today in central Chile

Unloading bikes at Volcan Villarrica...getting ready for a flowy descent called El Classico.

Andreas Hestler railing a berm deep in the forest.

Bike Gangs & the MTB Hall of Fame

This past September in a packed room of great people who ride bikes at the Sands Convention Center off the dripping Las Vegas strip three guys from Kamloops BC were inducted into the MTB Hall of Fame: Wade Simmons, Richie Schley and Brett Tippie - the Rocky Mountain "Froriders." Our friend Leslie Anthony sums up the whole ordeal in Whistler's local rag, The Pique. Read it here.

Mr. Simmons, Hall of Famer, post Pet Cemetery trail in Switzerland on our Alpenrock DH trip.

The BIGGEST mountains on the planet?

Oh, that's right, the biggest. The Himalaya. This photo just arrived from the Tibetan Plateau, a zone called Mustang. In the words of our guide, "This season we have been exploring every little trail in Upper Mustang in Nepal on foot, horse and bikes in order to run out of the world bike trips in the Tibetan Plateau in the future." Sounds very enticing indeed. We're going to Nepal next October on our Himalayan Heights trip, dates and details are still being worked out but coming very soon...shall we ride the Mustang together?

Ride the Mustang in Nepal.

Scoping for lines in China...

Big Mountain guide Stephen Matthews is in China this week on a tourism-sponsored event meeting with potential partners and scoping for singletrack for a possible future trip. This is what he had to say yesterday...

"Today marked the end of the Go China Summit, and I am now in Shanghai in yet another 5-star platinum hotel room, relaxing in a robe after a salted bath hahaha. The accommodations for this conference were beyond top notch...nicest places I've ever seen, let alone stayed in. The New City Garden in Suzhou was the best...my toilet talked to me and had a heated seat, and heated water too. This was a pretty big deal...put on by the gov't and all. I've been eating at massive dinners put on by very important people, and have been served 10-15 dishes at each one! We've been escorted around the province of Jiangsu by police, surpassing all traffic laws like we're some sort of royalty. I could go on and on...it's unbelievable!"

The New City Garden in all it's glory.

Stephen's talking toilet that features hot water to wash your turd down.

Another very big city with a name that you've never heard of.

Will Big Mountain be offering one of it's worldclass trips in China in the near future? We'll see. Check back here again soon for updates from Mr. Matthews and his adventures in the far east...

 

doin' the bike dance

This brings back memories of bmx riding in the flat lands of Ontario as a kid. Not much to do but build the odd wooden booter and climb around the bike. I could give this guy a run for his money, well, maybe not - he's pretty good...

Cool Freestyle Tricks On Lame Bike - Watch more Funny Videos

Brand new New Zealand

I've spent a considerable amount of time in this far away land, actually with my skis in tow. When I think of my favorite times in this life that I've lived, I can help but be transported back to NZ and it's outerworldy landscapes and very gracious and adventurous people. I fell in love in, and with, New Zealand and I've longed to return ever since i left. The winters were cold though - not bitter like Montreal or Moscow, but a damp-chilly like Bellingham or Belfast. I am looking forward to getting off the plane in Queenstown to summertime and it's stunning setting on March 1, 2011 on our Silver Fern all-mountain trip. It better be summer, or else! From the boys at Anthill Films, a clip with Gee Atherton and Steve Smith. Killer riding. NZ...see you soon!


Follow Me - Behind the Scenes New Zealand from Anthill Films on Vimeo.

Would you ride with Swiss Power Rangers?

Guides Stephen Matthews and Wade Simmons: ready for anything.

Check out this feature story on PINKBIKE.COM on our Swiss Alpenrock DH trip. Hmmmm, Swiss singletrack...

Lorraine Blancher to co-guide Costa DH trip

We're pumped. Just confirmed: Professional mountain biker and coach Lorraine Blancher will be co-guiding our Pura Vida DH trips this winter in Costa Rica with local legend Paulo Valle. Lorraine is one of the most talented ladies on a big bike, has an infectious passion for riding and is a top coach. Want to improve your riding while exploring Costa Rica with new friends? Check out some great images and more details on PINKBIKE.

After a long ride in the desert there wasn't much left of her bike. Photo: STUND

Monteviasco Italia: by Marco Toniolo

Watch this refreshing video with some historical background of the town, the trail and it's inhabitants. Mmmm, Italy. Bela. We're working on a new Italy trip. Keep your eyes peeled here. Enjoy!

1st Annual Big Mountain Photo Contest!

You know how much we love great photography. Now it’s your turn to show us how you see the world.  This is an opportunity to share your mountain bike experiences and win some great prizes. To help inspire you, we’ve created three categories that capture the true spirit of mountain bike adventure.

FACES: our crazy Swiss friend Francois

Faces: The local coach that patiently taught you how to corner like a champ; your trusted Costa Rican guide that led you deep into the jungle; your 10 year-old daughter on her new mountain bike; a friend’s reaction of sheer bliss on a rainy and muddy afternoon of riding…those around us who love to ride mountain bikes. Let’s see them!

PLACES: loading bikes in Marrakech

Places: lunch at a Swiss chalet with the Matterhorn in the background; diving into a BC lake after a big ride in the Kootenays; riding Moab at sunset; the soaring peaks of the Colorado Rockies; riding through fall colours in Quebec…the world is a beautiful place.

MOVEMENT: Yoshi, Squamish BC.

 Movement: mountain biking is about movement, This  category showcases what we do best – action!

Prizes: besides eternal bragging rights, for each category we’re giving away Smith Optics’ Pivlock V90 for best shot, Dakine Apex pack for 2^nd place and a copy of Anthill’s Follow Me for 3rd. Each winner gets a Big Mountain t-shirt too.

How to enter: send your image (s) HERE and write “Contest” in the subject line.  In the body of the email tell us the category that you want to enter and your name, where you’re from and a few words   about the photo.

How the winner is chosen: we’ll be posting your photo on the Big Mountain Facebook page in the next few weeks and it’ll be voted on with “likes” from the fans. Simple. Not a member of our Facebook page yet? JOIN NOW!

Disco Man seen at SSWC in New Zealand last week

I don't ride a singlespeed but i must admit i like the thought of such a simple machine to throw my leg over and ride trails on. Then i peruse the antics at the Single Speed World Championships that were last week-end in Rotorua New Zealand and i'm even more intrigued by the single speed world...I love getting dressed up and riding mountain bikes. Check out this guy's helmet...it's party time!

Oh hey. We're going to New Zealand on March 1, 2011 for our annual 12-day Silver Fern trip. Want to ride Rotorua singletrack too? Come join us!