Photos: Dylan Marek
Resides: Smithers, BC (Halfway to anywhere)
Nearby trail system and your favorite trails-
The Bluff is our primary trail system here in Smithers and it's been in place since the 90's. Recently more flow has been added to the lower trails to encourage youngsters and new comers to take in more laps. A lot of the upper network is old school and takes a little more adventurous spirit to hit up regularly. Locally I'd say that it's a tie between Huckin' Eh and Backdoor for my favorite trails. Different flavours but both are definitely DH in nature.
What do you ride (type of terrain)? What's the intended use for your new bike?
As noted above, a lot of our local network is old school and is evolving in areas to attract more users. I've found that shorter/mid-travel bikes are highly efficient around here and on a lot of the northern trails. That being said, I've always tried to have a longer travel bike around for shuttle days and the days when you know that you are pedalling out to the steeper / more tech trails around, the ones where that mid-travel could bite you in the ass. I've already taken the Chilcotin on a road trip to Golden, BC for the 25th Anniversary of the Psychosis DH race. While I was there to volunteer, I was also there to shuttle and Chilcotin was a pleasure to ride.
What model and colour?
Chilcotin 170 in Anodized Black - so many people ask what it is as you can't easily see the words on the anodized frame - great conversation starter.
How tall are you? What size frame did you get? How does it fit you?
Just over 5'11", but never made it to 6' ha! After looking at the wheelbase, effective top tube lengths, reach and other numbers of any bike I've owned or ridden in the past 5 years, I chose to go with your new Medium / Size 3 as the numbers on the Large / Size 4 just looked too big. Both reviews that I'd read kinda pointed me that way too. 5 weeks in and I am happy with my choice of going with the Size 3.
What's your bike spec? Did you do anything custom?
It's the XT build kit with Fox Factory 38 and I upgraded the rear shock to a DHX2 coil. Then I went with a nice Chromag parts kit on it - Scarab pedals in Chrome, Riza stem in 45mm / Black / 31.8mm clamp diameter, Cutlass 35mm rise / 31.8mm diameter carbon bar (trimmed to 780mm), Squarewave lock on grips, and a Trailmaster DT saddle. I've got a Wolftooth B-Rad accessory mount and strap to keep the tube, tire lever and chain break in place. Not pictured is my Ghostrider Kermode Bear Spray holder as we don't have bike park bears up here.
What do you love about your new bike?
Being a 225lbs rider, the Chilcotin with a 500lbs coil, I'm sitting at 30% sag, riding it in the slack position and I've not had to use the climb switch once. It plugs along efficiently with tons of grip on the hills that I do climb, and while standing it really grips and moves ya forward. It's on the descents that some Fourby4 magic happens and this bike really eats the terrain, separating myself from the bumps - so smooth and yep still pretty nimble. I am looking forward to the rest of our riding season and finding out what our more difficult trails feel like under the Chilcotin.
Tell us about WORCA and why you chose to support them through this raffle?
It's great to see trail associations like WORCA working with bike brands like Knolly to bring awareness to the need for trail maintenance funding. Prior to Trailforks I found it difficult to donate to associations, so I might buy a membership to places that I rode regularly, but now I try to make a few donations annually through Trailforks. Combine that with raffles like the WORCA / Knolly, my GF and I feel that these are all donations to great causes, and this time I won a sick bike. After getting the email from Trevor at WORCA, I went through my ride logs of everywhere that I rode last year and made donations to 13 trail associations, totaling $292. If anyone from PORCA is reading this, you're not set up through Trailforks, so I wasn't able to contribute for that one ride, sorry.
"Long story but really, donate to the places that bring you joy and maybe buy some raffle tickets along the way."
