Sweet November ride on the Montane Traverse

   

The Montane Traverse Trail – all the way to Harvey Heights – is in amazing shape. Super dry and fast. About a 2 – 3 hour ride, depending on your fitness, rated intermediate to advanced, the trail is a x-country ride. Physically it is demanding, as there is a lot of up, but you are rewarded with some fabulous views of the Rundle Mountain Range.

It was an awesome day out. The sun was shining and the temperature hovered around 4 degrees.  I was surprised how quiet the trail was, but I suspect most people are gearing up for the ski season and have now stored their bikes away. All in all, an amazing ride for this time of year.

Happy Trails!

For more trail information, visit: www.bikepirate.com

Canmore riding conditions, cold and dry

 …yet we’re riding!

The mountain bike trail conditions remain good in the Bow Valley. It’s cold out there and the ground is frozen, but the riding is still pretty sweet. Took another spin around the Orange Loop (Nordic Centre), second time out on it in a week, and had a blast. The conditions were much dryer since my ride on Monday, which made for a really fast and flowy loop. If you’re not afraid of the cold, get out there and ride before the snow comes …which I’m hoping will arrive soon, as we could all use a nice pow day!

Happy Trails!

Lights out on Orange Loop

Darkness comes quick …now that we’re heading into winter. I took a spin on Orange Loop at the Nordic Centre tonight – the lower part entering from Banff Trail. The trail was wet and slick throughout, but still made for a super fun ride. It gets dark quick, so make sure you grab your headlamps, just in case you get stuck out there past dusk.

Overall, the trails around the Bow Valley, specifically in Canmore, continue to be in great shape. I suggest bundling up, grabbing a head lamp and heading out if you love to ride as much as I do. It’s amazing that we’re still riding in November.

Happy Trails!

IMBA comes to Jasper

It’s that time of year again when the days turn cold, short and snowy. Although, looking outside over the last few days, one would wonder if we’re actually in November? It looks more like early fall.

The temperatures soared again this week and made for some great riding, if you were one of the lucky few who could get out during the day for a spin. For those of us working a 9-5pm, it’s definitely getting harder to put in any sort of peddle after work due to the shortage of day light. Therefore, as we wrap up the season, and there becomes less to report on with regards to trail conditions, I’ve decided to provide you with information about trails in general over the course of the winter. I don’t expect to be blogging a whole lot over the cold months, but as I notice articles and/or information about places to ride and trails to see, I’ll post it here for your reading enjoyment.  Here is one for those mountain bikers living in Jasper:

The Fitzhugh – Blazing trails in Jasper
Recreationalists got a lesson in trail building and design when the International Mountain Bike Association’s (IMBA) Canadian Trail Care Crew visited Jasper …more

Happy Trails!

More Yogurt please …Soft Yogurt that is

  

Great day of riding Soft Yogurt. The sun was shining and the temperatures were bearable, so we all decided to head up to the Nordic Centre for a few laps down Soft Yogurt. We had an awesome time on the pump track. The trail is in amazing condition and beautifully worn in after a seeing a season of mountain bike traffic. I’m sure this may be the last weekend on the bike, before it’s time to trade the two wheels for skis and/or a board; so we’re all trying to make the best of it.

Happy Trails!

Mystery builders add new stunt to Mosquito Bite

   

Took a spin down Mosquito Bite tonight – it was cold out, but okay once I bundled up – and to my surprise found another well built stunt added to the trail. This one is a double suspended bridge and it’s super fun to ride; a nice little feature that adds to the trail and ties it together real nice. Great work mystery builders, keep it up!

Current trail conditions: Super hard packed and dry. The winter is quickly approaching so get out while you still can. The trails in and around the Bow Valley won’t be rideable for much longer.

Happy Trails!

Reclaimer trail condition update

  

I had a great spin down Reclaimer; taking advantage of the good weather before the forecasted nasty weather moves in.The trail is in great shape after receiving a bit of rain last night, which made it super tacky. The bermed corners are super smooth and fast.

Trailhead and Maps: Click here

Happy Trails!

mmm …Soft Yogurt

   

Fall is definitely upon us in the Bow Valley and the snow is on its way. Meanwhile all the hard core mountain bike enthusiasts are getting out there, trying to get that last sweet bit of singletrack ride in before it’s time to hang up the bikes for the season.

We got out tonight to do a few laps on a fun pump truck built down the front side of the Nordic Centre; Soft Yogurt. The track is in great shape, rated a blue run, and super fun to ride when looking to improve your flow. On our way home we hit up my favourite trail in the Bow Valley, Mosquito Bite – okay, it’s a tie  between Star Wars. The trail was also in great shape while all the stunts remain intact and in super condition.

The following flick is of a stunt dubbed West Nile on Mosquito Bite (meant for expert riders, so ride at your own risk please):

Happy Trails!

Reclaimer; enough said

The amazing fall weather we’ve been having is sticking around and I know by the sheer number of hikers, runners and bikers getting out in the Bow Valley that everyone is trying to take advantage of what is proving to be one of the best fall seasons we’ve had in a number of years. I took advantage of the warm temperatures myself by doing a lap down Reclaimer.

Reclaimer is a super popular shuttle trail, only one of two here in Canmore, that is always a good time. The trail crew continues their work on rerouting two sections of the trail, in an effort to add a few airs. I must say, that currently, I’m not a fan of what is being done. The flow on this new section is gone, replaced with a whole lot of loose rock. I understand that it’s a start and hopefully conditions will improve on this new section, but for now it really slows you down for no good reason. The rest of Reclaimer is as flowy as I remember and continues to be a great ride. The trail is only a short five to ten minute descent, but can be shuttled numerous times if you’re not satisfied after one run. I know I never am, but having peddled up today, one run is all I was doing.

Trailhead: Drive up the Spray Lake Road (742) to the pull off spot just past the avalanche sign on your right hand side. The trail is directly across the road and marked by a trail map marker.

Trailhead GPS: N51.07816; W115.40886

Happy Trails!

Turkey, friends and mountain biking Lake Minnewanka, Banff

   

  

It was an awesome blue bird day in the Bow Valley; cool, but sunny, making for a great riding day. We headed out to Lake Minnewanka to ride the scenic singletrack trail which takes you along the Lake out towards the warden patrol cabin (32km return ride); just past Aylmer Pass (16km return ride). The trail is in great shape and the scenery is just stunning. One of my favourite rides to do in the fall; it’s quiet, tranquil and tourist free this time of year.

Trailhead: Lake Minnewanka Picnic Area (far end)

Trail Map: Click here

Parks Canada Trail Description: This rough, and somewhat exposed sidehill singletrack, leads east to the park boundary at Devil’s Gap. Popular day trip destinations include the Aylmer Pass hiking trail junction (16 km return) and the warden patrol cabin (32 km return). This trail is popular with hikers and can be quite congested for the first four km.

Happy Thanksgiving!