Squamish Sideslip

I've always marveled at how a group ride can simply materialize out of seemingly nothing.  Nic and I warmed up on Expresso on Saturday. For Sunday we to get a little more out of our long weekend. Most of our usual gang was unavailable, but Bob was keen to head to Squamish. None of us are that familiar with the area so we back channeled our way to Chris and Rich, our friends who are local to the area.

It's good to know people.

We convinced her to join the ride and show us a few trails previously recommended to us by our out of towners.

 A nice spot for a few group shots at the entrance to Bruce's trail.

 We started on our way.

I was surprised to come around a corner and find myself in familiar territory. Nic and I have done an Alice Lake lap that takes us on these trails.

 Chris and Nic pedalling up the exit of "Tracks from Hell"

 A fair bit of pedaling up followed but it was well worth it. We found our way to Entrail. A trail in Squamish that has a lot to offer. Lots you an do, and some for you to work on in subsequent trips.

 Bob was wise to get his Rock face game started early. There was lots of this on the trail.  Chris took the more reliable and more chundery line to the left.

 There was no shortage of fun lines on this ride.

We finished our Entrail lap. As expected, Bob went back for more on his own. I stuck with the ladies for a bit longer as we did Roller Coaster and most of Lumber Jacks. Then Nic and Chris carried on on their own back to the homestead. I decided to do a short exploratory . I finished off Lumber Jacks and found myself on Tressle trail.

 After lots of map navigation I finally found myself on Seven Up. But not what I hoping for. I think this trail is designed for future slopestylers. (That boat sailed for me long ago.)

 I managed to find my way to the bike shop in town. I'd only been parted from the girls for around 20 minutes or so and I was calling Nic for an Evac from town to the Howe Sound Brew Pub - one of my favorite places in Squamish.

Bob eventually caught up to us for a meal and glass of beer. (He was a bit behind the curve). Rich and \i polished off a bit more than that.

Thanks to Bob, Chris and Rich for a really great day that materialized out of nothing.

Bonus footage. Sorry to make you crane your neck for this:

Moving on

Some pics from our day on Dales and Pangor.

Patience and Heart

Every so often, Fraser Valley Shidokan will invite an instructor over from Japan to bring us some update techniques and help us with some of the Techniques we North Americans have trouble with. Not always is that Sensei Sakurai Sensei. This weekend we had a chance to train with Kumeta Sensei on what was his second trip to Canada. He's 4th Dan Kumite Champion with tremendous physical ability and reminder what is truly possible within the Karate Discipline

 

For an entire 75 minute class, Sensei asked us try to improve our Kekome kicks. Path and hip position were all on the menu. after about the first 45 minutes, by right leg, previously injured in a fall on my mountain bike, got re-aggravated and I had to take a pass on some of the more intense training . But I was able to stick around and get some pictures.  

At the end of class on Saturday there was another Dan Grading. They happen roughly twice a year. This month a few of my long time Kohai's took their shots at their black belts. Danny Kent from the Tsawassen Dojo, and Raly and Lara from North Vancouver.

Danny and I had trained together for a long time before I changed to the North Vancouver Dojo. Marine Biologist and parent,  Danny has a number of demands on him and Karate had to be back burnered a number of times. But patience won out and Danny finally arrived at Shodan.

 

I never really had any Doubt about Lara. She's 15 and weather she'd acknowledge it or not, has just about as much Natural ability as anyone I've met. A year in Japan for her would send us back a great Karate Ka and Sensei.

 And Raly who for as long as I can remember has battle some pretty stiff joints, migraines and sore , ummm, everything? She even managed to crush her big toe just before her grading. She got pretty mad at that but to me it was just Raly being Raly. Venting some of that pent up emotion was probably a good thing anyways.

Congratulations to my 3 good friends on passing their Shodan exams.

Here is some bonus footage from the event.

Raly

Lara

The Lepri Hotel

Big thanks to the Rosano, Kylie, Oliver, Mia and Chewy for putting us up while in Sydney.

We brought the Vancouver weather with us, but considering our options, I'll take it.

Wrapping up QT

Our last full day in Queenstown and we found ourselves on a wine tour again. Not much to write about, but some good scenery, food and wine.

This was our second trip to the Gibston winery. A tad over-rated and a bit in love with their own story. The wine is good but not the best we have found in NZ.

Carrick Vinyard was our next stop. Right away, better wine along with some really nice views out their back door.

 Over to Northburn. Again, a full on Vinyard that doubles as a restaurant. This is where we had our lunch, serving up a combo platter for us to share with generous portions of salmon, lamb, cheeses and veggies. Yum.

 Not much to report from the last 2 wineries we visited.

 Just in case you need to make pavlova......

Nic and I werre pretty full at the end of our day. 2 big tour days in a row and we decided to spend out last night in with a cheese platter and some wine.

The next morning we'd be on our way to Sydney.

Milford Sound, Really?

Milford Sound is a famous fjord on the west coast of New Zealand that opens up onto the Tasman Sea. Since we were in Queenstown, I decided that I wanted to check it out. So Nic and I got up at 6 and loaded ourselves onto a tour bus.

The bus ride over to Milford takes yo through an Alpine pass and I would actually say the bus ride was more interesting that Milford Sound itself.

We had a few opportunities to stop and stretch our legs. The bus driver, Adrian, correction, very knowledgeable Adrian, would stop at key points so we could take pictures of the area.

 As you can see, the sun decided to leave us this day. As good a day as any not to be on our bikes.

One stop was at Mirror Lakes. Oooh, see the reflection?

 And another stop was near the top of the Alpine highway.

 This is a Kea, and an alpine parrot only found in NZ. This guy was not camera shy but I think she was cold. She kept trying to get into some guys car.

 After the top of the pass, we stopped at another location called the Chasm. Another nice place to get out and stretch our legs.

 Finally getting to Milford, we got loaded onto the Milford Mariner.

 We headed up the south side of the sound and back down the north side.

 Sterling Falls

 Furry Seals.

 Looking out onto the Tasman.

 And heading back a closer view of Sterling Falls.

Thoughts?

Cheese & Rice! What a long fuckin day! 7am pickup and not dropped off until after 8pm. For a total of 10 hours on a bus and 2.5 more on a boat. Some people love this stuff , especially people of the diaper wearing variety. Having done Milford I think I have found the upper limit of the tourist in me. Moving forward , sight seeing activities are going to be kept to convenient activities. Case in point, the Wanaka Helicopter ride from a few days ago. Now that's how to you see the country side.

Advice?

If you decide to do this, think about booking it as a fly in and out tour (costing only an extra $350). If you decide to bus it, try to position yourself in Te Anau and try the tour from there. You'll save about 5 hours. Also, weather can be an issue. On the day we did it, flights could not get in or out. For best conditions and best waterfalls, try to pick a sunny day that follows heaving rain.


New Zealand is a beautiful country. Wanna see it? Take a wine tour, go biking or go on a road trip. Maybe just youtube Milford Sound.