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BLOG :: THOUGHTS FROM THE TRAILS Topics and issues to do with moutainbiking in the Sea to Sky Corridor. This BLOG presents the opinions and thoughts of BLOG owner Jude Goodwin - sometimes mistaken, not always factual, sometimes just hearsay and gossip! Send your feedback to jude@squamishmountainbike.com June 2008 - Test of Metal Exceeds All Expectations
May 2008 - There's a mountain bike There's a mountain bike April 2008 Page one of this website, or the 'Home' page, is now the official news section. I'll list what I can when I can. As volunteer webmaster of this site as well as the SORCA site, the Squamish Events Guide, VISUALS, and Squamish Arts Council, sometimes I simply don't have the time to seek and post. Anyone with Bike Related events is welcome to send them over and I'll do my best to put em up! I've started a Snow Report in the Trail Updates section. Good Grief eh? And here it is April !! Still not possible to complete either the first or second half of the Test of Metal without being turned back by snow. Many community members are planning to join the Slow Ride from Valleycliffe to Garibaldi Estates on April 18. Be sure to check it out, see page one. Earth Day weekend (April 20) has some great events planned for the Squamish Waterfront, and they start off with a community mass ride called CYCLES 2008, that leaves from the Adventure Centre. Again, see page one for more. Be sure to check out adoptatrail.ca - Todd Pope and the District of Squamish's new trail site and project. Looks like a great idea to me abut maybe needs to cut back a bit on the 'reporting' load. At any rate, it's a 'many hands' kind of thing and I'm already arguing with myself over which trail I'm going to foster. What an incredible weekend eh? Sure hope you put aside that gardening, car washing, recyling, like I did in order to GET OUT! March 2008 Things are moving so quickly around here I rarely have time to enjoy this blog. However, I have been out and about on the mountain bike plane so thought I would try to do something on a monthly basis. First - SORCA. I've very excited to be a member of this year's board. So many exciting things are happening this year! Downhill Toonies - yay. Social Rides - yay. Shorter XC Toonies - YAY! First big event is April 5 - for all disciplines and kids too. Be sure to check out the sorca website (which I am now updating on a regular basis). Some of us will be at Brennan Park on Saturday manning the SORCA booth - lots going on there (Wild At Art Community Connections), so do bring the kids and drop by. Second - Trails. No, not a catalogue of trail issues here. But what with all the snow and mud, thought I'd tell what I know about where to go - as of this weekend anyhow. Valleycliffe trails are all clear. Last weekend I rode up Smoke Bluffs, up 7 stitches, and down 3 Virgins then up Fartherside. (Curtis told me it's better that way) Saw many many riders on the trail. Alice Lake is much more disappointing. Still not possible to ride the 'first half' of Test of Metal. Jacks is clear now but the fsr out to Dead End Loop is impassable without walking, and I'm told Bob Macintosh and the loop are still covered in snow. Tracks from Hell is clear I'm told, haven't been that way yet myself. Trying to get those long rides in without going in circles! Rode up the dump trails, down Wonderland, then up the Garibaldi Springs hill and out to Jacks, down Brackentrail and home. Lots of work needed on the trails and an excellent schedule of trail days is now posted on the SORCA website so GET OUT! Jan 15 :: SORCA AGM Well whew. Just returned from the SORCA AGM where there was a bit of a shake-up - a motion was put forward which enlarged the executive to 13 spots, including a Downhill Director, a Social Director, two Members-At-Large, and a Media Relations. We have a new president, Dave Gillie, who stood up and gave an impassioned speach about mountain biking and fun. Cliff Miller returns to the fold as Vice-president. Don Petrocco returns as Secretary. Brad Walkey returns as a Member At Large. Jude Goodwin returns as Director of Media Relations. Ian stays on as Twoonie master, Jo Sykes heads up the all new Social committee, Rob McLeod stays on as Treasurer, Cris McCrum remains the Trail guru, Lisa Dickson comes on as Youth Director and Dawn Morgensen is Membership Director. Oh, and Barry McLean heads up the Downhill committee. Bryan Raiser stays on as conduit to the ivory bungalows, or member-at-large. I'm told there will be a retreat at which time I'll find out more about my new job - but I'm happy to serve another year on the SORCA executive, especially as I am maybe sorta perhaps thinking about trying to do the Test. It will be my 7th Test of Metal, and my last. I'll be 55. Watch out for 'save the plunge' the sequel as Run of River Power Inc. proceeds with three development projects located within close proximity to one another in the Upper Mamquam watershed. Raffuse Creek, Crawford Creek and Skookum Creek all flow into the Upper Mamquam River which hosts Canadian Hydro Developers Upper Mamquam project currently in production. They are considering running their power lines down the Ring Creek Rip and then either down to the Diamond Head FSR or down the Plunge. www.runofriverpower.com That's all for now. But I'll keep ya posted - Oh, and the riding today was AWESOME! Sunnny, and frozen - perfect dump trails weather. GET OUT! Dec 24 :: A Long Winter's Nap ... Or not! Hello everyone, hope you're having a very merry Christmas season. If you're like me, you're already planning your new year's training program even as you bite into just one more homemade shortbread cookie - just one more! So here's a holiday wrap-up: First things first, the Test of Metal. It happens in June but January 1st is the big day. Did you sign up during the locals only window? The Test of Metal website now has a complete list of locals who were able to make it into the sign-up Dec 1. If you missed out, get your submit thumbs ready for 6:00 pm January 1. Actually here's a psst. The form will be available for filling out a few minutes before 6 so go there and do the paperwork ahead of time. No 'official' word as to when it will happen, but likely 10 minutes or so ahead of time. Next, the SORCA AGM. January 15 at the Library, 6:30 pm. Not a member? Now's the time to come on by and see what's shaking. And speaking of AGMs, there is the Squamish BMX Racing Club AGM on Jan 27, 1:00 pm at the Squamish Adventure Centre. There are lots of plans for 2008 but it can't be done without volunteers! SORCA and Trinity Romances' annual Casino Night - James Bondage 2008. "yet another epic night of faux gambling, martini drinking, lingerie gawking and dancing." is February 16. Howe Sound Inn. In case you haven't heard, Dec 29, Saturday is Hockey Night in Squamish, a fundraiser for the Squamish Foodbank put on by local mountain bikers. Please bring can food donations. Pick up registration at either Corsa Cycles or Tantalus Bike Shop. $30 per person. Full Equipment recommended. Helmet, Gloves required. For info contact Don Petrocco at petrock1@hotmail.com or 604 848 5306. 8:00 - 10:00 pm Brennan Park Leisure Centre. Of course, all these events and lots more (kayaking, skating, swimming, running) can be found on the website What's On Squamish Events Guide www.whatsonsquamish.com Would you rather race your mountain bike on the trails or run on them? This year you might be able to do both - talk is about a trail running twoonie every 2nd Wednesday complete with bbq. Watch for news! The Rat Race Lives - watch their new website for news, promised in the new year. http://www.ratrace2.com/ The Sun Run Clinic starts up January 12. The perfect way to get into running and ultimately trail running. You'll be running 10 k by April. Think of it! Brennan Park 604 898 3604. SORCA Spin Sessions start up January 8 at Don Ross School. SORCA members only. www.sorca.ca OK, I'm tired now. Gonna go take that nap and then eat turkey with friends and neighbours at the Brackendale Art Gallery. Ho Ho Ho GET OUT!
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