Living and playing outdoors on Vancouver Island during the winter months means dealing with one thing more than anything else, rain. The winter’s grip transforms the terrain into something familiar, yet unpredictable. Rock faces glisten and dare you to descend them as green growth slowly erases the tracks of former tires. Corners you would carve in dry conditions appear solid, but yield unexpectedly as rubber knobs slice though muddy layers. You navigate off camber sections knowing there’s an even chance you’ll cruise through, or be tossed recklessly into the undergrowth. Wet feet, soaked gloves, squealing brakes, and mud encrusted eyes becomes strangely…tolerable. It’s never bothered me. I always think about how, soon enough, the seemingly endless overcast and damp days give way to renewed growth, sunshine, and dusty trails. Then paradoxically we’re left wishing for a good rain ride.

Rainy Shredding

We’ve been having spring-like weather all over B.C. for the past few weeks and it feels like the season is getting an early start. So there is no real need to look back on last summer and dream of sunny rides gone by. Most of the photos your going to see in this post were shot in a rain storm anyway. But do you ever see photos of yourself that take you back to a moment with so much intensity that you can almost feel the raindrops hitting your skin, hear the puddles splashing under your tires and smell the sage brush soaking in the rain? (continue reading…)

Myself and a friend purchased a video camera after Christmas. I had some time after school today to go and play around with it before it got too dark. Here’s a little self shot video of the solo ride I had.

[vimeo 8857297]

I put a small piece together with the help of some of my friends behind the lense on just how amazing 2009 was for me.

Mindful of the view, railing the corner in Pemberton. Photo: Todd Hellinga

Check it out….

Good-Bye 2009

Hope your 2009 was as good and looking forward to 2010.

Cheers!

Dan