Jul 26 2010
The summer riding season is in full swing! This time of year there is the widest range of opportunities to ride a new trail, to learn a new skill, to discover a local riding route and to meet more riders. Here at Different Bikes, we want to help you get out there on your bike! This article is a list we’ve compiled of some cycling places, events and programs that you may not have tried.
We know this list just scratches the surface – if you have something to add, send it to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the title “Ride BC” and we’ll add it to this story!
Family/Casual Riding Locations
- Try the Stanley Park Seawall loop. 10km, scenic, lots of stops for beach, snacks and people watching. Sure it can be busy, but there is a good reason for that. Map
- Explore the trails in Pacific Spirit Park (aka UBC Endowment lands). Easy trails, lots of optional loops, detour down to Spanish Banks beach if you can. Map
- Spin the paved trail in the Lower Seymour Conservation area. 15+km of closed paved trail. Lots of picnic areas and side trails and hikes. Map
- Ride the Whistler Valley Trail. Paved path traverses from Creekside to Green Lake, with lots of branches and fun trail offshoots. Try Lost Lake trails for some fun mountain biking. ‘Map”:http://www.whistler.ca//images/stories/PDF/Residents/WhistlerHikingBikingMap.pdf
- Try the Sprockids biking park on the Sunshine Coast. Just off the Langdale Ferry – fun network area of trails from beginner to more challenging. Map
Kids Camps, Lessons and Programs
- Pedalheads Bike Camps. A proven standard for younger kids learning to ride safely and strongly. Great fun, lots of locations.
- Flow Camps Run by Pedalheads, these are camps for kids ready to hit the trails.
- Endless Biking A wide range of kids and youth programs in summer and even during school season!
- WORCA Camps Whistler Offroad Cycling Association runs youth camps all summer on great Whister trails!
- Check your local community program – many municipalities also have kids biking and bike safety camps and clinics during the summer
Adult Camps, Lesson and Programs
- Endless Biking An excellent local company that provides a wide range of lessons, guided tours and more – year round!
- Dirt Series Women-specific mountain biking skills camps. Held locally and in other fun destinations.
- Summer Gravity Camps Whistler’s premium downhill and park freeride skills camp. Learn to go bigger!
- NSRide Not a camp or lesson but a friendly mountain biking club that offers organized rides and tours year-round.
Riding Destinations to Explore
We know we are just scratching the surface here, but this list is a start of options we know are fun. If in doubt, find a local bike shop in the area you are visiting – they can point you at their local trails, road rides and pathways.
- Climb Mt Baker. For you roadies or those training for the Gran Fondo, this is as close to European Alps climbing as you will find near here!
- Squamish Mountain Biking. If you haven’t discovered the incredible network of trails in Squamish, you should! Beginner to Advanced, make sure you allow for more than one day as there is so much to explore. Drop by Tantalus or Corsa Bike shops for maps and local knowledge.
- Whistler Mountain Biking and more. Whistler has one of the world’s best lift accessed bike parks for sure – Go in August to see Crankworx and the pros doing incredible things. Plus the area around the town and the park is cris-crossed with a huge network of trails – basic to very challenging. Up the road in Pemberton there are even more. If you have your road bike, the road to Pemberton and beyond is a beautiful ride.
- Sunshine Coast. A lesser known gem, this area has a huge and growing network of mountain biking trails starting in the popular Sprockids/Roberts Creek area but stretching to Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay and beyond. Spin Cycles in Gibsons or Off the Edge Bikes in Sechelt can help with maps and info.
- South Chilcotins. You’ve seen the pictures in nearly every mountain biking magazine and lots of catalogs. (Even on this site). Incredible, scenic, epic backcountry trails leading in all directions. Try an unforgettable floatplane fly in option with Tyax Air. The Tyax lodge is a perfect base to use for a first visit.
- Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island. Find out why many Canadian road cyclists and triathletes live and train in the Victoria area. Quiet roads, sea views, put in some miles!
- Cumberland, Vancouver Island. Not far from Comox is this quiet town that has sprouted a reputation in mountain biking circles ‘that know’. Seemingly endless trails, lovingly built. Go to the Riding Fool Hostel to learn all you need to know.
- More to come, send us your suggestions!
