Revelstoke is a mountain biking mecca, but with so many trails to choose from, it can be tough to know where to begin.
To help riders navigate the terrain, the Revelstoke Mountaineer spoke to Alex Cooper, executive director of the Revelstoke Cycling Association (RCA), the organization behind Revy’s renowned trail networks.
Founded in 1994, RCA manages 105 kilometres of mountain biking trails across four major networks – Mount MacPherson, Boulder Mountain, Frisbee Ridge and Sunnyside. The organization is dedicated to developing and maintaining sustainable mountain biking trails in the region, as well as supporting riders of all skill levels.
“We want to foster a sense of community around those trails and be advocates for cycling in the community,” Cooper said.
Entering the sport
For beginners, RCA recommends Mount MacPherson, which boasts a cross-country network offering the greatest variety in terrain and difficulty.
“Miller Time is a nice wide easy trail with gentle grades, smooth downhills and no real technical sections – no roots or rocks to worry about,” Cooper said.
Other beginner-friendly trails branch out from the Griffith Creek parking lot, such as Leap Frog and Toad School. The green-rated Beaver trails, including Dusty Beaver and Eager Beaver, span five to six kilometres and offer a progressive entry point for new riders.
“We often see tons of families with little kids going out there. Mountain biking on McPherson is one of the best places to start.”
While Revelstoke riders generally have a high skill level, RCA believes mountain biking should be accessible for everyone.
“A lot of those beginner trails on McPherson were only built in 2018, as we realized there was a gap in our network for new riders,” Cooper explained. “There are a lot of very good mountain bikers in this town, but we want to make sure we have trails that everyone can ride.”
Stepping it up
Once comfortable on beginner-friendly trails, there’s plenty more Revelstoke mountain bike trails to explore.
MacPherson also hosts intermediate and expert trails, with TNT and Berm Donor flow providing a more technical pedalling challenge. RCA also recommends Black Forest, a stimulating ride beginning at the Nordic Lodge.
Across the valley Sunnyside, located off Airport Way just South of Revelstoke, is another top pick for intermediate riders. It is one of the first trails to melt out in the spring, making it a popular early-season destination.
“It’s a really fun, flowy trail,” Cooper described. “Pretty fast, with some slightly steeper sections, but not really any technical rocks or roots to worry about.”
Advanced riding
For those chasing a more challenging ride, Boulder Mountain hosts a variety of fun one-way downhill trails. Last year, RCA built a one-up trail called Sisyphus which has become quickly popular, allowing riders to pedal up to access Boulder’s downhill terrain.
There are a couple of intermediate Revelstoke mountain bike trails in the area, but the terrain is mostly expert-orientated. Riders should be prepared for challenging rides, varying “from fast and flowy to steep and techy.” Expect technical sections, rocks and roots, and many opportunities for jumps.
“It’s an expert’s playground!”
The work behind the trails
While purchasing an RCA membership isn’t required to ride its trails, it directly supports the organization’s trail maintenance programme. The crew works from mid-April right through to Thanksgiving to keep the networks in top shape.
The RCA has over 600 members and its trails accommodate over 10,000 riders a year, heavy traffic which can quickly degrade the terrain. Add to that the impacts of climate change – like intense rainstorms that can wash away trails – and regular maintenance becomes essential to keep the trails rideable and safe.
“It’s a lot of unglamorous work,” Cooper explained. “The team helps remove trees and overgrown brush to ensure riders have clear pathways. They’ll fix everything from brake holes and bumps, berms and water issues.”
When time allows, the crew also builds new features and sections of the tracks to keep the terrain fresh.
How riders can help
Alongside purchasing a membership, there are also ways riders can assist in maintaining the trails while out on their bikes. Cooper noted that when encountering a wet and muddy trail, the natural instinct is to ride around puddles to avoid getting wet but this can actually widen the trails and increase the impact puddles have.
“We recommend if you encounter that situation to slow down and go straight through the puddle,” Cooper said. “Really, we want to minimize it to the trail corridor that we built.”
He also suggested grabbing a rock or a stick, or using your heel to kick a small drain into the puddle to allow it to slide down the hill. These actions take only moments out of your ride, but it’s this kind of trail karma that helps RCA keep these trail networks alive.
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