the date for the 7th Secret Ripper. It was never really a question of if it would still go on, more of a question of what it would entail. I was assured that James, Cam, Sharon and Aimee would exploit this new “addition” to the event at every conceivable opportunity.
So Aimee, how do you feel about the snow this late in the year? Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
When I rolled up to James Wilson in the morning, I could see the sheer joy that the fear in my eyes was giving him. What plans did he have up his sleeve, what pain and misery awaited the Rippers this snowy, cold April morning?
We all listened and did what James Wilson told us to do. No matter how sadistic the adventure. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
“Good morning Rippers!” James bellowed from his snow covered post on the icy fence by the water towers. In the haze of blinding whiteness, I am not sure exactly what was said… something about riding down Mt. Highway, up Dempsey, up the Dempsey Trail, to the Baden Powell, along that back to Mountain Highway and up to Pipeline. I think I threw up a bit in my mouth, but lucky for those standing around me, between the fear of the climb and the freezing cold, my body could only accomplish two tasks at once. My arduous trek was to end there and then. Curtis would take over and ride down Pipeline, back along the Baden Powell and up Mountain Highway. The twist in the route was to come at the end when the folks on the bigger bikes had to ride to the first switchback and then back down Cedar Trail to the water towers. The crazy bunch known as soloists would have to complete that themselves.
Look at those poor Rippers, climbing one of the worst hills that North Van has to offer. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
In true Ripper spirit they came one by one. Some managed to sneak out of work for a quick lap, probably on a morning coffee break. Megan, I am not too sure that you are going to be able to hide the dirt from your patients. Explaining the mud and snow covering your scrubs is going to be quite interesting. Lets us know how it goes, and what excuse you mustered up as it must surely have been a good one.
No one tell the doctor, Meghan Illingworth was out on the mountain against medical advice. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
Joan of Arc even managed to throw in a lap, solo I might add. I am assuming that compared to being burned at the stake a little snow is hardly an inconvenience.
Sven Luebke looking 6 in his snowsuit, with the protection of Joan of Arc. Dorothy Luebke defeated Mt. Fromme much like the English with the aid of her trusty steed. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
Team Moosel were there and posted a sweet story and photos about the event before me. Andrew please, next time you're frozen, visibly Ripperized wife makes it to the top of the climb, offer her more than the cold, watered down swig of Fruit Punch you tried to offer me. Have some compassion! Perhaps a nice Merlot, I hear the ones from the south of France are to die for.
Andrew and Amanda Prenty were team Moosel with their 'Moosel' shirts. Funny - he looks just like Gotham from our boards. Click here to check out Andy and Mandy's account of the event. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Some came dressed appropriately for the weather. Sven Luebke came resplendent in a circa. 1992 snowsuit. Complete with hideous colours and eye popping patterns. Against the whiteness of the snow, it could induce a seizure.
There were also several sightings of bunnies in the snow. Muddbunnies is the term that is generally given to them around these parts. Man they multiply fast as there were many more than last year.
Be vewy , vewy quiet, I been hunting wabbits. The Muddbunnies managed quite the showing this year. It seems that they do multiple by the hundreds. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
There were rumours that Curtis Robinson and Dylan 'Stubs' Dunkerton came from a far away land where gold rains from the sky. They made it on time, dry and with all their belongings despite the fact that they were forced to take a BC Ferry. Good on you guys for coming. Had a great time riding with you Curtis - and Dylan, Nina is fine.
Nina and Judy Garren hammered their way to the top of Dempsey, only to find out that it was the “warm-up” for the uphillers. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
Yes, some even came after having the “bug” that has managed to invade pretty much everyone’s life here this winter. My girlfriend Nina pushed when she could push no more and eventually made it to the top. I tried in vain to find the medical help, but word on the mountain was that she was still trying to locate her cast. White cast on white snow, going to have to wait for the snow to melt to get it back Meghan. But at that point do you want it back?
Arthur Gaillot, post chain break, pushing his bike up Dempsey. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
Speaking of pushing, the award for... well... lunacy goes to Arthur. This poor chap broke his chain ten seconds up Dempsey. IHe got maybe one pedal stroke in before the chain broke. In an attempt that will surely go down in the history books, he ran - yes ran - pushing his bike uphill (hey this sounds like one of those stories that my Grandpa tried to make me believe) in the snow (yep it is) till he got to the water towers on Mountain Highway and then exchanged bikes, swapped pedals and continued his journey to the top. I speak from experience in the matter; this is a feat well worth all the fame and glory that you will receive after people hear about it. (I can’t guarantee that you will receive any fame or fortune after people read this but if you do I need a few things)
Arthur, riding someone else’s bike (a hardtail) on the downhill portion of the event after swapping over his pedals mid race. This kid has the best attitude going. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
Some unfortunately couldn’t make it to the event. We all know the excellent meteorological reports that The Weather Network posts, so I am sure that some saw that and decided that it wasn’t worth it to venture out of their homes. Lucky for you folks my ADD will not allow me to remember anything and as such you are forgiven and in turn were greatly missed. One even took advantage of the snow this late in the year and pursued other activities. With the advent of the forum on NSMB and tricky, misleading profile names, the individual will remain nameless. But it is true that leelau actually went skiing. Buddy, break out the bike already!
Shame on former nsmba Pres. Lee Lau for skiing instead of Ripping! Photo ~ Lee Lau
Despite the snow and the frigid cold temperatures this year, this was probably one of the best Rippers yet. It proved that come snow, pouring rain, blazing sun, Rippers prevail. The idea that you will willingly drag yourself up the mountain, and then throw yourselves down it, proves you Rippers are an amazing group of people. Thanks a million for coming out and representing so well.
The snow made for one of the most scenic rides, whether you were traveling up or down the mountain. I think that might be Sven Luebke. Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
The Rippers would not be possible without the generous help from the community at large. The following companies donate some swell swag and mullah so that these events can take place and raise a bushel of cash for the nsmba.
Specialized Bikes
Jim Pattison Toyota North Shore
Look - two Toyotas and a Specialized. This would be a great place to plug our awesome sponsors - Jim Pattison Toyota North Shore and Specialized Photo ~ Danielle Baker.
NSMB.com
NSMBA
Obsession: Bikes
Cycles Lambert
Lezyne (Big warm welcome to the roster)
Bean Around the World
Dakine
Pedros
OGC
Ryders Eyewear
Bella Candella
Manitou
Hiro
Syncros
Emdoubleyou Design
Reaction Lab Communications
Trident Sports
Huge thanks as well to North Shore Search and Rescue for providing us with back up. They are the best at what they do and we're lucky to have them here on the Shore.
And so that we are covered when we fall down, which with the snow this year was a very likely scenario,
GRMBA
See you all next time when we revel in the glory of the Super Dh. How many times will we have to ride down, then up, then down? No one ever really knows, but I guess that is what makes it fun. Will Mother Nature throw us another curve ball? Will this “leelau” finally hang up his skis like a sane person and ride his bike? To find out join us on May 3rd, 2008 at the Old Buck Parking lot.
Cheers folks!
Dan Gronross
Anything to say about this year's Seventh Secret Ripper? Say it here.
For results and more info head over to northshoreripper.com
