Woodlot Virgin

It was a simply glorious day in the lower mainland today. You know what I hate? Is when people say the Pacific Northwest. We don't live in the freaking Pacific Northwest. We aren't American. If anything, we live in the Pacific Southwest. Get it?

Anyway, TheDude and I took my friend John to the Woodlot today. He had just bought a 2004 Norco Six a couple of weeks earlier and wanted to try it out. Today was the day.

John and I got to the parking area around 12:30. TheDude was up on Snakes doing a little bit of dirt works so we started up to meet him. We got there around 12:45 and we all headed up to Goldmine. The push was uneventful with lots of good chatter. We got to the top and suited up for John's virgin decent.

Away we went. TheDude in the lead, me, then John. Not too far in John's chain popped off and got pretty stuck. It took me a few minutes to get it fixed but I did eventually and off we went. Goldmine is a different trail in the wet. There are a lot of roots so the trail becomes instantly harder. We cruised down at a decent pace, not having to wait too long for John. At one point TD pointed out what looked like a trail up the hill. We took a quick look and agreed we'd come back and hike it at a later date to see where it went.

Next up were the fast flowy jumps of Snakes. It has been over two months since I rode it so I was a little rusty. The Snakes jump was cool(John hit it to which was good)as usual. Then we hit the gappers. I went into the first one a little hot and almost augered in the pit, but made it out OK. Cased the landing a tad on the trail gap, but made it through. Normally I'd go back up and do it again, but we were pressed for time. Down we went. Log ride, rock face, rock face, rolldown, bottom. Snakes is good. I love Snakes. I want to marry it.

We pedalled up to the road and headed down to Shotgun. As always, it was a blast. Out of all the trails on the hill, I'd say it is in the best shape. Says a lot about the maintenance seeing as how it is the busiest trail on the hill.

John did well today and enjoyed himself quite a bit. I can't wait to take him out again.

Next up for Mr. Woodlot? The Third Annual Remberence Day Ride on Mt. Fromme. See you then?