Specialized North Shore Ripper No. 2 2006
The Maxxis Super D
What's the Super part again?
Cam McRae
The Super D is a new format for the Ripper for 06.  What'll it be next year - the Super UH?  Perhaps the XC 4X?  We now know the Super D will be a hard act to follow.  Many of us have been riding like this for years; squeezing extra vert and extra sweat into a shuttle by lacing it with uphill sections.  A little pedal up the Baden to Boogie? Sounds like a nice way to finish a ride.  Perhaps that explains why the format was so well received.  James was told more than once 'you should do four of these next year!'

Barb Haley and Johnny Smoke entered on hardtails - chainless. Team CLHT. It is indeed pronounced the way you think it's pronounced. Photo ~ Cam McRae
The goal of the Ripper Super D course was an epic downhill of between 30 and 60 minutes covering a variety of terrain.  Seymour was the perfect venue with massive vert and a combination of lines like the smooth and stunty CBC and the rooty old school tech of TNT and Dale's.  The upper parking lot was the staging area and groups of 10 riders at a time were sent down to the start at the top of CBC where James gave his famous pre-race speech in a more intimate setting.  His most pertinent line was "if someone catches you, pull over - you are at least a minute off the back."  This would come back to sting us later when James and his group caught our team. 

James Wilson giving his famous pre-race pep talk. Photo ~ David Ferguson

After ripping CBC the route ducked into TNT and then cut across Cabin Trail to meet up with Mushroom.  From there riders rolled down into Dale's Trail, taking a left at the swamp and climbing up to incline.  The route continued upward going the wrong direction on Ned's and finally reaching the second section of Corkscrew.  From here it was mostly all downhill; Pingu, Team Pangor to the end and then an uphill finish to the left on Bridal Path.


Digger was there collecting some footage for NSX 9. Photo ~ David Ferguson

There is a simple equation in mountain biking on the North Shore that we all know but perhaps haven't ever clearly defined; the possibility for a ride turning into a gong show doubles for every rider added to a group beyond three.  A group of six isn't twice as likely to have problems as a group of three - it's eight times as likely.  Still riding as a group is what riding the Shore is all about which is why there was no solo cat for the Super D.  You could ride with a partner or with three buddies but those were the only options.


Colin Miller followed by Trevor Hansen.  Were they the weakest links? Photo ~ David Ferguson

The four person category was a corporate challenge and folks like Team Shuttlewhore stepped up and entered four teams.  The winning team in the challenge was given the opportunity to donate all funds collected to the charity of their choice. A total of 12 teams ponied up big for charity.  More on that later.


King of the Shuttlewhores!  Paul Kim leans into some of Jeremy Power's handiwork.  Photo ~ David Ferguson

This was the first time I actually had a chance to toss my hat into a Ripper. I rode with Colin Miller and Trevor Hansen from our team as well as honorary team member Jeremy Schaab.   One of the great things about racing is that there is nowhere to hide.  It's also one of the crappy things when you take a beating - which we did.  The thing to do is to step up and take responsibility and I'd like to do that - for Colin and Trevor who held us up.  Actually Jeremy and I may have been the weakest links but we all had a great time.  nsmb team one took a hit when Ryan Newman broke his chain on CBC and had to continue without any power.  Team Shuttlewhore's first team managed to podium despite a beer break part way down the trail.


That's the spirit.  These guys had the essence of the Ripper series nailed down.  They didn't call themselves the Brokeback Mountain bikers (they didn't even see it coming) but everyone else did. Photos ~ David Ferguson

James Wilson and team 'Coffee makes Cowboys Dizzy' had a great run but couldn't quite catch Team Big Legs who rolled in with an impressive time of just under 43 minutes.  As expected the two person cat. was hotly contested and Matt Juhasz and Jon Zammit put two minutes into the entire field - crossing the line right around 37 minutes.  That's blazing fast.  Much of the usual pro contingent were busy at Sterling Lorence's stag up in Kamloops so it was a chance for the almost mortals to shine.


Riders had to finish together so there wasn't much point in getting too far ahead. Better to stay close in case a teammate needed a hand. Photo ~ David Ferguson

Dave O'Dowd from Whistler Action Video covering some ground. He was always running it seems. Photo ~ David Ferguson
There were some big bragging rights on the line for the corporate challenge and Team Big Legs - which had riders from Steed, Dizzy and John Henry Bikes won the right to donate the proceed - $1300 in all - to the charity of their choice.  The boys decided the nsmbA is a worthy cause so that money will go back into the trails.  Nicely done lads!  They also won some great swag.  The addition of Dakine as a sponsor this time around sweetened the pot substantially and there were many smiling faces in the Hurricane Grill once the draw prizes were finished.  It was sort of like racing in the old days - without all the standing around at awards and the stress and the attitudes... You get the idea.

Eric Anderson and Team Big Legs took the corporate challenge. Photo ~ David Ferguson

There are two more Rippers left for 2006.  Next up is the always entertaining CBC observed downhill Ripper.  The idea is to ride CBC as fast as you can and to collect time bonuses by riding the stunts. Last year the best prizes went to riders wearing the best costumes so you can guess what the vibe is like.  That's June 10th and we'll let you know when registration is up. We have sold out two Rippers in a row so keep your ear to the ground if you want to come out and play. 

The icing on the cake will be the second annual Triple Crown Poker Rip.  You'll need to make your way to certain points on all three North Shore Mountains where you'll collect a card.  You'll also be asked to perform silly manoeuvres at some stations to help pad your poker hand.  You can get there however you want but most riders did it the old fashioned way last year - even Team Shuttlewhore.  Epic is an understatement.  If you plan to ride the Triple Crown you'll want to clear your schedule for July 8th.  All day.

I'll let you know when registration is ready for each event so stay tuned.

Thanks to all the Ripper Sponsors, North Shore Search and Rescue, The District of North Vancouver, the gifted trailbuilders and of course all the volunteers that helped make the Super D possible. 

See you next time. Head to Whistler Action Video to see a clip of the Seventh Ripper - and soon some video of the Super D.


Are we done yet?  Or is there time for another?  The Whores rush for the finish. Photo ~ David Ferguson

Scroll for results below.

Cam McRae

Huge thanks to our 2006 North Shore Ripper Sponsors!


Final Results - four person.

1st Eric Anderson Team Big Legs 0:42:54
Tim Coleman Team Big Legs 0:42:55
Bryon Enns Team Big Legs 0:42:56
Brian Brittain Team Big Legs 0:42:59
2nd James Wilson Coffee Makes Cowboys Dizzy 0:43:28
Jeff Boeda Coffee Makes Cowboys Dizzy 0:43:29
Eron Calderbank Coffee Makes Cowboys Dizzy 0:43:30
Ted Matson Coffee Makes Cowboys Dizzy 0:43:31
3rd Jarrett Beatty TSW 1 0:44:49
Marc Rowe TSW 1 0:44:57
Dave Hughes TSW 1 0:44:57
Trevor Hawkins TSW 1 0:44:57
4 Mike Watton Team Worca 0:47:50
joe Lyons Team Worca 0:47:50
Ian Ritz Team Worca 0:47:54
Vincent Marcotte Team Worca 0:47:56
5 Jerry Willows Team NSMB.com 1 0:52:22
Ryan Newman Team NSMB.com 1 0:52:24
Neil Meier Team NSMB.com 1 0:52:25
Michelle Dumaresq Team NSMB.com 1 0:52:27
6 Zane Littrell Maras Hilling Team 0:55:37
Ryan Day Maras Hilling Team 0:55:40
Paul Maras-Hilling Maras Hilling Team 0:55:42
John Maras-Hilling Maras Hilling Team 0:55:46
7 Greg Lo TSW 2 0:59:40
Paul Kim TSW 2 0:59:50
Daryl Youngman TSW 2 0:59:50
Chee Yang TSW 2 0:59:55
8 Darren Butler Endless Biking 0:59:37
Dean Payne Endless Biking 1:00:39
Rick Loader Endless Biking 1:00:40
Will Dicksin Endless Biking 1:00:43
9 Dorothy Luebke Dorothy's Boys 1:04:52
Sven Luebke Dorothy's Boys 1:05:00
Rob Manson Dorothy's Boys 1:05:02
Cliff Eschner Dorothy's Boys 1:05:03
10 Trevor Hansen Team NSMB.com 2 1:05:23
Colin Miller Team NSMB.com 2 1:05:26
Cam McRae Team NSMB.com 2 1:05:28
Jeremy Schaab Team NSMB.com 2 1:05:28
11 Seamus Chester Team Gowans 1:08:35
Jason Luleo Team Gowans 1:08:36
Kenneth So Team Gowans 1:08:36
Jake Gowans Team Gowans 1:08:37
12 Ian Mcllwaine TSW 3 1:30:05
Anthony Thaulad TSW 3 1:30:07
Isaac Melles TSW 3 1:30:08
Richard Moss TSW 3 1:30:08
 
  Daniel Crow Hutchon John Tuytel 0:57:00
Saar Moisa John Tuytel 0:57:06
John Tuytel John Tuytel 0:57:07

Results - two person

1 Jon Zammit 0:36:58
Matthew Juhasz 0:37:01
2 Ken Maude 0:39:07
Arthur Gailot 0:39:16
3 Steve Mitchel 0:39:32
Cory Leclerc 0:39:33
4 Chrion Kantakis 0:41:03
Jason Bond 0:41:09
5 Arama Jillings 0:41:30
Steven Bauer 0:41:32
6 Alec Black 0:43:32
Ron Edwards 0:43:33
7 Mike Boehm 0:44:06
Parry Pollock 0:44:10
8 Jonny Rockall 0:44:27
Paddy Kaye 0:44:33
9 Terry Walker 0:45:41
Vincent Beasse 0:45:42
10 Jacques Godin 0:46:47
Julian Menard 0:46:53
11 Richard Jarman 0:48:28
Jon Mepham 0:48:29
12 Connor Gilan 0:48:53
Andrew Brown 0:48:55
13 Brad Bethune 0:49:25
Marc Zurbuchen 0:49:28
14 Gordon Smith 0:49:42
Andy Moore 0:49:53
15 Andrew Sauter 0:50:27
Jim Meldrum 0:50:32
16 Amber Zirnhelt 0:51:39
Tim Graversen 0:51:39
17 Gord Longden 0:52:53
Ray Lachance 0:53:25
18 Kevin Tafts 0:53:36
Dale Anaka 0:53:38
19 Dennis Richards 0:54:11
John Lorenz 0:54:12
20 Bob Welch 1:01:02
Jeremy Saunders 1:01:06
21 Ashek Kreowski 1:02:55
Mark Dunkley 1:02:57
22 Andrew Millington 1:03:01
Scotty Millington 0:50:29
23 James Younger 1:15:07
Casey Wilcott 1:15:07
Womens Team  
1 Amber Wilson 0:54:29
Eron Chorney 0:54:44
2 Jen Sawrenko 1:05:37
Cristina Piccone 1:05:38
Mixed Team    
1 Megan Hoodspith 0:48:20
Mark Woudwijk 0:48:21
2 John Smoke 0:56:13
Barb Haley 0:56:14
3 Ryan Dumaresq 1:04:24
Mariana Cairati 1:04:28
4 Jonathan Harris 1:34:52
Nina Krack 1:34:53

 


Sanctioned by