Alpenrock DH next month: a few spots left!

Next month we're off to the Swiss Alps to DH the singletrack with BC legends Wade Simmons and Joe Schwartz and we've got a few spots left. Want to join us? When will you ever get the chance to ride with these legends for 9 days in the Alps?

August 5-13: a few spots open, guided by Joe Schwartz and Stephen Matthews
August 13-21: full
August 21-29: a few spots open, guided by Wade Simmons and Stephen Matthews

Check out a photo essay on NSMB.com with unreal photos by Blake Jorgenson. 

A look back: Kranked I

It's amazing to see how far mountain biking has come in such a short time...I wonder where it'll be ten years from now?

Chromag

There's a little company out of Whistler BC that's shaking up the status quo with some really cool technology. They're called Chromag. You might have seen them around. We rock Chromags' bars, stems and saddles and we could not be happier. Add their bars to your ride and you'll be happy you did, it'll change the way you ride.

Top ten reasons to book your next trip with us!

1. Our leaders are former Olympians, professional mountain bikers and consummate, passionate professionals, oh, and they're 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, safely is our top priority.
6. Need some riding tips? Our guides are happy to help.
7. Our pre-trip assistance is comprehensive. We'll help you book flights, find the best insurance, book extra hotel nights and make sure that you are well prepared for the adventure ahead.
8. Expect small groups and great results on all our departures. Looking for a custom trip? Let us know.
9. We love to ride but also appreciate the local culture, great food and sights. Expect to come home enriched.
10. We've done the research; we work with the locals and will take you to the best riding that's most often not on any map.

Spring showers brings thoughts of...

So here in Vancouver and Whistler we're having a bit of a wet spring...OK, it's been more than just a bit wet, it's been downright nasty; on and off like a tap...the steam of weather is a straight line from from the Philippines to Vancouver which means at least it's been warm...

 

A few days ago a few of us drove up the highway from Vancouver while a few more drove down from Whistler to meet in Squamish. On the phone that morning we seriously considered pulling the plug on the ride as rain was threatening, as usual. We went anyway and man, what a good call. Squamish, which has always been one of my favorite places to ride anywhere has been investing big dough in new trail development and let me tell you....the new additions are unreal. Crazy-fun berms a la A-Line interspersed with really fun pumping singletrack in a beauty mossy green forest. We rode Ted's new Half Nelson, Psudosuga, Deliverance, Your Mom...it rained a little but we didn't even notice.

The moral of the story is get out and ride. Rain. Shine. Whatever. You'll be happy you did!

Live in Vancouver? Slideshow & short films next Thurs!

Come out and get inspired to ride. Photos from around the globe and short video clips. Read about it on NSMB. Hope to see you soon!

Cloudraker in the Swiss Alps

I just got an email from a Swiss friend, Raphael Faiss, who's guided some of our Cloudraker trips in years past. His email was simple, "incredible ride," was all it said with the photo below and the photo above attached. Indeed Raph, that was an incredible ride. I remember that particular trip...it was mid-August and the weather was particularly fiesty. Usually we get a few tough moments weather-wise...a rainy morning or full day of drizzle or maybe even some fresh snow in the highest rides. On this trip it was nasty for what seemed like seven out of ten days. I remember leaving the Cabane de Mont Fort one morning (after spending the night) and it was pissing rain, cold, and almost snowing. Ouch. We started the day with a traverse and then a very very long downhill to the Rhone Valley far below. By the time we started the descent my fingers were frozen, fortunately by the time we arrived at the van it was hot and sun was out. The photos above and below are a few days later, just before dropping into the famous Brazilian descent. What trumps my memories of the tough weather was the group. Despite the challenges we pulled together and gelled like old friends, helping each other up and down the big mountains, laughing at the tough moments and buying extra rounds of beers at the end of each day. If any of you from that group are reading this...thanks for the great rides. And to all of you who've joined us on our Cloudraker trip over the years...thanks for joining us! We pioneered some of the rides in the Valais region believe it or not. Cloudraker has always been my favorite trip, it's not always easy, but it sure is worth it...And thanks Raphael for taking time to be such a great companion in your backyard. Maybe one day i will be able to keep up to you on the climbs!

Trans Portugal

Friends just got home from the TRANSPORTUGAL multi stage race that crosses Portugal from the North to South over 9 stages totalling approximately 1150 km. Hmmmmmm, that's 127 kms per day by the way, a whole lot of mountain biking! The race starts in the city of Bragança and finishes in Sagres in the Algarve with only 60 participants max at the start line. Do you want to do the 2011 version? It sounds tough, but beautiful! Check out these great photos by Carlos Dias. Makes me want to go riding in Portugal!

Live in Calgary? You could win a spot on our Alpenrock DH trip...

If you live in Calgary and are looking for a new bike...buy a Trek from Calgary Cycle and you'll be entered to win a spot on our famous Alpenrock DH trip with Joe Schwartz. The odds are pretty good that you'll be riding sweet singletrack in the land of cows, cheese and big, big mountains...see you in Geneva!

Ride with Joe in the Alps

Some sweet views from Big Mountain guide and teacher extraordinaire Joe Schwartz, summer 2009. Former pro mountain biker with mad skills, professional heli ski and mountain bike guide,  cultural aficionado, French speaker, master mountain bike instructor and the kind of great guy that you want to hang out with...could Joe be the ultimate guide? Want to ride with Joe this summer? I think we might have a few spots left on our Alpenrock DH trip.

Ten things about mountain biking in Whistler

Thanks to our friends at Chromag for this...

not a bad day. more Brendan...

Brendan Semenuk and his Rock Shox in Durango

Smooth like butter. It's such a pleasure to watch Brendan rail the Colorado dirt with impressive precision yet natural slackness.

What do you ride? Take a quick poll...

Peru update and photos: yesterday

Ray Warner's email that arrived from Lima last night:

It´s official.  We´re in Peru.  It feels kind of surreal really...  Bob from BC summed it up yesterday when he said, "I'm just waiting to wake up, because this cant really be happening."  He said that as we continued our ascent to over 10,000 feet in a luxury bus on what appeared to be a burro trail.... One cannot truly appreciate the beauty of the Andes without seeing it first hand.  The warm people....The great weather...The AMAZING food....The history and the culture.....All these have combined to make this an experience out of this world.  Or the world I know, anyway.  Then there´s the riding.  WOW..  Each day has been an over the top sampling of tasty singletrack while viewing the rugged Andes.  Chutes, drops, flow, slickrock.  It´s like all the places I´ve ridden in one destination.  How can you beat that?

The group - that's Ray third from the left with the extra big smile and guide extraordinaire Wayo Stein at the front.

The shuttle bus loaded up mid-ascent. The destination? 10,000 feet to a ride that ends on the shores of the Pacific. That's a big big descent!

BTW, we can create a custom DH or all-mountain trip in Peru if you want. Gather some friends and get in touch with us and we'll let you know the details. For Canucks, Air Canada flies direct from Toronto to Lima which is really convenient...

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Win a summer of shred with BC Bike Parks

Hmmm....summer dreaming...
It's June 19 and you just found out that you won the contest: a season's pass at each of BC's best bike parks - Whistler, Silver Star, Sun Peaks, Fernie and Mount Washington. And, two extra day tix and two nights accommodation, two days of bike rentals to each of the resorts for a friend...and a G note for whatever you want. Beer perhaps?
Suddenly, you get inspired: you call your mom and tell her the good news, you quit the job that you hate anyway, you buy a beater car, toss all your gear in it and throw a rack on it and hit the open road. Summer off. Grow your hair, get some new shades, get some new flip flops. Your roomate can deal with your mail, you set up auto-pay on your bills. Camping, friends, riding across BC. No schedule and no one to tell you what to do.
Enough dreaming. Enter the contest. I am. Go to Bike Parks BC or Facebook. 

Scott Dickson & the art of mountain biking

You probably haven't heard of artist Scott Dickson but you've surely admired his work when you picked up a copy of Freeride Entertainment's New World Disorder movies, or seen one of their ads in Bike Magazine. Well, that's Dickson's art. That's right, the chaotic mess of characters burning shit, breaking shit and causing general mahem with a mountain biker usually airborn in there somewhere - Never Enough, Smackdown, Ride the Lightening etc. See the Kootenay-based Dickson's website for more of his work. There's not enough art in mountain biking. Thanks Scott for inspiring us with your beautiful creations.

Calgary slideshow this Thursday!

Read more about this Thursday's Calgary slideshow and Brighter film premiere on NSMB.com and Kona's Cog blog. Come out, it's going to be fun

Earlier today near Lima, Peru

"Today we went for an extra ride before the start of the trip and the guys were amazed with this little ride hehe. Wait until they see what's to come! We are already having a lot of fun and drinking just a few beers. Looks like we are going to have a super trip!" Words from our guide extraordinaire, Wayo Stein, in an email that just came in a few hours ago.
A group of Canucks from Ottawa just arrived into Peru yesterday. With them is Ray Warner who heads up our Yukon Midnight Sun trip. Stay posted here for more updates on this trip!

Want to ride the Andes with Big Mountain? Trust us, it's UNREAL!! Let's go.