ATTN: GasGasRider.org ride in British Columbia

[SpeedyManiac]

I figured I'd add a post here since not everyone looks through the location forums.

Right now a bunch of us are planning a ride in the Okanagan area of BC (Summerland/Kelowna) for possibly the fall of 2008 (September 26-28 is the tentative date). There are a ton of great riding areas to choose from. D2w has trails running right from his place, plus there's Naramata (near Penticton), Peachland, Vernon and of course, Bear Creek in Kelowna. We have some epic singletrack up here that is prime GasGas territory.

This would probably be a weekend ride, but if people are interested in coming for longer there's definitely lots of riding to do. Hell, if anyone wants to make an extended trip and do some riding in the Kootenays as well I'd gladly play tour guide.

So, who's interested? If we have the interest, I'll also talk to GasGas Pacific and Okanagan Motorsports to see if we can get a demo ride or some dealer presence there. Any other GG dealers are more than welcome too!

Right now me, d2w, 2strokes4life, Nick, jostby, cladoo and REVERUP have all shown interest.

 

[PEB]

Count me in as long as I can bring some of my off color(orange) riding buddies along. I love BC!

Paul B

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Orange guys are allowed, but they will be the butt of many jokes! Who knows, maybe we'll convince a few to switch to the light side.

 

[Nick]

I just looked on mapquest and its 930 miles. Easy day drive.

 

[PEB]

Nick, I have been to Bear Creek in Kelowna and as far as I am concerned it is HEAVEN! If the other areas are in the same league it would be worth the drive, of course I can say that as I wouldn't have to actually drive it.

Paul

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Peachland is better than Bear Creek IMHO. That's solely based on racing though. The Kokanee trails at Bear Creek are some of the most epic riding you can ever do.

 

[Nick]

How long do i need to stay ? I already put it on the calendar, i have to be in Vegas until wed of that week so i just wont go back to work that week. Already told my wife i was goin too. How about a list of hotels ?

 

[SpeedyManiac]

It's up to you on the length of stay. I'll come over thursday or friday and stay until Sunday afternoon (it's about 4 hours to Kelowna from my place). For hotels I'd look for something in Westbank in Kelowna (it's close to Bear Creek, not too far down to Summerland). There's a Comfort Inn there for sure, not sure what else. d2w?

 

[anathema]

I live in Kelowna, and will definitely be attending some kind of okanagan ride! Didn't know there were enough riders in the okanagan area on this site for that sort of thing!

Sounds like a blast. I have a place here with a spare room if anyone really needs a place to stay. Could even fit a couple tents in the yard if need be. I live about a 15min drive from bear creek riding area.

 

[PEB]

If I show up I'll bring a tent and a big cooler of beer. Last year we camped at the upper pits in the end of September and it was a beutiful weekend. A little rain a couple times, perfect dirt, epic trails, and friendly Canadians to party with; an excellent weekend for sure.

Paul B

 

[d2w]

Well, with Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley being major tourist destinations (the lakes, the wineries, skiing, etc.) there's no shortage of hotels, motels, B&Bs, and campsites. So finding places to stay shouldn't be a problem. And there's plenty of places to eat (or buy/cook).

I'm sure you'd all like to stay and ride for as long as your schedules would allow. One possible plan would be to meet in Kelowna and ride Bear Creek (which I never have), and then work our way down to my area Summerland/Penticton (which is on the way back to the USA border or the Crows Nest Back to Trail (?)). I work from home so it's no problem to take off days during the week to ride (say, Monday, Tuesday). One thing to consider; I'm sure we'd find no other bikes on the hundreds of miles of trials accessible from my house mid week. Fully loaded logging trucks on the few connecting 'roads" may be another thing.

And Summerland/Penticton have the same amenities as does Kelowna. I've got plenty of floor/yard/garage space as well.

For thought: Bring your GPSs if you've got one. We could upload some of the known trials, and this would allow the "group" to safely split into different riding skills (read another way: I don't want my intermediate skills holding back the fast guys who came all this way to ride hard and fast ).

Too much "planning" may take the fun away from this get together. But I'll do whatever I can.

I can also talk with Mike Fetterer of our club (he also races GG) and Brian Dingwall (owner of the local GG/Husaberg shop); I'm sure they'll have plenty of suggestions for having a good time in the area. Maybe demos too?

This will be a hoot.

Dale

 

[anathema]

Ya they have a couple 2t gas-gasses in the shop, no FSE's though. They sell a lot of bergs too.

Also if riding logging roads during the week might want to look into a radio and listen for the trucks calling kilometers..tough to stay safe on those roads! haha.

I'm definitely in for the kelowna portion though (can't get work days off, too busy in the radio/communications tech field right now) but the bear creek riding is good fun. Can ride to the top and see all the fancy radio towers on Bluegrouse mountain (the mountain bear creek riding area is centered around) . We even own a couple of those towers!

I am also an intermediate rider at best..I punish myself mercilessly when riding but just dont have the skill to keep up with a B or A rider. So I'm definitely in with that group!

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I like your ideas. I know Mike and Brian are fast (I've spent many a race trying to chase Mike down) so if one of them was interested in leading the fast group that would be great. I'll have to see on getting time off work since I'll be taking 2-4 weeks off for the ISDE this year. I may only be able to make it for the weekend.

 

[d2w]

Actually the reference to "logging trucks" was only meant to suggest that they're probably the only activity you might see in the bush mid-week. I have no desires or plans to actually ride on the logging roads. We should be able to get the guys onto reserve without any road riding (other than maybe crossing them). Some may even want to pack gas for the day's adventure.

With this trip in mind I'll ask around this season for suggestions for long/fun loops requiring a mixture of skills. Also, as was suggested, I'll try to find some high-end-skills group leaders too.

Dale

 

[Nick]

I'm thinking about dragging my travel trailer up. It'll cost a bit more for fuel but like the idea of camping somewhere. If the weather doesnt change here preety soon i'm gonna hook on and go now. Its snowing and blowing as i sit here and these are this weeks temps to look forward to.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

High: 38 °F
Low: 15 °F
High: 43 °F
Low: 24 °F
High: 53 °F
Low: 36 °F
High: 56 °F
Low: 27 °F
High: 53 °F
Low: 21 °F

 

[SpeedyManiac]

We've been getting snowed on up here. The riding is great (as long as we stay at low elevations) but it gets annoying when you can't see 3 feet in front of you in a whiteout.

 

[roostafish]

I would like to attend. I also would be dragging a travel trailer, and am extending the offer to Jeff Dunham to hitch a ride with me and my brother in law.

 

[jeffd]

I would like to attend. I also would be dragging a travel trailer, and am extending the offer to Jeff Dunham to hitch a ride with me and my brother in law.

Thanks Mike!

jeff

 

[PEB]

Jeff,

Get your pal Les to come. This is shaping up to be a memorable weekend, It will be fun to put faces to names and ride BC!

Paul B

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Just an update of who's possibly coming:
me, d2w, 2strokes4life, Nick, jostby, cladoo, REVERUP, PEB, anathema, roostafish, Jeff and maybe Les, Cactusreid?

Plus Mike Fetterer and Brian Dingwall will hopefully be there.

I get back home on September 22nd from my adventure in Europe so this should work out perfect.