XC Squamish Style
XC for me has typically meant riding the same trails I would on any other bike with less armour and a little helmet, but going a little slower down and hopefully with a little less pushing up.
That shot is from a lap today in Squamish which was unfortunately cut short by a twisted ankle for Jon, but still gave up some epic views, turns and laughs.
The trails in that place between Whistler and Vancouver – that so many steam through via Tim Hortons and the rest of the stripmall wasteland in the valley – are varied, and today were riding fast and loose. The trails seem to be pitched at the perfect level – good fast ripping and gnarly sections to keep you on your toes, with climbs to get you worked over without hour long fireroad slogging. The views too… this definitely isn’t the Shore, where the view = trees, lots of them. Squamish has huge snowcapped peaks surrounding it, and epic flowing mountain landscapes, and vast, looming, moss coated granite monoliths.
It’s XC country. Bring your 29er.
Ok, maybe stick with a real bike, this isn’t California.
Comments
3 Comments so far. Comments are closed.Now that is XC! Warren I’m coming to BC for a month in July. We need to hook up mate. I have Demons to put to rest.
Glad to hear it! My riding has gone down the pan of late but I’ll happily show you around and point you off stuff. Squamish is so rad if you’re bringing a smaller or all rounder bike, otherwise there’s the usual rack of awesomeness. We should hit the Sunshine Coast. You’ll like it so much you may well shit yourself.
I’m away the first week of July in the UK of all places, but will be shredding some weekends after that for sure. The park is already dusty apparently. Madness.
Nice one WA
Sounds like we’ll be in town the same week. I arrive on the 8th July. Shoot me an email (kieran@oceandesign.co.uk) and we’ll firm up some plans. The SX will be coming with me on this trip so will be a little more XC friendly.