Ranger Summit South

The MTB trail fairies have finished building Ranger Summit South (Sugar Mama down to Fullerton).
Here's some pictures of the trail and views:

Bobcat is only about 20m long (to a viewpoint - second picture) and Fullerton is no bikes so its just an out+back add-on to something like the Witch loop (for now). Please be extra courteous to hikers on this trail - until Bobcat is built the official maps are confusing on bike access.

Seven Summits - IMBA Epic

Some pictures from recent ride along Seven Summits (Rossland) - an IMBA 'Epic trail'!

and the GPS (check out the final 'descent' - about twice the length of Cox!):

GPS for Seven Summits trail

Transrockies 2013 - Cheap!!

Transrockies are offering amazingly cheap early bird deals for 2013 TR3/4/7:
TR3 $249
TR4 $599
TR7 $999
(not sure on the maths to get TR3+4 =7??)
Anyway, decent jersey/swag, pretty good route (if you like climbing and weather is kind)
For more info:
Register Transrockies

Razor's Edge is for pussies...

Well compared to the shit these guys are riding anyway...
Where the trail ends

If you can't afford the heli-drop or simply a mere mortal then RE still pretty intense..
Razor's Edge
(Kudos to the guy who shot that, I walked a bunch of it!)

Logging Public Consultation

On August 2, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development will host a facilitated information session to discuss FireSmart planning for the landscape west of Bragg Creek. Fire managers, scientists and industry representatives will be on hand to answer your questions about proposed FireSmart activities on public land. The event will take place from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. August 2 at the Bragg Creek Community Centre. Those unable to attend the event will be able to view presentations and share their comments August 4-12 at www.esrd.alberta.ca

Trails that dry quick

Below is list (roughly in order) of XC trails that dry out pretty quick after rain.
1/ Road - yes, seriously - tarmac dries very fast and does not get damaged by bike tires!!
2/ Lower Sulfur/Elbow (skip the bit near SF and enter the trail opposite Paddy's Flats)
3/ Rest of Elbow out to Powderface (Canyon Creek flows fast after rain but I've never seen it impossible to walk through - your pooch may end up in Calgary tho)
4/ Husky/UShoulda (some puddles near bottom but the best bits dry quick)5/ Pneuma (above upper Sulfur to Packers, bottom sections holds moisture)
6/ Lookout road down to Packers and Packers (a few streams usually on the road but mostly a path around)
below here is the OK stuff, give the rain a chance to soak first tho
7/ Ridgeback (top two and bottom section, R2 has had some great reroutes but still has some mud issues also this trail is 'younger' than the above so prone to more damage if you ride it wet - ie wait a bit after rain)
8/ Braggin Rights East and Long Distance out+back in West Bragg

Furious 3 Preview

Some youtube previews of our recent Fernie explorations:
48hrs (first DH on stage1): 48hrs
Ignore first minute or so as they're putting us in a little lower (just as well as the top part is very new and sketchy). Rest of it still has a new feel (baby roots, etc) and a few sketchy bits but the flow kicks in pretty good after a while. Expect crashes!
Hyper Extension (stage 1): Hyper Extension
Part of the Transrockies for the last few years so most of us know it well. Just rewards after Hyper-V climb!
Project 9 (second DH on stage2): Project 9
An amazing trail - several distinct sections. The climb is fairly tough near the top and route finding in the 'wash-out' a bit tricky but this will be one you'll be talking about for a while!

and then we also have Verboten, Splitting Bears, Oh Dear (twice), Southern Comfort, South Castle....

It's gonna be awesome!!!

Cumulative Precip.

Poached these links from pinkbike forum.
Cumulative precipitation for Elbow Ranger Station (near station flats):
Cumulative rainfall at Station Flats
Map of Alberta with weekly cumulative precipitation (handy to see if its been drier in Canmore, Moose area, Calgary or maybe even road trip further afield)
Map for weekly rainfall (Alberta)

MMBTS - Family Guy trail

MMBTS have been busy building a new trail 'Family Guy'. Route plan is as attached (under the previous name of West Side Easy):
http://www.mmbts.com/members/mmbts-5-year-plan-summary/
Also covers other info on their plans and the route for SHAFT (West of T-Dub). Apparently SHAFT still has a lot of snow at the top so probably needs another week.
Thanks to the MMBTS volunteers for all the work they are putting in. Potlickers are mostly volunteering in the West Bragg Creek area with GBCTA and clearing fallen trees on established Moose Mountain trails - it's fantastic to have so many people working on and maintaining such a diverse range of trails.
For early season riding please remember to pack a hand saw and if your off your bike to walk around a tree please take a minute to move it off the trail. Thanks.
Keep up the great work everyone!!

Race Ready Roker!

Wow, way to go Pete - 1:51 in the Vancouver half (guess he didnt have to wait for the wife this year!!)
I heard the hotties afterwards were commenting on his amazing calf muscles!!

10% off, Free Shipping

Chain Reaction Cycle running a 10% off deal (on everything - use code YES6) and free shipping on orders over $80. Even a good chance Canada customs won't add GST on a small order!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

Add a few spokes to round up your order. Windy Winter = Spoke snapper branches everywhere.

A few 2012 races...

Some event dates:
20 May: Salty Dog
27 May: Giver'8er
10 Jun: Organ Grinder (or Fernie fun)
23-24 Jun: Rundle Revenge
30 Jun - 2 Jul: Furious 3 (Fernie)
21 July: 24h Adrenaline
28 July - 4 Aug: TR3/4/7

Not an exhaustive list but an idea of what's on offer. Add a comment if your doing other races and keen to get some other potlickers interested.