While Revelstoke’s bike season is off to an early and muddy start, local riders admit it beats the two other alternatives; a dusty and smoky season or a snow season that drags on.
“We’re ahead this season by a couple of weeks,” Kristen Meilicke told Revelstoke Mountaineer after a ride through Upper Boondocker during Revelstoke Cycling Association’s (RCA) Enduro Fiver. “But the trail crew has been on top of getting trails ready.”
RCA’s trail crew and volunteer teams have been hard at work getting local trails ready after snow melted away faster than usual. A May of rain might have led to some muddy starts and crashes, but riders hope the rain keeps smoke season well down the road.
“You’re always hoping for a bit of rain,”Katie Kokotailo Waterer said after riding Boulder Mountain trails with scattered showers. “Keep the dust down, keep the smoke away. That’s always going to help the season.”
The start of the season has been a welcomed way to knock off cobwebs and get bikes tuned up in preparation for the opening of Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s bike park May 31.
“It’s good to see the development from the beginning,” rider Kyle Barker said. “Excited to see what their future plans have for us.”
The trails at the resort will be an added draw for tourists, Barker said and he’s excited to see what that does for local businesses such as Skookum Revelstoke Bike and Ski, where he works.
“It’s good to have all riders up there,” Barker noted, explaining the resort park provides added accessibility to those entering the sport or unable to access the various trail systems in and around Revelstoke.
That doesn’t mean Barker won’t be spending time on trails outside the resort. He uses RCA’s collection of trails equally, he explained, with every mountain and trail system offering something a little different from the others.
Local trails and resort adventures aren’t the only thing on Sean Anley’s mind. As the bike tech at Skookum Revelstoke Bike and Ski’s, he’s also gearing up for the collection of local bike events throughout the summer, including Bike Fest, Revy 50 and the new Big Three.
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