FREERIDE ADVENTURES JAPAN

Happy New Year !!!

2012-01-12T13:20:00.005+09:00

Happy New Year from all of us here in Nagano. Lets hope 2012 is a better one than last year for Japan. A good friend of mine, J. Smoke at bushpilotbiking posted this video on Pinkbike recently, 40 seconds into it I am featured showing you how to break ribs in one easy motion.(I did ride this section clean later that day!) Everyone crashes sometimes, the best riders crash harder!

Hits and Misses :: 2001-2011 on pinkbike.com

First Snow

2011-11-25T09:14:00.004+09:00

Winter is coming fast here on Yatsugatake now, yesterday it snowed a bit outside our house. Nesta my 10 year old son has started skating but I still want to ride for a bit longer. The last few weeks have been excellent for riding, everybody enjoys riding when the fall colors are peaking but I think the riding is better just after all the leaves have fallen. Sometimes it feels like you are riding on a soft red carpet then all of a sudden you are sliding on the damp leaves, it keeps you on your game. Another nice part of the riding is the visability, more light in the forest really makes for great rides. It is cold when the ride starts but soon the body is warmed up and as long as you don't stop for to long you are okay. I hope this nice cold dry weather lasts for a bit longer as I don't wnat to get the snowboard out until 2012.

fall rides-somthing for everyone

2011-10-13T09:25:00.011+09:00

Its now the middle of October, getting into my favourite time of year for riding. Usually its a little cool in the mornings now but the temperature rises quickly and makes for perfect riding conditions. Last weekend I rode one day with a fit xc group the next with a group of hard core riders and on monday I spent the day with 2 beginners, a very enjoyable weekend. All 3 rides were completly different and all 3 were very fun, riding throught he forest on a mtb makes you feel wonderful no matter what your level. The leaves up on the mountain are changing colors now and slowly the red color is coming to our house , get out before you miss it!
Back at the end of August, Nesta my 10 year old finished his first XTERRA triathlon, his mom and dad are very proud of him, check out the pictures! Next year he said he will do it again!

Paul

BC RACE stage 3 , Sunshine Coast

2011-07-20T10:37:00.005+09:00

The Sunshine coast is BC`s hidden jewel,even though it is very close to Vancouver the Expensive Ferry ride seems to keep people away. Any of you who have watched the DVD Follow Me will remember the segment with Brandon Seminuk and Stevie Smith, that is the Sunshine Coast! For the next 3 days we play here!
Day 3 started and finished in Powell River 50 kilometers of single track,very hard technical riding , most racers finished saying"the downhill was harder than the 1000 meters of climbing". To go fast on the DH you had to work hard to keep your momentum going. Today was the first time I started to really enjoy the Shimano 2x10 system, instead of using the rear derailieur I was just going from big to small ring on the front, it was perfect! Tonight we camp at a park right on the ocean, beautiful setting for a cold beer!

BC RACE Stage 1 and 2

2011-07-05T08:19:00.002+09:00

2 days into the 7 day race right now, basically we ride out of town and then its 30-40 kilometers of super BC single track . Here the downhills take alot of work as well as the uphills , its super hard to get the good flow going. Today I gave a bunch of fellow racers a Japanese lesson" Jyutai". Have alook at the picture, a very good reason to practice getting a good start!

BC RACE starts tomorrow

2011-07-02T15:11:00.002+09:00

Tomorrow is day zero of the BC RACE we get our race package, travel to Vancouver Island and get ready for the 1st stage. Did a few laps on Mt. Seymour to get used to the trails here in BC. My bike is perfect, the beer tastes good , I am ready.
Paul
http://www.globalgiving.org/dy/fundraiser/prevfund/gg.html?regid=5969

BC RACE for Tohoku Orpahans

2011-06-11T22:14:00.005+09:00

On July 2nd I will be participating in the BC RACE, a 7 day mtb race in British Columbia , Canada. I am hoping to raise some money to help out the many children who were orphaned during the earthquake here in Japan back in March. There are many who need our help now and will need it for a long time as Japan tries to get back on track. Please follow this link to check out what I am doing and please donate if you can. http://www.globalgiving.org/dy/fundraiser/prevfund/gg.html?regid=5969
Paul Chetwynd

Stress Release

2011-06-06T10:24:00.004+09:00

Last Sunday I rode with a group that have been coming here once or twice a year for about 5 years now, they seem to come from all over Japan and meet here in Nagano. Lots of driving for all of them but they always leave here with big smiles on there faces saying all the stress from thier jobs and lives was left behind for the 5 hours we rode. These guys all ride well they don`t worry about how to do this or that , they ride they laugh, scream and generally have a great time just riding thier bikes. I call it the ZONE, a place where we don`t worry about air preasure in our suspension and tires, just letting the bike do its job, its a great place to get to even if its just for a short while. Try it sometime, leave everything behind just ride , its what the bike is all about!

MTB for Family Fun

2011-05-20T09:00:00.006+09:00

In the last few weeks the weather has finally warmed up! MTB'ing has been for 30 years now my favorite sport, recently I have been discovering something that when I started riding I did not think about. Riding with Kids! What a great way for the family to get out and enjoy a day together. Nesta my 10 year old son has been riding with our customers this year and Dayna at 5 years old has just started riding in the bush this spring. Escape the summer heat,come and spend a day riding with your family here on Yatsugatake Mtn, Nagano.

New Season-

2011-04-25T14:26:00.004+09:00

This year winter has fought hard, there is still snow on the ski runs at Panorama Ski Area, a very rare sight at this time of year. I rode my bike up to about 1700 meters last weekend and didn't find any snow on the ground and the trails were super fun! Make a plan for a day out on the trails with your friends now, we are ready to go!

Saipan XTERRA Tsunami

2011-03-21T13:05:00.005+09:00

We all know what happened here in Japan on the 11th of March, its hard to grasp how tragic it really is. I happened to be in Saipan with my 5 year old son when the quake hit. First time I heard about it was when my sister called from Canada and told us to get away from the beach. The Tsunami came but most of its power was absorbed by the Marianas Trench, the deepest part of the pacific ocean. Saturday morning came and the race was on, there were about 20 japanesse athletes there and we all knew we had to race, sitting and worrying would not help.After a minutes silence the race began. The ocean was not kind to us, vision was impossbible, I swam straight into a boulder, the currents were always changing but everyone got through it. The bike section of the race has slowly been improved over the years and is now an excellent MTB course. It had rained a litte bit during the night and made some of the downhills very slippery, this always helps me as my mtb skills are my only strength in a triathlon. Into the transition and out onto the run or in my case jog. This year I jogged as best I could , I didn`t walk but I was pretty slow. I ended up having one of my best triathons ever, I can`t explain it but I do believe it was mainly because I wanted to get back to my room to see what was going on in my adopted homeland.
I was not here during the quake, but it is now that real effect of this disaster are showing. I have had lots of emails asking about our well being and I am thankful that my family is fine and we are away from the scenes we all have seen. I beg any of you out there ,and if you have the means please help with CASH, there are so many needy people right now. I personally am going to do something to raise money for the orpahns, its heartbreaking to see children looking for thier parents and they are this countries future. Japan needs help now, this country has been supporting so many others for so long it is time for the world to show some love.
Be sure of one thing JAPAN will rebound, its people will not allow it to go down.
Please Help,
Paul

WINTER BREAK

2011-02-14T13:00:00.012+09:00

Today it is snowing here on Yatsugatake, I went for a short ride this morning before it started and had a blast in the dry powder. The trails are impossible right now but the roads around here are perfect. While I was riding I thought back about last week as I had been down to Kyushu for a bit of work and pleasure. I left Nagano and drove about 8 hours down the road towards Okayama Prefecture. I was suprised to see that I had left behind the cold weather and was now riding in 14 degree weather and sunshine. Mikan Oranges were still in some trees and flowers were starting to come out ! 3 days of road riding and I was ready for my mountainbike. I travelled down to Fukuoka and the Cleat Bike Shop, Matsunaga-san had organized a Saturday morning ride. A bowl of Hakata Ramen and a draft beer and I was ready for anything! Thanks to the group of riders who showed up early in the morning and took me for a ride, I was suprised to meet so many riders!

Next year I want to come back and ride more!!But for now it looks like my snowboard is a better tool for my backyard!

2011- COVE BIKES 30 YEARS OLD!

2011-01-21T18:55:00.002+09:00

2011 is a big year for Cove Bikes , 30 years ago , in Deep Cove , North Vancouver 3 friends of mine opened the first　“ MTB only” bike shop in Canada. I remember seeing the first bikes they brought up from California, back then even Rocky Mountain Bikes were only selling road bikes. 30 years means a lot to me as it also means I have been riding for 30 years , and I turn 50 this year! After riding and racing so long I am amazed that I still think I am getting better as a rider. I am sure I can go faster now than when I was 20, maybe not climb like I used to、but overall I am a much better rider now. Bikes as well have come a long way, I laughed when HB(Greg Herbold) started riding his Rocshox prototype back in 89, now I spend 80-90% of my riding on 6 inches of plush front and rear suspension. . Cove bikes has also come a long way , when we started riding on the trails in our backyard we never realized where the sport would take us. While I was travelling around the USA living out of my VW van and racing, Chaz was living on the floor of his bike shop trying to survive. He told me about his mechanics destroying their bikes on the North Shore, he showed me his new bike for the Shore and he changed the way we all think about bikes . Over this coming year I want to write a bit more about the Coves history and the tribe , so many good riders and people have come through the shop it should be fun.
I hope 2011 is a good year for all of us , for me I want to do something special for my 50th year, maybe the BC race solo , maybe a backflip over the Yamanote Line we`ll see. I can`t wait to see what the next 30 years will bring us.
Happy New Year !
Paul

Happy New Year! 2010 Last Ride

2010-12-31T09:36:00.006+09:00

What an end to a great season, Fresh Powder for our last ride! This season is the first time we didn`t cancel any rides in November or December. On Dec.29th,a record for riding so late in the season! I had a group of 4 beginners come riding, I had been worrying about the weather for this ride ever since Noguchi-san made thier reservation back in early October, we ended up riding in 5 cm of fresh powder snow and it was a super fun day in the sunshine. What a great sport mountainbiking is!
Next year makes it 30 years of riding a Mountainbike for me, it keeps getting better for me. I still feel like a kid when I ride, I still improve my skills and am enjoying watching my 2 young boys riding thier MTB`s. I hope it as good for you as it is for me. Thanks to everybody that came riding with us year and we are looking forward to seeing you all again next year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

summer came and went

2010-10-20T14:52:00.003+09:00

This year is the first year in the near 20 I have been living in Japan that I can remember such a hot and dry summer. It lasted even here in Nagano until just recently and now the colors are beautiful here at 1300 meters. A few pictures from the summer.

North Shore

2010-07-05T09:58:00.005+09:00

I just returned from a 10 day trip to Vancouver. I managed to get in a few rides with some friends who really know the North Shore trails. I am always surprised at how many trails there actually are so close to the city. I had one day at the bike park in Whistler and was shocked to see so many people riding at a very high level. It took me almost the whole day to find my rhythm, but once I found it and gained trust in the trail builders I was in heaven! If you really want to increase your riding ability then a few days at Whistlers Bike Park is definitly the best way to do it, they have practice areas for jumping , riding tecknical stunts and just riding the berms. I tried to get some shots of some local riders but they seem to be going a bit quicker than what I am used to and my shots were not to good, sorry.

My Bikes - Hooker

2010-06-02T10:11:00.006+09:00

I bought my first MTB from the Cove Bike Shop in North Vancouver, B.C. back in 1982, it was a Specialized Stumpjumper and it changed my life. I haven't stopped riding since that first ride on the now famous North Shore. Bikes have come along way since then and I am fortunate to be the distributor for COVE BIKES here in Japan. Being the distributor means I must have some demo bikes available so I get to ride all sorts of different models. Cove Bikes specializes in high performance, Canadian made Mountain bikes. Over the next few months I will introduce some of my favourite rides,starting with the HOOKER, a bike designed as a short travel, big air, play bike. It is a one size only, 4 inch rear travel bike that our pro riders use in events like the Crankworxs Slopestyle event held in Whistler every summer. I can't jump very well myself but when I ride this bike it definitly feels like it wants to play! Very quick through the turns and super fun on the small jumps.
This is Cove rider Erik Lawrenuk playing with his Hooker:

Spring!! Winter??

2010-04-22T12:48:00.004+09:00

This past weekend David and his son Brian came to Freeride Adventures for 2 days at the end of thier trip to Japan. The plan was to do 2 days of MTB riding but 20 cms of fresh snow on Saturday morning forced us out onto the road. At least the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and Matsumoto Castle looked fantastic with the blue sky and white mountains for a backdrop. This year the weather has really been crazy with summer like temperatures one day and then snow the next, I myself am ready for some warm weather. The snow was pretty well all gone by Sunday and we ventured out onto the trails. A bit of snow in the shaded areas kept us on our toes, and I learned a few things about the handling of my new ride. My son Nesta joined us for the afternoon and we all enjoyed an afternoon in the sun. Special thanks to Brian and Dave for being so flexible when mother nature was not cooperating.
Paul

Onbashira

2010-04-07T15:16:00.004+09:00

Held every 7 years,on the year of the Monkey and Tiger only, the Onbashira festival, one of three festivals considered National Treasues, is held. First held about 1200 years ago the festival spans about 2 months from start to finish. Here are some shots I took while trying to pull the Onbashira "honored pillar" on its first part of the journey to its Shrine. The first day "Yamadashi" the village I live in along with the folks from nearbye Hara-Mura started in the rain and ended up in sunshine. Along the way our energy levels were kept high by the crowds on the side of the road plying us with local beer and sake. The second day we pulled the log down a steep bank . The third day found us crossing a river. Many people say this is the craziest most dangerous festival in Japan and they could be right but after spending three days inside the festival I have become motivated to ride the log in the next festival! It is amazing to feel the power of so many people working together, much like it was 1200 years ago.

Young Guns

2010-03-26T10:25:00.004+09:00

I took the Izumino Speed Skate Team for a Mountainbike ride this week. Last year I took them out for a day and was really pleased when they asked me to take them out again this year. I am convinced there is a future Olympian somewhere in this group, they all look great on the bike even though they spend 300 days a year training for speedskating. We did a couple hours out on the trails and did one good climb in the middle of the ride, no complaints , no crying, just smiles,lots of hoots and hollering. A couple of good crashes along the way just to keep them in the game and some hamburgers for lunch made for a great day. Thanks to the kids for bringing thier A-game and the moms for bring the dessert.

City Riding, helmets or style?

2010-03-08T13:22:00.006+09:00

Recently I have been spending some time riding around some cities here in Japan. I am happy to see so many people using bikes these days. It could be the economy or enviromental issues that have gotten more folks riding but it does show that the bicycle is a very good solution for this world.
When I ride in the city my biggest concern is safety, I need to have good vision, good brakes and quick reactions. I almost always ride my Mountainbike, I am sat up on the bike looking at all my surroundings , the disc brakes will stop me quicker than anything else available especially if it is wet, and with the high volume tires I can at least try some sort of manouver if a car happens to attack, and attack they will.
I consider myself a very good cyclist, I have ridden as a courier, a pro-racer and now as a guide and I always ride with a helmet. Why I wonder do all these smart well educated people ride around on their fancy bikes without a helmet on? "I don't want to mess my hair" is the answer I hear most , second is "helmets don't look cool". Whatever the reason it doesn't cut with me, I have crashed many times over the last 20 years, both my fault and sometimes caused by others, 3 helmets have been demolished during this time and each time I broke a helmet I walked away, and each time I crashed were times that I would consider low risk riding, you just never know when you will go down, but you will.
I urge you to wear a helmet ask any doctor they will back me up, you are putting yourselves at an even higher risk than we already are.
Paul

Winter Olympians

2010-02-01T12:48:00.008+09:00

Every 4 years the Winter Olympics arrive and evry 4 years I have been amazed to see banners across the roads congradulating local athletes on thier selection to the games. Speed Skating is the sport around here and every year there seems to be a local doing well at the world level. Last year my then 7 year old son Nesta decided to join the school skate team, so my skate education began. Yatsugatake Mountain is quite well know for its cold dry winter air, we don't get lots of snow here but it stays below zero for a good 3 months every winter, good for making ice. As an ex-pro bicycle racer I am very impressed by the coaching and infrastructure of the local skate clubs. I now understand why the level of cyclists is so low here in Japan, they have no support, by the time an apsiring cyclist figures out how to train properly they are already well into thier 20's and it is too late. Here are a few shots of last weeks Izumino Elementry School Skate Race. The skate club members and PTA were out on the ice every night for 2 weeks getting the ice ready. The sign in the background is a fight banner for local girl Sayuri Yoshi recently 2nd in the world speed skate championships.

Happy New Year ! First Ride

2010-01-03T09:07:00.004+09:00

A little bit of snow greeted us on Friday the 1st, it made for perfect snow riding conditions. We wish the best for you all for 2010.

The Flu, seasons end

2009-12-10T10:17:00.007+09:00

I love riding during the month of November, the fallen leaves make for a red carpet ride through the forest, the weather is chilly but sunny most of the time here in Nagano. I must apollogize to the customers who I had to cancel suddenly on because of the infamous Swine Flu, Adults are least likely to catch the flu I was told, but I managed to pick it up from my son, Nesta. I am still riding up here now, the trails are frozen but have no snow, definitly a nice time to ride a full suspension bike. Nesta has stopped ridng now and has traded his bike for speed skates, I will ride until the snow is too deep!

fall colors by bike

2009-10-19T14:03:00.005+09:00

Now we are well into the fall colors here in Nagano, mornings are actually cold and at night I am burning wood to stay warm. Cold nights and sunny days make for ideal fall colors and riding conditions. I did a couple nice one day rides last week, one ride was around Yatsugatake about 120 kilometers long and the other a nice flat ride in the Azumino Valley of about 60 kilometers. The Yatsugatake ride has lots of climbing and decending, not a ride I would reccomend for beginners but the Azumino Valley is perfect for a nice easy flat days riding, we stopped and checked out a Wasabi Farm, ate freshly picked apples and enjoyed the sunshine.