Trail Tales

IMPORTANT MEETING - Monday Sept 29th Jump Park in Cumberland

Skifreak — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:46:00 GMT

Just a quick note for all interested riders. Monday Sept 29th (tonight) 5:30 - 7:00pm at the Cumberland Cultural Center, Cumberland council is taking public input for various reports. Included is the opportunity for public input for the proposed rebuild of the Cumberland dirt jumps.

This is our opportunity to show council the broad interest of a jump park and pump track in the valley.

Email your support to admin@cvmtb.com if you will not make the meeting. Thanks for everyone help.

Warning - keep your bikes locked up! Simon Cycles attempted burglary

Skifreak — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:29:00 GMT

Two burglars leave Comox crime scene after stealing boat — flee by water for Campbell River

By Jules Xavier - Comox Valley Record

Published: July 31, 2008 3:00 PM
Updated: August 01, 2008 9:08 AM

An early morning break-in at Simon's Cycles in Comox remains under investigation after two men fled the scene Thursday morning in a stolen boat.

According to RCMP Const. Tammy Douglas, police were dispatched to the Comox store after receiving a call around 4:40 a.m.

"A stolen truck was found backed up in front of the store, the front window broken and the security bars bent," said Douglas. "A second stolen vehicle was located behind the Comox Legion. Witnesses stated two males, both with dark hair and wearing all dark clothing, were responsible for the incident."

Mounties report that the men left the Comox Valley after stealing a boat from the Comox Marina. It was recovered in the Campbell River area after 7:30 a.m. along with some stolen property.

An RCMP canine unit was sent from Comox to Campbell River to track the thieves, but nothing was found, the trail going cold by the time the dog arrived to pick up the scent where the boat was ditched on the shoreline.

If you have any knowledge about this break-in and thefts, you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. A reward is offer ed up to $2,000 for any information leading to an arrest. Police don't want your name, only your information.

Meanwhile, local police are dealing with a rash of dirt bike thefts in the Comox Valley.

"It appears someone has been targeting primarily Honda dirt bikes," said Douglas. "There have been five taken in the last month and a half, with two of them stolen July 29."

Mounties are asking for the public's assistance to find the individual, or people, responsible for these thefts.

If you have any information, contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321.

news@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Valhalla Pure Outfitters and CVMTB.com give back to local trail builders

Skifreak — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:27:00 GMT

We're lucky in the Comox Valley to have some very dedicated and crafty builders who volunteer their spare time to give back to the riding community. A few months ago I asked one of our local businesses about ordering some Dakine Builders Packs for local builders. Well Jerry at Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Courtenay went that extra mile and dontated two brand new builders packs to us a couple of weeks ago. After some nice stitching work by Fish n Stitches in Comox, we had to decide who would be best deserving of the packs. Since we have two trail areas in the valley we chose to give one to each area.

The pack for Forbidden Plateau goes to Darren for his hard work and many new stunts built over the past number of years.

Our second pack has been donated to the United Riders of Cumberland and will be put to use this fall rebuilding Bucket of Blood and a few other gem trails in the region.

Expandable chainsaw pocket
Quick access lopper sleeve
Hammer tool sleeves (Both sides)
Fuel/Oil bottle pocket (Both sides)
Water bottle pocket (Both sides)
Back and top access
Nail bag and first-aid pouch
Multiple storage pockets
Macleod/shovel carry sleeves
Volume: 1800 cu.in. (29L)
Size: 21 x 11 x 8" (53 x 29 x 20cm)
Materials: Cordura Ballistic Nylon

Mount Washington Bike Park 2008 - What's new...

Skifreak — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:53:00 GMT

Mount Washington literally cranks it up another notch this summer! Over 100,000 dollars in project capital has been pumped into one of BC's best bike parks over the last two years. So, what's new at the Mount Washington Bike Park in 2008?

New and Improved Bike Park Skills Areas

The mountain offers three separate skills areas where riders can focus on improving their riding ability on various stunts in a low-pressure environment

Introducing a Quick and Dirty Timewarp!

The renovated and rebranded Quick and Dirty runs from the Alpine Lodge to the bottom of the Hawk Chair. It lives up to it's name! Timewarp is the newest trail winding down the western flank of Mount Washington off the top of the popular Hawk Chair. Intermediates will love the flow and progressive nature of this trail!

Bike Events Rule

Mount Washington is the host site for the world's best mountain bike events! The infamous Bearclaw Invitational Slopestyle returns for it's third installment this summer, and some new additions have been created by event founder Darren Berrecloth.

The world's first Free-Slalom event takes place in the evening on Friday, August 22. What is Free-Slalom? It combines the best of mountain bike freeriding and racing. Two riders, side by side, racing against the clock on a course filled with berms and hits. Speed is essential, but judges will be weighing in on the quality of the air and style competitors throw down on course. Judged airs and racing against the clock, let the evolution of mountain bike racing begin.

Claw's Slopestyle and High Air contest return to the slopes of Mount Washington's Green Face on Saturday, August 23. If you could choose to see one unbelievable event in your lifetime, this is the event you should show up for!

After hosting Canada Cup races and the National Mountain Bike Championships two years in a row, the mountain returns to it's provincial roots by hosting British Columbia's finest DH and XC racers at this year's BC Cup Finals and Provincial Championships on August 30-31.

To compliment the early season Norco Learn to Ride Week, the appropriately named Back to Bike School Week fine tunes your bike prowess from September 8 to the 12. There's no better way to boost your confidence at the end the season than with solidly-schooled bike riding!

Late Season Hours Extended!

Riders can take advantage of the bike park enhancements with the mountain's new extended hours starting September 2. The bike park keeps you in the saddle from noon to 6:30 pm daily until the end of the summer season. More time on the bike means more time doing what you should be doing ...having fun! Regular summer hours are 11:00 am to 7:30 pm from June 30 to September 1.

Season Passes at Early Bird prices till June 15th

Skifreak — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:54:00 GMT

A Season Pass offers great value for alpine mountain biking all summer long!

Mountain Bike Season Passes are good throughout the summer season. They pay for themselves in a few short days of riding! Mountain Bike Season Passes are now offered as an upgrade option to the Summer 2008 passes, which allows full access to the trails during Summer 2008. Passes will be available for pick up at the Season Pass office after June 15th.

Summer Season Pass Rates*

Early Bird
Rate
To June 15/08

Regular
Rate
As of June 16th

Individual Mountain Bike Season Pass

$235

$275

Family Mountain Bike Season Pass
2 Adults, 2 Children

$449

$555

Mile High Chairlift Ride Season Pass

$59

Purchase Now!
1)	Call Central Reservations: Toll Free: 1-888-231-1499 Local: 250-338-1386
2)	Click here to purchase your Mountain Bike Season Pass ONLINE using our Secure Server.

* Rates subject to taxes.
Operating dates subject to conditions. Rates and dates subject to change.
Rates effective for Summer 2008.

Riding Fool Hostel celebrates 5 years this Saturday night

Skifreak — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:02:00 GMT

The Riding Fool Hostel in Cumberland is celebrating five years in business this Saturday.

When asked to reflect on the years, owner Jeremy Grasby said, “We’ve learned a lot, had some great times and met some amazing people. We created a great facility here but it’s the guests who make it, they bring the energy and without that energy it’s just a building.

“It’s a lot of fun not just running a hostel but realizing your dreams.”

The hostel has had its successes along the way, most recently being voted as the “local pick” for Lonely Planet BC Edition and described as “one of the best hostels on Vancouver Island.”

In 2005, the Riding Fool was awarded the New Business of the Year Award by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and Business of the Year by the Cumberland Chamber.

During the years, Valley band Sixgun Buddha has been the soundtrack to the Riding Fool anniversaries, and this year is no different.

After a year-and-a-half hiatus, the local rockers are ready to start tearing it up again Saturday at the hostel’s anniversary celebration.

Joining them once again are local DJs Soulshock and Upsidedown Ninja. Nova Fire will perform.

Tickets are $15 in advance and are available at Tarbells Cafe, Sound Advice, Orbitz and at the door. Doors at 9 p.m., 19+ID. For more information, visit www.sixgunbuddha.com.

— Riding Fool Hostel

Cycledelic meant for two-wheelers

Skifreak — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:01:00 GMT

You’re welcome to celebrate Bike to Work Week, have some fun and support a worthwhile cause.

World Community Bikes will host Cycledelic, a fast-peddling evening of dance and entertainment on Saturday, June 7 at the Lower Native Sons’ Hall.

Artists will include acoustic guitarist Amber McAlonan and her original alternative-folk style, and the newly formed three-piece band Booty and the Hofish, whose style can be described as a fusion of bluegrass and hip hop.

The dance portion of the evening, featuring DJs of varying styles, will begin with local DJ Upsidedowninja and his down-tempo, jazzy style of spinning. Next up will be Scotty Soulshock’s hip hop scratch and Glenn Wildes’ mix of styles. Adil Amlani, originally from Montreal, will perform urban house mixes to round out the night.

Tickets are $10 each, with a limited number at $5 for low-income or students, and will be available at the Freakin’ Coffeeshop on Rosewall Crescent or at the door. There will be door prizes, food and a no-host bar.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

Profits from the evening will help send a container of bicycles collected by World Community Bikes to Nicaragua. The group would like to thank the entertainers, who are all local, for volunteering their time and talent.

For more information, call Jansz at 338-0229.

— World Community