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Had Me A Blast (05.11.02)
It's hard to believe but once upon a time I hated summer. Yes, shocking but true. You see for quite some time I saw summer as those horrible couple of months when there was very little chance of snow. That also meant there was little chance of me snowboarding.
Funny how times change. Now I hate summer because it's not nearly long enough when you live in the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.
Here summer is open season on countless activities. To some its mountain biking, rockclimbing and windsurfing season and still to others its softball, kayaking and golfing season. One thing that they all share however is festival season.
Now it seems like the biggest strain during the sunny months is on the social calendar, as each weekend seems to showcase another mind-blowing aspect of our backyard.
There's the White Water Festival, Bob's Triathlon, Logger Sports, Stormy-Endurance Run, Spirit Of Forest run and of course the Mountain Bike Festival featuring the Test Of Metal.
Actually this year is a big one for the mountain bike community as SORCA has been crankn' out a decade celebrating its 10th anniversary (and the shirts look awesome). At this time I'd like to, as the kids say, 'rec-o-gniZe' (insert bizarre hand gesture here) the unsung heroes who make all this possible.
For a decade now Squamish's mountain bike circuit has been alive and well thanks to the countless "unsung hero's" who have put their blood sweat and tears into making it possible. From local businesses that help out with supplies to the countless hours tolled away up in the hills.
But boy is it worth it. Now the Test of Metal is a world-renowned race making the mountain bike festival a premier event. Not to mention this year things are going even bigger. Last year's GK. Ripper should be another roaring success, and the Tour de Squamish will once again punish all those who dare to partake. As a bonus, this year there is also the 10 hour SORCA enduro and of course Beyond the Valleycliffe of the Dolls.
Another group falling into the 'unsung' category would have to be the Squamish trails society. Due to misplaced priorities and tougher financial times, the district's budget has not a cent going to the trails society which works with almost every aspect of recreation in the community.
However, the trails society has managed to continue
with literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in kind from SORCA and
countless local businesses and heroic helping hands. Thanks to the trails
society the adopt a trail program is finally going to fly. Some people
really want to help out the trails but can't always make it to maintenance
day. Well here's you chance to pick a trail and run with it. The
sign up will be at this years Trade Fair which is coming up soon as well.
I tell ya' in the outdoor recreation capital of Canada there's
never a dull moment. I'd have it no other way.
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