I just got home from the 3^rd annual Bearclaw Invitational. For the third year in a row Darren put on a deadly competition. The course which was completely redesigned was by far one of the most progressive works of art that I have seen. I’m sure you will be able to see more pics of the course as the recaps start rolling on the web and in Magazines, but I thought I would include a shot of the final drop specked out with some Red Bull signage.

The weather threw a wrench in the production so the comp was wisely pushed to Friday night. Saturday proved to be too wet to run the comp so the Friday night results stuck. Goldman killed it and took the win. He stomped both his runs and tricked every feature down the course. I think he was more stoked to win the chainsaw that went with the 7K for first. The awards ceremony was sweet as Darren gave the chainsaw to Jamie with it running. The sweet smell of 2 stroke filled the bar. Darren smoked the course and took 2^nd. Sombrio Am rider Graham Agassiz absolutely stomped his run and took 3^rd!!!! Ya Aggi!!!! Super stoked for the young ripper from the interior. Watch out for Graham ripping it up wearing the Sombrio colours as he can do it all riding the big mountains, dirt and now killing it with his first podium at a major contest. To boot he builds and has a rad personality. Congrats buddy!!!

As for me I got worked for the second year in a row at the Bearclaw Invitational. Last year I misjudged one of the boner logs and spilled to flat taking me out of the comp. This year I got worked in a different way. I was doing some maintenance on the last drop packing the top with my back turned. I wasn’t paying attention and the next thing I knew I woke up on the ground. My bro landed on my head off the drop…seriously. It was my bad as I wasn’t paying attention and my bro didn’t expect me to be on the landing. I was glad it was Darren that smoked me because if it would be any other rider they may not have had the air presence to bail after he was in the air. Luckily for me Darren bailed mid air and took one on the head. The bike hit me from 15 feet on the top of my head and my back. A couple broken ribs and a concussion and I was back in the beer garden. I was super bummed b/c I wanted to ride my new Knolly Endorphin (pic attached) on the course….oh well. There’s always next year.

For those of you who have not experienced the Bearclaw Invitational you should make plans to check it out. Darren started the Bearclaw Invitational 3 years ago because he wanted to put on an event for the riders. Often contests are developed by an event promoter and often the intentions are good but at the end of the day it’s a job for someone…it’s putting food on their table. Most of you don’t know this but Darren has been out of pocket since he started his comp. He hasn’t made shit in regards to revenue. So why does he do it? As mentioned above he does it for the riders. That’s why he throws the Bearclaw Invitational at the end of each summer, because it’s a good bro down for all the riders with some good cash up for grabs. He designs and builds the course with his good bro Jimmy and some other friends that he hires. He makes sure that all the riders like the course and is working up to the last hour when the contest runs to ensure the course is in the best shape for the riders. He wants everyone to have fun. He puts extra effort and resource to ensure all the riders are taken care of for accommodations and every rider invited walks away with a sweet consolation prize compliments of Dakine and the BC Liquor store.

Lastly, he throws the comp to continue progressing the sport of Mountain Biking. The course designs are evident as it challenges even the best slopestyle riders in the world. Darren loves riding bikes and loves the industry and he wants it to continue growing in a positive way that’s good for the viewers, industry sponsors from big to small and more importantly the riders. I’m one of the few people that understand why Darren destroys himself to put together a deadly competition at a time when he is the most busy. The vibe at the Bearclaw Invitational is second to none. Maybe it’s the venue on Vancouver Island, maybe it’s the people and maybe its Darren’s blood, sweat and tears that makes the event so special but here’s to the Claw.

Ryan B