The first ever RDS Invitational was held last Friday, September 5th, in Whistler BC. With only 16 guys and 3 girls racing, it was a small group of mostly locals out to pin it down one of the funnest and gnarliest trails I've ever raced on. I was told it would be like a mini Psychosis. Well, if you're comparing a race to Psychosis, you know you're in for an exciting time! And it did not disappoint…

Mont Sainte Anne-The weather picked up where Nationals left off-

For those of you who read Simon's article on the National Championships, you may know what this means. For those of you who didn't, I'm referring to the copious amounts of rain and mud that arrived just in time for race day. Coming back to Quebec for the third time this season this is what I was greeted with, and if it wasn't for the warm temperatures and humidity I would almost have thought I was back in a Vancouver winter. But it takes a lot to keep mountain bikers off their bikes, and torrential rains and thick, deep mud are nothing more than a good reason to put on pants instead of shorts for a day of riding.

Friday night. Race day is tomorrow. Over the course of the week the track has gone from a total mudfest to now being almost completely dry and considerably faster. We've been out practicing every day, and my lines have changed multiple times. I guess that's what happens when you ride the same course for a week straight… it's just something I've never done before.

There's nothing quite like being told that you have been selected to compete in the World Championships. I think it must be many a downhill racer's dream – I know it was one of mine. So to actually be here in Italy, mentally preparing myself to race the course, is absolutely amazing. We're only a few days into the trip but here's a look at what the team has been up to so far.

Apparently Bromont's history of rainy race days rivals that of Sea Otter, so when the clouds rolled in Saturday night and it started to rain it wasn't really that surprising. But like Sea Otter, this was the year to break that tradition, and we woke up to blue skies and a freshly watered, perfectly tacky course.

Let the races begin!

Saturday night. My first Sea Otter experience had come and gone, and being not quite ready to leave sunny California, myself and the rest of the traveling Pinkbike.com crew were trying to figure out where in the nearby vicinity we could find some sweet two-wheeled action.