Here we are in 47 enjoying a Red Bull break after working on some skills this morning. This weekend again, due to the heavy rain, day one had to be cancelled. Day two, cloudy with sun in the afternoon, turned out to be a good day. We worked on skills in the morning and then rode the new Hakuba 47 MTB course in the afternoon. The course was very muddy and slippery after the full week of rain but we managed to survive and have fun riding the trails down. Great work you guys!!!! Enjoy more photo’s here!

The women’s DH Ellite Podium, Mio Suimasa took the Champion title for the 10th time!!! Tomo Chan and Keiko in 2nd and 3rd place respectively! Congratulations ladies....
MIo's 10th National Championship Win!

Because I am a Canadian, I am not able to race in the Japanese Nationals, as with and countries national race. Today I got to observe and watch my rivals.....it was great action in this muddy DH race at Fujimi Panorama......

Men’s elite DH podium, Kenji took first place for the first time!!! Kaneko San and Idegawa San in 2nd and 3rd respectively. It was a great day for Kenji, lots of hard work and many years of training for today’s result. Congratulations guys!!!!

It was the time for a night out. After the event we had both worked really hard and I got my paycheck.....so off we were to one of Hakuba’s finest places.... The Le Neige Hotel.......

We enjoyed a 5 course meal and a great bottle of wine. They even have a pick up and drop off service in a Mercedes van. We couldn’t resist.....the food was delicious, the drinks too and of course we were able to sit down and unwind after a very stressful couple of months preparation for the Jump Jamboree. Enjoy the photos, just click on the above photo for the link....

Today we had a bit of rain....but it didn’t stop us from having a great day!! Sweet Riders had special guests today. We had Nathan Bennet from MTB Japan and Nori & Ki Chan from B.C. Porter take our clinic. Both MTB Japan and B.C. Porter are fellow mtb tour and instructional clinic companies. Bennet operates out of Minekami, Gunma specializing in tours, and B.C. porter operates out of Chiba, specializing in tours and clinics. I recommend checking out both of their websites.......It was a pleasure to have them attend a Sweet Riders clinic. We had a great day learning about how we all teach mountain biking skills, we talked about different techniques of teaching and compared notes. We only had two hours for the clinic, and then we were off to hit the new trails of 47 Hakuba.

We were joined by Yans and Okkupi San two famous riders in Japan. We had a blast. Some of us, years ago use to race the 47 dirt road from top to bottom as a downhill. Yans suggested we have a non-pedalling race and off we went. The six of us raced from top to bottom with no pedalling power, super fun and it brought back memories of the old days on the same track....

Jerry Tokunana also joined us. He does chiropractic adjustments and came out to help out at the event. Anyone have back problems?? I recommend Jerry, he has helped my back many times!!! Once again, thanks to all whom came out. It was a great weekend!!!

We had a great day with some fabulous riders for our Jump Jamboree at Hakuba 47 ski hill...

First of all, it rained all week and the weather forecast was really bad....right up until Friday afternoon....it finally stopped raining (because rainy season here in Japan is about 2 weeks later than usual arrrggggg...) on Friday at 2pm....then the weather forecast changed to cloudy and sunny for Saturday.....thank god, but the damage had been done, it was pretty late in the game.... we prayed for people to turn up.....

They did, we had a killer hot day starting with the sun poking it’s head out by 10 am....but we had to suck up the water and puddles on the course to get it ready for opening time at 12pm.....the boys worked very hard and the course ended up to be in prime condition.........

So the dual race was so much fun... I actually participated at the last minute and it was such a rush, heart rate must have been over 180 and the adrenaline sure kicked in, especially because my partner was this really awesome kid, who was super fast, I didn’t have the heart to try and pass him, and his smile when he won was brilliant..... we will have a great future rider......

The King of Dirt was really exciting with Kozou San doing two back flips....unfriggen believable....great going Kozou San......

The other riders put on a great show as well....our star rider Yuta took a wrong turn on the way to Hakuba and got stuck on a mountain road and had to be winched out.....but finally made it to give a great surprise jump show with the other riders....

The tunes were great, Red Bull DJ’s cranked some great tunes, and then local DJ’s Reuban and James showed their stuff.....

All in all, I had the best time because I, myself nailed the jumps like I have never done before... it was the power and the pressure of the other riders, we all felt it and we all styled the jumps....so stoked!!!! Thanks to all who came out and our fantastic sponsors.....spectators.....riders..... let’s do it again in September for the MTB Jamboree!!! Until then....CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE....album 1, album 2.

Here is the Red Bull DJ car, and it’s coming to our Jump Jamboree!!!! Come on out and help us have a great event this Saturday July 11-12th in Hakuba 47!!!

The turntables......

Pretty sweet I’d say!!!!!!

Our Sweet Rider’s Evergreen Outdoors Staff Crew..in beautiful Hakuba....14 members!! Great group, and great riders....

Celebrating day one down with some sponsor prizes, beer and a bbq...

yeah, we had a great day.......

Day two warming up with a good stretch...

Day two ride, Iwatake, our pipe shot....

our pipe and funny face shot....see all the photo’s here, album 1, album 2 and album 3