Black Ice Highway Driving and Standard Films Black Winter Premiere Blows Across the Canadian Prairies. Part 1 of 2.

 Winter has officially arrived in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. And by ‘parts’ I mean, in its entirety. I’m not aware of any balmy pockets of the prairies that Mother Nature has stowed away. Except for when Chinooks roll through. Regardless, the black ice on the local highway validates my hunch that winter has coated the region. The temperatures are not yet savage but seeing your breath is painful, yet thrilling because you know those fun park days and deep pow days are looming. In the mean time, looming more urgently were the movie premieres in Edmonton (presented by The Easy Rider) and Saskatoon (presented by Momentum and Outtabounds).

The prairie tour began with Edmonton at the Garneau Theatre on Wednesday October 7th. The night was presented by The Easy Rider snowboard shop and a bunch of the shop’s new guard and old guard were in attendance. If there was ever a shop that bore witness to snowboarding’s awesome development to it’s current bonafide Olympic sport status it’s The Easy Rider. The shop launched an annual snowboard contest back in 1988 around the time that Transworld Snowboarding Magazine launched and Calgary, Alberta hosted the Winter Olympic Games (10 years before snowboarding could take part). Ronald Reagan was US president and Madonna wasn’t a Material Girl yet. So it’s safe to say Waide Currie and his brother Scott have been staples in the Edmonton scene for a long time and it’s very cool to see them tirelessly supporting snowboarding to this day. The 22nd Annual Easy Rider Snowboard Cup runs April 2010. Call the shop (780-413-4554) or become friends with “The Easy Rider” on Facebook for more information.

On Wednesday, October 7th, 2009, Standard Films will be premiering their latest film, "Black Winter" at the Garneau Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Address:  8712 109 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta CANADA

Doors: 8PM

Presented by Monster Energy & The Easy Rider.

STARRING:

Andreas Wiig, Andrew Geeves, Ben Lynch, Chas Guldemond, Eric Jackson, Jason Dubois, Leanne Pelosi, Lonnie Kauk, Mark Landvik, Seb Toots, Torstein Horgmo, Xavier Delerue.

“The Winter of 2009 will go down in history as one of the most transitional times that snowboarding has ever faced. Unlike any winter ever before, snow conditions were either the best ever or the most dangerous of all time. Out of these dark times rises Standard Films new High Definition Film: Black Winter…"

This time around our roving band of motocross fans and party pushers settled into the Union Hall Night Club for Round 3 of the “SEND IT” party series. This write-up arrives before my headache has had a chance to depart. Self inflicted. Can’t blame it on anything but a concoction of good vibes and unexpected twists.

Our transition into the evening began with a limo ride courtesy of the Union Hall. I only mention it here because this service is available to the public --  and you might come across this fine travel vestibule in the Whyte Ave area if you keep your eyes peeled.

 (Castrol Raceway, Edmonton Alberta, June 21st)
 
As riders arrived on Friday and gazed at the pristine Castrol Raceway track, many were in awe of the dirt quality and high speeds this track will offer. After racing the track myself on Saturday, I knew that this would be the race to watch out of all the rounds so far.

The Pro practice on Saturday really showed the speeds that were possible. Surprisingly, as the day progressed, the Monster Energy Kawasaki Cernic’s Team was nowhere to be found. Finally the familiar faces of Paul and Jack Carpenter and Bobby Kiniry began to appear on track although too late for practice.

The team was not discouraged; only more excited to get the job done.
 
MX2 – Once again Canidae Motorsports/Monster Energy rider Dean Wilson dominated with a 1st overall. This was Wilson’s last stop on the Canadian Nationals tour and he will open the door for others to chase for the championship. Wilson is looking forward to the racing ahead of him in the United States.

Following closely and charging hard was Teddy Maier aboard the Leading Edge Kawasaki. Teddy is now sitting pretty in 2nd is looking forward to dominating the rest of the rounds as the series moves east.
 
MX1 – Finally some changes have been made to the podium! 

Up until now Colton Facciotti has won every moto since this stop last year but his winning streak came to an end with fast performances by his teammate Dusty Klatt and Monster Energy Cernic’s team rider Paul Carpenter.