Merritt B.C.

Hi there  all you… riders, hackers, or guys that just like  to burn the burm

        It’s been a real exciting year so far in the MT. Bike downhill world. The Halfcranked Club had a great time up on the old 98 and the old 99 trail in Merritt this year. There was the normal breakdowns , Flat tires, and  parts swapping. We ripped down a old trail called the Elephant Head Trail, it proved to be the highlight of our 2 day ride. WOW… its a big rock face drop where you ride down the trunk of the head, fast and steep, Right Mike .. sideways all the way, good recovery buddy… watch the vid.   

I was reading the new Sept. issue of Mountain Bike Action on the weekend and I came across a great storey of a local rider, his name is Steve Smith. Steve is from a small community called Cassidy on Vancouver Island B.C.  Steve started riding the local trails at a young age,  just like slot of  young guys and girls everywhere, it’s the passion for the sport to go fast and steep and get air. Steve raced in the juniors and won almost everything there was to win. He was noticed and watched by a bike supplier, maybe you have heard of them ” Cove Bikes “  and before he realized it, he had a ride, as of today Steve still rides a cove, a  Shocker to be exact. At 19  Steve is one of the best in is Field. So thepoint of my storey is.. Dreams do come true right in our back yard. So work hard, be true to the sport and to yourself. Remember safety is always first, ride live to ride another day.

Halfcranked Crew

Grey Squirrel

SUMAS MNT. LEADGVIEW

OUR RIDE.

ON SUNDAY MORNING WE STARTED OUT ON SUMAS MOUNTAIN. AFTER WE FILLED UP ON BREAKY AND POWER DRINKS. WE DROVE TO THE FIRST GATE, THATS RIGHT IT WAS CLOSED…WE THEN HIKED UP 15 MIN TO THE FAMOUS DISCO PLUM TRAIL HEAD. IT WAS A GREAT DAY THE WEATHER WAS WARM ALREADY AND SUNNY. EXCELLENT !  THE TRAIL HAD SOME MUDDY PARTS. WE HAMMERED DOWN  TIME KILLER INTO BBQ SESSION WITH IT S GREAT TABLE TOPS  AND ITS GREAT SKINNYS AND QUICK DROPS,DONT FORGET TO GET THAT FRONT TIRE UP … RIGHT GUYS LOL.

THERE’S A SERIES OF DROPS WITH A QUICK RIGHT AND INTO BIG GAPS. THEN OFF TO THE STEEP SECTION, WITH LOOSE ROCKS DOWN THEN ONTO THE NEW BRIDGE “KEEP TO THE RIGHT MIKE……..OOCH” AND INTO THE CLEAR CUT, WHAT A GREAT VIEW. THE TRAIL MASTERS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB ON THIS TRAIL.

FROM THERE YOU CROSS THE BOTTOM INTO TIME-OUT. IT HAS BIG BURMS AND BIG DROPS, THEN BALLS-OUT RIDING. WE THEN RODE “NOAH’S FEAR” FOR THE FIRST TIME, WOW THIS HAS A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING, STARTING WITH A LONG LOG RIDE WITH A THREE FOOT DROP INTO FAST NARROW STEEP ROCK SECTIONS WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY, ENDING WITH A LARGE GAP. *PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGN AT THE END OF THE TRAIL THAT TELLS YOU TO TURN RIGHT, ‘CAUSE WE ALL WANT TO GO LEFT. THE ROAD WILL TAKE YOU TO THE BOTTOM OF “DEVIL’S THROAT”, THEN TO THE TOP OF “WORLD CUP”, WOW! FAST & VERY STEEP!! WE’VE GOT A GOOD WIPE-OUT ON FILM. **NOT FOR THE BEGINNER RIDER**

THE TRAIL WAS QUITE MUDDY IN AREAS BUT IN GOOD SHAPE. “TIME OUT” RUNS YOU BACK TO THE VEHICLES. WHAT AN AWESOME MORNING.

OFF NOW TO “LEDGEVIEW”. WE PARKED AT THE BOTTOM OF “LOST OAKLEY” BY “OLD CLAYBURN VILLIAGE”, YOU CAN SHUTTLE PART WAY OR HIKE, WE WERE EXHAUSTED BY THIS POINT. THIS IS A VERY POPULAR MOUNTAIN FOR LOCAL RIDERS PRACTISING THEIR GAPS. THIS TRAIL IS REALLY FASE, STEEP & IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. LOTS OF NATURAL BURMS, GAPS & SKINNYS, WOODWORK WITH TEETER TODDERS & DROPS. TRAIL IS FROM INTERMEDIATE TO EXPERT.

IN CLOSING, I HOPE THAT THIS HAS INSPIRED LOTS OFYOU TO TRY THESE TWO MOUNTAINS BECAUSE THEY’RE CLOSE AND WELL ORTH THE TRIP.

“RIDE LIKE HELL”

“EVIL MIKE”

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