 |
Specialized North Shore Ripper |
The rumours and poop talking have begun. One Triple Crown team plans to do each mountain twice, while another is planning to start in Deep Cove, dip a wheel in the Pacific between each mountain - including Horseshoe Bay after Cypress - and who knows what the Shuttlewhores will get up to. One thing is certain; the Triple Crown is destined to be the best bicycle event of the year yet again. I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
In the immortal words of Kurt Cobain - come as you are. Ride your XC bike, your DH rig or your 1983 Stumpjumper. Shuttle Cypress and Seymour and walk up Fromme or search out the single track climbs and suffer as much as possible. We love it all.
Team Shuttlewhore preparing to embark. The truck was for beer not shuttling. Photo ~ Donhok Han
Here are some FAQs answered. If you have any more questions direct them to our bulletin board post here.
Who? - Mountain bikers one and all. The Triple Crown is a team event but your team can be as small as two riders or as large as you want.
What? - The North Shore Ripper Triple Crown. A Poker Ride across all three North Shore Mountains. There are easily found stations at the top and bottom of each mountain (maps provided) where you'll receive a card for arriving. You'll also have an opportunity to play for a better card. There is a Las Vegas theme this year so camp it up and gamble to your heart's content.
Where? - The Triple Crown begins in the Old Buck Parking Lot at the base of Mount Seymour (where you'll get your first card) and the next station is at the top of CBC. After that you descend Seymour and make your way to Fromme. You'll find station two at the water towers - where James normally plays a hand of blackjack with everyone - and station three at the sixth switchback. From there you'll descend to Cleveland Park where you'll find a station and a snack to fill your tank. Then it's up to lot five on Cypress for the penultimate station. After that it's all downhill to Obsession Bikes where you'll find the last station. When you arrive you'll play your hand and see how your cards stack up. You'll immediately roll over to Bella Candela (more downhill but only 100 metres) for the after party. This year's after party will give you more opportunities to roll the dice and
When? - 07/07/07 Don't tell me you have a wedding that day.
Left to Right - Sharon Bader (in green) Tammy Schouw and Ken Bigelow do a huge portion of the work to keep the Rippers Ripping - although Tammy has retired and become an equestrian. Thanks to them and all the fantastic volunteers. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Why? - Normally the Triple Crown, and all the Rippers are a fundraiser for the nsmbA. This time around we decided to put our energy into a member of the community who could use a hand. John Ramsden is a 15-year old rider who crashed on Boogie Man. John sustained a spinal cord injury and is currently at GF Strong working on his rehab. We wanted John to know that we're behind him and that he'll always be a member of the mountain bike community so this year's Triple Crown will be a fundraiser for John. More than just a keen rider, John was a trail builder and a very skilled rider and he remains committed to mountain biking. When asked to do an interview on CBC radio he declined because he felt they would put a negative spin on our sport. To check out a video of John a few days before his fall click here.
John wasn't riding over his head or doing anything silly - he just had some bad luck. This could happen to any of us - while riding, driving a car, or even hiking. The riding community is cohesive and strong and we look after each other. Right now it's time to give John a helping hand. James Wilson from Obsession: Bikes visited John at GF Strong and was moved by his attitude, his maturity and the strength he's showing in the face of adversity.
So come out and ride the Triple Crown for yourself - but also for John Ramsden.
Paul Kim hadn't been on a bike for four weeks before the Triple Crown. Being in top condition is an asset but if you pace yourself you can still soldier on. Photo ~ Cam McRae
How? - However you like. Pedal, shuttle, walk, crawl - it's up to you. Come in costume, where your regular riding clothes or embrace the Las Vegas theme. Silliness is encouraged in the Triple Crown but you can also go hard and make an effort to ride through all the stations as fast as you can. We'll have prizing for best costumes, fastest completion of the event, best crash - and a great sampling of draw prizes just to say thanks for coming out. The NSMBA and the North Shore Ripper are hosting a fundraising event to help our fallen friend, John Ramsden “get some new wheels”. The NSMBA and NS Ripper have chosen to support John, a local north shore rider, recently injured in a life-altering accident.
Cam McRae
Official nsmbA Press Release
The NS “Triple Crown” event involves riders scaling three mountains
on the north shore, achieving special skills and collecting a series of playing
cards to make up a poker hand. Riders will work in teams, riding between checkpoints,
performing their talents and securing a winning hand to win big prizes. Volunteers
assist with registration, marshalling riders and sweeping the area post-race
to ensure no riders, debris or refuse is left behind.
Riders are encouraged to dress up “Vegas, baby” for the event with
previous events proving that there is no limit to the ideas participants can
create. The event motto is “what happens on the trail stays on the trail”,
so keep your eyes open for Elvis sightings!
I did some great riding last year but I think the Triple Crown was my favourite day on the bike in 2006. Photo ~ Donhok Han
“This Ripper will be the ‘grand finale’ event, encouraging
riders to participate in all the festivities, while supporting a fallen rider,”
stated James Wilson, owner of Obsession Bikes in North Vancouver. “Our
NS Ripper volunteers make the day a success and have big fun in the process,”
he added.
The après event planned for Bella Candela, the Ripper’s favourite
après location, will use a Las Vegas theme, to keep the momentum going.
Sponsors are encouraged to provide prizes for ripper participants and the auction
program to raise funds for John and his family’s needs.
Come experience the Triple Crown Poker Ride, then try your luck at our Las Vegas
style party for our special fundraiser après event. If you cannot make
the Triple Crown, then come to Bella
Candela afterward where we will create an memorable event to honour our
friend John.
Please join us for this special event and show support for this most amazing
young man on his trail to recovery. Donations are always accepted in on line
at: nsmba.bc.ca
For more information, please contact James at Obsession Bikes james@obsessionbikes.com
or Cam McRae at nsmb.com cam@nsmb.com
To register slide over to nsmba.bc.ca - you'll be glad you did.
Any questions, comments or mud slinging should take place here.
The 2007 North Shore Ripper couldn't happen without the generous support of these sponsors:
