cvmtb – Page 2 – Comox Valley MTB

BC High School Mountain Biking Provincials coming to Dodge City

Enduro mountain bike race in Cumberland, BC. Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Young mountain bikers from across B.C. will soon have the opportunity to test their mettle on Cumberland’s legendary “all killer and no filler” trail network, as the 2017 B.C. High School Mountain Biking Championships descends on “Dodge City” May 27.

“This is always a great event,” says Chris Armstrong, an SD71 teacher and coach of the G.P. Vanier mountain biking team. “But 2017 is especially exciting. Cumberland is the unofficial epicentre of Van Isle mountain biking culture and it boasts some of the best race conditions in the province. Great trails, great riders and great fun – there’s no better way to showcase our local talent.”

At last year’s B.C. High School MTB Championships in Coquitlam, a strong showing from Comox Valley SD71 athletes ended with the Grade 9 boys sweeping their division.

“It’s really an exceptional way to highlight what the Comox Valley has to offer,” says Armstrong. “We’re working with the local expertise of UROC (the United Riders of Cumberland) in setting up the courses, and the entire village of Cumberland is rallying together for this event – from sponsorship to contributions from local businesses – in order to make the 2017 Championships the best year yet.”

Grade 9 racers from the Comox Valley owned the podium at last year’s High School Mountain Biking Championships in Coquitlam. This year’s championships are being held in Cumberland May 27.

The 2017 Championship is open to all B.C. high school mountain biking teams. With divisions ranging from Grade 8, Grades 9/10 and Grades 11/12 – with XC and enduro categories offered for each age group – all entrants must be individually registered by their coaches.

“This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors,” says Armstrong. “We have some incredible sponsors this year – The Village of Cumberland, TimberWest, UROC, the Island Cup MTB Race Series, RP Copywriting and Sew What, I Sew. Darkside Chocolates has handcrafted the awards out of their signature Dodge City chocolate, BibilioTaco is catering the coaches’ dinner and Sew What, I Sew has designed some tricked-out hats for the event. Our kids appreciate the support!”

Pre-race registration opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26 at the Riding Fool Hostel on Dunsmuir Avenue, with the first race beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 27. The Championship wraps up with UROC’s famous post-race BBQ, plus the award presentation, at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 27 at Village Park in Cumberland.

Coaches must register each racer individually, and schools will be billed $15 per student registered, which includes entry fee and BBQ lunch. To register, coaches can follow the links on http://bchsmtnbikingchampionships.weebly.com.

$45,000 Grant Awarded to UROC for Trail Signage

UROC has received a Provincial Rural Dividend Grant for $45,000!! This money will be used for trail head and directional signage on the Cumberland trail network.

Better signage was the most often suggested way to improve the trails in the recent trails survey. Trailhead signage will show the trail name as well as difficulty rating and directional signage will point to key network features and junctions. These new signs will augment the existing signage but the old signs won’t be removed.

Invitations to quote for this work will be advertised in the coming months and this project is expected to be completed this summer.

The BC Rural Dividend is providing $25 million a year over four years to assist rural communities with a population of 25,000 or less to reinvigorate and diversify their local economies. It was developed to recognize both the contribution rural communities have made to B.C.’s economy, and the unique challenges they face to diversify beyond natural resources.

The program will contribute to the strength and sustainability of small rural communities, making them more attractive places to live and work. The program is focused on supporting worthy projects that help rural communities navigate changes impacting their economies, such as attracting and retaining youth, using innovation to drive economic growth, and developing new and effective partnerships to support shared prosperity.

The Rural Dividend is administered by the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Cumberland Jump Park & Skate Park to begin this spring.

The Jump Park design-build contract has been awarded to Squamish-based Dream Wizards Events Ltd. Dream Wizards will be responsible for the final in-field design, shaping and grading of four dirt jump trails (beginner through to expert in difficulty rating), a pump track and a run bike trail.

Lead by the renowned BC trail builder Ted Tempany (a.k.a. Big Red Ted), Dream Wizards has been building bike trails, jumps, pump tracks, and slopestyle courses throughout BC, the United States and as far away as New Zealand for over a decade, including for both professional and recreational riders.

The 5200 square foot custom concrete skatepark will have a street section, a bowl and a mini-ramp. Designed with an emphasis on beginner to intermediate features to reflect Cumberland’s growing demographic of young families, advanced features are also built in to challenge more experienced skateboarders. The construction contract has been awarded to the Comox firm Radius Contracting Inc., a company with experience building skateparks throughout BC and the rest of Canada.

Trail Building & Maintenance Workshop

UROC would like to invite you to participate in the upcoming Trail Building & Maintenance Workshop, which will be delivered by Mark Wood (of NSMBA and now Trail Holistics).

This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn some key fundamental techniques and knowledge about modern trail building and maintenance, and will include both in-class and field components. Mark has developed some new material and is excited to share!

The workshop session schedule is as follows:
Saturday April 1: 9-12pm classroom session, 1-4pm critical field session
Sunday April 2: 9-12pm practical field session

This is a great learning opportunity and will only help the riding community to continue improving the already amazing trail network! There is no cost to you for registration in this workshop, but please sign up asap. There are 3 ways to register:

In person at the Cumberland Recreation Centre (2665 Dunsmuir Ave)
Over the phone (250) 336-2331
Online: http://bit.ly/2nfUY2v

Mount Washington Extends Winter Season

COMOX VALLEY March 14, 2017 – Mount Washington Alpine Resort leadership announced they are extending the 2016.17 winter season for one additional weekend. The Resort will close for daily operations on Sunday, April 2nd and will reopen for one additional weekend on Saturday, April 8th and Sunday, April 9th. Favourite seasonal events, The Dummy Downhill and Slush Cup, will take place April 1st and 2nd as planned.

“Throughout March, we have experienced some of the best skiing and riding conditions of the season,” states General Manager, Peter Gibson. “By extending our season, we can deliver an extra weekend of winter to our Season Pass Members and day ticket users – conditions are too outstanding to close just yet!”

The Resort will be operating the Eagle Express and Hawk SixPack with a partial Green Acres opening. Reduced lift ticket prices will be in effect and all 2016.17 Mount Washington Season Passes will be valid during the extended weekend, including the Midweek Pass. 16.17 Midweek Passes will also be valid the weekend of April 1st and 2nd.

The extended weekend offers the perfect excuse for a final ski getaway for locals and destination travellers alike. Book online at www.mountwashington.ca and make the most out of the final weekend of winter!

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 carpet lifts accessing over 1,700 acres and 1,657 vertical feet of alpine terrain. The resort also has 55 kilometres of designated cross-country skiing and 25km of snowshoeing trails along with a dedicated Nordic lodge.

Summer activities at Mount Washington include 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.

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month Hits Mount Washington

COMOX VALLEY – January is the annual Rossignol Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month at Mount Washington. During the whole month, Mount Washington focuses on providing the opportunity for as many people as possible to get out and try winter sports by offering significant discounts on lessons, rentals, and lift tickets and by supporting the effort with extra staffing and programs for beginners. For a special “Learn To” week which is January 9^th to 13^th, the resort provides “Discover Packages” at 50% off for first-time skiers, snowboarders and cross-country skiers.

“Winter is not for hibernation,” laughed Mike Manara, Snow School Director at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is all about getting out and learning a new sport – fresh air and fun! Our certified Snow School instructors and beginner-friendly terrain play a big part in making it easy to learn.’” Manara also noted, “All of our instructors are fully certified with the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance, the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors or Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors. The instruction we offer is of the highest caliber and our aim is to see the student linking turns and having fun after their first lesson.”

With a unique beginner area, Mount Washington boasts five ‘Magic Carpets’ which are widely recognized as the best method for beginners to get up the hill. The ‘Magic Carpets,’ which most closely resemble a moving walkway found in airport concourses, gently whisk beginners up a covered conveyer to the top of the gentle Easy Acres slope. ‘We invested over 3-million dollars into our beginner area in 2012,’ explained Peter Gibson, General Manager. “We graded the slope to a much more beginner-friendly pitch and installed the magic carpets to create a world class beginner area. Since the development of Easy Acres, we have introduced over 20,000 participants to the sports of skiing and snowboarding through our certified Snow School programs.”

January also marks the start of the seasonal Snow School programs. For all ages, these 5 to 10 week programs will provide the foundations for novice and intermediate level skiers and riders to be confident out on the slopes. More advanced participants will have the opportunity to reach the next level in your abilities.

Rossignol Ski and Snowboard Month at Mount Washington includes: 50% off alpine and Nordic Discover Packages during Rossignol “Learn To” week, January 9 – 13; Winterfest which offers 50% off alpine and Nordic day tickets, January 16 – 20; and this year the resort announced the introduction of Never Ever Days to the Resort which is all-inclusive package January 7 and 21 for just $25. Details can be found online at www.mountwashington.ca

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 carpet 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.

Project Perseverance for the Cumberland Community Forest

Project Perseverance is underway! For the next 2 weeks (right up until Saturday October 29th) the Cumberland Forest community is going flat out to meet some ambitious fundraising targets – and every penny is matched by a generous secret agent! There are so many ways to support the incredible effort underway.

1. Buy a Perseverance Raffle ticket – raffle tickets are now on sale! Prizes include 2 flights with WestJet (anywhere they fly), Mount Washington Lift Passes, Tribune Bay Camping, a Cedar Love Seat, BC Ferries Tickets and a Legendary Date Night in Cumberland! Tickets available at the Wandering Moose and Riders Pizza or from a Cumberland Forest volunteer. $10/ticket and every $ raised is matched

2. Bid on the Perseverance Online Auction – the online auction goes live this weekend (October 15th) and there is SO much to buy from generous businesses and professionals who have donated to the cause! Bid up, bid often. Every $ raised will be matched. Check facebook and web Oct 15th for web links to the auction site.

3. Come to the Perseverance Party in the Park! – Join us for a Party in the Park following the Perseverance Trail Run on Sunday October 23rd. Enjoy live music, DJ’s, face painting for kids, scavenger hunt, delicious BBQ, craft beer and a silent auction. 12-4 and ALL WELCOME. Rain or Shine! RSVP HERE

4. Get you ticket to the Perseverance Hallows’ Eve Ball – do NOT miss this spectacular Halloween event on Saturday October 29th. Music, dance performances, aerial acrobatics, inner sanctums, spirits and ales, costume contests and so much more. CLICK HERE TO BUY A TICKET or stop by Riders Pizza. Every $30 ticket purchased is matched by supernatural forces!

5. Donate Cash or Silent Auction Items – there are still lots of ways to contribute to this campaign! You can make a cash donation by cheque (just mention Project Perseverance in the note) and drop off at the Wandering Moose OR visit our special fundraising site HERE and donate to Project Perseverance by Credit Card. Donations for the silent auctions on Oct 23 and Oct 29 are also welcome. Late items for the Online Auction are also welcome as we can add items as we go – message info@cumberlandforest.com to make arrangements.

6. Spread the Word! – Share the web and social media links widely and tell your friends and networks about this incredible project and fundraising potential of Project perseverance. The Cumberland Community Forest Society is a registered charity and tax receipts are issues for all cash donations over $20.

United Riders of Cumberland is hiring!

The United Riders of Cumberland (UROC) is hiring for its first ever paid position. Our organization and its responsibilities have been growing and the demands on the volunteer board are becoming too great to fully capitalize on our opportunities, such as implementing our new Land Access Agreement, trail enhancement projects, signage projects and maintenance of the existing trail network.

Through the continued support of our local businesses, the Village of Cumberland, the CVRD, and our members, we are able to fund a part-time Trail Manager position. The position includes the following:

Contract term: 2 months, with the option to be renewed for a full year.
Time Commitment: Approximately 40hrs per month, or as funding permits
Remuneration: Contractor rate to be determined. Approximately $20-25/hr commensurate with experience.

The goal with this position is to be able to fund a full-time, permanent Trail Manager. Presently, we have this position funded at 40 hours a month average over the course of the 12 month term, some months more than others. It is expected that this contract will be renewed at the end of the term. A complete Job Description is attached.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to: manager@unitedridersofcumberland.com

Application deadline is October 14, 2016.

Questions can also be forwarded to: manager@unitedridersofcumberland.com

We thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only qualified candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Complete job description here.

Cumberland Trails Survey

The Village of Cumberland and the United Riders of Cumberland (UROC) mountain biking association, in cooperation with the Department of Recreation & Tourism at Vancouver Island University, is conducting a survey to describe the characteristics of trails users (both local and tourists) and their opinions on trail management in Cumberland. The results will be used to support the further development and management of the trails network in the Cumberland area. The results will be published in a report for the Cumberland community.

Tell us about your Trails experiences in Cumberland and Enter to WIN a uniquely Cumberland prize package worth over $450!

Find the survey at the link below.

https://cumberlandtrailssurvey.com/

Forbidden Plateau logging starting sooner than expected

UROC has been asked to communicate the following harvesting information from TimberWest. Although this area falls outside of the URoC – TW land use agreement area we will work with TW to minimize impact to trails where operationally possible and remove debris for trail reconstruction.

“We are planning to log the block CW001 near Forbidden Plateau beginning later this week or early next week. Generally some sections of the impacted trails will be cut but they will have to be closed during harvesting operations. The harvesting will be done by a contractor and we will do our best to minimize impacts to the trails.”

Affected trails to include:

Upper Cabin Fever, Cabin Fever, Gecko, Two Sheiks, Screamin Deamon, Iron Horse.

Please follow any signage and please respect the boundaries of the logging activities.