Blackstrap Provincial Park SASK.

YXE: SKYXE SASKATOON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Blackstrap Biter, one of the races on the Saskatchewan Cup series, provides a clue to the terrain you can expect on the Blackstrap Provincial Park trails. “It’s notorious for people going out too hard on the first couple of laps, and then the climbs on the last part really do come back and bite you,” says Sasha Kisin, president of the Saskatoonbased club Northern Bush Rastas (nbr). The trails, 25 minutes south of Saskatoon, are maintained by nbr and another local group called bcw Cycling Club. They recently opened a new 5-km route, which, when completed, will be mainly a green run.

The network is located within a cross-country ski loop that was built for the 1971 Canada Winter Games. Though there’s not much elevation, because the area is situated in a glacial river valley, there are coulees that trail builders try to take advantage of. Kisin says there are some short, stabby climbs and rooty sections. The first machine-built trail, Bronco, offers more flow. Kisin recommends the combo of Escalator in the down direction to Bronco.

The trailhead parking lot is right in the park (where you can purchase a pass). For post-ride eats, you’ll have to head back into Saskatoon (or pack a lunch) as the area is fairly remote, but there is a small concession stand on one of the beaches in the summer.

There are a lot of plans i n the works for further expansion, as well as a project to create better signage throughout the winter. Speaking of winter, nbr has planned to groom a 5-km loop for fat biking.

Saskatoon-based bike shops include Bruce’s Cycle Works, Bike Doctor, Doug’s Spoke ‘ N Sport, Bike Universe and Outtabounds.