Bush Pilot is Moving

[Smoke]

A few of our regulars may have caught wind of this, but we're moving our base location from North Vancouver to the Okanagan. While we love the North Shore and will always consider it home, the rise in costs associated with living there has made it all but impossible to remain. We also realized that over the last few years we have been spending more time riding outside the Lower Mainland than in.

As well, our clients have responded more positively to the riding in the Interior of BC than that of the coast. The singletrack of the North Shore is but a small (albeit important) portion of the total resource wee have at our fingertips. The Okanagan region is ideal in it's central location, bringing the Kootenays in reach while still in striking distance of Vancouver.

This move represents a new phase for Bush Pilot Biking. Rest assured, we will continue to pump the best tours available in Western Canada, if not the world. Tours for the upcoming season were planned with this change in mind, and will only benefit from this move. Our new base of operations will be able to handle a whole new clientele, namely the Vancouver riders looking for some variety. It also opens the door for expansion, a door which is currently firmly closed on the North Shore.

The next few years look very exciting and challenging, and we're looking forward to those challenges.

Sincerely,

Johnny Smoke and Barb Haley

[the Master Plan Dan]

Good luck guys... we'll miss having you two on the Shore!

Dan

[Smoke]

The party is scheduled for March 18th at 9:am, base of Old Buck. We'll be working on Boogieman.

Although we might have to tie one on the night before, just because.....

[Rat]

Good luck Smoke, I cant wait for a little tour of the OK some day. So off to Penticton or anouther point?

[Zedbra]

Well that's no fun. I wish you and Barb all the best.

This doesn't mean you can ditch the annual ShuttleWhore heli drop!

[Smoke]

Oh no, the heli drops are on, and always will be.

As well, we will have our own little bike friendly facility available. As of last night, it looked good for a spot in Westbank, with Powers Creek trail access to the backyard.

Once we get a place secured, I'll be having some special offers (read: free place to stay) to christen the pad.

Hey Zedbra......No Fun?!?!? I thought you were the guy moving to Nicaragua.

[dirty deeds]

good luck to ya' Smoke and all the best for the move. Living in the OK shouldn't be too tough hey.

[Zedbra]

Oh no, the heli drops are on, and always will be.

Hey Zedbra......No Fun?!?!? I thought you were the guy moving to Nicaragua.

Workin on it, amigo. Going to be a few years down the road - just getting the logistics planned out.

If you need a place in Squish to crash or store some bikes, my door is always open.

[skifreak]

need to get over to the island for some rides before heading farther away!

[Wayne P]

Welcome Smoke and Barb! Best move you'll ever do.

[enduramil]

Oh no, the heli drops are on, and always will be.

As well, we will have our own little bike friendly facility available. As of last night, it looked good for a spot in Westbank, with Powers Creek trail access to the backyard.

Once we get a place secured, I'll be having some special offers (read: free place to stay) to christen the pad.

Hey Zedbra......No Fun?!?!? I thought you were the guy moving to Nicaragua.

Some of the best rides I had where above Westbank. Hope it all works out for you Johnny.

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

The interior is super fun. Congrats, you'll be glad.

[cam@nsmb.com]

That will put a big hole in the North Shore community. You two will be missed down here. Best of luck to both of you. We'll have to come visit soon.

What's Barb doing for work? Did she transfer?

[heckler]

Spring trail days won't be the same next year. :cry:

Thanks for all the support over the years! I'll see you at the party on March 18!

[Smoke]

Considering our penchant for road tripping, I don't think we'll be that out of the scene.

Barb's job is the major reason behind the move. She just accepted a position with the Kelowna Airport that is essentially the same as her job here. Except that houses are half the price there, and there's killer biking right behind the airport (Postle Lake! Lunch break ride!).

I think if you spend a bit of time looking at a map of that zone, and what we managed to accomplish down here, you can probably figure out for yourself what this move should mean for the region and for the sport.

I'm making some lofty goals.....

[the Master Plan Dan]

Spring trail days won't be the same next year. :cry:

Thanks for all the support over the years! I'll see you at the party on March 18!

No more Barb BBQ'in?!?!??!?!

How are going to replace that?

Dan

[IFO]

thats awesome...

Barb deserves that new job..

grats to her..

[synchro]

wow smoke - good for you. i'm sure this will be a positive move for you personally as well as with the bizniz. the riding community is going to benefit too no doubt. i'll have to plan something special for the trail day.

[mtnrider]

Congrats to you both. All the best.

Isaac

[Lady Gravity]

nice work guys! i'm actually kinda jealous, i'd love to live in the okanagan. best of luck to you both :clap:

[Jerry-Rig]

oh man! so you weren't pulling my leg

http://photos.nsmb.com/showimage.php?i=12088&c=55

[newgirl]

^^ I hear that chick worked the room like no other - what a poseur!

So Smoke you going to buy a homestead up there?! sweet.

I propose a goodbye party on St. Paddy's day, the 17th.....Smoke? One last round of Pitchers and wings at the Rave-on?

[Smoke]

You read my mind. Might have to come at the end of a day of shuttles on Seymour.

[skifreak]

don't forget the time change occurs on march 11th! lots more light for riding! yeah!

[mudpuppy]

Change is good....it is a more central location and there is more land to play with up there...can't wait to see what you have goin on in the future.

And I can't wait for daylight savings.....yay for after work rides.

[Dax]

Johnny, Barb,

Can't wait to have you guys local.

From all the boys at Freedom.

[oldfartts]

Keep the rubber side down and Best of luck

[Chuck D. Railer]

Congrats!!
Glad to see you still chargin' ahead.
Drop me a line if you need a hand!

[sheffy]

Welcome to the Okanagan Smoke......you wont be regretting that move.Its a really tuff life in the valley...When you get all settled in well have to give ya a tour of the Vernon trails:dizzy: ..have you rode Big ED??? or anything in Kal Park??

[mattj]

Congratulations and good luck! Give'er on Postil. It's sick!


-m

[Smoke]

This thread was useless w/out pics.

http://www.bushpilotbiking.com/gallery/albums/wpw-20070222/329_2997.jpg

[enduramil]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Smoke again.

[Mr Ripper]

CONGRATS!!

Susie and I moved her 1.5 years ago. best move we EVER made. Finally got to purchase our first place. The riding and vibe on the shore is missed. But I like the "smaller" riding community here, feels more like family. Can't wait to see you 2 this summer. Make sure you schedule a group ride when you arrive.

Chris

[Jim & Amy]

Shock waves felt as far as Cali....

Stoked for you & Barb getting new digs, can't wait to check out interior turf.

Congrats to Barb!

Ride on, "Trust the manual",
Jim Clarke

[sheffy]

This thread was useless w/out pics.

http://www.bushpilotbiking.com/gallery/albums/wpw-20070222/329_2997.jpg

Smoke is that pic in Vernon(Kal Park)???

[freerider15]

YEAAA KELOWNA RULES!
i wanna go on bush pilot tours wtih you guys when you are here in kelowna that would be sickkk

[Jerry-Rig]

Smoke is that pic in Vernon(Kal Park)???

looks like Penticton area Shucky....

[Smoke]

Jerry's got it. On the bench just below Munsons Mtn (where the huge PENTICTON letters are). Summerland, Peachland, Naramata, and Westbank in the distance.

[apeshape]

So back to living at Apex in the winters I guess huh?

Everytime I go home to visit the parentals I think I'll move back to Kelowna some day. I miss big powder thursdays like crazy at Baldy all winter long. The Ok is a hard place to beat for the summer/winter recreation but the spring and fall suck.

[Big Dipper]

Welcome to the club.

[Smoke]

Hey sheffy, I havent' ridden Big Ed in at least 5 years. It was like riding on Fromme in the '90's.

Yo Apeshape,

From what I've experienced, the Okanagan is awesome in spring and fall. I always do early season trips up there because it's so killer compared to the coast. When it's wet and miserable here, it's almost always dry there. Same in the fall. I remember riding Arawana one November and it was -8 and dusty. The typical okanagan resident has no idea what wet really means.

[jayburn]

Welcome to Kelownaahhhhhhh.

[just flying]

Salut!
your a legend around here Smoke,now the rest of the world can enjoy you .i take my summer vacation in the ok,i'll ck you out.
JF

[Mr Ripper]

Hey sheffy, I havent' ridden Big Ed in at least 5 years. It was like riding on Fromme in the '90's.

Yo Apeshape,

From what I've experienced, the Okanagan is awesome in spring and fall. I always do early season trips up there because it's so killer compared to the coast. When it's wet and miserable here, it's almost always dry there. Same in the fall. I remember riding Arawana one November and it was -8 and dusty. The typical okanagan resident has no idea what wet really means.

Knox is prime already!

[Mic]

I wish the two of you all the best and may your business prosper and flourish. :)












...although, smoke, i was a bit disappointed that you did not pm me back because of the interview..even though it was not really anything worth being mentioned - but some things were more pressing than that. ;)