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Specialized North Shore Ripper Powered by Jim Pattison Toyota Trucks North Shore

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Up at the crack of dawn (well, 6, but that is pretty early if you ask me), get ready and I'm out there door. I have to get to my first, North Shore Ripper on time to see what it's all about. As much as I had been looking forward to the race all week, I'd been dreading the rain that the weatherman had promised. As we all know the Vancouver weathermen are about as accurate as drunken archers, and usually just as kind too. Today, instead of getting the arrow in the arse of their forecasted heavy rain we got . . .SUN! As I pulled up to the registration area I could see the weather mirrored as a smile in every face, riders and volunteers alike. Everyone was stoked to be out on a perfect day for what was to prove to be a great race (over 120 riders showed up on race-day!)

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After taking in the general scene, the next thing I notice is a bionic seat post, which I can only imagine (and hope) is strictly for racing purposes, and a guy warming up on a road bike in full lycra (a bit of a contrast to what I have been told was a 'fun' race.) After the usual banter and bike compliments, I find out that both 'Bionic Seapost' and 'Lycra man' are competitive XC racers and that Lycra man's partner is a former BC DH champ and currently 5th in the world in the Masters class. This is some pretty serious competition!

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Shying into my next question I ask Lycra man, "So what makes the ripper different from the regular race circuit?" Thinking the answer will be something along the lines of, "…the chance to crush hundreds of other riders in my path." However, I am pretty surprised to hear his answer, "They're a lot more fun!" Despite the rollers, the gear, and the lycra, it's clear the 'serious' riders are out to have a good time.

After a quick glace through the parking lot, I realize the crowd has brought a few more 'colourful' additions. I see a girl in a bunny costume (4 actually), a guy with a rigid bike, the entire cast of Batman (including Batman, Robin, the Joker, and Catwomen) and a whole mess of riders milling around asking, "hey, do you know where the course goes?" "no, you?" "nope".

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I got a chance to speak to Geoff Pendrel next. He's usually off racing around the world (as much as his 'poor'fessional budget will allow), but told me he makes it a point to come to the Rippers. Geoff explains how despite the huge number of riders out here, there are very few pro events in Vancouver. As a result, competitive riders generally get to spend very little time in the community that supports them. The Ripper series is totally about the community, completely donation driven and entirely about fun, so it is something he looks forward to every year. He also echoes his friend's sentiments that it isn't about competition, but his wry grin seems to say "yeah, but I'm still going to crush all these riders in my wake" (which he did, handily winning the solo race).

Very few of the riders were pro's though, but, much to my utter bike-porn-lovin' joy, they're were plenty of pro-level bikes to gawk and admire.

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A few minutes of lusting after some bikes and then the designated DH'ers were shuttled up to the top (read packed into a discount cube van like commuters in a Tokyo subway car) to prepare for the race. The lucky stragglers were able to catch a lift up in the much cushier Toyota nsmb-mobile.

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While waiting for the climbers I bumped into Sven Luebke, a representative from the NSMBA, who explained the other purpose of the Rippers (besides the rider's collective answer of, 'fun'!), namely fundraising. There are over 2200 NSMBA members, and a lot more trail users, which means that major funds are needed to keep the trails from becoming eroded. The Rippers are a major source of funds (the major source of trail maintenance, however, is still the riders, so feel free to join one of the many trail days this year!). He also said (rather emphatically) that this "is NOT a race. It's an EVENT. It's not really about the competition." Mike Hunter apparently didn't share that conviction as he literally flew up the trail, making super human time and sending his partner, Wade Simmons, down the hill with a commanding lead.

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The fastest of the climbers eventually made their way to the top (this was well after Mike had found time to take a shower, change and finish off a strong coffee). As the astonishment at Mike's time wore off, the waiting descenders seemed to break out of their mini-hibernation and the party and hollering started. Everyone cheered as the climbers rode up. There were friends, riding partners, fathers and sons, boyfriend and girlfriends, mudbunnies, and of course, the Gotham four, with Batman and Robin arriving triumphantly on a tandem.

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The course conditions themselves were pretty much perfect. The sun had dried off most of the woodwork enough so that it wasn't slippery, but the rain from the previous days had left some good sized puddles. After all, it isn't a day on the shore if you don't get some dirt in your teeth. Today there were a lot of smiles, and there wasn't a single gritless smile in the bunch.

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HUGE thanks to all the peope who volunteer their free time to make this event possible. Jay Sinclair, David Ferguson, and Jenny for taking tons of great photos and shuttling the stragglers to the top (the overflow jumped in team nsmb.com's Toyota Tacoma). Sharon, for her continueing commitment to sanity in the misdt of total chaos. James, from Obsession bikes, for his sadistic (although, highly amusing) re-routes that always keep the racers on their toes. Darren and his crew from Endless Biking, who volunteered in force to help with anythign and everything. And, of course, to the dozens of other folks not mentioned here who work so hard in the background to keep things rolling.

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Most of all, thanks again to the nsmbA for hosting another great event! Don't forget that all the proceeds from the Ripper go straight back into the trails, so be sure to register early for the Super D on May 12th!

Scroll for results below.

Story: Cameron Curtis
Photos: David Ferguson
Edits & Additions: Trisha Petrella

To add your comments or photos click here.

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Huge thanks to our 2007 North Shore Ripper Sponsors!

The 2007 'Specialized North Shore Rippers powered by Jim Pattison Toyota Trucks' features support from Specialized, Toyota, Cycles Lambert, Okanagan Springs, Outdoor Gear Canada and Cowboy Coffee as some of the featured event sponsors. Other event sponsors include Emdoubleyu Design, Silver Star Resort, Ryders Eyewear, Adidas, Endless Biking, Bella Candela, Dakine and Obsession: Bikes.

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The North Shore Ripper couldn't happen without the generous support of these sponsors:

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