In the Plus

Last week, 9 vibrant and dedicated riders ventured into the night for yet another bonus riding situation on the season. Squeezing in a Jumping Pound and Cox hill at this time of year on a school night undoubtedly puts us in the plus.

Getting geared up....
Mr. middle man look'n a little less stylie in this one. Haha

A little work and before we know it we are Celebrating at the top.... 6k of zesty vertical at our immediate disposal.
Maybe not immediate disposal... What pressure is he running anyway? The brunt of the story went down between these two foto's. Sorry no riding pics but it is safe to say we all felt like we had something to celebrate.

Someone's celebratory beverage had an added touch!

I didn't drink it, who drank it?

T'is a crime I tells ya.... but a funny one! I think it was likely the Irish guy that man'd up on that Canadian section.

The weather went a little askew this week, I was thinking it may be best to postpone a night ride this evening to a remembrance day ride tomorrow. The Bow Corridor is still looking dry, Moose unfortunately had 15 cm of fresh at the top on Monday. Tomorrow's ride may be more of an all mountain pursuit with talks of a Prairie View - Jewell - RE combo. Fire me an email if you are interested.

Cheers,

Reg

Mission possible!

Wowzer! Last weeks night ride on Jumping pound and Cox hill was truly more than amazing. One of those evenings were an exponential amount of circumstances tallied in the most correct direction, with the results leaving all of us sporting that perma ear to ear grin.

The city was blanketed in that moist ice fog that pretty much crept right up to the East base of Cox hill, fortunately for us that meant nil for light pollution and an enhanced view into the clear night. Once above and away from the ice fog, temps were very manageable with only a light wind in the open Alpine sections. Trail conditions were surprisingly the biggest treat of the night. With a minimal layer of snow(1-2cms) on the whole trail, I was happy with the extra illumination factor from our lights on the white snow, but thought we would be sacrificing some traction. To our surprise, the snow provided what seemed like better traction over roots and rocks and allowed our wheels to easily get loose at all the right moments. Fortunately, these "moments" were being handed out like candy this past Sunday Halloween night. To top all of this off, we watched the coolest Orange moon poke through the ice fog while we were catching a breather and soaking in the view at the top. Good times!
We all agreed, if plausible, a repeat of this occasion would be going down again this week. Hopefully, circumstances directionally tally to the affirmative yet again.... 5 in Bowness, an email confirmation is required. Maybe we will try and get some pics this go around.

Speaking of Pics, I thought I would spice up the blog here with some dandy's from a trip out in the Ghost Wilderness area this past Sunday. Make the effort folks because it's more than worth it right now.

A TREK gets you this view

I wish this was my front window.
OK, maybe not!

It's steeper than it looks. Nice work Gary!

Monstrous Alpine

It is Halloween day after all.


Trust me on the sunscreen!
Logan getting all sideways
Thanks to a great crew on Sunday and Logan for some of the pics, Halloween mask and video. Oh yea, you can check out a video (that doesn't do this mountain any justice) from off the summit at http://www.pinkbike.com/video/167969/ .

Wednesday we ride,

R.

The longest local downhill in the dark anyone?

It's been some fine Coalition nights as of late. Warm temps, great crews, 5 laps, a quiet van, ultra tacky trails, no hits in the dark(thanks Phil) and back at the ranch by 10. Good times!

Check out some of the action from Arden's helmet cam last week...

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/166834/

For this week the plot thickens. Moose is lookin like a wee bit of snow could hamper productivity but instead of stepping back, I think we should step it up. If you are up for the challenge tomorrow night we plan to hike a bike or pedal Cox hill. The longest local legit opportunity for... embracement of gravity. It's close to 5.5 km of mellow hiking to the top but the rewards are substantial and the downhill is close to 7km of rowdy racy goodness. If you are in for this mission please send me an email so we can ensure we are all prepped to make this a go safely. Extra lights, extra food, extra clothing and a celebratory beer at the bottom is mandatory.

That bitter pill of defeat on this season hasn't been swallowed just yet!

Many thanks to everyone involved and MMBTS in organizing the Toothless race this wknd. A huge success with 60 racers sharing the ride and coming together as a community to celebrate our mountain.

Go ride your bike,

R.

Good Getting

Go get em folks because the getting is good right now.

Conditions to the West are running grand for fat tire and after the work day fun. Make the extra effort and come on out. 5 in Bowness or 5:30 at Ing's mine. 5 lap minimum anyone? An email heads up is more than appreciated.

The last two weeks the efficiency police have been hot on our tails but with no bikes on the ground, nil for mechanicals, lights good to go and a posse that is on a mission we easily grooved into our 5 lap minimum.

Don't forget about the chainless on Toothless race this coming Saturday. Details can be found at MMBTS.com.

Go ride,

Reg

Our turn!

It was all about being thankful and the turkey this wknd. Hopefully, plenty of turkey went down for y'all!

Now, it is our turn... to go down and gobble up a little more of these epic fall conditions on bikes and in the dark. 5 in Bowness 5:30 ish at Ing's mine. An email heads up is required.

4 lap minimum anyone??

Lets ride,

R.

Remember the night rider!

Lets ride. Have lights bring lights situation.


5:00 in Bowness 5:45 at Ing's mine. An email confirmation is appreciated.

Cheers,

R.

Pause please!

Hello Out there,

Damn these conditions as of late are making it really hard for all things non-bike related. Warm temps, ultra tacky dirt, golden tree's, leave laden berms and an extra appreciation because we all know at some point this transition stage has a destination. Someone grab Nature mothers remote and hit that pause button please. If only it were that easy, but what is easy is taking advantage of your time and get'n out there!

Pic courtesy of Ryan Creary photography.

It's a little complicated for this week. The Pil van had an incident at the MMBTS free shuttle day and currently has no exhaust. A fix is in order, but it will not be available for tomorrow evening. I am also about to embark on a bit of an extended riding wknd, and will be pressed for time, but I do hope to be able to somehow make it out tomorrow evening. I was thinking it may be best to hit up a hike a bike or two out in the Moose area. If we have enough interest lets get our bikes pointed in the right direction. An email confirmation is required.

To the hills,

Reg

Weather woes

Hello out there! The weather locally has been just a tad under par as of late... Conditions look plausible for this evening but I assume a game time decision would be the best angle of attack. If you are down for Riding this evening, ensure to let me know, and we will re-access the situation and make the call by 2 this afternoon. Come on sunshine!

Cheers,

Reg

Fall

Dearest dirt gangsters of the Coalition,

It seems our epic fall season of riding is temporarily being put on hold. Conditions for this week are looking bleak for a successful mission tomorrow night. Sorry to say, but I think it's best we wait this stint out and get charged up for next week.

Don't forget about the MMBTS trail day this Saturday. The dirt should be prime for dig'n by Saturday after all the snow and moisture from this week. Come on out and get involved.

Cheers,

Reg

You shoulda showed up!

Last Wednesday was on ice, efficiently brewed to perfection, with all the proper ingredients for one superb quenching six pack of Moose mountain laps. 6 laps in the light at this time of the year is totally taking advantage of the situation. I know I was buzzing! Great work and the riding was off the charts.

Great to see some of the old regulars shue'n up! Healing vibes to Capt Kirk, who has almost as many Coalition nights as I do over the years. Hopefully, you are already beamed back into action.

This week is a go! 5 at Bowness 5:45 Station Flats. An email heads up is greatly appreciated.

No shuttle hits for photgraphers on the first lap. Our blog is looking a little stale without any foto's. Until we get some contributions from y'all, I will just have to keep putting up weird pics of me. haha!

Get out there!

Reg

Ride time!

Hello out there! Many thanks to those that showed up last wed evening and participated in the MMBTS trail day. The Coalition still somehow managed 3 laps. Yes, one was a breakless and I personally didn't get 3 laps but the 3 lap min was still breached by some. As a group, we gave a little love to a troubled area on ROS. It was slow progress and a temp fix but nevertheless progress. The trail Karma cometh!

Tomorrow, it's back to bikes only. 5 laps anyone? Think we can still sneak in 5 before it's dark? 5:10 Bowness - 6:00 Station Flats.

If you have lights and like to use them! Its getting close to that time of year where they should be added to your "body bag" of gear. Nod nod wink wink!

Email heads up is appreciated.

It's crunch time - get out to the hills!

Reg

Digg'n it!

Yes, much fun was had on last weeks pursuits in the Bow Valley.

With 3 laps on Stoney Squaw, including one lap on Upper Stoney, we certainly got our fill of high speed rocky shredd'n and tight loamy upper squaw goodness. Refreshing to mix it up but for this week it's back to the old reliable.

Tomorrow, it is time for us riders to give back a little to our trail network and team up with MMBTS to put some much needed investment back in to our trails. The last trail day we still managed 2 laps and did a Coalition buff sesh on lower t-dub. This week, I think we can pull off 3 laps and still steal the show for the trail day. I was hoping we could attack lower ROS, just after Poppa bear, and do some rock armouring and drainage work. This will be a bike to the line work sesh, so if you have any backpacks that may sufficiently carry a tool or two please bring them along. This is the final evening trail day for the year, lets make an effort, we all ride these trails plenty and doing your part is the key to keeping the mountain running awesome. Plus, it's always a good time. I will be taking the shuttling hits this week, unless I can somehow find a way to weasel out of it, without any coalitionite's taking the hit. Haha.

5:20 Bowness 6:15 Ing's Mine P-lot.

See ya tomorrow!

Reg

Mix'n it up

The plan this week is to get our Brapp on at the Stoney Squaw trail on Mt Norquay in Banff. The logistics are a little more complicated for this one... so an email heads up to keep our system in sync is very appreciated.

Last week was another stellar night out in dem der hills. 5 laps easily obtained and we are groov'n as a group.

5:30 Bowness 5:45 @ the Petro Canada at the Cochrane junction.

Cheers,

Reg

Awesome August

Wowzer, what a season thus far.

Last week saw the Coalition easily snag a five lapper out at Moose. Our system is by no means broken. No bikes on the ground and democracy causing the only odd frown. It was a little greasy at first but things started to tack up and we kept busy munching on the West side treats.

Rumour has it, that the smaller crew from 2 weeks back managed 6 laps. so the bar for the season has been set.

The weather is looking good for this week. Hopefully we can get a night out without having to wash our bikes. I probably should of kept that statement away from the keyboard...

As always, an email heads up is greatly appreciated. 5:30 Bowness 6:15 Station Flats.

Lets ride,

Reg

Game on for Wednesday!

Tomorrow is a go! 5:30 Bowness - 6:15 Station Flats.

More to come on last weeks pursuits when Some of that extra time thing comes my way.

Heads up is always appreciated!

Cheers,

Reg

Help grow the flow!

Riders of the Coalition! Hopefully you had a fine Wednesday night of riding last week. It sure is hard settling back to everyday life after 12 days of vacationing bliss. Tomorrow is a go for both riding and putting a little sweat equity back into our trails. I hope to see some good interest from y'all... from time to time it is our duty as riders to give back to our trails. No pressure, but working on trails as a team is always a good time.

I will take both the shuttle hits(yes I just typed that) and get everyone in for a lap previous to the MMBTS trail day and hopefully for another post trail work. Should be a fun night hanging in the woods, riding bikes, doing our part and helping grow the flow.

If we could meet at 5:20 in Bowness and 6 at Ing's mine that should work. An email heads up is appreciated.

Reg

Clayton for President!

What a night to be out playing in the hills. Blue skies, warm temps, awesome trails and 1 stoked Coalition contingent. 5 laps were easily obtained and without any need for democracy. Big thanks to Clayton for offering to be our driver with mega healing vibes coming your way.
We started from the top down on the West side trails with a T-dub, JG, Toothless, and Billy dog. Then a final lap down ROS to call it a night. Nice work, great team groove and sweet riding.

If only the gnome could talk!
I am away on holidays all of next week but Regan has stepped up to keep the good times rolling. Same deal as this week... 5:30 Bowness or 6:30 Station Flats. If you could keep Regan informed if you are planning on coming out at moffattr@gmail.com that would be appreciated. 6 laps maybe? Balls fetched from wifey's purse? Efficiency obtained? Can't wait to be updated! Give'r.
I will be gorging on mega Kootenay fat tire pie!

Pic courtesy of Margus Riga.
For the July 21st Wednesday night the Coalition will be teaming up with MMBTS and participating in the mid week trail day. As riders, it is important to put a little sweat equity back into our trails. Lets do our part as a group. I was thinking if we met a little earlier, I could shuttle everyone up for a quick lap previous to the trail day starting. We could go attack some problem area and then end off the night with another quick shuttle. Lets give back to our mountain!

Happy Trails,

Reg

Wednesday ride anyone?

Troops,

Wednesday we ride! 5:30 in Bowness or 6:30 at Station Flats. An email heads up is much appreciated.

Any lap minimum suggestions?

Cheers,

Reg

Embrace the Mayhem!

Wow, with blue skies, long days, lift access opps, alpine shralp-ability and two itch'n wheels - it's time to embrace the Mayhem and let the good times roll. The season is on... take advantage of your days and celebrate with 2 wheeled bliss.



Last weeks Coalition was a little trying in the conditions department. En route the anticipation for our tacky trails meter to be pinging was high but the mountain had other plans. Just a half hour previous to our arrival a sudden thunder shower dumped some major precipitation. Our first lap down Toothless and it was evident we were not doing the trails any good and they would need an hour or 2 to dry up. Fortunately, we were given the skinny that SLF was still running well and we were able to do some laps on this tight and tech line. We concluded our 4th lap with a RON(run of the night) down T-dub. All in all a great night, but I am looking forward to when everything aligns and the high fives and not Canyon creek are flowing with ease.
I am unsure on the best approach to this week. With the Holiday Thursday, and after chatting with some Coaltionites, it seems most already have plans and are not available for this Wednesday evening. If this is not your story and I can get a satisfactory crew than we can make it a go. This will be a high level embracement of mayhem on my end... so I will have to buckle down and get at it. Fire me a quick email or leave a comment on the blog as soon as possible if you are down.
Alpine Pics courtesy of Ryan Creary Photography.

Happy Trails,

Reg

Hello Summer

Well, according to the calender it is officially summer! Now all we need is for the weather to stick to this program and we should be back in fine form here at the Coalition. Conditions currently are not prime but we can make things work for Moose Mtn shred tomorrow evening. Same as last week, an email heads up is appreciated.... 5:30 Bowness or 6:30 at Station Flats.

Last nights Solstice ride with friends sure felt like summer... My new Scratch was certainly liking the scenery and after one large slog finally pointed in the right direction!

For last week, we had a smaller group and conditions on all shuttle trails were to be a damaging situation. So we embraced the trails of choice of our alliance Brethren and hit up a quick Prairie View Jewell Pass ride in the rain. It sure was hard getting motivated for that initial soaking but minutes into the ride and it felt like home. Good times!
Go ride!

Reg

Coalition 2010

Hello out there!

Anybody tuned into this ole bloggy thing still?

We are back in action here at the Coalition for 2010 with an impromptu Wednesday night of riding out at Moose mountain - starting tomorrow. Sorry for the lack of a heads up but I have been out of town for a spell and am just back and we need to ride! If you are down an email confirmation as always is very mucho appreciative at regmullett@hotmail.com. This way I can dial in our logistics, make the proper shuttle preps previous to game time and we can keep our system unbroken.

Last year was yet again an amazing summer/fall of Coalition riding and I am super excited to embrace the vertical with the group again for 2010. I was planning on switching it up this year by changing Coalition nights to Wednesday. Please let me know if this works better for y'all.

I was thinking 5 at my place here in Calgary and 6 at Station Flats situation. I will email my addy to you if you want to car pool and meet here in the city.

4 lap minimum anyone?

Lets Ride!

Reg