22/5/07

For months now we have all been anxiously waiting for this auspicious day. Our usual dreams of Donnie Ausmond and Sesame Street's Big Bird beating each other to death have been replaced with the entrance to single track and that bow legged table you pull under the chair on a-line.

We had all hoped that opening day would bring blue skies and sunshine, laughter from the children chasing butterflies on yonder. But instead we got the great flood minus the large wooden arc. Everyone expected a lift line that extended into the heavens but our biblical down pour left but a handful of locals and committed weekend warrior’s queuing to ride. Even the Schley managed to make an appearance in his new Adidas action suit, reminding the local media about the day he invented the wheel.

"And so than I realized that a square just wouldnt do"


A quarter of the way up on our first chair ride and we were already soaked. The air was freezing and the wind was blowing. God was unleashing on us a golden shower to remember. However not even our frost bitten hands and numb toes could take the smiles off our face. It was opening day and B-line waited.

Katie Holden doing her pirate impression, D.O.D. showing off the pleats in his crotchle region, and Mr Schaab trying to be the normal one

Our first three laps consisted of a B-line, a Schleyer to karate monkey, and than an angry pirate. Not yet used to the bumps and chatter of the park we took a break at the bottom to warm our sore bones. We met up with Jeremy Schaab of Toyota Canada and DOD ( Dave O’ Dowd for those less privileged) the new Bike Park Media guy. Carlos and I assaulted Dave with ideas for pushing the Park image. However our ideas were shutdown due to the recent cuts in the Whistler Blackcomb Budget. Keeps an eye out this summer around the village for Dave. He'll be wearing his WB recycled sandwich board sign reading, “Ride the bike park, its super cool."



Around 1 o'clock we headed up to the GLC for a much needed round of beef dips. Upon sitting down the clouds began to part and the sun broke through. Despite our tasty sandwiches and distractions from Beth’s shiny new pinstripe dress we raced through our food to get back up onto the hill.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of numerous laps on Schleyer and Angry Pirate, definitely the trails of the day. The new battle ship bridge on Schleyer had Carlos throwing out his huge styled turn bars.



Todd Helinga even turned out to take a few pictures on Whistler Down hill and A-line. Me thinks I even saw him throw a stick at one riders wheel in spite, one can only imagine the frustration in the man.



All and all we would have to say that opening day was a huge success. Few riders turned out leaving only the most committed to ride. We were disheartened that the Seatle Huck squad didn’t come out; apparently the muddy conditions make for extremely difficult hucks to upslope.

I would love to go on about the finer details of the weekend, about our crazy antics at Merlin’s on Saturday night and our poker after party. But I honestly don’t care, its Monday morning, the sun is out and the park is calling.

Posted by: Adam

Pictures: Todd Helinga and Jeremy Schaab