There has been an endless stream of exciting projects, adventures, and challenges this year; and that’s just what I wanted-to mix it up a bit.

Norco has their 2010 product launch next week. For most riders, this would be a drool fest, having the chance to test ride and learn about all the latest bikes and specs, but it’s reserved for only their top dealers and invited media…and factory team riders! I’ll be doing a show, leading some mountain bike rides and an urban ride, and giving a chat about the Fluid LT (my bike of choice).

I have been brainstorming with another key sponsor of mine, Shimano, about a new project that will involve five of their top team riders and one of the most talented film crews…that’s all I can say though;-)

In a couple weeks I’ll be heading up to the Yukon to film with The Ride Guide TV show. We’ll be hosted by the leading mountain bike adventure company in Whitehorse called Boreale Mountain Biking; they’ll be spoiling us with the best trails and some fine accomadation in their famous yurts…I love yurts, maybe because it’s fun to say out loud, yurt. If you live in those parts, come out to my Trials of Life presentation on July 24^th.

A couple days ago, I teamed up with two Olympic medal holders David Calder (rowing) and Stephanie Dixon (swimming) to launch ProjectBlueSky.ca. Using the internets social networking power, we hope to inspire people to use alternative modes of transportation (walk, ride, transit) instead of their car. The goal is to save 1,000,000,000 kilometers of car driving by the time the 2010 Olympics finishes. Incidentally, One billion km’s is equivalent to the 190,000 tonnes of CO2 which is being emmited indirectly from the games. VANOC has offset their direct emissions which is fantastic news, but Project Blue Sky is all about preventing and reducing emissions. Please sign up at Project Blue Sky today, we need everybody’s participation!!

Twitter twitter twitter twitter, I guess I’m a twitterer twit. Check it out if you like….

The YogaThon is this Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium (UBC). Sign up here to help raise money for children affected by HIV and give them the opportunity to go to Summer Camp. . I actually had the opportunity to visit Camp Moomba, the summer camp these kids go to, to do a trials show and teach some yoga. I had a blast, the kids loved the bike riding of course, and that gave me some cred for the yoga sessions. The kids probably won’t start doing yoga, but perhaps later in life they’ll think back to this camp and consider giving it another try. If you can’t go or don’t live nearby, please consider donating some money to the cause. I’m on a fundraising team captained by Eoin Finn called the Bliss Army, you can donate on our behalf here!

Talking about Eoin, I was only able to teach yoga to these kids because of the teacher training course I’m halfway through. I wrote an article about my experience during the first 100 hours of this course, and reflected on what the ancient practice of yoga looks like in our modern world.

After about four months of volunteer work, the Port Moody Rotary Trials Park is now open with fresh lines and challenges. The highlight is an obstacle my dad and I designed which has now been tagged the Trials of Life platform, and because of it’s four quadrants of varying height, it will appeal to all levels of riders. Fun!

I’ll keep this post short and sweet….

BC Bike Race:

The most beautiful, challenging, and well run adventure mt bike race in the world is happening in BC this week. On Friday, July 3rd, I’ll be doing a show at the Squamish Stage at 2pm. 

Port Moody Trials Park Grand Re-Opening:

If you live close to Vancouver and would like to try riding trials, come out on July 4th at 10am to the Port Moody Trials Park under the Murrey Street Overpass. Bring your bike and come ride some new obstacles, learn from the local pros, and eat some free food.

Yogathon:

Come join thousands of people at Thunderbird Stadium (UBC) on July 11th to raise money for kids impacted by HIV so they can go to Camp Mooba, a weeklong Summer Camp. Before and after the largest yoga practice in Canada, I’ll be doing some trials demos. Should be an incredible atmosphere! I actually just visited the kids at the camp which is close to my home in Port Moody to teach some yoga and do a trials show. They’re having some great adventures and making some good friends, smiles all around. 

Project BlueSky:

The official launch of Project Blue Sky will be happening next week, and I’m glad to be endorsing and helping spread the word. I’ll talk more about how great this project is soon, but feel free to click on the link for now…

Norco’s 2010 product launch is coming up in a couple weeks, should be a blast. Then I’m off to the Yukon for a mountain bike adventure with the Ride Guide Mountain Bike Show.

Ride On!!