Finally Home
Growing up on the prairies, the rain soaked coast of British Columbia was the last
place I envisioned myself calling home. From a young age I was lucky enough to
own a bike, but in Edmonton that meant not much more than a mode of
transportation around the few block radius that my friends all lived in. Then there
was winter, and of course, hockey. The pursuit of that Canadian pastime basically
took any and all of my free time until my early twenties. I would classify myself as
an amazingly happy child but as I grew older and was attending university, the
routine I had established for myself became less and less appealing. I was finding
myself struggling with finding a fulfilling path for my life to follow. A path that
appealed to my sense of athleticism and adventure. One that offered some career
choices, and, most importantly, a path that allowed for the lifestyle I had always
imagined. Good people, amazing stories and tons of laughter and fun along the way.
Photo A, B
I was introduced to riding through a couple of amazing friends from Edmonton.
Andrew Baker and LJ VanOoyen. (Insert Photo C) They were already riding for the
River Valley Cycle freeride team and they spent almost all of their time off their
bikes watching the latest Digger video or the Disorder series. I immediately fell in
love with watching people ride. The locations, the tricks, the balls, and most of all,
the smiles began to kindle an interest in me that I had not felt in a long time. Baker
and LJ convinced River Valley to hook me up with a Rocky Mountain Switch frame
and with generous donations of parts from them both I cobbled together my first
bike in almost 12 years. I was 22 years old.
This sparked a personal growth that has come to define my life. (Insert Photo D) I
immediately fell in love with the sport and the camaraderie of friends out for a ride.
We spent hours riding the streets and river valley of Edmonton. Looking for the next
one off hit, or 100 ft shoot. I’ll never forget the feeling of landing my first step-down.
Sweaty palms, heart pounding and a grin that could not be wiped off. When not
riding we would watch every video we could get our hands on. Study the bikes, the
lines, and the trails. It was immediately apparent that the North Shore was THE best
place to ride in the entire world, and in those late night sessions the rest of my life
became mapped out without me even realizing it. (Insert Photo E)
I had found a focus, and with that focus a lot more of my life began to make sense.
All of a sudden University was something that I actually needed to get done. I had
waffled back and forth through some programs waiting to find something that
captured me, and was now in my fifth year of my four-year program without finding
it. Now I knew that I needed to get this degree out of the way so I could move to the
Shore. My grades improved and I started to feel like I was on the right track. Then,
seemingly out of nowhere, BAM, I was done and it was time to move. I finished
courses Dec. 20th and moved to the Shore on Feb 17th 2008. (Insert Photos F, G, H)
Since that day nothing, and everything, has changed. My first ride on the shore was
the worst ego pound I have ever taken. Roots, rocks and steep with a healthy dose
of rain; the Shore, was a far more complicated ride than the pedal in, take off, hold
on, touch down, stop and repeat procedure that had marked my Edmonton riding
days.
Despite this, I had never felt more alive. To add to my enjoyment were the other
Edmonton ex-pats that I was lucky enough to begin riding with; namely Jeff Bryson,
Grant Laird and Baker. I learnt more about how to ride my bike from these folk in a
year than I ever thought possible. Everything was beginning to feel right. Riding
year round, getting introduced to everyone, always having a blast. (Insert Photo I)
I was then introduced to the BC Cup Race Scene and my ego took another pounding.
Never before had I been confronted with such a mental excersize in focus and
controlling adrenalline. (Insert Photo J)Trying to put everything together for one
run was the most difficult thing I had ever tried (am still trying…). And yet that
focus that had created my need to move to the shore provided me with the base to
not only continue, but to grow to love the sport of DH racing. (Insert K)Once again
my riding was forced to undergo a massive change and yet all the important things
remained the same. The same thrills, the same laughs and the same amazing
community of riders. (Insert L)
The last years have passed in a blur of muddy gear, bruised shins, beer and laughter.
The itch of looking for something and not knowing what it is has disappeared. Its
been replaced with a stronger itch, an addiction if you will. But now I’m ahead of the
game cause I know what it is. I will never stop riding the Shore and loving the
lifestyle it represents. (Insert M) To all those who have either been lucky enough to
be born here or have followed their hearts to this Mecca I salute you. (Insert N)This
place and the bicycle have changed the way I view myself and the world around me.
Can’t wait to see what the next trail brings. (Insert O, P)