Greetings from Lima

It's Day 2 of the trip, 12 midnight and all's well. Our group arrived safe and sound last night - one from Boulder and 11 from Vancouver. All the bikes arrived and all our bags. From Vancouver we flew to Toronto, 4.5 hours, then onto Lima which was 8.5 hours - all in all a smooth day. We were met by Wayo, our host and Big Mountain guide. Wayo is a very kind person and a great guide - we are so lucky to be shown around Peru with him.
This morning we woke up here in our Lima hotel, built our bikes in the hot sun and headed out for lunch in the city. There was a peaceful protest on the streets and thousands of people walked past the restaurant chanting something. The portions were massive and we all ate way way too much. By mid-afternoon we were driving out of the city to a very very arid and mountainous area and then to an oasis-like valley for the start of our ride. What a great opener to riding in Peru! The trail started in a dry river bed that snaked along the valley floor with a smooth surface and natural hits everwhere. Then we rode up onto the side of the valley for several epic kilometers of super sweet singletrack with stunning views as the sun set. After a few cervezas we got back in the van and drove back to Lima for a superb dinner - an all you can eat buffet with everything from steak to pasta to sushi to pizza and more. It was unreal. OK, time for bed now, we're getting up at 5 AM and driving to 3500 meters of so for a 56 km downhill that ends on the Atlantic. Yea, that's right - the biggest downhill that i've ever ridden by a long stretch. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow...


Last light in a beautiful valley.


Brent Martin from Vancouver, owner of Ryders Eyewear...all smiles.

Packing the bike up and heading to Peru...

New tires? Check. New shoes? Check. Bike tuned up? Check. First aid kit? Check. Check. Check. You know that feeling; the days come and go and your imminent departure for a big trip approaches. For me the months, weeks and days leading up to a trip get me super fired up and somewhat nervous with excitement. I love looking at maps, reading and re-reading the trip itinerary and being a part of group emails that circulate with subject headings like: What altitude drugs are u bringing? or Stands vs tubeless. or What bike should i bring? And the list goes on. So here i sit with 48 hrs or so before boarding a plane to Lima and our Unforgettable Andes trip, sipping coffee in Vancouver going through my mental list. I think im ready. I'm a little concerned about the altitude of some of the rides. The highest that i've been was in 2004 when our group decided to summit Mount Toubkal (4167 meters) at the end of our Moroccan Dirt Merchant trip. I didn't react well to the altitude, but then we didn't really acclimatize at all. In the end, I can suffer with the best of them. One thing for sure, my Trek Remedy 9 is tight and itching for the XL Andes descents...I treated myself to a new Chromag seat, stem and bar set, a Joplin seat post from Crank Brothers and fancy new white shoes too. Oh and Sombrio set me up with some fine fine clothing that i'll be breaking out...
So, come back to our blog in the next 2 weeks as i'll take you on a trip to Peru with Big Mountain...

unreal urban trials riding with Danny MacAskill in Edinburgh

mtb animation

Mountainbike Rotoscope from Building the Scene on Vimeo.

Whistler slideshow

Big Mountain hosted a great slideshow night this past Friday in Whistler as part of the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Talk about getting psyched to ride! Nearly a packed house viewed images from pro photographers Sterling Lorence, Harookz and Blake Jorgenson.
Big thanks to those who helped us out: Whistler Bike Park, Bike Co in Pemberton, Fanatykco and Evolution in Whistler, Tantalus Bike Shop in Squamish, Chromag, NSMB.com and Whistlermountainbike.com





Chiling: Blake Jorgenson and his beautiful girlfriend Holly Fraser who runs the Blake Jorgenson Gallery in Whistler.

Vegas XC Spring Training Camp...

We just wrapped up our first annual Vegas Spring Training Camp with Andreas Hestler...what a blast! Dre kept us riding and learning all that we could about riding skills, training techniques, nutrition, periodization, rest....and more! Did i mention that we rode more sweet trails that we could have imagined? You have to join us next year...unreal riding and you'll come back fit and very happy! Check out this slideshow on Flickr. Or, some more photos by participant Kathy, here.