Bearclaw Invitational 2014- Mt Washington

A fun event to check out each summer is the Bearclaw Invitational, a freeride mountain bike competition at Mt Washington Resort, here on Vancouver Island.  This showcases the best slopestyle mountain bike riders in the world, and is set in a fun and laid back atmosphere in the mountains. It's free for all to watch and a great time. Check out some of the shots.

High Flying

The crowd watching the competition

Whip Off Competition

A great sport to watch as a spectator. I think I will leave it to the pro's to do riding like that. Another successful event for Bearclaw. 

Crankworx Joyride-What a Finale to the Week

Whistler's Saturday night finale to its huge Crankworx festival , the Red Bull Joyride, offered up lots of action and a few surprises. With an estimated 25,000 spectators watching the event live, riders strived to  pull off their toughest tricks on a course full of huge jumps and drops.

After a few crashes caused top riders like Cam Zink and #1 ranked Brandon Semenuk to not make the final, this left the field open with some riders stepping up and delivering the goods.

First place went to a relative newcomer to the scene, 19 year old Thomas Genon from Belgium who laid down a solid run. Can't wait to see what he does next. He's definitely one to watch in future.

The winning run 

Second place went to Martin Soderstrom of Sweden who has been consistent all season. He likely would have won this event if he had landed his ambitious 360 double tail whip on the last jump.

American Cam McCaul showed everyone he is back after an injury burdened last season, by laying down a great run and claiming third spot.

Check out some more shots of these amazing athletes.

Brett Rheeder of Ontario, definitely one to watch for the future 

Casey Groves laying it down before a huge crowd 

View amongst the crowd 

The winners! $25,000 for first place, not too shabby

Crankworx Best Trick Showdown

Yesterday afternoon had the Best Trick Showdown at Crankworx. This has the top slopestyle mountain bike riders showing their best tricks off two seperate features on the Joyride slopestyle course. 

Run up to the Bud Light Cabin, jump off the roof or off the patio

Flipping in the air

Check out the height 

The event drew quite a crowd in the village, eager to watch the action.

Tricks keep getting harder,  front flip tuck no hander

Winners were Tom van Steenberger in session #2, with the above front flip. Session #1's winner was Vancouver Islander Jordie Lunn who did a huge corked 720. 

Jordie Lunn flying 

Is this some sort of yoga pose?

I can't wait to see what the guys do next, with the big Joyride event set for Saturday!

Crankworx Pump Track Challenge

It was another smoking hot day in Whistler yesterday, but that didn't slow the mountain bike riders down. The village was still awash in riders of all kinds, creating a fun vibe and atmosphere.

Tourists and riders intermix

Downhill racer checking out Joyride course

 Whistler Olympic Park was where  the Pump Track Challenge course was situated. This was the first year in this location and I thought this was a great idea, much easier for more people to see.

Course was at far end of this park, behind rings 

Basically the pump track is a short 20 second oval course full of berms, doubles and gaps where riders can showcase their skills without pedalling, just using their momentum to gain speed.

Start line for qualifying runs done earlier in the day

Off they go, timed trial 

As fast as you can 

Round the bend and to the finish line 

Finals at night, large crowd able to watch live and on screens

The finals were held in the evening, with two racers on the course at once. The top male and female  riders were defending champs Mitch Ropelato and Jill Kintner. Lots of fun to check out.

Wild Rides at the Bearclaw Invitational 2012

On a perfect hot and sunny weekend, I went to check out the Bearclaw Invitational freeride mountain bike competition at Mt. Washington resort, located on the north east part of Vancouver Island.  Put on by local pro rider Darren Berrecloth, the slopestyle event featured some of the top riders in the world and kept spectators entertained with competitors trying to outdo each other with bigger air and crazier tricks.

The course is built into the forest, with several large jumps, ramps and one huge platform for the big drop.

Crowds watching the action 

A long drop down 

Jump up to the platform 

The winner of the competition was Brandon Semenuk, grabbing the highest score on his first run down.

 Check out some clips from the event. They make it look so easy!

Jump Ship Wows the Crowds

The crowds came out to watch 

Crazy Air 

High Flying 

The design of the course

A rider checking out the top of the jump before competition

Yes, this is Victoria. Who knew that a kick ass freestyle mountain bike competition would be held right smack in downtown Victoria, sometimes known better for its flower baskets and high tea. But this was the case on the weekend of June 22-24, 2012, when the Jump Ship event was held. After a bit of a rainy start earlier in the weekend (this is Vancouver Island after all), the show was underway under sunny skies by the end. Basically, the event has professional riders going off some crazy and daring jumps on a barge docked in the inner harbor. A great event for spectators, we were thrilled to see the riders in their full element. They are amazing.