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'Pura Vida'
Live 'the good life' with Wade, Watson, & Shandro in Costa Rica |
The word is out that pro riders, Wade Simmons, Dave Watson, and Andrew Shandro are joining Big Mountain Bike Adventures on a 14-day Costa Rican riding and surfing trip dubbed 'Pura Vida'. (the good life). The North Shore freeride pioneers are looked ahead to wintertime, the cold Vancouver rain and early evening darkness, and decided that a little trip to Costa in late January would be just what the doctor ordered.
People have compared the country to Hawaii, 50 years ago. Watson, who was down there last winter filming with New World Disorder last winter, recalls his trip: "Every day and every ride in Costa is a unique experience. We would shuttle up through town and see local kids and families hanging around to catch a glimpse of our steeds and wonder where we were headed for the day…in Costa Rica, 'Pura Vida' is the gospel. Where else can one have the experience of flowing trails and pristine surf exploits all in the same day? The locals were friendly and the riding community is small and passionate about life."
Zoolander eat your heart out; Wade Simmons strikes 'Le Tigra'.
Picture a tropical heaven with a crystal-blue ocean, steady waves lapping it shores, and mist-shrouded rainforests with peaks as high as 3820 meters littered with long and tasty singletrack. Paulo Valle, a local Costa Rican mountain biker, trail builder, and former national XC & DH champion will be guiding the trip.
"How can I describe the riding here?" he asks in his broken English with a broad, warm smile, "in the morning we can be freezing as we hop on our bikes, looking down at the Pacific on one side and the Caribbean on the other from 3500 meters…and then, be paddling out for a surf or chillin' on the beach with a cold beer under a hot sun in the afternoon, with bikinis everywhere!"
The scenery was varied but not always pretty.
He describes trails that begin at the craters of active volcanos, weave through coffee plantations, and continue down into beautiful national parks. Paulo talks about his country's singletrack with fondness and excitement, like he's describing that hottie in high school…the one that got away.
Hop on your bike and follow me…you are descending through the jungle.. The ground beneath your tires is moist and rooty with natural hits coming at you at every turn. You feel like your bike is an extension of your body; you are dialed today. After stopping, you let out an uncontrollable euphoric giggle. It's a little different than your average Shore ride. In the far-off distance a Mantled Howler monkey calls out and while 3 bright red Scarlet Macaw parrots fly past an opening in the tight forest canopy.
Watson, livin' the good life
Or was that Wade Simmons howling? You put your helmet back on, smile to yourself and continue descending, knowing that you will be diving into a cold beer and the warm ocean in less than an hour.
Oh yea, and Alvaro Solano, the 2004 Costa Rican surf champ will host the group at his private surf camp. Paulo, Alvaro, Watson, Simmons, Shandro, and Big Mountain Bike Adventures are creating a dream trip that you will never forget; a trip that you definitely cannot book through your travel agent! Grab your big bike and come south this winter, a few spots are still available for this once in a lifetime experience.
For more info on Big Mountain Bike Adventures and the Costa Rican 'Pura Vida' trip: ridebig.comAll photos courtesy of www.gibsonpictures.com
