What better place to mountain bike, than on a mountain.
The wheels continue to turn as Bear Mountain’s biking amenities continue to grow with a new track opening, and duo events coming to the popular resort and golf destination that may one day be known as much for their cycling as they are their golfing.
“The cool thing ... is there is two events happening and happening on different spectrum of the cycling world,” Bear Mountain cycling manager Rob Fawcett said.
“If you have any interest in cycling it is a neat way to see diverse use of the bikes and these two sub cultures sharing their passion for cycling.”
The two events start with the second annual Bear Crossing, which returns to the resort as a fixture on Vancouver Island’s Cross on the Rock cyclocross series after drawing approximately 350 participants in 2014 and with more than 400 expected this year.
On top of the growing cyclocross competition, this years event will see the addition of the first annual amJAM, a judged amateur dirt jumping event developed by bike park designer Jordie Lunn.
“I think the key is our trails are going to be unique, especially for Southern Vancouver Island, we have the only machine built flow trails,” Fawcett continued. “This is the only area where you are going to have a family-friendly flow trail give someone getting into mountain biking a sense to get a sense of ‘flow.’”
On top of the two competitions, Fawcett said they are officially debuting Bike Park Avenue, a route from the Westin down to the bike park, a portion of the Family Flow Trail, which runs parallel to the current, multi-use Highlands trail running through the valley golf course.
This section of the bike park will eventually be part of a 5 km route upon full build out.
“I think it is a great opportunity to come up to Bear Mountain and check out what we have to offer,” Fawcett said.
“With runners, they get that runners high, with mountain biking it is almost a sense of flying, you don’t leave the ground but you get the feeling of flow.”
In addition to the two events and the Family Flow Trail, a 10 km Canada Cup Trail is expected to be ready for the for the first race of the Canada Cup Season on March 5, 2016.
The Union of Cycling International sanctioned race is an Olympic-style six-lap course that will give points towards the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil and draw the national team for a two-week training camp.
Registration for Bear Crossing starts 10 a.m. alongside a beginner clinic, with races starting at 11 a.m. and amJAM runs noon to 6 p.m. with a professional dirt jump demonstration at 5 p.m.
For more information on amJAM, visit bearmountain.ca and for more information on Bear Crossing visit crossontherock.com.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com