Less than permanent vacation

I'm thinking about going on a vacation this year. Not another stage race type dealio, but the kinda vacation where there's no start line, no nightly podiums, and no number plates. Just some friends riding in an exotic locale, hanging out, drinking a coupla beers, and riding as much as possible. Like we did in the olds days....

The old re-hashed Moab trip idea has been tossed around. We went the weekend after 9/11 and then again in May 2003. I think the last time we were there some us us were a little burned out on the place. I know there's some local knowledge type trails in town, but in my opinion there's a reason that the standard rides are the standards. I would be thrilled to get another shot at Amasa Back (we never found Jacob's Ladder), and I never got to do Upper Porc finishing on Lower Porc. I'm pretty sure I could ride there for at least four to five days without getting bored.

"Miiiiichaaeeellll Joooooooorrrrdaaaaaannnnnn!!!"

We've been talking about throwing in a little side trip to Fruita. If we drive out there we could hit some of those funky epic movie quality ridgeline trails from Tread for a coupla days before we head out to the big nasty in Moab.

Stabby's do as Stabby's does.

Lord knows I get caught up in the thrill of riding in Moab just like anyone else, and the lure to go back is strong.

or maybe just screw Moab altogether...

I've been thinking about another place that I'd like to go to. I recently read an article in a magazine that I don't write for (the position of short angry guy had already been filled) where they talked at length about Whistler. Ahhhhh... Whistler. I only got a small taste of Whistler at the BC Bike Race back in 2007. We rode from Squamish to Whistler and then did a 25 mile time trial in Whistler on the final two days of the race. I was amazed.

Whistler is definitely a place I'd love to get back to before I die. One of the articles in the same magazine mentioned an outfitter in Whistler that seemed to have it dialed in; Bare Back Biking.

I'm sorry, wrong company. I meant Bear Back Biking.

Check out their website and all the wonders within. For somewhere around $900 you get two squares a day, a place to lay your head, guided rides, airport transfers, and a nightly rub down with baby powder by a Swedish nurse.

"EPO anyone??"

All right, I made the part up about the Swedish nurse, but the rest of it is true. I know $900 seems like a lot of money, but with everything included in the deal it's easily half what I've paid to do a stage race without all the hassle of trying to plan the logistics myself. There's also a hot tub, a DIY bike fixin' area, and desserts. Did you hear that??? Desserts!!

So what do you think? Got any intel on Whistler I need to know? Is there a dumpster in town behind which we may lay our weary heads and not get bothered by the local constabulary?

"There, I want you to kill those four men sleeping behind the dumpster in the Tim Horton's parking lot."

I need information people. Post it up in the comments or send me an email at teamdicky at hotmail dot com. I don't want to discount the Whistler option until I've turned over every stone. If we end up in Moab then that's just the way it goes, but I want to at least try to get back to Whistler.