Whistler's Week on Wheels: May 26
6 Jun 2014
By Dominic Wrapson
A weekly update series of two-wheeled happenings in Whistler. Title image kindly provided by Coast Mountain Photography.
Monday May 26: Women's Night & Men's Night
Thanks to Extended Play Bike Park operations on Monday and Wednesdays right from the get-go, this was already the third session of the year for the girls and number two for the boys, with numbers already looking healthy. I was coaching the fellas again tonight with some returning from week one, and a couple new additions in the mix. Continuing where we left off, it was all focus on cornering technique; an oft-visited skill in these sessions.
Ready to do a B-Line lap to solidify what we'd been practicing on Easy Does It
The Mens Nights aren't usually on the Mondays with the girls, however, with the limited early Extended Play operations, we're getting them both out on the Monday until full-time 8pm closing kicks in on June 14th when the guys will move to the Tuesday.
Tuesday May 27: Swag night!
It's technically not quite bikes but, if you've ever thought about becoming a coach, it's motivation. It comes once a year, and for some guides is better than Christmas: Tuesday was bike park swag night! One of the (other) perks of being a bike coach (apart from being paid to ride your bike, of course) is that we get pretty well kitted out too. Issued gear will depend on status (part-time, full-time), and seniority (years coaching), but will be from a list of: Kali Protectives helmet (full-face or xc), DaKine jersey, shorts, gloves, rain jacket and hydration pack, and iXS knee and elbow pads. As always, a massive thanks to the Bike Park and all our equipment sponsors for kitting us out so well every year.
Ever thought about becoming a coach? This could be your yearly swag pile
Wednesday May 28: Women's Night & Phat Wednesday
Phat Wednesday is BACK! First race of the year is B-Line - as is tradition - with a bit of Heart of Darkness tacked on the end - which is a newer addition. For bike related reasons I was unfortunately sitting this one out, but 226 others made sure they were in the start-gate, with 44 of those upping the ante with an extra chainless side-bet, winner takes all. WB have a full Phat Wednesday write-up including results and photos.
GLC packed as always for Phat Wednesday apres where a race-entry also scores you a beer, and a chance at one-of-many draw prizes
The girls were back for their fourth night of the season, with some groups opting for a half-coach half-race strategy, proving you can do both if you really want to. With the GLC deck still closed for refurb, the girls headed over to Merlins to apres while the racers stayed at the usual GLC. If you did both you wanted to choose your apres spot carefully or risk missing out on a prize.
Thursday May 29: WORCA Toonie Ride
Arbutus Routes were hosting this week, with an almost-repeat of last year's course, but had a surprise in store. Those riders that were keen enough to shuffle to the front were to lay their bikes on the dirt and, in a Le Mans-style start, had to run part-way up the hill, round a flag, back to the bikes, mount up, then start racing. I was caught up in it all and after a near-miss at the flag, got away cleanly. Up the ski-run under Wizard Chair, past 18 Below, up past the Airdome, then enter the Sliding Centre. A quick hop over the wall and we're in the concrete tube, pedalling to the top, as pictured at the top of the page. It's not as steep as you might imagine, but it is narrow so there's no passing so a good start is important if you want to either do well, or just not get held up.
Lining up in the beautiful Arbutus Routes shop to pay $2 race entry, which includes your dinner and a beer at the end!
Off in the le-Mans pack, I had a decent climb, but wasn't riding my usual bike (as hinted earlier). I got a little carried away on the descent forgetting a Fox 32 CTD don't play like my usual Fox 36 RC2, which meant the rock-roll and g-out in Golden Boner getting the better of me. I finished off around 12th after my crash (we don't get official placings), then it was off to the clinic for some stitches to close the hole (WARNING: graphic content) that a rogue stick decided to make in my leg.
Moments before things got a bit wobbly off a rock-roll (photo courtesy of a marshalling friend's phone)
Friday May 30: PhaSt Fridays Enduro
New on the calendar this year, the WB Events crew are catering for the Enduro crowd and putting on three "Sprint" Enduro races before extended play kicks full-time and they can race after 5pm in an empty park. Sadly, with the stitches the night before, I wasn't riding this one, but 50 racers showed up to test themselves on little bikes in the park. Hit the results tab on the link above and you can see courses, and how everyone finished.
Saturday May 31: Nimby Fifty
Technically not in Whistler but just up the Highway 99 in Pemberton, this year was the 5th annual Nimby Fifty race. A 39(ish)km marathon-xc race that feels more like 50km (for the name) when you factor in the climbing, and the loose, dusty, technical descents. Around 400 riders on the start-line again this year on a typically scorching day (it somehow always is for this race in May). Though labelled XC, this is Canadian cross-country and it's certainly got technical trails to test even the best riders, with many of the same ones used for the Sea-to-Sky Enduro series. This year saw repeat wins for Max Plaxton in the men's and Mical Dyck in the women's (two in a row).
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