Joe in Bolivia

Big Mountain guide Joe Schwartz is in Bolivia going downhill, fast. "We are back in La Paz, for a night of connection with the outside world before we continue on with our exploration of this amazing country. The last three days have been spent in the mountains west of the city, in a zone I will not soon forget." Read more...

Want to ride with Joe yourself? Join him in Switzerland this summer on either of our two amazing Alpenrock DH trips - August 14 to 22 or August 22 to 30, 2009.

This wasen't in the brochure...

BCBR: June 28 to July 4

Our friends at BC Bike Race joined us on our Peru all-mountain trip a few weeks ago and wrote a cool piece on their blog. If you're looking for a great event on some of the sweetest singletrack anywhere...the deadline for 2009 is June 1st. Sign up now!

Help Joe raise money for cancer

Big Mountain guide Joe Schwartz needs your help to raise money for cancer. Click here and donate today!

Austin TX slideshow

In Austin tomorrow? If so swing over to the Bicycle Sports Shop here see some great images, have a few cold ales and meet Tyler Moore from Big Mountain.




Mr. Moore during our Copper Canyon trip in Mexico while unveiling Trek's new Remedy line. He won the mustache contest.

Some more Peru photos on Flickr

A few favs...

The main church in Cuzco with some threatening clouds brewing above.


I couldn't resist. I've heard that South American men like booty but check that out! That's one happy Mr. Artichoke. Eso es un asno loco!

Back at home

The planet is getting smaller and smaller. 24 hours ago I was interacting with people who've lived the same way for generations, surviving along with the cycles of the earth, and a blue pill later (sleeping pill, don't worry) and a few quick flights...and i'm sitting back in Vancouver deciding if i should wear my tan shoes with the blue slacks or the brown ones as i make plans for the week-end via my iPhone and email. Who's better off one wonders? One thing i know for sure, it sure was nice to have a hot shower, brush my teeth with sink water, not have diarrhea, have a burger on the Q, oh and the games on tonight...


Funny photo of some band members and a dancer chilling before a parade. I feel like the guy with the trumpet right now.



I'm not sure the significance of these fancy balaclava-tuques but talk about spooky eh?

Local Peruvians...

This little boy was SO happy it was contagious. Stoked! We drove up to a town at nearly 3500 meters and as soon as we stepped out of the van the whole town came out to greet us. We then climbed up past 4 g's - what a grind. Wow, talk about a fitness test. At the top though it was more than worth it...


This is yours truly with a 110 year-old woman who is 2 generations from the Incas. It was an honour to meet her and then ride the trails that her and her ancestors have been using for hundreds of years.

Cuzco

Wow. Since the last post a lot has happened. We hopped on a plane out of Lima for a 1-hour flight to the high altitude city of Cuzco, sitting comfortably at 3400 meters. What a place! Parts of it reminded me of Seville with grand squares and earth-coloured churches, narrow cobbled streets and lively bars. Our hotel was right on the main square which was fantastic. Upon arrival in Cuzco we got a little excited and tipped back a host of Pisco Sours, a fiesty Peruvian cocktail that lights a fire under your butt pretty quick...we gots a little tipsy. We headed into the big mountains for several days and visited UNESCO world heritage site Machu Picchu which was a sight to see. A few from our group opted instead for a day of dirt biking and hot springs...decisions, decisions...


Andreas Hestler after a few too many Pisco Sours at 3400 meters...


Our group at the highest point of the trip, 4500 meters. Very, very good times...

equestrian shuttle with a little help from the locs...

Maybe it was the altitude? Whatever it was, this place was magical. Here we are relaxing in the sun, local Inca descendants and mountain bikers, mountain people from different worlds.


The ascent: fiesty horses, hot sun, altitude and jaw-dropping views.

very big days

I could not muster up the energy to post anything yesterday. Up at 5am and back to the hotel at 8pm, shower, dinner, KO'd. What a day. After leaving Lima we drove up and up into the arid Andes for hours on a crazy road to around 12, 700 feet. This is as high as i've been. Fortunately we were heading downhill from there for 56 km. The trail was absolutely ridiculous - with several sections that were best evers in terms of pure riding pleasure, and each section distinctly different and the final pedal strokes to the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. I will ride that trail again one day for sure.
Today we were up again at 5am and again we drove up and up on another head shaking road through some of the biggest mountains that I've ever seen to a town at 10,000 feet perched up on a dramatic mountain knoll. It was hot and sunny. From there we boarded small mountain horses while local boys pushed our bikes up (i know, i know...but they were making some money for their efforts) to a pre-Inca ruin and Moab-esque rocky plateau at 13,500 feet. My horse was fiesty and wanted to pin it up the mountain path which i did not like at all. But the rest of the group was in stiches as i went barreling past them. The descent today was much different than yesterday; the landscape was lush and the aspect that we descended was steep and extra large. The trail was also much more technical than yesterday, I was so happy to be on my 6-inch Trek Remedy 9 and Rock Shox Lyric fork - they saved my butt a few times. Today's ride and the whole day was truly epic. EPIC.
Tomorrow...up at 5am again and were off to the airport for the 1 hour flight to Cuzco which i'm really looking forward to. We're heading further into the big mountains...talk to you tomorrow if we have internet.


4000 feet in the can, 8000 feet to go...


curious kids...

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.

Latest Decline Mag issue

Journalist Dave Smith and photographer Blake Jorgensen came to Switzerland last summer and joined us on Alpenrock DH trip. We're super stoked to have the pleasure of hosting these two heavy hitters. If you get a chance check out their story, "Riding Big in Switzerland", in the latest issue of Decline Magazine.

Downhill mountain biking in Costa Rica

Nick Quinn just returned from another DH trip with us in Costa Rica and create a sweet slideshow on Pinkbike.com.

Our 2010 dates are posted...check it out here.

Join Wade Simmons in Switzerland this summer...

It's confirmed: Wade will join Joe Schwartz as one of the two guides on the August 22-30 Swiss Alpenrock trip

Here's a little clip of Mr. Simmons from New World Disorder a few years back. Who wouldn't want to ride with Wade for 9 days in the Alps??

Wade simmons

Dear Pedro: a letter to the Dear Wade contest winner

Satindar Dhillon went to Costa Rica and he's pissed. Well, kind of. Read his take on the situation on NSMB.com.



Wade "Chimonez" Simmons and Dear Wade contest winner Pedro Brjal from Portugal in Costa a few weeks ago.

What downhilling in Costa Rica with Big Mountain can make you do...

We wrapped up our annual back to back 10-day Pura Vida DH trips in Costa Rica recently. Thanks to Paulo and Nene in CR and our man Wade Simmons, the trips were a resounding success. As it turned out, Lon couldn't hold back while checking out the country's highest volcano, Volcan Irazu. Was it the altitude? Was it a bad batch of tequila from the night before? Or was it that the riding was unreal?



We've got our 2010 dates posted and spots are already filling up. Grab the big rig and come down for some good times in the tropics. 2010 Costa Rica Pura Vida DH dates here.

whistler powder day

It's been snowing up here in BC. Finally. Here's an ode to powder thanks to PK from Rossignol.


freak'n snowboarders in my way from paddy kaye on Vimeo.

Swiss Cloudraker + the Tour de France: what you won't have to do...

We are super excited that our July 17th Swiss Cloudraker all-mountain trip will be happening during this year's Tour de France. Lance is back for another pull and there's some hot new young guns on the start list so it'll be especially fiesty. Can you imagine watching the race go by and then railing a 6000-foot descent? And then checking out the circus after hours that follows the tour? It's about to happen...

Don't worry, you won't have to launch the peleton like Dave Watson did a few years ago.

Photo by Scott Markewitz.

more downhill fun from the Alps...

Downhill Mountain Biking in the Swiss Alps: part one from big mountain on Vimeo.

Regular Joe

Read about Joe's exploits on his Kona bike...here!



You can ride with the man himself this summer! He's guiding our new Supernatural DH trip in BC's Kootenay region and both Alpenrock DH trips in Switzerland. Choices...

vancouver

During the month of January in Vancouver an average of 131 mm or 5.18 inches of rain falls. Over a year, Vancouver gets an average of 1154 mm of rain. Not that bad really compared to the rainiest place in the world, Mawsynram, India with a staggering 11,872 mm of rain. What's the point you ask? Thanks to all this rain the forest in Vancouver gets real green and pretty and makes for beautiful mountain bike photographs like this one taken by our good friend and journalist Dave Smith, the founder of allmaple.com. Keep your eyes peeled in an upcoming Decline issue for Dave's story on DH'ing in Switzerland on our Alpenrock trip. Rock on.

Photographer Blake Jorgenson

Last summer we shot with pro photographer Blake Jorgenson in the Swiss Alps on a feature for Decline magazine that's coming out soon. Here's what Blake does in the wintertime...with our friends from Rossignol.


Team trips to Revy from rossignol on Vimeo.

Wade Simmons-Prepares for Mt. Kenya!

Big Mountain guide Wade Simmons soon will be doing battle against some of the world's best riders climbing up and shredding Mount Kenya. He has lived the life of easy street for far too long! Eating high on the horse at the Topanga Cafe and chillin on the couch after easy rides to the store on his Flatline for bon bons just won't cut it! It is time for him to get back to the basics! Here is his story to the top!

What does Wade get to do the day after he gets home from Africa? Go to Costa Rica to guide our epic Pura Vida DH trips!

Wade reached into his helmet and pulled out a winner...

On a grey and cool mid-January day in Vancouver, Wade poured over a fat pile entries of the first Dear Wade contest and chose his top 10. As he promised, he reached into his helmet and pulled out the winner…Pedro Brajal from Portugal. “A big thanks to all who entered,” said Wade with his signature big smile and unshaven mug, “I hope that Pedro is pumped to ride big bikes in Costa Rica because I am!” Pedro walks away with 9 days of riding with Wade on Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ Pura Vida DH trip, a Dakine Apex pack, a Bell full-face helmet, Oakley shades, the use of a 2009 Rocky Mountain Flatline DH rig and a full set-up from Sombrio clothing. Congratulations Pedro! The 9 runner-up entries get a Sombrio jersey and Big Mountain t-shirt.

Thanks to all who entered and we’ll see you next year! More information on our Pura Vida DH trip, click here.



costa rica contest winner from wadesimmons on Vimeo.

Eye candy from the land of candy, vegas

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's to a great year ahead filled with health and happiness, out of control laughter and long rides with friends and family.



*Big thanks to Christophe from Zurich for sending us this sweet card. Christophe joined us on a Cloudraker trip last summer.

Winter ripping on the North Shore!

Clients and friends Karaleen and Bryan sent us these sweet snowy photos of riding on Vancouver's North Shore recently. They've joined us in both Costa Rica and Switzerland in the past two years. Oh, and if you click on the link to Switzerland you'll see them railing it home to our base in the Swiss Valais! Thanks for the photos guys and we look forward to more rides together!!

It looks like Santa was good to them this year.

Christmas wish list according to VeloNews.com

Velo News' Jason Sumner know's what he wants for Christmas...to join Big Mountain in Switzerland this summer and watch Lance Armstrong and the Tour de France from his mountain bike on our July 17-25 Cloudraker trip. Read about it.

Happy Holidays!

From your friends at Big Mountain...here's to ripping into more than just wrapping paper this holiday season! Enjoy the holidays!

Dear Wade

Want to win a trip to Costa Rica with Wade Simmons? Click here for the deets.

Peru photos

Click here to view some great images from pro photographer Robin O'Neill from her recent trip to Peru with Big Mountain.

We've got some great trips in Peru in 2009, what are you waiting for? Click here.

2009 Spring Training Camp with Dre - dates and details launched!

We've just launched dates for a new Spring Training Camp with Andreas Hestler, one of North America’s most celebrated cross-country mountain bikers.
During the 8-day adventure participants will join former Olympian, 3-time winner of the Trans Rockies, celebrated coach and charismatic athlete Andreas Hestler on this private training camp and learn riding and training techniques to improve mountain bike skills.
Quote from Hestler: I believe that the difference between amateur cyclists and professionals is dedication and focus, says Hestler. During this training camp, we will have one unified goal, to gather miles and learn skills over a concentrated period of time. These skills can be applied to racing or everyday riding. Off the bike, Hestler will share his secrets about goal setting, nutrition, seasonal periodization, stage racing and more. For those training for a multi-day event or just looking to improve their skills and fitness, this is a great opportunity.
The location for the camp is one of North America’s mountain bike Mecas near Las Vegas, Nevada. Just beyond the strip lies an arid region with varied trails, spectacular scenery and world class riding. Riders will visit Bootleg Canyon, Blue Diamond, Hurricane, Thunder Mountain and even hike Zion National Park for a morning. Some of the trails in this area are like Moab on steroids,” says Hestler enthusiastically, slick rock that winds and undulates with plenty of cornering and singletrack to practice skills and fitness. We’re going to have fun.

Trip dates: March 28 to April 4, 2009
Cost: $2475 Canadian
For more info, email us at: info@ridebig.com or contact us.





Big thanks to pro photographer Colin Meagher for these photos.

Testimonial: Southern Africa Mountain Bike Safari

This is a quote from clients who just returned from our Rhythm of Africa trip. Thanks for the kind words!

"We had an amazing time. It was the total package: culture, scenery, animals and epic riding. Greg and the guides were amazing and everything went off with out a hitch. It was simply a unreal trip – like being inside a National Geographic episode.
Truly an epic adventure! Thanks so much for letting us experience it."
Scott and Patti, Alberta Canada





Check out some more of Scott and Patti's photos here.

Notes from the road...

Hey friends. I thought i'd share some photos and little anecdotes from travels in SE Asia. We're running a road bike trip with our sister company Cycleventures in Northern Thailand for the next 12 days. It's good to be here. Watch this space for more soon.


A strange looking Buddha statue that was about 20 feet tall. Very serious.


A random dude who was just begging for a photo. This is at a temple on a mountain near the city of Chiang Mai.

Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends and clients!

I know we've all heard way too much from Sarah Palin but we just could not resist. Have a great thanksgiving!

In the latest issue of Bike Magazine

Guide Joe Schwartz railing a tasty trail to Tasch in the Zermatt area on our Cloudraker Swiss mountain biking trip.

Moment in time

On this particular Swiss Cloudraker trip in 2007 the weather was challenging: cold, rainy and even snowy at times. OK, it sucked. As it happens though, our group came together like old friends, supported each other with good times and laughs and we made it through big days unscathed, albeit dirty. A good thing about the Swiss trails and rain is that the water drains well and is generally gravely which means good traction and little mud. Plus, it'll rain (or snow) but not for too long, well at least not for someone coming from Vancouver on the Wet Coast or Canada. I'm getting sidetracked here. So there we were. The day started off in fresh snow, the trail was called Goldielocks - a big loop, 50 km, 6-7 hours with challenging technical XC sections, a buffed section, a paved traverse/climb, hike a bike and a mother descent - 10,000 feet of downhill all in all. A super all-mountain day. Towards the end of the day we always stop at a viewpoint where the land eroded away to nothing. I was leading on this section and as i approached i heard scurrying in the forest, then rocks falling somewhere in the distance. I looked out into the mist and there was a chamois perched on a precarious rocky outcropping looking back at me. I pulled out my camera and go this shot just before the mist came in and the creature disappeared in the white.

Richie Schley

This photo is of pro rider Richie last year in Costa Rica on our Pura Vida DH trip. Photo Harookz.

He just launched slick promo that's worth a look, filmed by Darcy from the Collective. Check it out here.

respect

Wade Simmons on the cover of Bike Magazine

Big Mountain guide Wade Simmons lands another cover, this time on the latest issue of Bike Magazine. In 2009 you can join Wade in both Costa Rica on our Pura Vida DH trip from Feb 13-21 and Feb 21-March 1 and in Switzerland on our Alpenrock DH trips in August. Ride with Wade for 9 days in Switzerland? Costa Rica?

Schwartzy: the Euro interview

Click here - Read the French version at the top, English at the bottom. Join Joe and his DH bike in Switzerland next summer.

Fall

Fall is a great time to ride. In the fall nature is getting ready to sleep and things are less rushed it seems. Call some friends and see what they're doing on Saturday, not too early because it's still cold, not too late because the sun sets early. Start pedaling and realize that you might be wearing too many layers but you keep riding anyway. Wet leaves cover rocks and make for tricky sections, you're on your game though after many months of straight riding. You let off the brakes and skip through the forest.

Morocco next month! Let's go!

We've still got a few spaces available on our Moroccan Dirt Merchant trip, November 2-11. What are you waiting for, contact us and start packing!

Rampage video...the future of mtb comps!

Trek Session 88 DH...dream bike!

Pinkbike.com covers the highly anticipated Session 88 DH bike from Trek, the out-of-the-box race bike weighing in at 38 lbs. Read the specs, listen to Andrew Shandro tell you more and drool over this dream machine here.





The new Session 88 DH would be KILLER on one of our downhill trips...how about the Swiss Alpenrock? Or perhaps a little tropical downhill mountain biking in Costa Rica, a la Pura Vida? Or something more exotic like the Inca DH trip?