Cycling News from vancouver Island
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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 sessionThis 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:
