BC Bike Race
Archived newsletters
Unsubscribe here
Race Info
Picture this... one epic journey... two mountain bike tires spinning toward a common goal... three podium spots awaiting at the end of each stage... four scenic ferry sailings... five mental breakdowns on your quest to the finish... six nights to meet new friends from across the globe... seven days of spectacular west coast mountain biking... and countless incredible tales of your legendary adventure that will keep you pumped for weeks to come!
With an epic route designed and endorsed by super endurance mountain bike racer, Andreas Hestler, BC Bike Race is in a class of its own. The lure of riding the best of BC's world-class mountain bike trails has already attracted a broad range of BC Bike Race competitors, from hardcore weekend warriors to some of the world's finest mountain bike stage racers.
So join us...with the best singletrack in the world, and 96%+ racer completion rate, this is an experience you won't want to miss! It is the ultimate singletrack experience!
Before you check out the route and get pumped about this fantastic course why not whet your appetite with some tasty selections from our Singletrack Menu below!!
Daily Singletrack Menu
Day 1: Vancouver to North Vancouver
Chef's Selections
Bridle Path - Rating: Blue Square Plus Length: Approx 2km
This is the standard North Shore XC connector that is a super highway of fun and flow that connects the east and west bases of Mt. Seymour. A rolling affair with some short steep pitches, plenty of rocks and roots, a real classic North Shore flavour - all a great warm up to an amazing week. You will have the opportunity to sample the trail in a couple of areas and see some incredible trail work by the NSMBA. This is one of the most popular trails on the North Shore.
Severed - Rating: Black Diamond Length: 1km
One of the true legends of the North Shore, Severed begins off of the Baden Powell climb. It eases into a flat top section with plenty of roots and old classic north shore swamp crossings via logs and rideable rocks, as it descends it reaches a washed out pitch, a tougher steep section, whether to run or ride will be your choice depending on how you feel, just remember there is a week of riding ahead. The trail is a real blast from the past as riders used to descend on rigid bikes with cantilever brakes. This almost forgotten classic remains tight and twisty with lots of dirt to keep the smiles wide. Enjoy!
Fisherman's - Rating: Green, Blue Square Length: 2-3km
Enjoy a mental break from the technical North Shore trails as riders have the opportunity to carry some flow out of the Bridle Path and descend a fast and flowing trail down to the Fisherman's Trail and along Seymour River for several km. Riders will have the opportunity to ride the Fisherman's trail along River, enjoying breathtaking scenery and scents as riders allow their legs to recover for their only aid station and climb up from the River through the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (Demo Forest) and over to Mt. Fromme for some more clasic North Shore trails.
Griffen, King of the Shore, Roadside Attraction - Rating: Blue Square Length: 2 km
The lost art of uphill technical, this is an easy reminder that we never do enough of. This is a super fun trail with a few power moves on the way up to Fromme Mountain. It serves as alternative to riding up the gravel road (boring!) and will feature some classic optional North Shore stunts that are quite enjoyable and challenging in either direction. No sky bridges here, just some good classic North Shore trails that provide the best singletrack experience. Isn't that what the BCBR is all about?!
Pipeline - Rating: Black Diamond Length: 1km
Pipeline is another North Shore classic with a whole new flavour. The trail has seen extensive work by the NSMBA and is highlighted by some breathtaking rock work, almost cobble-stone in some sections. The trail features rock roller coasters, short rock faces, some very flowy dirt sections and some North Shore stunts along the way. Most of the stunts are optional and will be closed for race, however, some are mandatory and very user friendly. Pipeline is one the most popular trails on Mt. Fromme.
Princess Park - Rating: Blue Square Length: 1km
A real treat from the locals in North Vancouver. Braemar and Princess Park provide the locals with some fantastic exits from the trails of Mt. Fromme to return to their homes throughout Lynn Valley. Riders of the BCBR will have the opportunity to ride some of these local stashes that are preserved for 'locals only'. This fun connection is a bit of history tour as well, as these trail are home to some of the North Shore's first XC races. Don't let the park nature fool you, you are still riding the North Shore and the technical riding is not done yet! Riders will enjoy this treat of a connection but stay focused. you're still on the North Shore!
More Daily Specials
- Blair Range Trails
- Northlands Golf Course Trails
- Old Buck
- Baden Powell
- Cardiac Bypass
- Hyannis Connector
- Homestead Trail
- LSCR Connector
- DB Connector
Day 2: Nanaimo to Parksville *Updated June 11th*
Chef's Selections
Humility/The Abyss - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 14km
This is the legendary Nanaimo loop. This loop features many different types of riding all on one trail. The Abyss is known for its rock formations which feature short but steep ups and downs all on rock. You also get a chance to ride classic west coast singletrack through the Arbutus trees featuring tight twists and turns.
Mt Benson - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 8km
Transition across Mt Benson on twisty, uphill singletrack trail. Look forward to the new trail that is being built especially for the race! You can bet there will be some surprises thrown in.
Doumont - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 8km
A mix of super tight sections with lots of twists and turns and knuckle hitting tress, followed by quick descents.
More Daily Specials
- Trans Canada Trail
- Cabin Connector
- New Trail
- Keith's Trail
- G-String
- Hydro
- Upper PL
- Binx
- Kilpatrick
- The Outer Bypass
- NaD
- Jamison 1
- Jamison 2
- Phil's Bridge
- Bad 2 the Bone
- I.N.C.
- B-Line
- Styx
- Hades
- Penny Lane
- Lower Armageddon
- Sisters and Mothers
- Lee's Way
- Rock Garden
- Upper Reefer Ridge
- Highway to Hell
- Lower Reefer Ridge
- Dual Slalom
- Top Bridge
- Martindale Trail
Day 3: Cumberland *Updated June 10th*
Chef's Selections
Fan House, Cherry Picker, Sub Human, Stinky Pigeon, Litter Lane - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 5km
Fantastic fun and fast double track giving way to singletrack with bits of gravel road for passing. A great way to start the day and spread out the pack.
Bevan - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 5km
Super fast, mature trail system that will let you reach the speeds you want to. The trail follows the Puntledge river.
Bear's Bait - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 5km
More super fast and fun mature trails that follow the Puntledge river.
Screamin Demon, River Rats, Two Pond Pass, Sapporo Steeps, Puntledge Plunge, KMA, Transmission - Rating: Blue Square with sections of Black Diamond Length: Approx 8km
Hold on to your handlebars, take in the view and test your limits as you descend down Forbidden Plateau to the Valley below. This trail network is characterized by high speed descending and rocky outcrops giving great views of the Comox Glacier, Comox Lake, The Gulf Islands and the Coastal Range across Johnston Strait.
Two and a Juice, Buggered Pig, Tea Pot, Short and Curly, Soggy Biscuit, Black Hole, Space Nugget - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 10km
Make sure you save some energy for this string of trails! A brief technical climb gives way to a matching descent all the way to the finish line!
Summary
This is truly a rider’s course. The singletrack is diverse ranging from high speed, compact, mature trails to higher elevation rocky outcrops, dark and lush Valley bottom trails and well refined technical singletrack!- Scary Hill Bypass
- Cougar
- Dry Feet
- Squeezer
- Ripped Nipple
- Trail Fest
- Crumpet Woods
- Rock 'n' Roll
- The Far Side
- Rob's Corners
- Cliff's Corners
- See Colours and Puke
- Riverside Ridge Trail
- High Line Trail
Day 4 and 5 The Sunshine Coast, from Earls Cove to Langdale
Chef's Selections
Over-easy - Rating: Blue Square Length: 1km
This Sunshine Coast singletrack trail is in the middle of a new network that’s just been finished. It travels through some new and old stands of trees and a couple of year old clearcuts but the view is stunning as it overlooks far-off mountains and forests below. Features: Top – rolls along 100 year old logging road. Middle – rolls through the forest and new singletrack. Bottom – comes out onto a section worth stopping to catch your breath and admire the view.
Rock’a’Billy - Rating: Black Diamond Length: 1.5km
This long-standing west Sechelt trail is one of the harder ones in the area. It begins by gaining a lot of ground in a short time, flattens out near the top and progresses to short technical rocky climbs where your balance is needed to keep traction and forward momentum. As the trail crests the hill you descend into tight singletrack...watch your bars on the trees! Features: Start – steep uphill but very ridable. Middle – some steep up and down sections over rocky outcroppings. End - flows down the other side of the ridge.
ParBac - Rating: Blue Square Plus Length: 1.5km
This Sunshine coast favourite has also been here for a while and time has made slight changes, though in a good way. This flowy trail keeps you moving with its elevation changes and rooty sections. The bridges that demand your focus and some areas require perfect balance to navigate the rocks and trees. Features: Start to end - flowy and tight with some bridges, but all is ridable.
HWY 102 - Rating: Blue Square Plus Length: 7km
The fastest and smoothest of the Sunshine Coast Trails, this trail is guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Hwy 102 connects two major areas--Roberts Creek and Gibsons-- and has become one of the most fun descents with over 1500ft over the last 10km at the end of day 5! As it flows down the mountainside this trail crosses many bridges and is rich with history. Features: Top - flowy and fast with wide and ridable bridges at all creek crossings. Middle – one spot where you will carry your bike down some stairs. Bottom – down into Sprockids park (the birthplace of the now world-wide school kids riding program).
More Daily Specials
Day 6: Squamish
Chef's Selections
The Powerhouse Plunge - Rating: Challenging Black Diamond Length: 35-45 minutes of pure West Coast singletrack.
Downhill singletrack plummeting through old-growth forests, challenging switchbacks, wooden log rides, tasty built up planked balance testers. Rated as one of the top trails in the world and a ride everyone should experience before they die!! This classic demands your full focus and a complete set of technical skills.
Pseudo Tsuga 1, 2, 3, 4 - Rating: Blue Square to Black Diamond (small bits) Length: 4-5km
Its pure flowy fun on this mid-ring downhill singletrack. It will make you feel like a rockstar. But watch out for the sting in the tail, as the last 100 meters of section 4 downhill is super challenging - get your weight back and hold on tight.
The Track from Heck - Rating: Blue Square Length: 1km
A narrow-gauge railway bed right at the beginning of our course. In wet conditions this section has to be very skillfully negotiated. To make this section even cooler, our local trail building Gods put in a long two foot wide plank section over a swamp complete with skunk cabbage. Dabbing is not recommended at any time of the year.
More Daily Specials
Day 7: Whistler
Chef's Selections
Tunnel Vision - Rating: Black Diamond Length: 5km
This beast features steep rock faces and some sweet switchbacks that drop down 1000 vertical feet to the bottom of the paved 2.4km climb up Kadenwood Road.
Big Timber - Rating: Blue Square Length: Approx 2km+
A short steep downhill that offfers incredible views of the Tantalus Range and Tricouni Peak.
Piece of Cake
A stunning climb that switchbacks up to Lower Sproatt which was constructed last year through the efforts of WORCA and close to $15,000.00 from our membership.
Lower Sproatt & Lower Danimal - Rating: Blue Square to Black Diamond Length: Approx 5km+
Lower Sproatt is a flowy and technical descent that has great ramps, bridging and rock drops that will keep your attention and make you smile big time. Lower Danimal - the highlight of today's course - is another section of trail that saw major improvements and features some of the most enjoyable and flowing ramps in the Valley. Keep your hats on as you swoop and roll through this Jewel of the Valley.
Power On
This trail has some short bursty climbs before hitting the Valley Trail along Alta Lake toward your long awaited finish at Creekside.
