Bush Pilot Biking's Spring Update


It's hard to believe, but this year looks like it will be an even bigger season than the epic Summer of 2004. In many ways, the Summer of '04 never ended.

The middle of winter saw historic dry conditions across the province, and the North Shore was especially dry and warm. I got the privilege of getting a ride in with one of my all time bike heroes, Hans Rey, back in February. The old boy sure knows how to throw down, although he's traded in the old rigid trials bike for a big DH sled. We cracked off a couple of huge days on Cypress with the old man, riding hard enough to cause Wade Simmons to soil his drawers while yours truly had to struggle to keep the breakfast down from the severity of the pace. I remember when winter was a time for a rest away from the bike.

For that matter, winter seems to be the time that I get to catch up with all the superstars. Unlike summertime, when the pressures of sponsors and film makers seems to eat up all the available social ride time, all the bros are ready to throw down over the cold months. Besides Wade and Hans, the Claw, Shandro, Watson, Vanderham, Schwartzie, and a host of others all seemed to appear at regular intervals to charge the legendary Shore trails, plus a myriad of crusty locals made sure that the skills didn't get too rusty.

Those trails are sure in good shape too. It's hard to equate that buff network out there with all the mayhem of mudslides and torrential rain, not to mention the political hoopla of recent weeks. The NSMBA and all manner of concerned individuals have pulled out all the stops this year to really buff out the network. Barb and I have been kicking down free shuttles and many hours of sweat equity to make sure that we can supply our guests with first class singletrack all year long.

Amazingly, the guests have been showing up all year. I never foresaw leading trips in the middle of winter when I started this gig, but they've been coming out of the woodwork this year. A few from close to home, like Victoria, but lots from Ontario, some from old Europe, and even a few from Australia and South Africa. I can only imagine what it's like to leave Oz in the middle of the antipodean summer to arrive in Vancouver at the height of the temperate monsoon. It's nothing if not an authentic North Shore experience.

The first interior swing of the year came off last week with the annual late April tour to Williams Lake. An astounding 34 degrees (that's metric, folks; darned hot) in Farwell Canyon last week. The snow is gone from the high lines early this year. I couldn't believe that we were getting full height Desous laps in April. My contacts in the South Okanagan have informed me that all but the highest elevations are already snow free. 4 000' descents in Penticton, anyone?

The summer season has been steadily filling up with mostly repeat business (The Wade Simmons Freeride Experience sold out in record time) but there are still a couple of good early season dates left. Due to a last minute scheduling change, I happen to have a couple of prime weeks open in June, so if you've been wondering about the riding in the Okanagan, Cariboo or Kamloops areas, maybe this is your year to get in there. The longest days of the year combined with some cooler temperatures and no crowds make June one of the best riding months of the season.

Drop me a line to reserve your trip today.
Johnny Smoke
Bush Pilot Biking

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