UROC’s first trail day is this coming April 7th sponsored by Comox Bike Company (Simon’s Cycles) and Gravity MTB.
Meeting place is the Middle / Lower Crafty Butcher junction at 10am on Sunday April 7th.
Bring your gloves and eat a good breakfast and help put back to the trails.
Join us on Sunday April 14th, for the first UROC event of the year and the fourth race in the Island Cup Series. The singletrack loaded course will be fun for all abilities. Spandex, winter training, and serious faces are totally optional. A bike, a helmet and online registration are mandatory. Weather of some sort is guaranteed.
Beginners will do one lap, Intermediates two laps and Experts 3 laps.
Youth get in for half price!
Register online here:
https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=170823
Check in is from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at the Village Park.
Race start is 11:00 am.
BBQ, awards, draw prizes and good times to follow!
UROC MEMBERSHIP will cover your insurance requirements for all UROC events and support trail access and maintenance so get your membership here:
https://unitedridersofcumberland.com/membership/
For volunteering during this event, please sign up here:
https://forms.gle/C9iKKyjXynHEV2my5
Cumberland, BC – The United Riders of Cumberland and the Village of Cumberland are issuing a Special Public Trail Conditions Report effective immediately until further notice. The report applies to all trails in the Cumberland Forest Trail network.
At issue is lingering snow and ice throughout the trail network, creating hazardous trail conditions in the lower network, and un-rideable conditions on trails in the upper trail network. Under these conditions, trails are vulnerable to increased damage from trail use due to freeze-thaw cycles, high soil moisture content, and poor drainage as a result of snow and ice blockages.
With warmer temperatures in the short term forecast, we expect the snow and ice to melt quickly; however, we anticipate trail conditions will remain variable into next week and potentially beyond.
“After an unusually long and snowy winter we know that trail users are excited to get out”, explains Nathan Kwan, Trails Manager for UROC. “However, winter conditions still exist on the Cumberland trails.
“Spring-like weather will no doubt be inviting for people to get out for a ride, walk or run but we urge users to closely monitor trail conditions for both personal safety and trail maintenance considerations, and consider alternative recreation options in the coming days”, says Kevin McPhedran, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Coordinator for the Village of Cumberland.
UROC and the Village will continue to monitor trail conditions and will post updates to https://www.trailforks.com/region/cumberland-forest/ or on the Trailforks app.
Timberwest contractors are working on road building activities currently till December 22nd.
Please avoid all Forbidden Trails 7 days a week.
Basically, all the forests between the more recent cut blocks are now on the cutting block. This includes portions or all of;
Iron Horse
Rudy’s
Goats Head
Rat’s Tails
Dustwitch
Lumpy’s
Saporro Steeps
Monkey’s Challenge
Puntledge Plunge (upper section)
Blasting activities limit access to all trails.
Thanks for the understanding.
https://www.trailforks.com/polygon/334/
PS Editors note – I’m gutted seeing all these trails on the chopping block and I won’t get a chance to ride them again thanks to my car accident… SO please we all really want to go ride them one more time, but is it worth the risk. You never know when they may be doing blasting work. The contractors are not the company. Frustrations shouldn’t be directed their way.
PPS The photo posted is from 2009 when the road location markings were first created. Sooo we’ve had 9 good years since.
MT. WASHINGTON ALPINE RESORT October 9, 2018 – Mt. Washington announced today the installation of a 3.5 million dollar multi-stage ZipTour. The longest on Vancouver Island, the 2.3-kilometre, four-part attraction, will enhance the resort’s famous alpine-to-ocean views by adding the thrill of a 415-metre vertical descent. The zip line offers guests unique access to the mountain with the opportunity to experience it in a whole new and exciting way.
“The ZipTour will make it possible for everyone to experience the beauty and excitement of Mt. Washington’s terrain, whether you are an expert skier or not,” comments Dean Prentice, General Manager at Mt. Washington. “We are continuing to build towards our goal of becoming a true year-round destination resort. In 2016 we reopened our lift-accessed Bike Park in which we have witnessed huge visitation growth. Continuing that expansion trend, we are excited to announce the Mt. Washington ZipTour is the largest single capital investment into our summer operations in the Resort’s history.”
The Mt. Washington ZipTour is a multi-stage course where guests can explore the resort’s terrain via four zip line segments that include short scenic walks in between each. The braking technology of the ZipTour allows for cable spans that are longer, steeper and more dramatic than a typical zip line canopy tour. This system provides guests a full mountain exploration tour, top to bottom, in less than two hours.
“Crews are pouring foundations as we speak,” states Mt. Washington’s Director of Operations, George Trousdell. “The project is a huge undertaking. The course will span a large part of the property; starting right at the top of the Eagle Chair, it will travel from one summit to the next, sending guests zipping high over the gorge to Little Mt. Washington. The tour then works its way down the Hawk side, finally ending on the top of the Rossignol Learning Centre – a thrilling entrance for everyone below to watch!”
The ZipTour gives guests the ability to control their speed of decent dynamically – meaning the guest can decide when to open up the throttle for thrills or to ease back to take in the views. The tour is also a shared experience. The course has two zip lines running parallel, giving guests the opportunity to race for fastest time, interact with each other and enjoy the excitement together.
The ZipTour will include four spans, each with two cables side by side. The total length will be 2,313 meters (7,589 ft) long and will drop a total of 415 metres (1,364 vertical feet). With construction already started and continuing next spring, the Mt. Washington ZipTour is set to open summer 2019.
ABOUT MOUNT WASHINGTON
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located just 30 minutes from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and hosts over 300,000 visits per year. In the winter guests enjoy five chairlifts, and five conveyor lifts accessing over 1,700 acres and 1,657 vertical feet of alpine terrain. The resort also has 55 kilometers of designated cross-country skiing and 25km of snowshoeing trails along with a dedicated Nordic lodge.
Summer activities at Mount Washington include a new 2.3 kilometre ZipTour set to open summer of 2019, lift-accessed mountain biking, a new quad bungy trampoline, scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, miniature golf, boardwalk chess and checkers, shopping and dining. The resort also plays host to over 30 weddings per year plus numerous group and corporate events.
Off-island visitors can use WestJet, Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, and Pacific Coastal Airlines which provide air service to the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) or they can fly right into Comox Marina via Harbour Air. Additional carriers serving the Victoria Airport (YYJ) includes Alaska Airlines out of Seattle.
MT. WASHINGTON ALPINE RESORT June 29, 2018 – High spring temperatures hit the alpine of Vancouver Island leaving only remnants of the winter season at Mt. Washington. While there are still some areas for snow play, the wildflowers are making their way up to the mountain, and the famous Vancouver Island Marmots are regularly being spotted – Summer has arrived at Mt. Washington!
With the fantastic weather that arrived with June, the Bike Park trails are now exposed, and some early-season Bike Park tuning has been underway. “This year we fired up the machines early and have been busy reshaping and building new trails,” comments Paula Moore, Trail Crew Supervisor. “With the extra time Mother Nature has given us, it has been exciting to witness the improvements in the trail system including the completion of a new black diamond flow trail, Lower Time Warp, and an overhaul to both the Monster-to-Hawk connector trail and our beginner trail, Greenline.”
The Resort further announced the reopening of the Monster Mile trail, which will be accessed off the Eagle Chair, weekends starting in early August. “Monster Mile is a double black trail, its style reflects the origins of the Mt. Washington Bike Park and early downhill mountain biking,” states Director of Sports, Mike Manara. “The Monster Mile is a steep and challenging trail. It is known throughout the industry and was selected last year as the course for the B.C Provincial Cup Finals.” Manara stated a total of 13 trails would be open for riding July 6th, including fun beginner trails and flowy intermediate trails.
It’s not all downhill biking at Mt. Washington this summer; the Eagle Express is spinning daily for Scenic Chairlift Rides, a unique experience that showcases the best vistas on Vancouver Island. Guests can take in the unparalleled views of Strathcona Provincial Park and the deep-blue waters of the Salish Sea. With the recent release of the Vancouver Island Marmots by the Marmot Recovery Foundation, there is also the unique opportunity to glimpse Canada’s most endangered mammals in their natural environment.
Further to hiking and sightseeing, Mt. Washington offers a range of family activities and mountain dining. Alpine activities include remarkable trail running options, high-flying bungee trampoline, family games area plus and mini and disc golf. There is also a playground for the kids and a new Alpine Courtyard – the ideal spot to enjoy a meal surrounded by spectacular mountain vistas.
For more information on the early opening, festivals, events, and the full summer schedule visit mountwashington.ca.
Stolen Bikes!!
We had our Ibis Demo Trailer broken into over the weekend. Ibis Mojo 3’s in red large and XL, and HD4 in red XL and small silver. maybe other bikes just waiting to hear back.
Please call Trail Bicycles if you see any for sale locally.
As the United Riders of Cumberland roll into their tenth year of existence, they have grown in their function from a riding and racing club to a trail management organization. Recently renewing the 2 year initial land access agreement with the local private forest landowners, it shows their hard work has been viewed positively by the powers that be. To help in this ongoing project, there are a few great ways you can support the United Riders of Cumberland and the associated trails.
The future looks bright for mountain biking in Cumberland and the United Riders of Cumberland are doing great work to bring the trail network into the next phases.
Keep up to date by connecting with their Facebook page.
Photos by Paris Gore
Video by Connor Macleod
We’re very excited to return to the Enduro World Series in 2018 and announce the formation of our new Canadian partnership with Race Face Performance Products. We’re incredibly proud to form the Rocky Mountain Race Face Enduro Team, and to tackle a full season of racing with passion, drive, and dedication.
Our two brands have a deep history together that began in 1993. When freeride was born Rocky Mountain and Race Face were there, under the same roof, meeting the needs of demanding North Shore riders. Now, 25 years later Race Face is making some of the best components in the world, and we’re honored to be officially reunited through our EWS team partnership.
Jesse Melamed
· 12th EWS Series Overall Ranking – 2017
· 1st EWS Whistler, Canada – 2017
“I’m excited to start a new chapter of this team, with Race Face on board to strengthen the Canadian vibe. I’m really looking forward to working closely with another local brand that shares my passion and roots. The crash I had in Finale Ligure at the end of last season was a tough one to recover from, but I’ve been training hard and am confident I am going to come into the first race strong!” – Jesse Melamed
Remi Gauvin
· 8th EWS Series Overall Ranking – 2017
· 5th EWS Whistler, Canada – 2017
“Partnering up with Race Face and their strong Canadian roots is something that is unique to the EWS and exciting for myself. I’m really looking forward to getting things kicked off in South America in a few weeks, traveling with Jesse, ALN, our new crew of mechanics and Team Manager! This off season has been really productive for me, and I feel super-strong coming into the first round.” – Remi Gauvin
ALN
· 11th EWS Series Overall Ranking – 2017
· 3rd EWS Wicklow, Ireland – 2017
“I feel really happy and at home with our team for 2018. With such a good set up, it really is a bittersweet feeling to be sidelined for the two first rounds with a wrist injury. With the team supporting me, the matter at hand is to regain my maximum shred capacity to join the party ASAP. I look forward to seeing us evolve as a team this season and to enjoy not only the racing but the whole vibe.” -ALN
We would also like to extend a huge Thank you to the team sponsors, Maxxis, Shimano, Fox, Smith, WTB, FTI Consulting, EVOC, Stages Cycling, and OneUp Components.
Cumberland trails remain open at this timeUROC and the Village are working closely with private forest landowners and will provide updates on Cumberland.ca and UROC’s Facebook page if access restrictions are implemented.
Cumberland’s trail network, including all trails on public and privately owned lands, remains open at this time and through the August long weekend. The Village and UROC are working closely with private forest landowners to assess current fire hazard risk and will provide any updates – including potential recreational closure information – to trail users via Cumberland.ca, UROC’s Facebook page, and signage at primary trail access points.
Decisions regarding access restrictions are made based on factors that include wildfire danger ratings, other technical indices, current and forecasted weather conditions, and the availability of firefighting resources. Authorities have determined that current conditions do not warrant recreational access restrictions at this time, however conditions are continuously being assessed and trail access status is subject to change.
All trail users are reminded to exercise extreme caution while recreating in the forests surrounding Cumberland. Only non-motorized recreation is permitted, campfire and smoking bans are now in effect, and any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to 911.
To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663 5555 or *5555 from a cell phone. Any information you can provide is helpful, however you can expect the emergency call taker to ask for details about the fire such as:
Location
i.e. Where is the fire? How far up the hillside?
Size
e.g. Metres? Hectares? Size of a house? Size of a football field?
Rate of spread
i.e. How quickly is the fire spreading?
Fuel
i.e. What is burning? Grass, bushes, trees?
Smoke/flames
i.e. What colour is the smoke? Are flames visible?
Threat
i.e. Are there any people or buildings at risk?
Action
i.e. Is anyone fighting the fire?
