Day 3 - Squamish XC
Now that we experienced Vancouver, it was time to head North, to Squamish, to ride the last half of the dreaded TEST OF METAL!
Again we are guided by our fearless Leeleader who takes us to the start of the climb via the scenic route. I think he wanted to give us a litte feel of riding for an hour or so before you start the CLIMB.
We stopped about half way up the hill and took in the scenery. Something the racers, including Leel never do! With the sun pounding down, the sound of the raging Mamquam river below and surrounded by the snow capped Tantalus and coast range mountains we talk about how damn lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place!
But even after this climbing we still aren't finished... I wonder how JimC felt at this point during the TOM. I know my little legs were starting to feel it! and we didn't even do the first half of the course!
Fortunately we were rewared with the Ring creek rip, which is a totally FAST, non-technical long descent, followed by the powerhouse plunge. A bit of a cruel joke for the racers who have to navigate the technical drops and COOL switchbacks and wooden planks.
We then finished our ride 5 hours later through crumpit woods, along ROOT99, the last cruel joke for the racers, a woody, rooty trail that you just can't get any speed on. Then off to the Shady Tree, the best neighbourhood pub in squamish.
Day 4.
We rode around the Sea wall in Vancouver where Bill noticed that one of his brakes was falling off the bike he rented...
