Tag: mountain biking

Ferda Girls

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Oh my god I love bikes. Like, a ridiculous amount. Like, silly giggling when I hit jumps and land them smoothly.

I smile when I load my bike onto the lift and sit down on the chair, ready to “climb” the mountain.
I laugh out loud when Katie cracks a joke, breaking any nervous tension our group may have.
I cheer when Bee conquers her latest obstacle without falling.
I beam when I watch Dani head into any technical trail, without fear.
I grin when Mel hits the trail C-more and enjoys it, breaking through her mental block.

These four girls have changed the way I feel about riding. I have fallen so deeply in love with it and them this year, and for that I am so goddam happy that I made the decision to stay in Whistler.

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I can’t speak highly enough about the Women’s Night program that Whistler Bike Park has established. Giving girls all over the world (locals and visitors alike) a chance to be coached through some of the biggest and best trails of the world is something incredible. We also get to team up with the girls at the same level and feel comfortable in each lesson, which helps a great deal.

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To our coach, Jeremy, I am so stoked I forced myself into your group. You taught me confidence, which has changed everything about the way I ride. I have managed to get myself down some trails that I would have never imagined I could a year ago. Not only do I make it down, I do it well and I have a damn good time doing it.

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This year, thanks to Jer and these amazing gals, I accomplished my season goals – hitting A-Line and making our way down Top of the World. TOTW was something else, a 5,000ft descent from the peak of Whistler Mountain with any kind of trail you could imagine included.

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On nights when we couldn’t make it to the park, we still got together for shenanigans. Trail riding, frisbee golf, drinks and figuring out the Escape Room are extracurricular activities we also enjoy… in case you were wondering.

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The banter, the laughter, the jokes, the snack stops, the adoration and joy in this group is something I’ll always remember from summer ’17. Bring on next year!

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Love you crazy kids, my silly sock wearing team.
Hanbel.
x

 

Lights Will Guide You Home

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You guys, doesn’t it feel a million years ago that I wrote this post?

Almost two years later, I’m having déjà vu like crazy. Moving into a home has been the biggest excitement and relief. Being able to actually unpack my backpack after 6 weeks on the road was such a privilege. I blasted some Beyonce, made myself a cuppa and felt right at home almost instantaneously.

Andrew finished up his course yesterday and MOVED IN. I was starting to go a little stir crazy and had definitely had enough of my own company, so yesterday was a really good day.

A couple of you have been asking for snaps of the new crib, and I always deliver. So, without further adieu;

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The spot is studio style, all in one big room. I’m assuming it used to be the basement or lower floor of this HUGE house, which the owners have converted into a small home with the addition of a kitchen and bathroom. Above is the bedroom/lounge room with a TV unit and plenty of floor space calling for more furniture.

The sheets and duvet cover provided had seen better days, but luckily Blake and Tash dragged me along to Walmart in Squamish for some necessities!

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This be the rest of our place. I love that the kitchen and dining area are a little separate from the bedroom. It’s a decent size and works for us! Our communication skills could do with some work though, we’ve somehow ended up with two packets of paprika and three of cumin. Baby steps…

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Scoping the Pique newspaper has turned into my favourite hobby. Reading the upcoming events has turned me onto free yoga at Lululemon, ladies nights in the park and a plant sale in the village. I picked up these babies for cheap and find that they’re helping us make this place a little happier.

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The owners of this place actually live in the same house as us (we have a separate entry and hardly ever see them), and are the nicest little family. They’re looking after us really well so far, by installing a new lock on the shed (so all our bikes have a home) and letting us use this table on our front patio.

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This is essentially the view from our driveway, and I’m not mad about it all. From certain angles you can see Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb, this place is insane.

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I’m even getting used to filter coffee, mainly because I haven’t been paid yet and life is expensive in Whistler. Kicking back with a cup, reading blogs with Spotify on the go is making me one happy gal.

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Life in Whistler ain’t so bad, especially when this is the view riding home from an awesome ladies’ night. I’ve started work too, and I promise to give you details soon. For now though, just know that I already love it and am getting goooooood feelings about this place. Hope you’re all well!

Hanbel.
x

 

The Pedal to the Metal, The Pedal to Whatever

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Do you ever get in a funk? Like this little cloud is just chilling above your head, giving you all kinds of stormy moods and cloudy thoughts.

This has been happening to me lately, particularly with riding. No matter what I was trying, I hadn’t had a good run for so long. Even when we went road tripping down south and got to check out some beautiful new tracks, I just couldn’t get in the right head space. To be honest, with the impending Canada move at the back of my mind, I was getting a little stressed out.

I can’t handle being bad at something. If I’m not nailing it, I usually give up and move onto something within my reach… Until Andrew and mountain biking came along. His persistant encouragement and gentle coaching have pushed me out of my comfort zone and into this crazy, adrenalin fuelled sport.

IMG_0104Margaret River, such a beauty

I learn at my own pace, and will never move onto the next step unless I am confident and have learned every aspect. It must be so frustrating to watch, and even worse to ride after me, but Andrew does it all without complaining. Actually, I lie, he complains when I don’t have a good time and am too hard on myself. What a guy, right?

Even with this support behind me, I’d just not enjoyed it lately. I’ve been getting scared and frustrated with my thoughts taking over. It’s been super dry in Perth lately, which definitely doesn’t help. So I decided to take a week off and get back to me.

IMG_0109My handsome coach

Today, I woke up itching to ride. I wanted to get back out there and give it another go. My head was in the right place and I was feeling pretty relaxed. Which was a godsend, my ride was so much fun! The uphills weren’t killing me, the downhills didn’t shake me too much and I managed to get some PBs knocked out. More importantly though, I was smiling.

IMG_0118Riding in Pemberton, probably before a hill because I’m still smiling!

I don’t know if every ride will be like this, or if I’ll ever make it past this stage of riding. But, I think I’m okay with that. As long as I get some really good days in, I’m prepared to try and overcome the bad ones.

Life’s a little better today, endorphins do not suck at all. Little victories make me pretty happy too, so I’ll keep at it.

IMG_0003Kalamunda, on this glorious Perth day

Happy Thursday,
Hanbel.
x

P.S. If anyone was interested, this is where we ride:8818cbe921b37d0d76d089a0aa03cc9d

Mercury Street is my comfort zone, but lately I’m trying Goldilocks, Judderbars and Alchemy.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Can I Please Have Your Attention?

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Remember that one time I wrote a blog post about my last day at work, and how I promised to give you more details?

This isn’t it.

Jokes, I can’t keep secrets very well. Or do practical jokes. I get a serious case of the giggles and give it all away.

Anywhooooooo… THE NEWS.
After 4 years back in #corporatelyf, I’ve decided that being an adult is very overrated, travelling is the best thing in the world, and it’s time for a change of scenery. Therefore… [drum roll please] … Andrew and I are moving to Canada!

 

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I am now a “woo girl”. WOOOOOOOOOO!

In case you have any questions about my aforementioned statement, here are the basics, in a nutshell. With a cherry on top.

  • We’re heading over in April, right after Andrew’s sister’s wedding!
  • The final destination will be Whistler
  • Yes, I know there are a lot of Australians there
  • The trump card is that the Mountain Biking season is 6 months long [compared to 3 in all other resorts]
  • Plus they have a ski lift we can use for biking too, hells yeah!
  • We have a 2 year visa, and are hoping to stay for the duration
  • Yep, I have left my job with three months to go
  • I had an offer too good to refuse, and now I’ll hopefully get some cafe experience and sell all of our stuff in my spare time
  • We’re taking our bikes over, wish us luck
  • WE’RE SO EXCITED

I will be continuing the blog even after we leave, I love it so, and Andrew has also started up a little creative outlet of his own; Punk Rides.

So, stay tuned for updates and fun times.

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I don’t think I’ll be smiling when this baby is full, but this will be my life !!

HOORAY!

Hanbel.
x

 

I Love a Sunburnt Country

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There is nothing like a good road trip. Nothing compares to having your feet up on the dashboard, singing off-key to old tunes, non-stop snacking, choosing between your desire to stay hydrated and your need to pee, passing through small towns in the blink of an eye; all with a very handsome boy in the driver’s seat.

We took a little drive this past weekend to a place called Pemberton, where Andrew and his best mate Harley competed in a Gravity Enduro Mountain Bike Competition.
Harley brought his gorgeous German girlfriend along, and we kept each other company trying to organise massages, but settling for a climb of the Gloucester Tree – shaking like leaves on the 72 metres back down.
When the competition begun the next day, we traipsed the trails, eating wild blackberries and trying to get some ‘fully sick’ action shots of the boys.
We all celebrated their insane efforts competing against the most elite riders in the state with pints and pub grub, before setting off for Esperance.

Fun fact about Andrew: he’s an ex-country bumpkin. His father worked as a banker, and shuttled their family around Western Australia in their early days. All three kids were born in different towns! So we thought since we were half way there, we’d drive another 7 hours and he could show off his home town.

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