The grand finale of the 2011 MTBCo Toonie Ride season will be this weekend, Sunday September 11^th.  The ride starts at 10am at Smith Creek, and will be followed by snacks, refreshing beverages from Tree Brewing, and a chilli feast.

We will be once again joined by our generous shop sponsors –  Bike Barn, Chainline Cycle, Cyclepath, Fresh Air Experience / Concept, Kelowna Cycle, Outbound Cycle, Sovereign Cycle, and Union Cycle – who kept our bellies fed and our thirst quenched throughout the season.  Thank you! We couldn’t have had such a successful season without you.

Thank you also to all the riders who continue to come out in increasing numbers.  We hope to carry the momentum into the 2012 season, so anyone new coming out for their first toonie ride this Sunday can ride for a loonie*.  If you’re a familiar face and you bring a new rider, you both ride for a toonie*.

 We hope to see you all there!

*For insurance purposes, all riders must be MTBCo members.  Memberships are $25 and can be purchased the day of the event.  All membership fees go directly towards trail maintenance and community events.

The Rose Valley trail gnomes have been hard at work punching out a new trail full of switchback fun, a fast flowy descent, and one of the best views in Kelowna.  JabbaRocky is a cross country / all mountain trail that can be accessed from the gate at the dead end of Rosewood in West Kelowna.  Head down the dirt road, past the gate towards the Rose Valley dam (approx 1.4 km). The entrance will be in a small gravel pit on the left side of the road. There should be a few red flags to get you started. The climb is approximately 6km, and crosses the old lake loop trail several times. In all cases keep climbing the uphill switchbacks.  There are exactly a bazillionteen of them.  At the JabbaRocky trail sign turn in and enjoy.

The descent is roughly 3km long, and while there are no stunts on the trail yet, JabbaRockey boasts some of the best rock gardens Kelowna has to offer.

The only split in the trail comes almost at the end, where there is an optional “easy-out” to the left, while the right hand option weaves riders through a rocky boulder field.

As this is a new trail, any help packing it in is much appreciated.  Think you’re up to the task?

riders, Sovereign boys, and MTBcoers. Twenty four riders turned out and it’s only upwards from here.

For that that made it out, here are your times from Toone Ride #1.   Remember, it’s not a race, we just keep track of the times for safety purposes…

Next Toonie ride Wednesday June 8th.  Hope you can make it!

Welcome back to a new season of dirty fun!  Here are a few updates on MTBco changes, events coming up for the month of April, and what you missed at our AGM in March.

Going Back to our Roots

MTBco is going back to our roots starting with the new 2011 season.  At our annual general meeting held in March, we told everyone that we are adopting 2 new club values moving ahead: Consistency & Transparency.

What does this mean for you?  You can expect our annual financial statements published on our site; monthly newsletters sent at the beginning of each month; and timely updates to our Facebook group about events, trail conditions, etc.  With a newly elected and enthusiastic executive, our wheels will be spinning hard to bring you favourite events like the Toonie Race series, Trail Maintenance Days, and new beginnings!

Check our site regularly for event info, races, trail days, our online Google-esque trail maps, and trail conditions.

NEW this year:

• Laminated MTBco membership cards
• Shop-neutral Trail Days with build clinics (MTBco Trail Days held separate from bike shop events)
• Chainsaw certification course – email jsmoke@mtbco.ca to sign up
• MTBco trail maintenance equipment available for members’ use! Contact Trail Director amcintosh@mtbco.ca for more info
• MTBco members now get 10% off lift passes at Silver Star & 10% off their top 2 rental packages
• MTBco members get 10% off at our sponsored bike shops
• Goat Style is coming to Silver Star this Aug 11-13 – volunteers needed.  Sign up on our forum.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, April 17^th – 12 noon
Union Cycle’s 3^rd Annual Pig Roast + Chainless DH @ Postill “Addiction”
This is your opportunity to take part in a Kelowna classic.  The 3rd Annual Postil Pig Roast & Chainless DH.  Challenge your true riding skills and time yourself down ‘Addiction’ using only your ‘pump’.  Then, reward yourself by filling your belly with some pit roasted pork.  We look forward to seeing you there.
***Must be an up to date MTBco Member to participate. This event is NOT a Trail Day this year.

Warm up laps 12PM-2PM
Chainless DH 3PM
Pig Roast 5PM
$10 Entry

Click http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201978796502927 to attend.

Saturday, April 30^th – 10 am

Bike Park maintenance

In preparation for the season’s official opening of the Bike Park on May 1^st, we will need volunteers to help get the bike park groomed & prepped the day before.  Please contact ERothwell@mtbco.ca to lend a hand.

Sunday, May 1^st – 12 noon

MTBco’s Bike Park Season Opener

For location, click “Bike Park” at www.mtbco.ca
Yes! The MTBco Bike Park is officially opening Sunday, May 1^st!  Come out and enjoy a BBQ, beverages, music, and hit the jumps with your friends.  Get a chance to meet MTBco and the Bike Park Director, learn the guidelines of bike park maintenance, and meet new dirtbag friends.

Chainsaw Certification Course

Thinking about building a trail this year?  Want to borrow MTBco trail maintenance equipment?  You will need to be certified.  This 2 day instructional course will be available on a first come, first served basis – only 15 spots available.  Course will cover safety basics, proper use, and maintenance of equipment..

Trail Ambassador Program

Is there someone in your club who always goes the ‘extra mile’? Someone who does more for advocacy and trail maintenance than everyone else combined? That is the sort of person we are looking for! Renegade Cycle Solutions is teaming up with IMBA Canada to reward your unsung hero, your trail maestro, your volunteer extraordinaire with an X-Fusion Velvet RL fork. In fact RCS will be dishing out TWO awards, one to the best of Eastern Canada and one for the West. Nominate your club member by July 31st, 2011 and tell us why your nominee should be an X-Fusion Trail Ambassador. Winners will be announced in September and featured in IMBA Canada’s Trail News newsletter!

Submissions

• Current IMBA Canada members are eligible to make a nomination for the award.
• Write 250-300 words on why your trail maestro deserves the title of X-Fusion Trail Ambassador!
• Login to the website, and submit your story here.
• Post photos to accompany your story in IMBA Canada’s facebook album “X-Fusion Trail Ambassador Nominations”, or email them to rachael.raven[at]imba.com.

Please send any questions about the program or application process to rachael.raven@imba.com . Contact: Rachael Raven IMBA Canada Communications Coordinator (613)301.8098 rachael.raven@imba.com www.imbacanada.com

Silver Star Early Bird Passes on SALE

 Don’t forget to buy your Silver Star early bird season’s passes!  Save $40 by buying yours before May 31^st!  Check out http://www.skisilverstar.com/home_showSection_ID_550.html for more details.

Come join MTBco and our local bike shops to celebrate the official season opener.  Hit the newly buffed jump lines and take a spin on the pump track.  There will be a BBQ fundraiser for MTBco and the bike park, contests & games, and of course, SWAG GIVEAWAYS from our local bike shop sponsors!

Opening at 11am, BBQ at 12 noon, games & contests on at 2pm.

For more info on the skills park itself, visit the link on our website.

Picture taken at the Grand Opening of the Skills Park last year.

In case you missed it in the newsletter and on our FB page, the first Trail Day of the year is tomorrow April 24th at 10am.  Meet at the Gillard FSR parking lot with some rakes, shovels, and your buddies!

Coffee & snacks provided.  Great riding to be had after.

3rd annual Postill Pig Roast
Sunday, April 17^th- 12 noon

Spend the afternoon rippin’ the Postill trail system then reward yourself by filling your belly with some pit roasted pork.  We look forward to seeing you there.

$10 meal ticket

For more information, visit www.unioncycle.ca

*This is not a Trail Day this year.

Dates: May 7th & 8th, 2011
Location: Kelowna, BC

• 2 Days -  $250 (*$225 for MTBco or IMBA Canada affiliated club members)
• 1 Day (Sat or Sun) – $175   (*$150 for members)

This May 7th and 8th, on the spectacular trails of the Central Okanagan around Kelowna, we’re proud to present the return of our wildly successful women’s specific clinic.  In association with the local bike club, MTBco, this clinic is a 2 day course  designed to improve the confidence and abilities of women riders of all levels, abilities, and disciplines.  By focusing on a solid foundation of balance, progression is fast and easy.  The coaches are highly experienced world class athletes with lots of experience not only riding bikes off road, but also in teaching these skills.

This early season course is ideal for women of all ages and abilities looking to widen their riding horizons.  Maybe you’re hungry for a little payback when you go riding with the guys, or you’re wanting to be able to keep up with your kids, or just sharpen some skills that lost their edge over the winter.   This camp will give you those opportunities and more, and all within an atmosphere specifically tailored to the specific needs of women.

With a brand new skills park in Kelowna, we will also be able to incorporate some dirt jumping and more advanced skills for those that wish to progress in that direction.

The camp includes top notch instruction, lunches, and membership in the local Bike club, MTBco.  Your participation in this camp will help the preserve the awesome trails of the Central Okanagan.

Our schedule looks like:

Day One – Fundamentals

• Neutral Positioning
• Ready State
• Bike/Body Separation
• Shifting Basics
• Braking Basics
• Descending (Intro to Steeps)
• Roll Down Lunge (Flat to Steep Transitions)
• Basic Wheel Lifts
• Level Lift (Bunny Hop)

Day Two – Specialized Skills

• Terrain Evaluation
• 1/4 punch & 3/4 Punch
• Straight Line Riding (leading to elevated stunts)
• Climbing Basics
• Slow Tight Turns and Switchbacks
• High Speed Cornering
• Manual Front Wheel Lift (leading to drops)
• Dynamic Riding (“The Wisdom of the Spastic Monkey”)

Coaches

Lorraine Blancher

A highly experienced coach, Lorraine is a former Canadian National DH Team member and National Champion.  Her resume includes multiple regional and national titles, and she has been coaching skills camps for several years.  A Kelowna local from birth, Lorraine is also a veteran of the World Cup circuit, and is still pushing the boundaries of the sport.

Barb Haley

Barb might be new to coaching, but she has many years of racing experience, and has been featured in several freeride bike movies.    Barb really wants to make you a the raddest you can be, and it’s pretty tough to not believe in someone who brings this much fun to the trails.

Candace Webb

CAW! CAW!

You’ll know what that means once you meet her.  Mad energy, and one of the best and brightest coaches ever.  If you’re not having fun learning with Candace, let us know and we’ll call a doctor.

Recommended Accommodations

The Hotel Eldorado is a beautiful hotel set right on the lake, and they’re offering a discount to camp participants.

Also, the Days Inn is very central and is also offering a special rate.  Just mention that you’re taking the clinic with Bush Pilot Biking and MTBco, and you will get the special rate.

Sign Up

Signup is open now over at Registration.

Contact us at girlsskills@bushpilotbiking.com for more information.