With the ever-increasing popularity of mountain biking in Revelstoke, congestion is becoming an issue at local riding areas. That’s why the Revelstoke Cycling Association is looking to build new parking lots at Mt. Macpherson and Boulder Mountain this summer.
Keith McNab, the president of the RCA, said there are plans and funding in place to expand the parking lot at the Griffith Creek Forest Service Road, which is often overflowing with vehicles.
At Boulder Mountain, the plan – pending approval – is to expand the small parking area where most of the downhill trails end.
On Mt. Macpherson, a new trail was built last summer to improve access from the Nordic Lodge parking lot to the top of the Quarry Trail. This summer, the RCA plans on turning the Stimulus trail into a loop that will lead back to the Nordic Lodge. There are also plans to build some shorter linking trails to improve access to certain trails, like Ridge Walk.
They are also looking to finally complete the alpine loop on Frisby Ridge this summer.
“Depending on how much money and energy we have, we’ll hopefully get those done too,” said McNab.
The downhill committee opened up a new trail, Iron Lotus, late last summer, and it will be open as soon as the snow melts and trail maintenance is done this spring. There are no new trails planned this year, but the downhill committee will be flagging for potential new trails, said Andrew Clark, who heads the downhill group.
The RCA will be continuing its popular race series. The cross-country race series kicks off on Wednesday, May 22. Races will also be held on June 5, June 19, July 17, July 31, and August 14.
The downhill series starts on Sunday, June 9, with a chainless race down TNT. It will be followed by races on June 23, Sept. 15, Sept. 29, and Oct. 20.
There will three road races this summer. The first is an individual race on Tuesday, June 11. On June 25 there is a criterium race and on July 9 there is a team time trial.
Visit bikerevelstoke.org for more information.