Kamloops!! (June 14th, 2010)

I left Bham at ~ 1:30 PM after packing, buying groceries, and helping Tom ship his door. I made it through the border with only a 2 car wait and no hassling. I took a new road (Road 0) which traversed along the border and actually popped you out past the Sumas crossing. Then I made my way onto Hwy 1 (Trans Canadian Hwy) and took it past Hope, and Merrit, then onto Hwy 3 and finally 5 N. I crossed some big mountain passes, complete w/ snow and incredible looking ski terrain. The blue skies started to hint of some rain and eventually it opened up on one of the last mountain passes. I pulled up at the Bike Cafe at ~5PM (an hour early!!). I ran into Dylan Sherrard and he somehow remembered me. He gave me some directions to Harper Mountain and the Bike Ranch. I decided to go to Harper. I got lost a couple times (went the wrong way on 1, then missed the exit and had to ask for directions). FINALLY I drove out the right road. Dylan spoke of mass shuttling, but only 1 guy was in the parking lot and only 2 cars. I introduced myself, and he told me a couple buddies were going to show up and rip. One of those buddies is the legendary Kamloops local, Matt Hunter (Roam, etc). I tried not to act star struck as we bounced up the road in his Tacoma. He showed me some pics from the cabin they're building (past Whistler). It looked RAD!! We ripped a super fast flowy bit of trail, then onto some jumps. I overshot the shit out of the first one and had to E-brake before the second. I pushed back up and cased them both second go. Oh well!! We ripped a bunch more flowy trail w/ great dirt, and a few stunts that I onsighted. We loaded up my van after a round of high fives and rallied her up some semi-rough roads. We got stopped on a steep section right before the top and unloaded. We ripped some more flowy stuff (I was trying my best to keep up w/ Matt) and then onto Pimper-naut. Matt described the jumps- a 20+ footer w/ wood lip and dirt trannie, then a wood roller to gap, then some berms and a bigger 20+ ft gap w/ a slight L hip. I on-sighted all but the last big gap. I ran back up hill and hit the last 2 features smooth to the hoots of the crew. I rallied on and we rode something-wood named trail. The dirt was amazing the whole time (I always pictured arid terrain, HUGE jumps, and lots of DUST). I guess I'll have to re-think a lot of that!! I got a hold of Ja and Marcie and got directed to Frick and Frack for dinner. I mowed down a wrap, salad, and some fries before heading over to the Westsyde and their Sage St "mansion." We hung out w/ another Jay from Vancouver Island and had a great time chatting it up about various BC hot spots and crazy adventures. Sounds like a full day tomorrow full of Greenstone, Rio, and whatever else comes our way!! SUPER STOKED!! Stay tuned!!