Queenstown, NZ - a center of the universe

As the plane descended through the clouds and the mountains yesterday to idylic Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand, I was glued to the window taking in the spectacular views. I'd forgotten just how beautiful it is here -everywhere you look it's like a postcard. Queenstown is nearly perfect, set on the shore of a huge lake surrounded by impressive peaks. We built out bikes and went for a short spin just out of town and found a killer little stretch of singletrack and then the group converged on the beach in the evening sunshine for some wine and cheese and beer and a welcome to NZ cheers! Today we're off to Wanaka for a pedal on the Sticky Forest trails and then an afternoon heli drop and 5000-ft descent. It's going to be a great day...!

Bike-build stands at Auckland Airport...how civilized!

Dreamy.

Big!

BIG MOUNTAIN CAMPS LAUNCHED!

We've had our heads down here at Big Mountain for awhile now working diligently on a new project: Big Mountain Camps to be held this summer in our favorite European Alps' playground - Verbier, Switzerland - with none other than the master himself as the architect of the camp, Wade Simmons. Well, we're proud to open up the doors and invite you in to take a look around...CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE NEW SITE. And, we're giving away a spot at Big Mountain Camps, all you have to do is become a "fan" of our Facebook page. CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE SWEEPSTAKES! We hope to see you on a trail sometime soon....

Embracing Diversity: Wade Simmons

"Mountain biking seems to be a living, growing and evolving sport. It is extremely diverse. It’s hard to think of another sport that accommodates as many disciplines, and one that is constantly being shaped by technology and new product..." READ MORE FROM WADE ON PINKBIKE.COM HERE.

A young Wade proudly displaying his hardware.

Want to ride with Wade this summer and have him help you with your riding skills? CLICK HERE!

1% for the Planet partners with Big Mountain

BIG MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP

WITH 1% FOR THE PLANET

VANCOUVER, BC, January 25, 2011, - Big Mountain Adventures has joined 1% for the Planet, pledging a portion of its sales to support non-profit organizations focused on sustainability.

“Big Mountain is a great addition to the network. By signing on to 1%, it shows they’re really walking the walk in their sustainability efforts,” says Terry Kellogg, 1% CEO. “They’re using generosity as a tool with which to build their business and enabling valuable environmental work along the way. We’re excited to welcome them to the 1% family.”

“It feels fantastic to be supporting organizations who are committed to keeping our planet healthy. We visit so many beautiful places and meet special local people who support our trips wherever we go, ” says Big Mountain owner Chris Winter, “giving back is just right. And know that when you book one of our trips you’ll be giving back too.”

Members of 1% contribute one percent of revenue directly to any of the approved non-profit environment organizations in 1%’s network. Non-profits are chosen based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Over 1,600 non-profits worldwide are included in the 1% program.

About 1% for the Planet

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and CEO of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,200 member companies in 38 countries that donate 1% of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide. Each day, more than one new business joins the 1% for the Planet movement. As a network, the 1% community has become a global frontrunner in funding the work of environmental groups around the world. To learn more about 1% go to: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

About Big Mountain Adventures

Founded in 2002, Big Mountain Bike Adventures Big offers worldclass all-mountain, XC and DH mountain bike trips to 11 countries on five continents. For additional information, visit www.ridebig.com <http://www.ridebig.com/> or call 1.866.894.0220 toll-free in North America / 604.730.2659. Blog: http://ridebig.blogspot.com/ and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/bigmountainbikeadventures

BM guide Ryan Sullivan speaking with a Taramuhara native in Copper Canyon, Mexico.

Vanderham, Shandro, Hunter and a bunch of Moroccan kids filming for The Collective.

 

The Economist: Vancouver, where the livin' is easiest

Vancouver was just voted #1 city to live in on the planet by The Economist. There's no doubt that living in Vancouver is very good. This time of the year: spring has sprung and the cherry blossoms are about to pop across the city, North Shore trails are good to go (as they are year-round), restaurants are worldclass, the locals are chilled but still spicy and the nearby mountains are choking on dry powder. It's good here. Read the article here.

Who dosen't like a good cherry blossom?

BTW, we're running a stellar all-mountain trip this summer out of Vancouver, Sea to Sky from July 23-30. Come check out this region for yourself!

MBUK mag: Inca DH trip, "the ultimate MTB holiday?"

Mountain Biking UK has published a sweet piece on our Inca DH trip in Peru, one of the only big bike specific guided trips in South America. "The huge Andes mountain range divides the country into three areas of coast, highland and jungle, which make it a veritable Crystal Maze of a freeriding experience," says MBUK. Click here to find out more about Inca DH holiday.

Culture, big mountains, ripping trails - Peru has it all!

A Cow's Demise: riding the Alps with Joe

“Ding, ding, ding”, the omnipresent sound of cowbells waft through the Swiss air. If there is one thing I relate directly to my travels in Switzerland, it is the sound of these large bells, attached to even larger bovines. Seriously, these cows make our North American hormone-infused versions look pretty puny...
Read more about Joe Schwartz' Alpen exploits on NSMB.com.

Big Mountain's shuttle rig in Switzerland.

 

 

Want to ride with Joe Schwartz in the Alps this summer? He's working out his schedule now but stay tuned... In the meantime, check out out our Alpenrock DH trips and all-mountain Cloudraker trips.

Joe Schwartz: Perspectives on Adventure

Anyone who's ridden with mountain biker Joe Schwartz can appreciate quality. As a guide, he's in a class of his own melding his heli-ski guiding background, language skills, travel experience and safety skills into a seamless day or a seamless week. As a coach, he's calm and collective and rich with all the things to do on a bike. Oh, you wouldn't know it if you met him, but he competed in several Red Bull Rampage events and was a force in the pro freeride scene not long ago. Now you can enjoy all things Joe Schwartz, from skiing exploits to mountain bike trips with Big Mountain, on his newly launched blog "Perspectives on Adventure."

He has been known to ride with a briefcase. It's true.

don't be mistaken, Joe Schwartz is not a doctor.

Our most beautiful planet.

This inspiring short captures the awesome diversity and awe-inspiring beauty of planet earth. We must not give up on doing our best to keep our home liveable.

It's summer somewhere.

The Big Mountain Adventures' office is abuzz these days. This week Lorraine Blancher will be packing up her bike in snowy Revelstoke BC and unpacking it in sunny tropical San Jose. On Friday her and local guide and trail builder Paulo Valle will be picking up the group for our first Pura Vida DH trips. Hmmmm, downhill mountain biking in Costa Rica. Meanwhile owner Chris Winter is getting prepped for New Zealand and the highly anticipated Silver Fern all-mountain trip which debuts on March 1. "I'm so excited for this trip because it explores a big chunk of NZ. And the country is do diverse and beautiful, like a postcard view around every turn - I can't wait." says Winter.
Here's a clip from our friends at Anthill Productions of a recent NZ trip:

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

Dear Pedro

Our friends at NSMB.com revived a funny story from the Dear Wade Costa Rica contest that we did in 2009 on our Costa Rica DH trips. Check it out here.

Mid-descent, mid-afternoon with the San Jose valley in the distance.

Want to go to Costa Rica soon! Feb 18 and Feb 26 departures...a few spots left! Get in touch!

Lance Armstrong does drugs...he rides bikes for a living!

Thanks to our friends at Chromag Bikes for this groundbreaking piece.

Good thoughts.

"I thought of that while riding my bike"
Albert Einstein.

Are you like me, do you find that you have some of your best thoughts while on your bike? Those, clear "a ha" thoughts that you almost wish that you could stop and carve into a tree so that you don't forget it? We're canvasing our Facebook Fans to find out what some of their best thoughts are while riding; why don't you become a Fan and share your best thought? Or at least head over to our FB page and take a read, it should be entertaining. Click here.

Happy thoughts!

Stoked!

The backyard: ride Vancouver, Whistler and beyond this summer.

"Sea to Sky," an 8-day all-mountain trip out of Vancouver that uncovers the barely-known riding gems beyond the world-renowned Whistler Bike Park. This trip explores Whistler’s secret trails, the cult riding town of Squamish and it’s endless web of singletrack, the eclectic and arid Pemberton Valley, the Sunshine Coast via ferry and influential North Shore of Vancouver. We’ve also got an optional sea plane extension in the Chilcotins. The community of mountain bikers in this area is like nowhere else – trail builders, event organizers, industry leaders - passionate mountain bikers. You've been to Whistler, now come back and let us show you around...

A Whistler post-ride staple: chillin' at the lake.

2011 Nepal dates posted!

We're very excited about this trip. The itinerary is spectacular and the price has remained the same as 2010. We've received considerable interest in Himalaya Heights...October 25 to November 5, 12 days, 11 nights. Get in touch with us today if you've got questions. See you in Katmandu!

Ride like a girl.

Big Mountain guide Lorraine Blancher rides like a girl - a girl who goes big and charges hard....click here for the interview on NSMB.COM.

Miss Blancher puttin' the hammer down. Photo: Sven Martin.

Pura Vida DH next month: a few spots still open!

Want to get a kick start to your riding season? We have two departures next month for our classic Pura Vida 9-day DH get-away in beautiful Costa Rica, February 18 and February 26. Click here for more info or here if you'd like to speak to us click here.

Going downhill in the jungle! Photo: Jeremy Saunders.

Ride Switzerland...the cleanest mountains on the planet.

We've got some great mountain bike holidays in the Swiss Alps this summer...how about going downhill for 9 days on our Alpenrock DH trip? Or maybe you like to earn your turns? Then you might like our classic Cloudraker trip?
Here's a little clip created last summer of some of our clients doing they're own cleaning...of the mountain bike sort....

Peru: the best riding on the planet?

The more we explore the globe on our mountain bikes here at Big Mountain, the more we realize just how unreal the riding is in Peruvian Andes. Check out these stats from our Unforgettable Andes trip:

15,056 meters of descent is precisely 49,396.325 feet. Lotta feet.

We're offering three trips to Peru in 2011. Unforgettable Andes all-mountain extravaganza, May 6-15 and Sept 30-October 9. And our NEW big bike Inca DH trip from June 3-12. Why don't you get in touch with Nathalie or Chris, and...come along?

Thinking of buying that new couch?

Where did your mountain bike take you in 2010?

Go to our Facebook page and let us know with a photo and short caption.

"My Trek Remedy took me to North Vancouver's North Shore on a fine late-August afternoon."
Big Mountain owner Chris Winter.

A group of riders basking in a fine flarial of light on Mt. Fromme.

Ride Canada's National Parks & the world's biggest beaver dam

Parks Canada is considering supporting mountain bikers in their hallowed lands. This is good news for us. Have you got 5 minutes? Take their survey HERE. Who knows? We might even get to see the worlds biggest beaver dam that was spotted by a researcher looking at satellite images for beaver dams. Yes, people do this.

Did you know that a beaver can chop down 200 trees a year? Chop chop.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

...HAPPY HOLIDAYS & A NEW YEAR OF BLISSFULL SINGLETRACK.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the shed,
Not a bike was stirring, not even 'ol Big Red;
The chamois were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that just a little holiday ride would pretty please be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of dirt jumps danced through their heads;
And mamma in her helmet, and I in my tights,
Had just settled our singletrack brains and turned out the lights,—
When out in the yard there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
I opened the door and what i saw i didn't like,
Santa tying up 'ol Rudolph and taking off on my downhill bike.

Snowstorms slashing the east...two words: Pura Vida

That's right, downhilling in Costa Rica. Lock it in now before the holidays. Lorraine Blancher and Paulo Valle will be waiting for you at the San Jose Costa Rica airport ready to whisk you away on a worldclass big bike trip that you'll never forget. Could there be better people to be your host? Paulo, Costa Rica local: genuine, warm, sincere, master trail builder, strongest rider on earth, great person.  Lorraine, BC pro mountain biker: patient, super fun, loves to ride a mountain bike, master coach, ultra talented rider. 9 days, 8 nights, departures: Feb 18 and Feb 26.

Size XL. Don't stress, this is not Costa Rica. Regardless, she'll teach you a few things about riding bikes...

Photo: Sven Martin.

ski stoke

Some of you have seen this already. That's OK. For those of you who haven't, clear your head from the day's clutter, sit back and press play. Skiing is like mountain biking - you look ahead while your bike and body absorb and move over the landscape, you stand on your pedals like you stand on your skis - carving with your weight over the outside pedal, relaxed and focused, moving downhill with gravity as your co-pilot...

BM Photo Contest: VOTE NOW!

Hey folks, go to our Facebook page and vote on seven entries in the final category of the BM Photo Contest...MOVEMENT! Here's a sample from Wawa Ontario's Matt Trudeau on our Swiss Alpenrock DH trip. Sweet shot Matt!

Toast and jam and coffee too. Early morning shreddies in Zermatt.

IMBA interview: BM owner Chris Winter

TOP 10 REASONS TO BOOK WITH US IN 2011!

Top ten reasons to book your next trip with us in 2011.

1.    Our leaders are simply the best available in each region; they’re former Olympians, professional mountain bikers and consummate, passionate professionals…and the kind of people that you’ll want to sit beside at dinner.

2.    We know mountain biking like the back of our hand and we’ll recommend the right trip for you.

3.    What’s the weather like at Machu Picchu? What tires are best for the Dolomites? We know each destination intimately.

4.    We’ll pick you up at the airport and drop you off at the end of your trip and in between you can ride as much, or as little, as you want.

5.    Rest assured, safety is our top priority. Need some riding tips? Our guides will be happy to help.

6.    Our office staff is professional. Book a trip with us and you’ll see, we run a tight ship.

7.    Our pre-trip assistance is comprehensive. We’ll help you book flights, find the best insurance, book extra hotels nights and make sure that you are well prepared for the adventure ahead.

8.    Expect small groups and great results on all of our departures. Looking for a custom trip? Let us know.

9.    We love to ride but also appreciate the culture, great food and sights. Expect to come home enriched.

10. We’ve done the research; we work with the local riders and will take you to the best riding that’s most often not on any map.

Facebook photo contest: voting has begun!

Do you like beautiful images as much as we do? If so, take two secs and click on over to our Facebook page and vote for your favorite image in the "PLACES" catagory by simply "liking" the one that you like most!
Click HERE to head over to our FB page.

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!

Sound of winter...is that snow falling outside?

You're dreaming. It's wintertime and snowing hard. Check out this Salomon Freeski TV piece with it's closeup shots and night-time time lapses...and start dreaming of moving down the mountains on snow...

Forecast: rain. Think Costa Rica.

Fall is here. It's official. Here's the forecast for our home base, Vancouver: very moist.

Here's what it looks like:

We've got spots open on our two Pura Vida DH trips meeting in San Jose on Feb 18 and Feb 26. Make fall more bearable with a tropical mountain bike trip to look forward to...

Mountain Biking Australia covers our BC trip

This summer we organized a private woman's-only media trip for Specialized Bicycles as they launched a new line of ladies mountain bikes. The group flew from Whistler to a remote lake where we camped, then the next day we rode to another lake where our gear was flown to and where we camped again and then rode out to civilization the next day. Many rivers were crossed, passes climbed and descended...forest fires dodged, a few mosquitos and a whole bunch of sweet singletrack was ridden. What a trip! Here's one of the stories that's hit the press. We even got the cover shot!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Want to ride what's beyond Whistler with us next summer? Come check out our Sea to Sky all-mountain trip.

What is epic?

Cheese, chocolate & singletrack...

Did you know that the Swiss make entire meals out of cheese & chocolate? It's true. Did you also know that Switzerland has over 60,000 km of singletrack? Hmmm, cheese, chocolate & singletrack...

Ride Aotearoa...land of the long white cloud.

Did you know that the Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa which means land of the long white cloud? Me neither. One of my absolute favorite aspects of travel is the planning, researching and dreaming process. I eat it up, all of it - landscape, culture, statistics, weather, economy, singletrack...you name it, i want to know before the plane touches down. Today, i learnt a few neat things about NZ on Wiki: NZ is notable for its geographic isolation. It's situated about 2000 km south-east of Australia and it's closest neighbours are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. During its long isolation it developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals that they introduced. One such bird is the moa which was hunted to extinction by the Maori. The reason that the South Island is nearly treeless is that the Maori set the forest on fire to hunt the moa.

Hey enough about flightless birds...why don't you just come on down to NZ with us March 1, 2011 on our new 12-day Silver Fern trip? It's going to be fun...

Pretty crazy that this big 'ol bird roamed New Zealand not long ago.

Dirty tales from Maroc

We just wrapped up another stellar private trip in Morocco's High Atlas mountains. These photos are courtesy of Stephane from Switzerland and are a good depiction of what to expect on our Dirt Merchant trip. Of all our trips, Morocco can cater to a wide range of riders and tastes - from intermediate to professional, XC to ALL-MTN to DH, ultra luxury to ultra adventurous - we can make it happen. If you and your riding crew are thinking of mixing up next spring's annual trip to the desert, you should get in touch with us and seriously consider Morocco.  Our scheduled dates are April 10-19, 2011 but we can always organize a private trip if you'd like. See you in Marrakech!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

BM guide in Bike Magazine's BUZZ

Stephen Matthews, who co-guided our Swiss Alpenrock DH trips with Joe Schwartz and Wade Simmons this summer, is in the latest Bike Magazine. You'll see him railing a dreamy patch of long grass near Calgary, Alberta in the late afternoon sun. Congrats Stephen!

The Nov issue of Bike.

When im asked to go to a happy place where everything is perfect...i go to a place that looks like this.

Photo: Reuben Krabbe

Front lines report from Peru, Unforgettable Andes trip

Peruvian guide and partner Wayo just sent this email from Ollantaytambo, on our Unforgettable Andes trip: "Everything is going really well on this trip! Some serious characters in the group and they are having the best time on their bikes. Good riders too. Today the group is in Machu Picchu. Yesterday we went to Huchuy Cusco and it was an awesome day. The group is very happy and are starting to say, "best trip of my life." Every year this trip gets better, like wine!" Looking at these photos, it sure is drier than our spring departures. But look at the terrain...some of the trails are like a pump track, bmx track and A-line trail at the Whistler Bike Park - combined...and that go on for 50+ km. Seriously!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Downhill Wurbauerkogel circa 1992!

Huffingtonpost.com features our African safari trip

We're elated that The Huffington Post, a well-respected and progressive American news website covered our Rhythm of Africa mountain bike safari yesterday. "Big Mountain Bike Adventures guides you on this incredible mountain bike journey through some of Africa’s top wild game parks. Combining easy-to-moderate biking with exceptional game viewing and beautiful wilderness camps offers a very unique take on the traditional African safari. This trip will combine park access in both South Africa and Botswana." Thanks Huffington Post. Indeed, this trip is a must do for all mountain bikers. What to know more...get in touch with us and we can give you the scoop.

this afternoon in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco

Oh how i wish i was in Morocco right now. It's sunny and warm and the trails are oh-so-super-fun. And then there's the clash of unique cultures, the epic accommodation, great food and very cool atmosphere. We'll have next year's Dirt Merchant XC trip details posted very soon. We do know that the next trip is April 10-19, 2011.

I travelled up this road, and I travelled down that,

What have I to show for it? Nothing flat.

All I brought were slippers which I took off and left by the door.

A silly calf ate them, soles and all.

Moroccan saying                                                                                             

Moroccan traffic jam: encountering a Berber on his way home with supplies.

Nancy mid-climb. Check out that singletrack on the left...sweet!

honey, can i go riding?

 I think that we've all had glimpses of this conversation...except perhaps "how about you take your bike and go f*ck that." ahh, life and love...now get out and ride!!
 

Earlier today near Lima, Peru...

Word just came in from our Peruvian partner and guide extraordinaire Wayo on day one of our Unforgettable Andes trip: "Hola Chris, Nat. First day of riding and the group's minds are blown away already. Was a good day, cought traffic to get out of Lima because the elections but we went on time. Finished our ride on the "playground" making some jumps. Group is doing very well! Tomorrow Olleros..."
Reading this I cannot help but reminice of my last time riding with Wayo in the Andes, a trip that i won't forget. I remember the first day on the bike on this trip - you've arrived in Lima the night before, a little tired, a little scattered in a big South American metropolis. The next day you drive out of the city in crazy traffic for the first ride, not really sure of what you're getting into. Then you get rolling on creamy singletrack in a surreal arid landscape followed by cold beers and laughs with new friends. Little do you know that this is just a slice of what's to come...the riding on this trip ramps up...and by day two you realize that you've never ridden such great trails, ever! Then each one trumps the other until your in a drunken daze of best rides ever...

Unloading the van for the first ride.

"Sun's setting quick, we'd better keep riding..."

Fuel for a big day ahead. The cuisine in Peru was surprisingly tasty.

Good wine & great singletrack

We mountain bikers are known to enjoy our post ride ales. In certain circles quality beer at the end of the ride is just as important as the singletrack ridden and it seems that everyone I meet is a burgeoning beer sommelier. I like beer too, but can a mountain biker drink wine and still be cool? Our Swiss all-mountain Cloudraker and downhill Alpenrock DH trips take place in the canton of Valais, which happens to be one of Switzerland's main wine producers. It's a spectacular region with sweeping vineyards that go from the shores of Lake Geneva up the mountainsides, and from the Rhone Valley up the steep slopes of the Alps. I can't think of another place in the world where you can descend 6000 feet of blissfull singletrack or ride 50 kms of unreal all-mountain trails that end in vineyards.
Last summer on a private trip, after a day of downhilling at the Crans Montana bike park we rolled down the long last descent of the day and stopped off at wine producers' "cave" for a tour of their production and a wine tasting, and then continued the last bit of riding down to Sierre and our hotel in the setting sun. What a great way to wrap up a day of riding. Ah, the good life...
Want to drink wine and ride your mountain bike in the Swiss Alps too? Get in touch with us and we'll make it happen.

Hmmmm, wine.

Descending down to the Rhone Valley post wine tasting. Eyes on the trail. Focus...

Photos: Taylor Holland. Thanks to the Holland family for a great trip!