The Dirt on the Local Dirt

10 mountain biking gems from coast to coast The skinny on some up-andcoming spots for fat-tire riding

10 MOUNTAIN BIKING GEMS FROM COAST TO COAST

1. Cumberland Forest, B.C. 2. Bragg Creek Trails, Alta. 3. River Trails, Sask. 4. Brandon Hills, Man. 5. Harold Town Conservation Area, Ont. 6. Mont Ste. Marie, Que. 7. Sugarloaf Mountain Bike Park, N. B. 8. Annapolis Valley Trails, N. S. 9. Brookvale Mountain Bike Park, P. E. I. 10. White Hills, N. L.

For most folks, “going for a mountain bike ride” means hitting the local trail for a quick lap. Some may be willing to do some driving to check out a new area. Sadly, many of us never get the chance to plan a road trip for the sole purpose of hitting some new trails. But in a country as big as ours, there are many spots for singletrack fun. Here’s a sometimes fast but always dirty guide to 10 local favourites from coast to coast. As with any list, there are some omissions. You can help keep the discussion going by sending in your letters and posting your best local haunts on our social media channels. Give us the skinny on your favourite places for fat-tire riding.

1Cumberland

Forest, B.C.

Nearest town: Cumberland, B.C. Size of trail network:

more than 75 km Difficulty: beginner to advanced More information:

cvmtb.com Everyone with a mountain bike and an Internet connection has heard of Squamish and the North Shore. They are by no means the only hot spots to ride on the Left Coast. Vancouver Island is a cornucopia of outdoor adventures including, you guessed it, multiple mountain bike options. Cumberland Forest in the Comox Valley is home to a large network of shared-use trails that range in length and difficulty. Just about everything you’ve come to expect from B.C. riding is right here. You can pick up a map at one of Cumberland’s local bike shops and ride from town. From the municipality, you can easily access 75 km of trail in the community forest, ranging from family-friendly paths to nasty downhill runs, and everything in between.

2

Bragg Creek Trails, Alta.

Nearest town: Calgary Size of trail network:

more than 100 km Difficulty: moderate to advanced (with elevation) More information:

braggcreekrecreation.com The Kananaskis area near Calgary offers more than 100 trails of mountain biking goodness. The Bragg Creek area alone has enough to keep you busy this summer. This spot features good old-fashioned mountain biking so you need both good riding and good map reading skills. Word to the wise: in my experience, the Calgary-area riders truly are the Wild West types you’d want them to be. The trails, like the riders, are intense in a likable way. Bring a spare lung and/or supplemental oxygen.

3River

Trails, Sask.

Nearest town: Saskatoon Size of trail network:

30 km Difficulty: beginner to advanced More information:

saskcycling.ca “Saskatchewan” and “mountains” don’t often find themselves in the same sentence. Surprisingly, mountain biking is alive and well on the great prairie. The river trails in downtown Saskatoon cover both sides of the South Saskatchewan River. They range in difficulty and wind through dense riverbank vegetation. The routes near the river offer some short, steep sections that will surprise you. Their sandy soil makes for great riding even after moderate rainfall. It really is rare to have trail riding available in the middle of a city and in the middle of the Prairies.

4

Brandon Hills, Man.

Nearest town: Brandon, Man. Size of trail network: more than 100 km Difficulty: intermediate More information:

brandonhills.org I don’t want to provoke any controversy, but some locals told me that the Brandon Hills are “the best of the Prairies” for mountain biking. The gauntlet has been thrown. The system is enormous with more than 100 km of trails. Maps are available online and at shops. Stacked A, B, C Loops get you out into a plethora of rolling, intermediate dirt trails. The best trails run from the fire tower but you’ll have to ride on doubletrack to get there. The area is pretty massive and markings get less frequent as you get farther away from the parking area.

5

Harold Town Conservation Area, Ont.

Nearest town: Peterborough, Ont. Size of trail network:

more than 15 km Difficulty: intermediate More information:

local bikes shops From the signed parking area, Harold Town looks a lot like a very small, defunct ski hill. Don’t let that deter you. The trails are twisty, forested, and really fun. This spot is really new and relatively unknown, but don’t expect it to stay that way long. Only newbies (and I) climb the rough singletrack that heads straight up the hill from the parking lot. The official trailhead is to the right where a switchback climb with dense vegetation connects you to trails on both sides of the hill. The area has more than 15 km of intermediate-level singletrack that is thoughtfully built and well-maintained. A beginner loop and a pump track are in the works.

6

Mont Ste. Marie, Que.

Nearest town: Gatineau, Que. Size of Trail Network:

40 km Difficulty: beginner to advanced More information:

velomsm.com Mont Ste. Marie is a small ski area with a growing trail network that has something for riders of all abilities. The region holds spectacular beauty. Lower trails are twisty, fun and really fast. For those willing to climb to the top of the hill, the Lager and Pilsner trails offer a singletrack descent that rolls over dirt, roots, Canadian Shield rock and fallen riders. It is probably best left to intermediate or advanced riders (or beginners who really like to crash). Trail development is still a top priority here so the official 40 km could easily be more by the time you get there.

7

Sugarloaf Mountain Bike Park, N.B.

Nearest town: Atholville, N. B. Size of trail network: 40 km Difficulty: beginner to advanced More information:

parcsugarloafpark.ca Brought to you by the same folks who built the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Sugarloaf offers a range of lift-serviced trails for all abilities. Beginners can roll on smooth, flowy trails. Intermediate riders can check out the tight and twisty singletrack. Advanced riders can hit the tight and steep black- diamond trails with berms, drops and wooden features. The park is open from June 14 to Sept. 29 from Thursday to Sunday. There are adult and youth lift tickets available with full and half- day options. Phone ahead or check them out online to confirm before you go.

8

Annapolis Valley Trails, N. S.

Nearest town: Kentville, N. S. Size of trail network: more than 20 km Difficulty: beginner to advanced More information:

avmba.blogspot.com Rocky and rooty – how does that sound? When those are the first words someone uses to describe local trails, you need to get there. The Annapolis Valley has the Gorge trails for those needing a little “free” in their ride. The trails have roots, rocks, steep ups and downs and even some constructed features. The trails range in difficulty from intermediate to advanced. If you’re looking for something a little more tame, the Anima Mundi trails have more rolling fun with a lot of flow and not so much mayhem.

9

Brookvale Mountain Bike Park, P.E.I.

Nearest town: Charlottetown Size of trail betwork: 15 km Difficulty: beginner to intermediate More information:

local shops Get this – p. e. i. is a little more than 200 km long. You’re never more than 20 km from the sea on the island. Still, the folks at Brookvale Mountain Bike Park have found a way to give you about 15 km of fast and fun singletrack. The island that is known for Anne of Green Gables, potatoes and beaches also delivers on a couple of hours of mountain biking happiness. Who says island life is all about relaxation? A little Internet searching will get you some fun videos that show the flow on the red dirt.

10White

Hills, N. L.

Nearest town:

St. John’s, N. L. Size of trail network: Subnet XC loop 6km ( plus other trails) Difficulty: intermediate More information:

mountainbikestjohns.com The Rock got its name for some pretty obvious reasons. That name should get fat-tire folks excited and the trails will not disappoint. White Hills is a rocky trail along the coast that offers riding challenges and the possibility of spotting some pretty spectacular marine wildlife. How many trails in the world afford the chance to whale watch? This place is also loaded with some really cool history. The Subnet trail got its name from the submarine net that served to protect the country from submarine attacks during the Second World War. Now that you’re armed with the local dirt, here is your homework: get out and ride. If you can, hit something new. If it’s great (or soon to be great), let us know. Everyone knows that Canadians are tough and polite. But we also play nicely and share with others.