Recreation, Conservation, and Participation: The Key Ingredients in Revelstoke’s Thriving Cycling Community

Revelstoke is a community that prides itself on many things. From conservation to adventure, and from history to the community’s unique mountain culture, there is one tangible item that ties all of these things together: the bicycle.

It is not uncommon to see people on their bikes all year long. Climbing and traversing mountain ranges in the spring and summer, pedaling through the rain in the fall, and riding fat bikes on hard packed snow in the winter.

Helen Parker, age 10, winner of CCM plank riding contest. Photo: Revelstoke Museum & Archives

The bicycle is truly symbolic of life in Revelstoke, and the North Columbia Environmental Society (NCES) continues to celebrate and promote this lifestyle through their annual Bike/Gear Swap Expo. 2017 marks the fourth year of this event, and as it gains momentum, it attracts more people looking to buy and sell gently used bikes while raising awareness around recreation, conservation, and community building.

They say variety is the spice of life, and according to Dan Nelson, who owns and operates Flowt Bikes & Skis in with his wife Lindsay, it’s what makes mountain biking in Revelstoke so unique. “We have a little bit of everything, and it’s all world class. Big alpine trail rides, massive peak to valley missions, technical downhill — and with Mt. Macpherson, a nearby network of exceptional singletrack that’s super easy to access.” Whether you’re a beginner looking for a bike to get you from point A to point B, or a seasoned rider looking for spare parts, the Bike Swap aims to cater to the needs of all riders.

Through the annual bike swap, the NCES wants to encourage people to grow an appreciation for the natural beauty of their surroundings, connecting people to nature through recreation sparks an interest in preservation. Recreational trail users have the potential to unintentionally spread invasive species through their usage. “There are several invasive species that are at risk of spreading along bike and recreation trails around Revelstoke. Some of our worst invasive species include: Knotweed species, Blueweed and Himalayan Balsam. We are fortunate to have no puncturevine yet recorded in our region (found in Okanagan), which has spiky seeds that can puncture bike tires,” says Robyn Hooper, Executive Director for the Columbia-Shuswap Invasive Species Society, which will be at the event as part of expo.

A community-wide culture takes a community wide effort to maintain. Most of the trails around Revelstoke are largely built, designed, and maintained by volunteers. “We have a diverse range of trails for riders of all abilities in Revelstoke, and a group of riders with interests to match that diversity: committed downhill riders, cross-country fanatics, town cruisers, and spandex-clad road riders,” says Robyn Goldsmith of the Revelstoke Cycling Association, which has been building trails in the area since 1998.

Lower Town Store Fronts c.1895. Photo: Revelstoke Museum & Archives

Events like the Bike Swap bring the community together for recreation, conservation, and participation. If you’re keen on buying or selling a bike, learning about trails, or seeking volunteer opportunities then join the North Columbia Environmental Society for the 4th Annual Bike Swap on Saturday, April 29 at the Revelstoke Forum (1100 Vernon Ave.)

If you’re looking to sell a bike, you can pre-register it buy emailing [email protected] or arrive at the Forum between 9–11 a.m. on April 29. It’ll cost you $2 to register with 10% of the sale price (up to $50) going towards the NCES to continue their environmental education events and programming.

If you’re hoping to buy a bike or gently used gear, then come down to the Forum for 11am. $2 will get you through the door, and you’ll have access to sale items, local retailers, a workshop on basic suspension tuning, demos, a raffle, all sorts of information about biking-related services, and experts to help answer your questions.

Be sure to bring cash to save on extra fees.

The NCES ultimately wants to encourage the upcycling of gently used athletic gear while promoting healthy a healthy lifestyle and environment. When it comes to emissions from cycling, the carbon dioxide that comes out of your average pair of lungs is far less than that of a car or bus.