Sure, it's grippy, but it's also VERTICAL.

Well, it's that time - the ninth and final day of Crankworx this year. I've got to admit, I'm a little relieved; shooting and writing every day has taken its toll and I'm losing my mind. In the early hours of this morning, I woke up underneath the motel room coffee table, imaginary camera in hand - I'd been sleepwalking, dreaming about setting up a fisheye shot on the drop off the table. Do you see what you've done to me, Bikemagic, do you see? Destroying myself in the name of journalism. Noturnal adventures aside, I woke up later that morning and after a triple shot of caffeine trudged my way up the hill for the last time. Someone had thoughtlessly made the gradient twice as steep, and my legs almost gave way on more than the odd occasion.

The Canadian Open DH differentiates itself from the other two Crankworx downhill races of the festival by being neither epic in proportions (it isn't nearly as long as the Garbanzo) not particularly jumpy as the double-tastic Air DH. It's more like your "standard" race course - fast and open at the top, flowy turns leading into the technical rocky and steep trails that Whistler is famous for. Sure, it wasn't as demanding as the Garbanzo course, but there were more than enough challenges for the riders on their three minute run - the best being a brand new steep line that'd been cut especially for the event. I stood at the top, goading hesitant riders with helpful advice such as, "just close your eyes and pin it, it'll be fine...". Of course, it invariably wasn't, but hey, it was entertaining to watch.

The race itself was going smoothly, riders were getting increasingly faster and I was bagging the shots I needed for this writeup; then I realised what time it was. Over the last couple of days I'd sorted out a free bike from the fantastic people at Trek bikes - a replacement for the one that was stolen from their trailer earlier in the week - I just needed to pick it up, and the guy with the bikes was packing up and leaving for the States in ten minutes. Now, I try to be as professional as possible at all times, committed to getting the best story and pictures available, but balancing that out with the risk of losing a free bike was a step too far; I packed my gear and ran as fast as possible, the bleating of marshalls to "stay off the course" ringing in my ears (apologies to them too, I'm sure they'll understand). As luck would have it, I managed to snatch a shot of Tracey Moseley as she flew past on her winning run, so at least I can claim I hung around long enough for that. While Fabien Barel was smoking the competition to take first, I was bouncing up and down on various Session 77s, trying to find the best size. You all know what he looks like, though - orange and blue, fast and French.

So that's it, the end of my Crankworx coverage, hope it's been worth reading. I'm heading back home now to catch up on some sleep, eat proper food again and maybe, just maybe, get out on my bike. Crazy idea.

Tracey Moseley astounded exactly zero people by winning again.

Look up, spot your landing, accelerate into freefall...

One of two lines through the start of "Rock City".

The other. Riders basically had a choice between a wheel-slamming drop to flat or spikey rock rolls.

I pretty much failed as a photographer right here - this newly cut line was ridiculously steep and had plenty of riders beat. This shot makes it look like a walk in the park; way to go, Dan.

I got all excited seeing a non-descript bike with wires coming off it, thinking it was an '09 prototype. Turns out it was the Specialized guys stress testing the '07 Demo 7 because they "hadn't gotten around to it yet".

Draw the short straw and you get put at the top of the course to marshall the start, where it's cold and windy.

Those who can't do, slouch around watching.

The lone competitor in the "Power Ranger" class.

All pics: Dan Barham