First Tracks BC Trip 2006

September 06

Most of us have been on some sort of bike trip. Maybe France or just the other end of the country. Its all good times. I have been lucky enough to be able to say I have been on a few trips!! But one place I always find myself wanting to go back to is good old Whistler, and to be honest this place just gets better everytime.

The crew

First Tracks managed to recruit a very solid bunch of guys consisting of Paddy 'crash' Mc Cann, John 'one more run' Loane, Meave 'it could be worse' Baxter and Steve ' f**kballsc**t' Bell. For 10 days during August we just let the good times roll.

Ur man from First Tracks

Plans are already in place for a 2007 episode so if your interested in a bit of serious action get in quick.

Here's What some had to say:

The trip to canada was the best 11 days I have ever experienced. I don't know what it was about Canada but it seemed to make me crash a lot and the problem is that the crashes were never small, always resulted in me cartwheeling down a hillside or as the picture shows bursting myself open. Whistler is amazing. As soon as you get there you just feel happy and know that its going to be the best laugh ever, which it was.

The trails are unreal with something to suit everyone, from A-Line and Freight Train for jumping and Schleyer and No Joke for full on downhill madness. I was loving it so much i even found myself following GOB off stuff blind....occasionally! Even crashing and bursting my arm open which required 14 stiches didn't dampen whistler for me.

Next was the heli drop which was good but in my trademark style i crashed and my kneepads moved out of the way which resulted in my knee being cut open which kind of ruined it for me. The trip in the heli was an experience in itself.

heli drop time

The next day was the first roadtrip day to sunpeaks and to be honest i didn't really enjoy it since I had a gammy knee. The trails there weren't up to the standard of the other places we went but if I was there with a fully functioning body i reckon i would have enjoyed it. Ask Steve Bell about the friends he made there when you see him.

Paddy doing what he does best

The second stop on the roadtrip was Silverstar and this place was really good. Its like a mini whistler but with far fewer people. The trails are almost as good and are well maintained with a real good mix of everything. Couple that with only crashing 3 times on that day and i was onto a winner!

Silverstar wallride

The final day and what a place to end the trip, The famous North Shore. We only did one trail but it was the best run of the whole trip. People had told me about the quality of the trails there and they were right. The work that goes into the trails is phenomenal and the work is well worth it.

we like it extreme

Finally a word about the company. Glyn organised the trip really well and put together a good group of people who all got on well which really made the trip. He was really professional when it was needed and rode with us the whole time which was cool because we got to meet Tyler Morland and the designer of Cove Bikes, Brian or was it Seamus along with some other cool people.

It just goes on forever

Jonny and Mark from Bearback Biking were very friendly and helpful and Jo made the best food I have eaten. They ran the chalet well and had everything you needed to have a great holiday including a full workshop. Jonny even drove to Squamish to look for a main pivot bearing for the Foes for me.

Local talent

West Coast Freeride Guides run by Michael Hallet and Brian Cameron were the best laugh when there was banter to be had but were professional when it was required of them. They provided great food and camping for the roadtrip and they both patched me up when i made bits of myself.

Look at that i managed to write all of that and not curse even once. 'Paddy Mc Cann'

The accommodation in Whistler was superb. We were put up in a luxury chalet, en suite rooms, hot tub, food cooked for us, lock up garage for the bikes and more tools than you could shake a stick at, which were all well used by our team mechanic Steve Bell.

Accommodation BBB style

We were able to get going pretty much immediately as our lift passes (with extended play) were all sorted and ready for us.

Riding tips were always freely given by Glyn, usually he just had to say "You see what Paddy just did?.........don't do that!!!"

North shore

The road trip was pure class. Being stuck in a van with 6 boys having a farting contest..........what more could a girl ask.

A cooler in the van filled with cold beer.....mmmmmmm

Tent city

Camping beside a lake and going swimming after a days riding, it's the new showering dahling

The trails at Silverstar were amazing, I could have stayed there for a few more days. They were well maintained, had great flow, and you pretty much had them to yourself.

Meave leads out the pack

The WCFG guys had it sorted. We never had to worry about food, they had it all under control. We'd come off the trails at lunchtime and they always had a cooler with pasta salad or sandwiches and enough powerade to keep Paddy functioning.

Despite officially having the stupidest fall of the trip, it's probably one of the best trips I've had. It was extremely well organised, great fun and of course had some of the best mountain bike riding I've had.

Oh, and doing doughnuts in the airport on a luggage trolley with a broken leg, Glyn sure knows how to show a girl a good time.

'Meave Baxter'

Steve's ring

Many Thanks to:

Michael and Brian at WCFG for smooth operations, driving us around and joining in the craic.- www.freerideguides.com
Jonny, Mark and Jo at BBB for sweet accommodation, good food and the lend of your hot tub. - www.bearbackbiking.com
John, Meave, Steve and Paddy for just being you.

Till next year, Keep er pinned!!
www.firsttracksguiding.com

Glyn O'Brien

Shredin the singletrack at altitude on the heli drop.

Thats a big 10-4