Redneck Country - Part II

This statement, surprisingly, didn't get us shot

Seeing a "Think Fast Hippie" sticker on the rear end of a big-assed truck in the Chilcotin backroads made my mind wander to the scene in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, where the characters find themselves suddenly in "Bat Country". We were there too, except for us it was Rednecks. As out of place as the bats were in Vegas, rednecks too seemed to have no place in the serentity of our pristine surroundings. Yet, there they were.

Sitting near our campfire that evening, partaking in our own hippie stereotype, we pondered the mysteries of the redneck. As we stared at our fire (there it is!), Carmen produced this gem:

"Rednecks should not be defined solely by their values, but by the fact that they are always found out in nature fucking shit up for everybody else"

Indeed, the more we thought about this, the funnier it was. Rednecks do seem to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors and certainly all of their activities (4x4ing, dirt biking, shooting things etc) constitute things that fuck shit up. We pulled out all the immaturity stops with this one and giggled until our fire dwindled and it was time for the tent. Hard not to feel a little bit smug on the eve of our own planned 'do no harm' bike ride.

I guess that is the way it is with stereotypes. You can conveniently dump the characteristics you don't like in one big stinking pile and plant your own behaviour among the roses. Inevitably, there will be a time though, that you're proven wrong and you'll see that even the roses grow in shit too.

Let the Good Times Roll - Part I

We all know that even the best laid plans have a habit of falling down mid-flight and that often the funnest adventures happen when you simply wander out with vague direction and an open mind. Throw in one great friend, mountain bikes, camp gear, add in some sunshine, bright blue skies, stir with some Strongbow and you just know the recipe is perfect for the good times to roll.

En route

This past Canada Day long weekend was no exception for unplanned fun. In the middle of a tired week, the idea to 'head north' for four days was hatched by Carmen and I. No detailed discussions or long prep lists were made and none seemed to be needed.

Drive north we did, with our first stop at the beloved Pony Espresso in Pemberton to fuel up for our first bike ride around Birkenhead Lake. After a quick 3 hour cross-country ride, one death-defying near crash (into each other), and a dip in the lake, we'd decided the Chilcotins would be the next place to explore. A 56km loop ride in the Lone Valley and Relay Creek area beckoned us. We couldn't have been more excited!

Back to the Pony Espresso (more fuel), and a quick stop at the Pemberton Hardware and Hunting Store where we stayed just long enough to pick up some bear safety accessories, pet the bear skin rug and to make fun of 'those ridiculous people that pose with dead animals' Ahem. Fast - the best way to get out of there and back on the road.

View on the way up the Hurley Pass

Up and over the spectacular Hurley Pass and into the Chilcotins we went in search of a place to pitch the tent. We checked out several Forest Rec sites along the way, finding each one piled with people, rather dank and strangely viewless for such a gorgeous part of the country. The search continued, neither of us quite ready to give up on our desire for the perfect spot. We backtracked aiming for yet another yellow triangle (designating camping on our map) and kept our fingers crossed as we bumped down a car-wrecking dirt track hoping it would lead us to the perfect site.

view from our tent

Luck was on our side (as it always is), when the dirt track (finally) ended and opened up to crystal clear Pearson Pond and a generous view of snow capped peaks. A nice campfire took care of the mosquito ambush and we were set. A sweet home for the night and a big day of riding to look forward to. Really who needs to plan when amazing days like this just happen?