1. MCBIKE SHOP ONE
Call for the schedule. Rides can be in the local, very mountainous terrain or carpool to one of the other three McBike locations. These are mostly freerides, but hardcore XC rides are available. Town: Terrace. Contact: (250) 635-5225; www.mcbike.bc.ca.
2. MCBIKE SHOP TWO
Call, because a ride can be on any day of the week. The shop literally has a ski slope in their backyard, with DH and DS runs available. Shuttles too. Cross country rides also scheduled. Town: Smithers. Contact: (250) 847-5009; www.mcbike.bc.ca.
3. MCBIKE SHOP THREE
At up to 100 riders, McBike has the biggest ride in BC. The terrain is moderately extreme. A Santa Cruz Bullet with a Super T or a Boxer and 2.35"-plus tires is the hot freeride setup. Town: Prince George. Contact: (250) 563-2453; www.mcbike.bc.ca.
4. MCBIKE SHOP FOUR
Downhill, XC and freeride sessions available. Up to three weekday evening and weekend rides every seven days. The local terrain is not as mountainous as the terrain near the other three McBike's. Town: Quesnel. Contact: (250) 991-0521; www.mcbike.bc.ca.
5. KEEN'S SPORTS
Call to confirm the twice a month, mostly Sunday morning rides. Intermediate rides on varied, rolling singletrack with moderate-length climbs at Weldwood or Pinnacle. Obstacles and DH riding at Dragon Mtn. Town: Quesnel. Contact: (250) 992-2724.
6. RED SHREDS BIKE & BOARD SHOP
This shop tells us that a full calendar of rides, trail information and contacts can be found by logging on to www.puddlebike.com. Rides at the best locations in and around the immediate area. Town: Williams Lake. Contact: (250) 398-7873.
7. PEDAL YOUR WORLD
If you're into off-road triathlons, this the place to find training partners. During the summer there can be an MTN ride any day and at any time. The bulk of the riding is at Snowden. Town: Campbell River. (250) 287-2453.
8. MIKE'S BIKES & BOARDS
Five-hour plus Sunday sessions that meet noon at the shop or earlier for a pre-ride breakfast. Also Tuesday and Thursday 6 p.m. rides. Come out and see if you can keep up with Kiara Bisaro. Town: Courtenay. Contact: (250) 334-2456.
9. MOUNTAIN CITY CYCLE
Interested in mostly singletrack terrain, up to 2500 feet of climbing and great descents? Meet at the shop 6 p.m. Wednesday. Ride Comox Lake or Cumberland. Intermediate and advanced groups. Town: Courtenay. Contact: (250) 334-0084.
10. BLACK CYCLES
Call for the start time of the Sunday ride at Comox Lake or Cumberland. The riding is described as "endless". To get to anything with a significant downhill will take at least a 45 minute ascent. Town: Comox. Contact: (250) 339-7011.
11. KID'S SKILL CAMP
Simon Cycles sponsors these maintenance and skill riding camps run out of the rec center. Up to six camps a year with former national team rider Kris Oetter. Camp is held at Comox Valley or Campbell. Town: Comox. Contact: (250) 339-6683; www.simoncycle.com.
12. DODGE CITY CYCLE
Tuesday 5 p.m. girl's ride and Thursday, 6:30 and Sunday noon freerides. "You can coast from the shop to the trail head," they say. Shuttle to Forbidden Plateau or lift access at Mt. Washington. Town: Cumberland.
13. RACE TRAINING
Call for info on the weekly rides at a "keep up 'till you get dropped" pace. There's 40 miles of singletrack and 5000-plus foot climbs. See if you can hang with Dan Espeseth and Matt Powsey. Town: Cumberland. Contact: (250) 336-2200.
14. HORNBY ISLAND BIKE SHOP
Rides can happen any time so call or just show up. A 12-square mile island with lots of potential: 50 miles of trails. 45 minute climbs. Steep pitches. Fast and technical riding. Amazing scenery. Town: Hornby Island. Contact: (250) 335-0444.
15. OZZIE'S SPORT 'N' CYCLE
Sunday, 10 a.m. at the shop rides that head to the Beaufort Mountains and other local areas. Beaufort's singletrack and logging roads include hard climbing and extreme downhill. Ride size is 15 plus. Town: Port Alberni. Contact: (250) 724-6556.
16. ARROWSMITH MOUNTAIN CYCLE
Friday at the shop, 5:30 p.m. rides. A casual, recreational ride at Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park. Or tempo up the 1000 foot climbs at Hammerfest. The kids, eight- to 12-year old ride is 1:00 p.m. Saturday. Town: Parksville. Contact: (250) 248-5575; www.arrowsmithbike.com.
17. PACIFIC RIM BICYCLE
Thirty to 50 riders. Cross country rides with stunt options and 1200 feet of climbing. Monday is a more casual ride and Wednesday is the intense session. Both meet 6:30 p.m. at the trailhead. Town: Nanaimo. Contact: (250) 390-2077; www.pacificrimbicycle.com.
18. BASTION CYCLE
"The town is just crawling with trails," says Bastion. At least one weekday ride scheduled per week. Meet at the shop. The group of up to 20 heads to Doumont Road for stunts and to The Abyss for XC riding. Town: Nanaimo. Contact (250) 758-2453; www.bastioncycleandski.com.
19. EXPERIENCE CYCLING
Meet at Coffee on the Moon for the Tuesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. and Sunday a.m. rides. See if you can match Roland Green's 30 minute time up 1000 foot Mt. Tzouhalem. Also Mt. Prevost rides. Town: Duncan. Contact (250) 746-4041; www.experiencecycling.ca.
20. SOOKE CYCLE AND SURF
This is more of a recreational ride on the trails and log bridges in the nearby hills. Leave from the shop 6 p.m. Wednesday. Group size is ten. "If you want to push the pace, that's okay with us," they say. Town: Sooke. Contact: (250) 642-3123.
21. RIDER'S CYCLE
Meet at Hartland 6 p.m. Wednesday. The extensive trail network offers everything you need for XC, freeride and DH. Ride size is up to 25 people. The trails are rated and marked for difficulty. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 381-1125; www.riders.bc.ca.
22. RUSS HAY'S BICYCLE SHOP
The start time and meeting location for Sunday is arranged the day prior. The prime locations are off the island and at Mt. Tzouhalem or Prevost. Other spots like Burnt Bridge or Shawigan Lake also available. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 384-4722; www.russhaysbikes.com.
23. MAX CYCLE
The Sunday rides meet mid-morning at the Starbucks in front of the shop. The riders split up into two, ten rider freeride and XC packs. Hartland Park has lots of rock drops, rock faces and natural log rides. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 477-7612.
24. GOLDSTREAM CYCLE
Twenty-plus riders meet 6 p.m. at the Mocha House on Goldstream Ave. Ride The Dump, Millstream, Sooke or head up island to Duncan. These are technical XC rides with challenging descents. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 474-1948
25. FAIRFIELD BICYCLE SHOP
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. rides at the 220 acre Hartland Park. This is an extreme ride with up to six others. The shop adds that "The terrain is real ridgey with nice, intense steep in both directions." Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 381-2453; www.fairfieldbicycles.com; www.simbs.com.
26. NEVERLAND CYCLE AND GEAR
Located just around the corner from Hartland Mountain Bike Park, this shop holds an 8:30 a.m. Sunday and 5 p.m. Thursday ride schedule. Hartland is run by the South Island Mountain Bike Society. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 744-3825; www.neverlandbikes.com.
27. MARTYS MOUNTAIN CYCLE
This official big hit shop holds a Thursday trail and announced Sunday afternoon freerides. Meet at the shop. Freeride and shuttle drop at Hartland, Millstream and The Zoo. Or do the 25-foot gaps at Neiled road. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 383-3337; www.martysmountaincycle.com.
28. MARTYS URBAN ASSAULT
Shop meets 6 p.m. Tuesday. "Gaps are the big thing right now," says the group. "We head downtown and to the waterfront for the best drops, chutes, gaps and staircases. Dirt jumps are across the bridge." Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 383-3337.
29. WEST SHORE BIKE SHOP
"We're into big hit, big layout riding," claims West Shore. The shop ride is usually the second Sunday morning of the month. Shuttles up Metchosin or rides at Thetis Lake, Hartland or over to the mainland. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 391-1980; www.westshorebikeshop.com.
30. CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN
Call for the meeting location of the 9 a.m. Sunday freeride. Urban skill rides leave at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. On Saturday take to the road for a hard paced, 30 mile fitness ride. Up to 15 riders. Town: Victoria. Contact: (250) 385-1739; www.chainchainchain.net.
31. SUN COAST CYCLE
These extreme freerides meet at the shop 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Truck runs up Granite Lake or to West Lake. The terrain is very mountainous with a fair number of stunts engineered into the trails. Town: Powell River. Contact: (604) 487-1111; www.suncoastcycles.com.
32. T.C. RIDERS
Meet at the RCMP headquarters parking lot 6 p.m. Tuesday. From the parking lot it's a 1.5 miles ride to the singletrack at Duck Lake and vicinity. Meet at the Town Center Pub after the ride. Town: Powell River. Contact: (604) 487-1111; www.suncoastcycles.com.
33. TAW'S CYCLE AND SPORTS
A Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. meet with five to ten others. Cycle from the shop to the singletrack, downhills and new north shore trails. Ladders, log rides, huge drops, waterfalls and bluff riding all available. Town: Powell River. Contact: (604) 485-2555; www.tawsonline.com.
34. CORSA CYCLES
Call for the current weekday and weekend evening schedule. Freeride and XC rides on the singletrack around town. There are mild to extreme, 1000 foot climbs. Shuttles available for riders with big duallies. Town: Squamish. Contact: (604) 892-3331; www.corsacycles.com.
35. TNT
The Tours and Technical rides start in spring. Seven- to 12-year olds meet twice a week and ride Alice Lake. Teaches technical and maintenance advice as well as forest etiquette. Camps available. Town: Squamish. Contact: (604) 898-2588; (604) 892-0184; www.tantalusbikeshop.com.
36. TANTALUS BIKE SHOP
The informal ride schedule revolves around the TNT and SORCA club rides. Leave from the shop and onto the varied trail options. Either a freeride or an XC trip with four to ten riders. Town: Squamish. Contact: (604) 898-2588; (604) 892-0184; www.tantalusbikeshop.com.
37. TRAILBAY SPORTS
Every day after work during the summer there is a 6 p.m. ride. Shuttle or XC rides at Roberts Creek, Sprockids Park or B&K Logging Road. Everything from mild XC, 25 foot drops to DH and DS courses. Town: Sechelt. Contact: (604) 885-2512.
38. ON THE EDGE BIKE SHOP
Call to confirm the Wednesday evening and Sunday ride schedule. Sunshine Coast rides like Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek and Sprockids park. Guided tours also available with a minimum of four people. Town: Sechelt. Contact: (604) 885-4888; www.ontheedgebiking.com.
39. SPIN CYCLE
"The best XC from one end of the coast to the other," they say. Sunday, 10 a.m. rides meet at the shop. "We have freeride, DH and jumps five minutes from the shop. We'll set you up for a ride anytime." Town: Gibsons. Contact: (604) 886-4642.
40. AMBLESIDE CYCLE
A relaxed Sunday morning ride at Cypress mountain. The mostly singletrack terrain offers stunts, drops and up to 1000 foot climbs. This shop has just relocated and this is a new ride to area. Town: West Vancouver. Contact: (604) 926-6242.
41. JOHN HENRY THE BICYCLE MAN
The Tuesday lady's ride meets at 5:30 p.m. Ride Cypress, Grouse or Seymore. Obstacles are available on all rides, as well as 1500 feet of vertical. Shuttle available. Everyone is welcome! Town: North Vancouver. Contact: (604) 986-5534; www.johnhenrybikes.com.
42. PEDAL 'N PINTS
A 5:30 meet on Tuesday and Thursday. After hammering the trails for a couple of hours everyone regroups at the Maplewood Pub for 25 cent wings and $9 liters of John Henry Ale. Town: North Vancouver. Contact: (604) 986-5534; www.johnhenrybikes.com.
43. SHUTTLE RIDE
This is an aggressive ride for those with the big duallies. The group will take a shuttle up Seymore or Cypress. Meet 5:30 p.m. at the shop. A Norco VPS with 2.5" tires is the setup to have. Town: North Vancouver. Contact: (604) 986-5534; www.johnhenrybikes.com.
44. DEEP COVE BIKE SHOP
The home of World Freeride Champion Wade Simmons does their shop ride 7 p.m. Wednesday. Shuttle up Mt. Seymour and ride 'till dark. Meet afterwards at the Raven Pub for pizza, beer and darts. Town: North Vancouver. Contact: (604) 929-1918; www.covebike.com.
45. ON TOP BIKE SHOP
Sunday, 10 a.m. freeride and Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. women's ride. Watch on the website for updates on the other weekday and weekend rides. Grouse Mountain has the best stunts and drops. Town: North Vancouver. Contact: (604) 990-9550; www.ontopbikeshop.com.
46. STEED CYCLES
Start 7 p.m. Thursday from the yellow gate at the top of Mountain Hgwy. A 45 minute, gravel road climb to the numerous singletrack trails down Grouse Mt. See if you can match Kim Steed's pace. Town: North Vancouver. Contact: (604) 987-2168; www.steedcycles.com.
47. DIZZY CYCLES
Rides at Grouse, Seymour or Cypress. Winter rides meet 6 p.m. Thursday. At daylight savings the rides switch to a 6 p.m. Thursday and 5 p.m. Sunday. Thursday is the women's ride. Town: North Vancouver. Contact: (604) 985-2213; www.dizzycycles.com.
48. SIMON'S BIKE SHOP
A 10 a.m. Sunday meet at the Starbucks in Lynn Valley. Experience the best trails and stunts the north shore has to offer. Also available for $29 is a 312-page book on the best mountain biking in BC. Town: Vancouver. Contact: (604) 602-1181; www.simonsbikeshop.com.
49. SIMON'S SENIORS
This "elderly" group meets 10 a.m. Sunday at Edgemont Village. Says the shop, "It's a freeride and XC mix that is an adventure every time you go." Ride the best spots at Seymore, Squamish or Whistler. Town: Vancouver. Contact: (604) 602-1181; www.simonsbikeshop.com.
50. WEST POINT CYCLES
Informal, weekend mornings or late afternoon weekday shuttles up Mt. Seymore or Mt. Fromme. The weekend rides turn into all day epics. This is mostly an intermediate to advanced, DH ride with obstacles. Town: Vancouver. Contact: (604) 224-3536; www.westpointcycles.com.51. STEVESTON BICYCLE
At least once a month this shop plans a full day ride at Squamish, Whistler or cycles from the shop to a nearby North Shore location. Call for the weekend or weekday morning meet. Town: Richmond. Contact: (604) 271-5544.
52. THE SHED BIKE AND BOARDS
Meet 7 p.m. Wednesday at Pine Wood Elementary. The up to 40 riders will split into hard and casual groups. The Delta Water Shed Park has rolling, mostly singletrack terrain. Town: North Delta. Contact: (604) 594-8000.
53. NEWTON ROCKY CYCLE
A 7 p.m. Wednesday meet at the Delta Water Shed. With 25 riders there's always someone to match your riding ability. Wide open horse trails, gravel roads and tight ladders on rolling terrain. Town: Surrey. Contact: (604) 591-5333.
54. BIKE ZONE
At the shop, 9 a.m. rides up to six days a week. Tuesday is a relaxed XC ride at White Rock Bike Park. The other rides are at the Delta Water Shed, Stokes Pit, Eagle Ridge or Whistler. Town: Surrey. Contact: (604) 583-0969.
55. WHITE ROCK CYCLE
Sunday, 9 a.m. rides at Delta Water Shed or Stokes pit. The 7 p.m. Wednesday ride is either at Delta or a White Rock urban and trail combo. "This is more or less a friendly ride," says the shop. Town: White Rock. Contact: (604) 531-8111; www.whiterockcycle.com.
56. CYCLES UNLIMITED
Rides at Delta Water Shed, Stokes Pit, Seymore, Grouse or Whistler. Meet five to 15 other riders at the shop 6 a.m Sunday and weekday evenings. An aggressive freeride with a bunch of guys on duallies. Town: White Rock. Contact: (604) 538-5585.
57. BROOKSWOOD CYCLES
These from the shop rides are run 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. It's an XC ride on the local, rolling singletrack. Every fourth meet is a freeride at Grouse, Seymore or Mt. Fromme. Mostly a relaxed ride with 5 to 12 people. Town: Langly. Contact: (604) 532-1170; www.brookwoodcycles.com.
58. LIFE CYCLES BIKE SHOP
Show 9 a.m. Saturday at the Batt Road gate at the bottom of Big Sumas Mt. It's a one hour, moderate climb up a forest road and on to the numerous singletracks. Truck runs available. Town: Abbotsford. Contact: (604) 859-2453; www.lifecyclesbikes.com.
59. JACK'S CYCLE
Phone to find out whether the 6:30 p.m. Wednesday rides meet at the shop or the trailhead. Twenty to 30 riders hit the trails and obstacles at Veddar Mountain. Ride or take a truck up. Town: Chilliwack. Contact: (604) 858-3011.
60. JACK'S ON ONE WHEEL
The first Wednesday of each month is reserved for a unicycling. Meet 6:30 p.m. at the shop. Uni on the street and over to the local skate park. A $225 Norco Trials is the wheel to have. Town: Chilliwack. Contact: (604) 858-3011.
61. PEDAL SPORT
Up to 15 riders meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. Saturday at the Dairy Queen in Vedder Crossing. Vedder Mt. and Liumchen Creek have a mild to challenging mix of singletrack and dirt roads. Town: Chilliwack. Contact: (604) 795-2453; www.pedalsport.com.
62. SPOKE 'N' MOTION
Leave the shop 6 p.m. Wednesday. There's endless riding just out the door. Up to 2700 foot climbs, stunts, drops and shuttles are all nearby. Huge DH bikes rule this area. Town: Kamloops. Contact: (888) 372-2044; (250) 372-3001; www.spokenmotion.ca.
63. FULL BORE BIKE STORE
"These are high end, hard paced sessions on the gnarl," says this freeride shop. The group of six gets shuttled to the top of the runs. The terrain is semi-desert below and wooded at elevation. Town: Kamloops. Contact: (250) 314-1888; www.fullborebikes.com.
64. JAVA CYCLE
Call for a meeting location of the weekday Rose Hill and weekend, Sun Peaks rides. A shuttle is provided. The Thursday night women's meet is mostly an XC ride. Sun Peaks has 2000 feet of vertical. Town: Kamloops. Contact: (250) 314-5282; www.javacycle.com.
65. SKOOKUM CYCLE & SKI
Wednesday, 8 p.m. rides plus Tuesday junior and Thursday women night rides. Ride from the shop or carpool to the trailhead. These are typically XC rides with up to 30 others on mountainous terrain. Town: Salmon Arm. Contact: (250) 832-7368; www.skookumcycle.bcca.
66. SUMMIT CYCLES
Just show at the shop and a XC or freeride session can happen any time. Mt. Seven has the best stunts and Moonracker has great, rolling singletrack. An intermediate ride with six to eight people. Town: Golden. Contact: (250) 344-6600.67. SUN COUNTRY CYCLE
Sunday morning and weekday evening rides meet at the shop. Shuttle up to numerous, three to four hour descents. The group of ten rides mostly big duallies, but guys on XC rides are totally welcome. Town: Vernon. Contact: (250) 545-8775.
68. OLYMPIA CYCLE & SKI
Monday kid's, Tuesday lady's and Wednesday social rides. Meet 5:30 p.m. at the shop. Can ride from the shop or carpool. Spanky's at Silver Star Ski Resort back down to town is the epic trail. Town: Vernon. Contact: (250) 542-9684; www.olympiacycle&ski.com.
69. FRESH AIR EXPERIENCE
Ride starts from the shop, 6:30 p.m. Monday. All skill levels are welcome for this casual session. Crawford Estates is a designated mountain bike park with 45 minute climbs and stunt-filled downhills. Town: Kelowna. Contact: (250) 763-9544; www.freshair.bc.ca.
70. CYCLEPATH
The standard and lady's rides are 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Group size is up to 50. The tight, wooded terrain at Crawford is technical enough to challenge all skill levels. Everyone welcome! Town: Kelowna. Contact: (250 868-0122.
71. KELOWNA CYCLEFreerides on Sunday and a casual XC ride 6 p.m. Wednesday meet at the shop. Ride for up to three hours with a group of 20. The XC ride usually hits the Crawford trails that are located near the shop. Town: Kelowna. Contact: (250) 762-2453.
72. GERICK CYCLE
Meet at the Crawford Power Station for the 6 p.m. Monday lady's night and the 6 p.m. Tuesday XC freeride. Crawford is a 2000 acres plus, multi-use area. The Women's ride is up to 60 strong. Town: Kelowna. Contact: (250) 868-3007.
73. FREEDOM
Call for details on the Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday XC and freeride meets. Local terrain has 4000 feet of vertical with stunts, drops and exceptional XC trails. A shuttle is available. Town: Penticton. Contact: (250) 493-0686.
74. BIKE BARN
Relaxed, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and long, intermediate to advanced, Sunday morning rides. Pedal the Rock Ovens or Gerry and Campbell Mountains. There's a dream freeride spot off of Carmi. Town: Penticton. Contact: (250) 492-4140; www.bikebarnbc.com.
75. THE SACRED RIDE
Rides can happen daily on some of the steepest, 15000 feet of vertical terrain. These are mostly freerides but XC trips are always a possibility. Rides are led by the fabled Lawrence Rosenthal. Town: Rossland. Contact: (250) 362-5688; www.thesacredride.com.
76. THE SACRED RIDE TWO
Up to five weekday evening and weekend rides. Meet up with five others and shuttle from the shop. "We're into extreme, North Shore stunts and obstacles," say shop owners Jeff Grosch and Mark Holt. Town: Nelson. Contact: (250) 354-3831; www.thesacredride.com.
77. FERNIE SPORTS
Meet at Fas Gas or a predetermined location that's closer to the trailhead. Monday night is drop-in recreational and Wednesday night is the advanced ride. You can ride months and never hit the same trail. Town: Fernie. Contact: (250) 423-3611.
78. TOONIE RACE
All entrants throw a tonnie ($2) in the pot. Then they race an XC, hillclimb or skill contest. The prize money is used to treat everybody at The Pub. The winner picks the type and location of the next contest. Town: Fernie. Contact: (250) 423-3650; (250) 423-6464; (250) 423-3611.
79. FERNIE RIDE
Both Ski Base and The Guide's Hut do their own thing or hook up with Fernie Sports. From town you are in the bush in mere minutes and happening across elk and deer. Stunts are available for the young guys. Town: Fernie. Contact: (250) 423-3650; (250) 423-6464.
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