Crazy Canuck Freeride Challenge
Article: Paddy Kaye
Photos: Francois Panchard
Spawned by history and man’s desire to explore, an adventure to experience the soul of Mountain Biking within our own hearts was born.
Dating back to the 1600s this church's lawn made a great lunch
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Dubbed the Crazy Canuck Freeride Challenge (CCFC) in the spirit of patriotic loyalty, three Canadians absorbed by cycling set off to conquer their own life changing expedition. Destination: Switzerland.
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The scope of the trip in reality was conceivable thanks to modern day existence. Mountain bike technology and style has opened up backcountry access previously unfamiliar to knobby tires. The globalization of travel and communication continues to change everyday life. In this day and age, we all need to express our reason to live. With that in mind, I went biking. |
 Ryan hones his skills |
Sure, I live in the capital of lifestyle sports and I’m lucky enough to have honed my cycling skills to an acceptable level.
Chris G. gets his G Spot to the alpine
As a rider, I can confidently go anywhere with anyone and make an educated decision on whether a line is personally rideable or not. But in general, the whole World is rideable.
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Chris Winter, a true Canadian life milker, came up with the concept and connected with Francios Panchard, a modern day Swiss explorer. The two created an adventure across the unrestricted mountains of the Swiss Alps. From village to historic alpine village, cable car to ski lift, single track to rally road, the CCFC pioneered the unreal possibilities of the area. |
 The Canadians reflect for a brief moment |
As an unhesitating guest, and a good friend of the creator himself, I was assured a great trip was about to happen. Europe itself has a lot to offer to the traveler with hungry senses, the history and way of life is absolutely fascinating. The opportunity to drive the roads, drink great wine, and not speak the language is your human right. Our program was instantly simplified when our baggage didn’t show up and the CCFC began on borrowed essentials. Luckily our bikes made it, along with Ryan Bowlan, the third Canadian, with all his gear.
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For eight days strait we ate cheese and bread, drank fine wine, and rode our bikes. We did almost 20,000 meters of downhill and 6,000 of uphill supported by a van that shuttled our gear from checkpoint to checkpoint. We experienced many emotions, we railed every possible corner and at times, we struggled to survive. I wore out a set of brand new disc brake pads to the metal, and checked out a lot that Switzerland has to offer. It has really big mountains, really sweet trails, great people and great living. |
 Team CCFC 2002 |
It was great to ride with locals Francois, Andre, Manual, Pascal, and Alex. I will see you again someday.
Ryan - still honing
Sante,
Paddy K
Whistler, Canada.
For more pictures check out http://www.hurlevent.ch/ccfc/allpict.htm
For wallpaper check out http://www.hurlevent.ch/ccfc/goodies.htm
Represent, thanks to Evolution for getting us there
