Della Downhill - Lillooet, BC by leelau

+ 12

demo-dood (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:24)

i think the dude on the giant must of been pissed cos he went down more times than a cheap hooker in a locker room gang bang lol, nice vid, makes me wana go ride!!

+ 0

pedro4me (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:30)

haha+1

+ 0

Academy (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:46)

ahahahah x 2. so true.

+ 0

cGonzalez (Jun 29, 2010 at 16:23)

haha he went down like 6 times and he hit that tree like 50 feet off the trail haha what a goon.!

+ 0

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:13)

Actually - we were all sharing the bike. You can see different gloves. So there were three riders with different crashes. It must have been just cursed that day! I thought it was funny stuff tho

+ 0

demo-dood (Jun 30, 2010 at 0:51)

all 3 of yous must been pissed then haha

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+ 4

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:27)

Redshredder and fatrick. Sorry, I've got no call to be snarky. I live, ride and build in North Van, Squampton and whistler so I spend a lot of time riding skinnies, teeter totters and drops. So I naturally get a little bit stoked about sustained 25 minute downhills. If you want to see me or some of the other guys in the video hit some 15 - 20 foot drops click on the link in the story where I put in pictures of said drops. I'm sorry that fast flowy long sustained downhills aren't your thing but everyone has different tastes I suppose.

+ 2

fattrick (Jul 2, 2010 at 5:45)

Excuse accepted mate! Don't get me wrong. Your downhill trail is very nice. Just that i would like to see more variety on it to make an even more complete experience Smile

+ 1

leelau (Jul 2, 2010 at 8:04)

fatrick - its all good. I was just having fun. Its hard to see on the POV but we did put in some berms. They're just not big berms. Plus we're going to put in more stuff over time as we had to start pretty much from zero after the trail got flattened post - fire

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+ 2

bigian (Jul 8, 2010 at 13:37)

Just want to throw in my $0.02....
We went to ride this trail, mostly (but not entirely) due to this article. My observations:
-Fun, but short (as in quick top to bottom).
-Loooong trip to get there (like, really long).
-If you are in the area, it's worthwhile, but only if you have the time to do several laps.
-Very dusty, narrow, and softer and steeper than it looks in the video.
-Scenery is spectacular (lots of wildlife. This means BEARS).
-Shuttle road was passable by my Impreza (and a lot smoother than the pick-up).
-to settle the argument, this trail is WAY more accessible from Lillooet than Lytton. We did the loop, and it took us twice as long to do the southern half as the northern. You would be lucky (or crazy) to get out of 2nd gear on the southern half of the road.
-Make sure your brakes are strong, they will get forest-fire-starting hot on the descent (before you flame me - Yes, even you speed demons).
I wouldn't make another special trip from Whistler for this trail anytime soon (it is REEEEE-mote), as the forest firebreak has mangled a fair portion of the middle of the trail, robbing the section of it's soul. The potential here is immense though, and I expect great things in the future. You may agree with me, you may not. Just throwing an opinion out there. Kudos to the gents keeping this one alive though...keep up the good work!

+ 1

leelau (Jul 8, 2010 at 17:51)

wow - thanks so much for the feedback ian. I agree its remote and maybe I should have emphasized that (the comment about its remoteness is kind of buried in the link). I also agree its an all-day affair - its best if you get 5 + laps in. So odd-man shuttle is the best setup.

Finally I wish I had mentioned (my bad) that its best earlier in the spring or later in the fall when it has some rain. We hit it perfect which made trail work easy and the riding fun and fast. Right now I bet it hasn't rained there in a couple of weeks and I'm sure its dusty and loose.

We have plans for it for the fall. Hopefully restore some of the rest of the trail and build some more booters

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+ 1

thegringo (Jun 30, 2010 at 19:03)

Nice vid,the helmet cams are really growing on me,especially when the footage is long and purposeful like this.Some funny out takes as well.I may treat myself to a helmet/chest/frame cam.I'm told the Go-Pro and the V-Holder are the daddies of the market,any advice?
Gringo. Cool

+ 1

leelau (Jun 30, 2010 at 23:09)

gringo - I think the POV cams used sparingly can be pretty effective. Especially if you cut it with static footie from other cameras. While by no means is this a professional production (I was literally running from spot to spot and rushing around), you can create pretty entertaining videos. As for the POV cams - the GoPro is awesome especially when used with the chest mount - which you can rig to shoot forwards or backwards (see this article I wrote here - http://www.feedthehabit.com/outdoors/the-definitive-gopro-pov-video-camera-review/). GoPro's mounts aren't as good for mounting on the bike and for that you can adapt a VIO mount to use with the Vholdr ContourHD (see here http://pointofviewcameras.com/blog/pov/article/using-vio-mount-on-vholdr-contourhd). But if you had one choice I'd pick GoPro for biking due to the superiority of the chest mount which I've found impossible to duplicated with the Vholdr.

+ 1

thegringo (Jul 1, 2010 at 9:51)

Nice one for that Leelau,real big help,still mixed as to what to get but i too am leaning towards the go-pro,sounds simpler and just as good footage wise,thanx again m8.
Gringo. Camera

+ 1

leelau (Jul 1, 2010 at 10:09)

If it helps. The GoPro's case is really really tough. It can survive 40kmh faceplants. I've blown up propane tanks next to it and the footy survived

+ 1

thegringo (Jul 1, 2010 at 10:15)

Funny that ya just replied about that,cos i was just looking PB's prices on the Go-Pro when i seen i had a message,but that sounds like some proper tough testing,thanx again Leelau m8.
Gringo. tup

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+ 2

Quinsta (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:54)

Mint Video, makes me want to fly over from New Zealand and ride right now.... gotta laugh at ya thou in the crash segment, "wow ..... i got that...-- to faceplant" what happened???

+ 1

leelau (Jun 30, 2010 at 8:09)

thanks for all the props. Really loved this trail and was pretty sad when we thought it was gone & was very happy when we could bring it back to life. I was right behind my buddy, he pulls a one footer going about 40kmh. Couldn't believe he pulled it back together and didn't eat it. I put in two, three pedal strokes trying to get closer. Front wheel washes and faceplant. ooof

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+ 2

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:19)

Just wanted to add that, to my knowledge, its the longest sustained shuttleable downhill west of the Rockies (other than maybe Mount 7) which doesn't require a heli. We did 6 laps that day. Best day is 8 laps

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+ 2

shirk-007 (Jun 29, 2010 at 16:22)

For the really adventurous there is another 1000m of trail above this. Was lucky to be in on it's cherry popping heli drop.

http://blog.danbarham.com/2008/06/turned-out-nice-again/

+ 1

kylemciver (Jun 29, 2010 at 20:31)

drool.....

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+ 3

pedro4me (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:27)

i have east coast pride like any other but sometimes i feel like i live on the wrong side on can.

+ 1

ShaunathinShavis (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:05)

It's definitely called the best place on earth for a reason.
One of us! One of us! One of us!

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+ 1

iamamodel (Jun 29, 2010 at 20:41)

I guess even wild horses can't stop people from riding that trail.

I doubt I will ever use Canadian trail beta, but I like to see what's out there. Great article.

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+ 0

seb-clawhammer (Jun 29, 2010 at 16:22)

I remember looking up that place when I was out there last year but by the time I was able to ride it, the fires had wiped it out. Awesome to see it built back up, just wish I could ride it!!

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+ 3

seanicboom (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:01)

I want to ride this. I want to ride it really badly.

+ 1

cools320 (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:50)

LOL I LOVE B.C.!!! Smile

- 1

Waldon83 (Jun 29, 2010 at 17:22)

Is this a new post on the same trail already seen on pinkbike?
I'm sure it is

+ 16

DhGabe (Jun 29, 2010 at 17:45)

"I want to ride this. I want to ride it really badly."

Thats what she said. =)

+ 3

squampton09 (Jun 29, 2010 at 19:16)

that trail looks sick but if it had some jumps and drops it would be even sicker!!

+ 0

mtbKELSEY (Jun 29, 2010 at 20:31)

DhGabe: You are my winner for the day!

+ 1

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:10)

Waldon - I put the video up about three days ago. You might have seen it then

+ 1

rydindirty (Jun 30, 2010 at 10:09)

Great! Thanks for sharing bro!

+ 1

Waldon83 (Jul 3, 2010 at 21:19)

Leelau - Nah, it could be a different epic, but I have seen one from Lilooet very similar to this on here on nsmb.
None the less, rad stuff.

+ 1

leelau (Jul 3, 2010 at 21:48)

ah yes. Della was first showcased in a NSMB article. I re-shot the video in HD after we went in and brought the trail back to life after the fire so this is the same trail but with many lines re-routed. But it's the first time this video's been shown on Pinkbike. That explains the confusion

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+ 1

WhistlerLauren (May 9, 2012 at 16:08)

WOW Lee, you certainly are a patient man, this is quite a thread. Emily and I are hoping to go Friday! Weeeeeee

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+ 1

brooms (Jun 30, 2010 at 8:37)

Brilliant vid awesome route you guys are sooo lucky to be able to get to routes as good as that I'm totaly jelous.

+ 1

leelau (Jun 30, 2010 at 10:09)

thx! and big thanks to the feral horses, cattle and assorted wildlife who put in the initial trail. Much thanks to the one lillooet local who does the lions share of the work out there.

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+ 1

DenverEliteDH (Jun 29, 2010 at 20:35)

the guy on the single crown just got owned over and over! lol!!!! great article.

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+ 1

StickyTire (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:02)

Nice trail, looks fast!
whats that flappin infront of the cam around 4:02??

+ 2

santacruzzin (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:20)

That would be a back pack strap.

+ 1

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:11)

Sticky - yeah santacruzzin has it right. I thought about editing it out of the video but I liked the sensation of speed it conveyed

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+ 1

jettamike (Jun 30, 2010 at 21:26)

Lee I shall be looking forward to my invite for this next time.

+ 1

leelau (Jun 30, 2010 at 23:04)

Burke Tuesday?

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+ 1

robe (Jun 29, 2010 at 19:45)

i want more and more of this on PB!! show us the goods!

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+ 1

cGonzalez (Jun 29, 2010 at 15:16)

thats pretty cool. good to see they got the trail back up.

+ 2

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:12)

About 4 days of a ton of work - some locals, some out-of-towners and a cooperative forest service fire fighting crew who did their best to fall the trees in a way so we could easily clear them

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+ 1

R01102 (Jun 29, 2010 at 21:47)

thats not in Lillooet its closer to LYTTON B.C

+ 1

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:16)

Its closer to Lillooet than to Lytton. Check the map.

+ 1

R01102 (Jun 30, 2010 at 21:02)

nope its above 18 mile then its closer to lytton
it wouldn't be closer to lillooet because it is more then 20 miles to lillooet from della creek to lillooet then it is 18 miles to lytton

+ 1

leelau (Jul 1, 2010 at 10:12)

OK - in geographical distance yes but I'm speaking in terms of driving distance. You have to take the reaction ferry which doesn't run always in summer - that adds a bit of time to the drive plus Texas Main is a bit slower from the Lytton side. So all things being equal (wx etc) I'd still recommend coming in from the Lillooet side rather then the Lytton side. But if Vancouver/Kamloops drivers want a nice scenic day then do it as a loop for sure. Thanks for making that point though as I'd totally forgotten to mention driving times

+ 1

R01102 (Jul 1, 2010 at 20:44)

yea true but it os about the same time driving on both sides then yea

+ 1

R01102 (Jul 1, 2010 at 20:51)

its about 50/50

+ 1

leelau (Jul 1, 2010 at 21:51)

Learned something new/ I always thought the drive time from lytton was longer because of the ferry - but only driven that way once. I'll have to do that again sometime

+ 1

R01102 (Jul 1, 2010 at 23:49)

yea i no eh
i live on the west side and i am 30 minutes from della creek

+ 1

leelau (Jul 2, 2010 at 9:07)

what are those chances? Not too many people on the west side - what a beautiful part of the world. We hit up Colton's jumps once after the ride - bit of a bad idea as we were tired after the ride and mistakes were made

+ 1

R01102 (Jul 2, 2010 at 19:19)

yea i am starting to make my own track with my buddy we just need more boards though we got abit of it done already

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+ 0

cmcrawfo (Jun 29, 2010 at 17:43)

Best TR in a long time!!! thanks for the great content .... I gota check this out.

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- 2

RedShredder (Jun 29, 2010 at 21:45)

I agree with "fattrick" it looks boring as hell. I mean it's awesome that it's 7.5 k's long and the single track looks decent but there's no stunts or jumps or skinnies or anything. Maybe in time I guess?

+ 2

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:17)

We'll be sure to add some rickety skinnies in there to kill the flow for you. Maybe a double teeter totter to ladder bridge?

+ 2

RedShredder (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:21)

I watched an 8 minute downhill video and saw their tires leave the ground once?

+ 1

brule Mod Plus (Jun 30, 2010 at 9:46)

REd SHredder, yep in MOuntain Biking not Dirt Jumping, tires are known to stay on the ground. Not all trails, oh hell most good trails have no features, that's why they are the good trails, no need for wasted obstacles.

+ 1

fattrick (Jul 2, 2010 at 5:41)

RedShredder,watch out since leelau and brule seems to take our words very personally. I thought forum and comments where made to express our opinion. On this particular one, you'd better say it is great or youll get bashed!

+ 1

R01102 (Jul 3, 2010 at 2:39)

you guys didn't even ride that trail and your saying its boring its pretty good well made and maintained

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- 1

LeftyLucy (Jun 29, 2010 at 19:21)

Looks like a super fun trail but maybe if they weren't going so fast, they wouldn't be skidding all over the place, ruining the trail, and crashing all the time.

+ 3

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:16)

Lucy thanks for the lecture. Given that we maintain it, helped resurrect it and given that this trail sees maybe 20 - 30 riders a YEAR I wonder if you have any more sanctimonious words of wisdom to offer?

+ 2

dave-m Plus (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:45)

I love angry Lee!

+ 2

bigburd (Jul 1, 2010 at 13:46)

how does skidding ruin a natural trail? ripping them apart with tires is how the best tracks get made man

+ 1

leelau (Jul 1, 2010 at 17:02)

bigburd - I don't know. Perhaps Lucy can tell us?

+ 1

leelau (Jul 2, 2010 at 9:08)

Actually - if too many people hit those trails i guess it could be torn apart. But Della's ridden so infrequently it seems to have time to rest. Plus the long winter also lets it rest

+ 1

R01102 (Jul 3, 2010 at 2:37)

it also depends how many people come around there to i barely see riders go up there

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+ 0

textbooksonic (Jun 29, 2010 at 16:12)

this makes me want to ride my bicycle

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- 3

fattrick (Jun 29, 2010 at 16:46)

This trail looks rather boring. Good downhill but no berm, no jump or any man made stunt...

+ 7

leelau (Jun 29, 2010 at 22:14)

Yes fat rick. I'd never take you there. Going really really fast is such a yaaaaaaaawwwnerr. Maybe I should build a teeter totter there for laughs?

+ 2

brule Mod Plus (Jun 30, 2010 at 9:23)

Hahahaha no berms! Berms are for folks that can't turn! This trail looks amazing!

+ 1

bansheeair (Jun 30, 2010 at 9:25)

ROADTRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!

+ 1

leelau (Jun 30, 2010 at 10:06)

brule now that you mention it - future plans are for a series of hits - long floaters that you hit at speed. Initial priority was to get the trail cleaned up and rideable though

+ 1

bigburd (Jul 1, 2010 at 13:45)

I think the trails look awesome , being in the uk we can only dream of trails that fast and long

+ 1

fattrick (Jul 1, 2010 at 17:14)

Brule, eat your words back man! How come we see so many berms on the WC? With all my respect, that reply sound rather juvenile...

+ 1

leelau (Jul 1, 2010 at 17:37)

Pros (or decent riders for that matter) don't need the crutch of berms. World Cup courses on the other hand are designed for spectators who enjoy seeing berms and fast racing. Berms help with fast racing and are great eye-candy for spectators. Mediocre riders are generally the first to complain about the lack of berms. I've helped build courses and that's just my experience - sorry if the truth hurts.

+ 1

fattrick (Jul 2, 2010 at 5:22)

leelau, riding bike is all about having fun right. Hitting few berms here and there at speed is a very good feeling. having off camber turns is also fun. I personally think a great trail has a bit of everything. And for your last sentence, you don't know me and you don't know how I ride. Hope your words made you feel better and greater for an instant.

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+ 1

leelau (Jun 30, 2010 at 16:23)

yeah - some people like natural raw trails. Some people need "stunts or jumps or skinnies" (redshredder) or "berm, no jump or any man made stunt" (fatrick). For those people there are bikeparks with their lineups and preening in dainese with bros and brahs (ntiawwt). I would warn you that there's no cell phone coverage, no bike shop close by, no ambulances, no water or food. You're on your own out here - more details in the link in the article - Bring tubes, spare brake pads etc. Have fun!!

+ 1

bigburd (Jul 1, 2010 at 13:49)

Yep it's a dream track man , fast , natural and loooong!

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+ 1

leelau (Jul 3, 2010 at 19:37)

hey greg - not planning any in the next while. I'm from North Van/Whistler. I've checked out Bullet Dodger but like the old school - Beans, Nescafe, Vics etc plus some of P's lower trails.

+ 1

leelau (Jul 3, 2010 at 21:50)

Awesome - good work on Burke. Love the way the climb keeps the crowds away. Give my best to Vic and please let him know that him and every one who's in their 60s (or older) and still rips as much as he does (uphill and downhill) is an inspiration!

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Della Downhill - Lillooet, BC

85 Comments