First Annual Pedals and Pints Heli-Drop Adventure

Join John Henry the Bicycle Man for our first annual Pedals and Pints Heli-Drop Adventure. This fully supported weekend adventure in B.C.’s southern Chilcotin will include a gravity-fed helicopter shuttle ride and a second day of singletrack exploration in the Lillooet area.

There are two dates for our Heli-Drop Adventure:

July 10 and 11, 2004 and August 28 and 29, 2004.

There are only 13 seats in the helicopter for each trip—so register now and don’t miss out on what is guaranteed to be the ride of your life!

Route

Both days of riding will happen right near the historical town of Lillooet, situated in the southern Chilcotin on the majestic Fraser Canyon just 4 hours drive from Vancouver. We’ll arrive at our campground on Friday night to tasty appetizers and a cozy campfire and get ready for the full days of riding ahead.

Early Saturday morning, we’ll hitch a ride by helicopter up to the top of Mt. MacLean and cruise down over 7000 feet of vertical descent. We’ll land on an exposed alpine ridge with stunning views of lakes and mountain tops for as far as the eye can see. We’ll begin with several kilometres of sweet single singletrack descent through flower-filled alpine meadows until we hit the trees. From there we’ll continue down winding singletrack, through a series of tight switchbacks, some steep sections and across a couple of creeks. Eventually we’ll pop out on an old road for a high speed descent.

There will be a full dining experience awaiting us on Saturday evening back at our campsite (there are also very affordable hotels and motels in Lillooet if that is your preference).

Sunday, the group will explore an excellent singletrack route with a variety of natural and built stunts and options to challenge all abilities.

Guides

All the guides are fully qualified and first-aid trained. Kelli Sherbinin and Kelly Owens of Cascadia Adventures are qualified instructors/guides with years of mountain biking experience.

Pro-DH racer, B.C. 4 Cross champ in 2003 and an instructor for the past 4 years with the Sugoi Dirt Series, Kelli S. is one of B.C.’s best instructors and trip guides.

Director of John Henry Bikes Pedals and Pints in Vancouver, guide and instructor with Sugoi Dirt Series and SPOKE, Kelly Owens has years of riding experience in the west coast area.

Pat Ansdell of Gravity Fed Adventures offers his invaluable experience guiding heli-biking and skiing tours in the south Chilcotin area.

Training

You and your bike should be in good condition; our sponsor John Henry Bikes will be happy to check and service your bike before you leave. Riders should have a solid level of physical fitness and at least a beginner/ intermediate technical skill level with some downhill experience. Total vertical loss is 7000 feet over 14 kilometres of singletrack and 6 kms of old road. For advanced riders, there are two options off the main trail to add another 1000 feet of vertical and lots more single track.

Support and Sponsors

Sponsored by John Henry the Bicycle Man in Vancouver and supported by Cascadia Adventures, Rainforest Destinations and Gravity-Fed Adventures, your registration fee includes professional guiding and instruction, all meals on Saturday and Sunday with refreshments, including a 4-course, linen-napkin meal on Saturday night, breakfast and lunch on both days, campsite fees for Friday and Saturday night, mechanical support, group shelters in case of inclement weather, power and refrigeration for your extra snacks and beverages and sag support for Sunday’s riding. All you really need to bring is your bike, your gear, a tent and a sleeping bag and we’ll take care of the rest!

Transport

We can help arrange carpools from Vancouver before the event. Participants should leave Vancouver on Friday afternoon for the 4 hour drive to Lilloet. Our support team will be set up at the campground when you arrive and your overnight pack will be secured on Saturday and Sunday while you are riding. We’ll finish up by about 3 PM on Sunday, leaving plenty of time for the return drive to Vancouver.

Driving Directions

Route A:

From Vancouver, follow the Trans Canada Hwy (#1) through Chilliwack, continue through Hope to Lytton where you take Hwy 12 to Lillooet.

Route B:

In Vancouver take Hwy # 1 to Horseshoe Bay then up Hwy 99 through Whistler. Drive from Pemberton to Lillooet over the Duffy Lake Rd (Hwy. 99).

Registration and Payment

Cost for this year’s inaugural Pedals and Pints Heli-Drop Adventures is $395.

You must be a registered and insured club member of a Cycling BC for 2004 to participate. 50% deposit due for the July trip by May 30th, 2004 and for the August trip, a 50% deposit is due by June 30th. The deposit is accepted with registration, waiver and questionnaire at John Henry Bikes. We are limited to 13 participants on each trip.

Registration forms available online at JohnHenryBikes.com or at the shop.

Contact

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Kelly Owens at KellyO@telus.net.