MAY – It’s Time To Celebrate The Bike Season!
Well April has come and gone and we are well into spring. This year’s snow melt and
rains definitely took their tole on some of the trails so make sure to ride carefully and be on the look out for our upcoming trail days. We are going to need some extra hands this year to help keep the erosion under control. We have two wicked events that we are hosting this month! On May 24th we are hosting the Kelowna premiere of “Strength In Numbers” Anthill films new feature! And then, on May 27th we will be hosting our first annual Crawford Kick-Off! You can read more about these two events further on in the newsletter.
A big shout out goes to Source Office Furnishings one of our newest sponsors. These
guys jumped on board to support MTBco for the season! If you are setting up a new
office or are furnishing your current one make sure to talk to these guys!
Support Your Local Bike Shops!
For those of you who don’t know, MTBco wouldn’t be able to survive without
sponsorship from the local bike shops of the Central Okanagan. They also make a
wicked effort to come out and host the twoonie rides! Because they support us we
would be stoked if our membership made an effort to support them! This year we
have every bike shop from West Kelowna to Lake Country on board for the season.
Whether you are looking for the newest gear, pricing out a custom build or are wanting to get your bike tuned to perfection… make sure to frequent your local bike shops first and foremost! And remember your membership card get’s you 10% off of parts and accessories at all the shops, it’s like a universal bro-deal!
Kelowna
Fresh Air Experience/Concept
ChainLine Cycle
Cyclepath
Kelowna Cycle
Rock ‘N Road
West Kelowna
Sovereign Cycle
Outbound Cycle
Lake Country
Lake Country Cycle
Thanks to the shops for keeping us alive, participating in events, hosting toonie rides, selling memberships and fielding questions about the club!!
Strength In Numbers – May 24th
We are super excited to announce that on Thursday May 24th, MTBco will be hosting the Kelowna premiere for Anthill Films newest feature – “Strength in Numbers” at Boomers Bar and Grill. This is an all-ages venue.
From The Film Makers:
“Viewed at a distance, the world of mountain biking is a disjointed network of seemingly similar but disconnected communities. Freeride. Downhill. Big Mountain. All Mountain. Dirt Jump. Slopestyle. A sport of individuals, equally defined by their many differences, as the common threads that bind. And while our story doesn’t follow a straight line, we all end up in the same place. Tire to ground, foot to pedal, hand to bar – communities drawn together by trails of dirt.
A new action sport documentary, Strength in Numbers is a rally call to connect all mountain bikers, regardless of location or language or discipline. The film captures a true way of life, from the world’s best pros to those who are just learning to love the sport. Shot over two years in some of mountain biking’s most iconic locations, Anthill’s signature style combines compelling stories with core action to create a shared experience that unites all riders.”
– Ant-Hill
Featured Riders: Graham Agassiz, Adam Billinghurst, Anthony Messere, Brandon Semenuk, Wade Simmons, Rene Wildhaber, Gee Atherton, Matt Hunter, Cam McCaul, Andrew Shandro, Thomas Vanderham
This will be an all ages event and is open to both MTBco members and non-members alike, bring all your friends! Doors are opening at 6:00pm and we will be starting the movie around 7:30 so come early and grab a good seat!
There will be door prizes for MTBco members (We like to thank our members!) as well as a 50/50 draw open to all attendees. We will be set-up to register members at the event so this is a great time to grab your 2012 membership! There will be drink and food specials for the event thanks to our gracious hosts at Boomers!!
Tickets are currently available at all the local shops and there will be some at the door. They will be $10 in advance and $13 at the event!
Crawford Kick-Off – May 27th
MTBco’s second wicked event in May is going to be the First Annual Crawford Kick-Off!
We will be setting up camp at the Crawford parking lot on Sunday May 27th at around 10:00am and will be sticking around for a couple hours (we will probably pack up around 1:00pm).
The Crawford Kick-off will feature a Poker Ride, BBQ and some surprise prizes!
Poker run registration will begin at 10:00am. It will be a short untimed XC loop in
the lower bench area, but you gotta complete the loop to get all your cards for your
poker hand! Highest hand wins (there will be a super awesome excellent tie breaker
competition in the case of equal hands)! You have to be a MTBco member to register
for the race but otherwise it’s free!
The BBQ will be a $5 donation for a burger and refreshments (it doesn’t get cheaper
than that!)
Our supporting bike shops have been invited to bring their tents, and demo bikes and a couple have committed to be there already. This will be an amazingly good time, so don’t miss out. Bring your kids, significant other, mortal enemies or anyone else that likes to ride bikes! Even if you aren’t gonna ride come and hang out!
Trail Update
Well everyone, the wet weather had disastrous consequences for some of the trail
networks. Upper Vapour nearly washed away but it is rideable again thanks to quick
trail-work by a few very generous individuals (good job and thanks go out to these
people). The other trails in the Crawford area are also in wicked shape other than some of the wetter areas and those trails near creeks. Upper Hill-Billy is rumored to have a few trees down so keep your eyes peeled when riding it. Officially the Gillard FSR is closed. There has been an effort to fill in the washout in order to make it drive-able for shuttling but we highly recommend that you refrain from using it as it is quite dangerous.
We have heard word that the ministry will be looking into fixing the washout ASAP and may be installing a culvert to prevent future washouts in that section of road.
Tick Season!
Be on the look-out for ticks! There are lot’s out there and the rain has left us with tall underbrush giving them a perfect way to attach themselves to bikers and hikers! If you find one on your person make sure to remove it and kill it, ticks can carry lime disease.
If you get all the way home and find one has dug itself into your skin a fair ways go to the doctor and have it removed professionally! Leaving the head behind can lead to trouble.
Reader Submissions
Did you just get back from wicked bike trip? Ride a trail recently that you would love
to rave about? Have a love for biking and a passion for writing? Please feel free to
forward any stories, trail reports, mountain biking news or general interest articles
to info@mtbco.ca and you may find your article in our next newsletter!! We are also
interested in including photo’s so if you are a budding photographer and have some
awesome shots send them our way!
That’s It For May.
Hope To See You All At The Events!
I Know I Won’t Be Missing Them!
Jay – Secretary, MTBco