So we are working on establishing our C2D Canadian branch, and to usher in the Great White North we have a guest post from our new collaborator Lobo Lobo.
British Columbia, the Pacific North West and Northern Rockies. Home of, as some would say, the start of the gravity fed mountain biking scene today as we see it. The North Shore in particular has for ever been on the forefront of, perhaps, true 'freeride' mountain biking. Located on the Coastal Mountains, North of Vancouver, the Shore hosts a multitude of world renown trails, bikers, memories. Living in North and West Vancouver, site of the 'true' North Shore, allows for many to walk out their door or take a couple of quick busses to ride every discipline, from concrete to dirt. For those who live in the city and South, it is an easy three buses, seemingly short drive, or a multitude of concrete and dirt parks.
Almost every day of the year, 'Vancouverites' can hit up virtually every form of biking, if they wish, including the famed 'North Shore;' where the coastal mountains make upstate look damn puny. However. I could slap on ruby-fuckin' slippers and wish I was back home, in New York, for the city scene and price minded cuisine is, really, not so good or not so consistent in Vancouver, BC… it is the biking, the skiing; all surreal in a surreal environment, the viewable, 'backyard' of a growing metropolis.
At hand are a multitude of bikers, the perfect back drop for any photo, good music / parties, and BC BUD. The only problem; coins for $1 and $2 dollar notes (Loonies + Toonies) as well as the most horrific, BOOZE, and as previously stated; food... a topic that would take a whole post to describe.
Every couple of times through the year, Vancouver does experience snow falls, and much like anywhere else, it does not stop many.
The snow fall on lower elevation bike trails and in the city is not much of a threat in comparison to ice storms and wetter, thicker snowfalls back East. Aside from common indoor or sheltered skate parks, snow falls here allow for day trips to the Whistler-Blackcomb or for fiends, as Wade Simmons described (from a higher elevation, Cypress ski hill access road), to drop "in with 2 feet of snow on the ground. Rideable for some, yes. Fun? Absolutely!" A 'true' powder day, perhaps.
Two rules for traveling from New York to Vancouver; bring dutchs (they are five dollars here) and get some dope.
-L. Lobo
