The End Of Two Eras (Monday 07 April 2003)

On Sunday, Andy left the Palace for the final time, driving down to Vancouver in preparation for an early morning ferry trip to Vancouver Island. Having co-organised the amazingly successful Sea vs Sky party, he is now off to the island for a few days before beginning his whistle-stop tour of North America.

As if it wasn't enough losing one of the Riders, today the Standley family followed Andy down to Vancouver, en route to Australia. As viewers who read the diaries will know, Mark "Stan" Standley has been the Riders' most regular riding partner over the season and has become a very good friend. His family have also featured heavily in the Riders' lives - wife Kinga joining them on the slopes, Josh permitting, and 14-month old son, Josh, carving out his own role as the official Baby of Justice.

Stan has offered the following words of wisdom:

Stan, ROJ guest rider, signing off

After a depressing and slow start to the season (due to crap snow conditions) I bumped into Jon, Bob and Andy, alias "The Riders of Justice", and Matt, fellow ROJ guest rider. Since Kinga, Josh and I came to Whistler knowing nobody it proved to be most fortunate.

Many amazing days riding ensued. The good times have been too many to list. There have been frustrating days, waiting for decent snow and riding far too quickly on ice. Then the powder days that make life seem so simple and just plain fun - f*** work!

I’ve also witnessed quite a few spills including a high speed collision with Bob when following a pro around the mountain, Matt crashing impressively on Rock and Roll and upon being asked if he was alright replying "yeah, yeah I am" in total amazement that he was ok! Riding over the top of Jon when I couldn’t stop and seeing Andy cartwheel down Franzs, which unfortunately injured his ankle and put him out for the rest of the season.

Many friends have come and stayed and it has been great meeting and riding with them. The nights out have proved to be entertaining although sometimes at my expense - thanks Al and Jon for persuading me to dive headfirst into a hot tub and hence getting thrown out of a nightclub!!

Special thanks to Jon for being the babysitter of Justice and general good egg and for finding the Justice route into West Bowl.

So anyway enough whittering - to sum up, thanks guys for being great riding partners and friends - it made my season meeting up with you all. What was that Kinga? Oh and she says she loves you all...