Race the Ranch DH course "Pale Rider"

I've been building a new downhill course for the Bike Ranch in Kamloops for the first stop of the BC Cup on May 2nd, 2010. This entire area is built upon thousands of years of glacial silt, which means that the dirt turns to dust in the summer, and that there aren't any rocks......... anywhere! All rocks and man-made features have to be trucked in, which makes it kinda challenging when you want to build a technical DH race trail.

Pale Rider is getting closer to being complete, so I figure I better post a few pictures.

Just after the start of the trail. Every rock and log was brought
in with my little truck or by Bobcat.

This was just a section of single track for the past 2 years.
Now, it has some technicality to slow people down.

It doesn't look like much, but the logs are two feet apart,
with two large boulders right after.

Surprisingly, the fastest and smoothest line is to the far right
(if you time it right).

Trail closed. This is where Pale Rider breaks from the old DH course.
This section is essentially complete, but there are a few things left to build.

Bench cutting in Kamloops, where a large pick is your friend.
This short section leads into the only steep section of the course.

The steep section. The camera does not give it justice. It is hard to walk down,
but surprisingly there is a beginner line to the right.

Looking up the steep section. The "pro" line is the portion with the
wood cribbing and rocks. It's shorter, faster, and scarier!

The "stairs" and the easy, slow line on the left side looking up.

The stairs and the mandatory ride-around. Those stairs consist of bald, off camber pine logs.
Any moisture and ...........................good luck!

This section leads into a road gap (with ride-around) that will be completed soon. Next post will be the completion of the road gap and the section after it.

Wayne Parsons