WHISTLER, BC, Oct. 13th, 2006
I hate this time of the year and this year my feelings are stronger than usual. Why? Because the weather is beautiful, the trails are in the best shape and the Bike Park is closed. It's depressing to watch the Kokanee Box and the Mavic Box being dismantled and a big excavator ripping the @#$% (heart) out of the Boneyard. The Bike Wash and the Maze are gone and what is worse, the riders are gone. Sure, we shuttled to the top with the Trail Crew a few times (payoff for the hard work) and did enjoy the solitude, but at the same time we mentioned that we missed the other riders, missed the buzz and most of all, missed sharing the Bike Park. There is nothing better than the sound of other riders having a great time on the trails we built. I have not seen so many happy riders as on the last weekend. That was simply the best riding of the year. How good was Garbanzo? Even with the VANOC excavation! How good was A-Line, Dirt Merchant, Sidetrack and Crank It Up? How good was Karate Monkey? How good was the beer at GLC? Last week end basically summed up the whole season - some excavation disruption, but mostly just the sickest riding on the face of this Earth. What's next? Some riding on The Shore, in Squamish, Pemby or where ever you may be. We should enjoy the best of the Indian Summer, because the winter is coming and it will full of big powder days. I feel it! And before you know it, we will be seeing each other in the Bike Park, riding old trails, new trails, seeing old friends and making new friends. Time is like the wind on your face when you're riding A-Line. It is swift and it makes you eyes water, but it always feels good. Good times are ahead. Before you know it, we will be feeling the wind again.
What is left to say, but a huge, massive THANK YOU to everyone who rode the Bike Park this year. You, the riders, make the Bike Park. The Bike Park hit another record in rider numbers and that translates into ability to build new trails.
Thanks to all staff for a great year - Trail Crew, Patrol, Guides, Lift Ops., Validators, Guest Relations, Sales, Management and Caroline.
Have a safe winter. See you in the spring.
Tom "Pro" Prochazka
Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Manager
