October 2006 - Posts

• Singletrack Harvest

  Ever been to Cumberland BC ? Have you heard about the riding there? It is sweet. The only problem is finding the way.Maps are great but the best way is to have a guide. Oak Bay Bikes and The Riding Fool Hostel present the solution. Wicked guided riding, accommodations in the nicest hostel on the planet, killer food and great beer - The Singletrack Harvest.       Cumberland local turned " Victoriaite" Matt Powsey and " the Fool's " Jeremy Grasby are hosting an incredible weekend of Cumberland's finest. Show up at the hostel Friday evening and sample some fine brew's from Lighthouse Brewery and rest up. Saturday will start with a HUGE breaky provided by Tarbell's Coffee bar, grab some complimentary energy bars and get ready for an epic. Saturday's ride will be singletrack all the way from Cumberland to Comox Lake where we will climb up to Screamon Demon, one of the flowiest singletracks in the world. Awesome views of the Beaufort Range and Comox Lake are on this trail,and we'll descend for one hour until we reach the Puntledge River. From here we'll follow the tight " old school" gnarl back to the downtown Cumberland for beers and a fantastic catered dinner. This ride should be in the 5-6 hour length ( including breaks) so you'll have an appetite. Sunday will be much like Saturday. Wake up , coffee, huge breaky, and ride. Sunday we have a few choices depending on how the group feels. There are ample riding opportunities around, could be a flowy day in Cumberland, we could cruise to Campbell River or we could load up the bongo drums and Tye-dye and head to Hornby ( sweet ). These are going to be EPIC rides, this weekend is for you if: - You like big long rides. - Want to explore one of the most excellent riding locals in North America - Want to make friends - Want to go back and ride the same killer trails sans guide. - Want to do a ripping weekend on a budget - Don't have plans from OCT 20th to the 22nd What you get: Dinner Saturday night, Breaky Saturday and Sunday , Organic Coffee, " ride food" ( bars n stuff ) , Light House Beers apres ride , Local Guides with the inside scoop on the sweetest lines, Accommodation at the Riding Fool Hostel for 2 Nights. ( Check out www.ridingfool.com , serious about it being the nicest hostel in the Land ) How Much? Well for all that and a bag of chips a paltry $225 CDN . Riders must be a member of a Cycling BC affiliated club to participate. Not a member? Not a Prob we'll sign you up so you can ride with us! For more information call Matt at Oak Bay Bikes 250-598-4111. or e-mail me at Matt@oakbaybikes.com See you there!! Posted Oct 17 2006, 11:54 PM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: Mountain Biking, Trail Info

• Rain is back!

  Just in time to settle in the dirt of recent trail building, rain has returned to the Comox Valley trails. Time to get out and check drainage creeks, water crossings and get things tuned up before the winter wear sets in. To help keep your stoke on I found this nice gem on youtube... Watch on YouTube Posted Oct 08 2006, 12:04 AM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: Mountain Biking, Trail Info

• Fall - The best time of year

  The days may be shorter, the riding options less, but this is one of the best times of year! Be it the quiet cool evenings, the smell of woodsmoke in the morning or the changing leaves, but for me harvest time provides for some of my best days. Gone are the dog days of summer, the rain is yet to arrive, and the trails are tacky but not slippery before their winter coat of slime. Our Cumberland trails take on a whole new feel as the trail gets lost under a new carpet of colour. Reds, yellows, browns, greens, nature's pallete at its finest. Rolling into town this fall are two great harvest riding events. This coming Oct 14th & 15th is the famous Endless Biking Riding Fool Weekend Getaway for the ladies! A week later is a new event called the Singletrack Harvest from Oak Bay Bikes and The Riding Fool Hostel. Soon the days will disappear, riding time will be left for HID lights, and weekend days will be split between powder days on the ski hills and cold winter days on the lower trails. We're blessed to have some of the greatest trails in BC stay clear of snow most of the winter. So come on over, have some fun and enjoy the weather before we return to the refuge of gore-tex, heavy blankets and wood stoves. Posted Oct 05 2006, 04:53 PM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: Mountain Biking

• Endless Biking Ladies Only Riding Fool Weekend Getaway

  This camp is all about the ladies! Park the car and hop on the bike for this 2-day camp! This camp features include: 2 days professional instruction in a controlled environment and on trail, as well as 1 night accommodation (Saturday) at the Riding Fool Hostel, evening tech talk with Dodge City Cycles, lunches and dinner by Tarbells Cafe and sponsored prizes for give-a-ways. This camp will not only serve as a great opportunity for skill development, but also an excellent retreat in to the cultural and casual community of Cumberland, BC on Vancouver Island. The surrounding environment provides a very relaxing feeling, while offering some of the best kept riding secrets on Vancouver Island. The hostel is truly unique and will be a real highlight to your weekend. October 14-15 Cumberland, BC Ladies Only! Camp cost: $245 (with accommodations) $230 without accommodations For more information or to sign up.   Posted Oct 03 2006, 10:19 PM by Skifreak with no comments Filed under: Mountain Biking, Trail Info