Riding With A Pro (Saturday 01 March 2003)

Back in January, when Jon and Andy were injured, Bob and Stan went on a Freeride Day, guided by a pro-rider. They spent the day tearing down Whistler Mountain and the evening telling anyone who'd listen how much fun they'd had. When the chance came for another Freeride Day the Riders leapt at the chance and at 08:30 this morning Dom, Stan and The Three met up with the pros at the base of Blackcomb, in Merlin's Bar.

After a quick breakfast the Riders managed to arrange a group which consisted of them and a South African called Tim, to be lead by Matt Domanski, the same pro who they'd ridden with in January.

The day began with a super-fast decent of 7th Heaven, down Panorama. The run was slightly too busy for the speed the Riders were going and several people were heard to scream as the group shot past.

The group paused for a quick picure at the top, then pressed on down Ridge-Runner, Rock'n'Roll and Cruiser to the village. As they sped down the lower slopes, a Mountain Safety patroller took off after the group. The patrollers are basically policemen, who have the right to confiscate passes from people they think are out of control. On this occasion, however, the group was lucky: those at the back of the group watched with great amusement as the patroller started losing ground on the Freeride group, eventually giving up, pulling into the side and yelling at the rest of the group to slow down!

From the village, the Whistler Gondola delivered the group to the Roundhouse, from where they shot down the Dave Murray Downhill to Creekside. The group rode Whistler's half-pipe and terrain park a couple of times, then returned to Blackcomb for a late lunch at Rendezvous, where they met up with Al and some of his friends.

In the afternoon Matt lead the boys through Blackcomb's massive terrain park then down Springboard and Gandy Dancer. The day finished with a run down to Merlin's and several jugs of beer to celebrate one of the fastest days yet.