Tour of BC's Mountain Bike Race Courses

Mountain bike along the classic race routes of BC's toughest cross country competitions. Cycling trips led by mature, experienced guides from the Whistler Bike Guide, trusted since 1997. Join us for an unmatched west coast riding experience.

Our focus remains cross country mountain biking - we keep our wheels on the ground.

The Sea to Sky corridor is host to some of the greatest mountain bike races in North America. Many have become classics and are “must ride” events for competitors from all over the world. As only a small number of elite riders would be able or willing to combine back to back days covering the course routes for these events, we have tailored our “Taste of the Classics” tour to provide a sampling of the best rides from a number of these epic events.

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet & greet at Vancouver airport and transfer to Squamish, dubbed the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada. The Sea to Sky highway is rated as one of the top drives in Canada with spectacular scenery from coastal Howe Sound to the Coastal Mountains. An orientation by your guide will outline the next 13 days of adventure. Overnight: Squamish – Executive Suites [Meals on own]

Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive in Squamish. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance. WBG Adventures will be providing one pick-up at YVR. If you are not able to join that pick-up a surcharge may apply to arrange alternate transportation.

Day 2 Let’s put you to the TEST.

After breakfast we’ll warm up and get ready to ride the best of the Test of Metal. The 67-kilometre NSCU Squamish Test of Metal cross-country mountain bike race is the centrepiece of the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival. This is a very demanding course with over 1,200 metres of climbing and 35 kilometres of singletrack. The estimated time to complete the race is just under 3 hours for the fastest riders, and between 4-5 hours for the majority of competitors. We’ll enjoy a 5 to 6 hour ride on the best sections of this course. Overnight: Squamish – Executive Suites [BL]

Day 3 Up for the Challenge

Today we’ll see why our area is called Sea to Sky country as we head for the hills following the course for the “King of Classics” the Cheakamus Challenge. With over 2000M of climbing and 40KM of single-track trails this 70KM course has it all with the Cheakamus River running beside or below you for most of the duration. This race is a classic point to point format with big climbs, stunning views, high speed rolling terrain and of course the classic Sea to Sky single-track. The winning riders finish in about 3 hours but the average Joe takes some 5 plus. Our day will NOT be a march of pain as we’ll choose the best sections of this fantastic course for a full day ride to Whistler with plenty of great photo ops. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 4

Begin the day with Breakfast and head out on a.m. ride through the Lost Lake Trails. Following lunch we will then go for an afternoon ride on some of the classic single-track trails such as Cut Yer Bars and Emerald Forest. 3-4 hour riding with around 500m. climbing. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 5

Begin with breakfast on site and then head off for a full day of riding in the South side of the Valley. We will head down to the Demo Forest and ride the Ridge Trail, Logger’s Lake and then down the Riverside Trails to Function to have some lunch. Following lunch we will then climb up the Flank Trail and go down Cheap Thrills with the stronger technical riders while the rest of the group will proceed along the Flank and descend down to Rainbow Park. From here it is a short spin back to the village. 4-5 hours riding with around 1000m. climbing. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 6

Today following breakfast we are going on a full day epic right out of the door. If it is dry we will ride the full pull on Comfortably Numb which should take us between 5-7 hours. We will break up into 2 groups and be bringing our lunch with us for this big day. The last hour is spent going down and we will pop out right at Lost Lake Park. This will be a big day. 5-7 hours riding with 1300 m. of climbing. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 7

Free day to relax the muscles and take it easy or add to your adventure with a zipline through the trees, a bungee jump, rafting trip or a high Alpine hike. Whistler has it all. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [B]

Day 8

Following breakfast we will start on another full day program. We will travel north and take the North Flank Trail up and over Cougar Mountain. After climbing over 1200 m. we will get the best views in the valley of Rainbow, Armchair and Wedge glaciers. What goes up must come down as we point it down and descend for close to 40 minutes through massive spruce and fir forests. Before we hit the bottom we will head up for a short 100m. climb before finishing off on one of the best trails in the Valley, Billy Epic. Lunch again will be in our packs for this one. 5-7 hours of riding with close to 1400 m. of climbing. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 9: Get your Wheels Up!

After breakfast we will head across the valley to sample the best of the West Side Wheel Up, a technical riding local’s event. The 15th annual West Side Wheel Up bike race returns in Sept.2008 and in addition to being an integral part of the “month of pain” it also raises funds for the B.C. Disabled Ski Team. We begin our ride on River Runs Through It which is a relatively flat trail that features tons of little ramps, bridges and teeter totters. This will be a great warm up for about an hour until we head south and head up Lower Sproatt to tackle the Beaver Pond and Beaver Pass Trails. We will have lunch on Alta Lake and maybe get in a short swim if it is warm enough. In the afternoon we will then cruise back through the Whip Me Snip Me and Rebob network of trails. 4-6 hours of riding with 600 m. of climbing. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 10

After breakfast we will be heading north to Emerald for a technical riding day. We will ride Shit Happens, No Girlie Man, Big Kahuna, Section 102 where we will have lunch. Following lunch we will cap off the day with Kill Me Thrill Me and Green Lake back to the site and a well deserved rest. 4-6 hours of riding with 900 m. of climbing. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 11: Get ready to Rumble!

The Soo Valley Rumble had its inauguration this year adding to September’s “month of pain” events but is sure to become a classic. With a 1000M ascent and a gruelling course this was a classic WORCA (Whistler Offroad Cycling Association) single-track ride. Get set for a “tour de Soo” as we ride through the Soo Valley then set our course for Pemberton riding a number of trails en route. Overnight: Pemberton – Pemberton Valley Lodge [BL]

Day 12

Depending on how our legs are doing, we can either opt for riding loops in Mosquito Lake or take a longer ride on the Blowdown Lake trail.

Mosquito Lake. Directly across the Pemberton valley from spectacular Mt. Currie lies a small (at least compared to Mt. Currie) knoll that provides some of the best technical singletrack in the Sea to Sky Corridor. The Forest Service recreation site at Mosquito Lake can be accessed by several different routes, and a maze of trails descend back to the valley floor. By connecting different routes, it is possible to ride this area for two to three hours.

Blowdown Lake Trail. An out-and-back ride, this trail climbs from your parking spot at the 3500 foot level to its crest at an altitude of 7100 feet, following logging and mining roads high into the alpine areas above the Duffy Lake Road. Blowdown Creek presents the rider with some fantastic views, as well as the opportunity view wildlife such as deer, mountain goats, and possibly even grizzly bear. From Gott Pass the road drops into the South Cottonwood, part of the drainage of the Stein River valley. Ride Time: 4 to 6 hours. Overnight: Pemberton – Pemberton Valley Lodge or similar. [BL]

Day 13

The grand finale of your trip will be one of the "Ten Gnarliest Rides in North America" – Bike Magazine. Located some 4500 feet above the floor of the Pemberton valley, nestled amongst fields of wildflowers, Tenquille Lake provides a home to Black bear, moose, mountain goats, Grizzly and cougars. A long, tough climb up old logging roads leads to a system of singletrack that leads to the alpine areas. While the natural setting is stunning, the jewel in the crown of this ride is the descent, an almost incomprehensible 4000 vertical foot singletrack that takes over an hour to complete. Cut in 1917 to facilitate mining exploration, the Tenquille Lake Trail provides both stunning vistas and technical challenges and is one of the premier trails in North America. Riding Time: 5 to 6 hours to ride the basic loop, and at least another hour to go right to the lake. Overnight: Pemberton – Pemberton Valley Lodge [BL]

Day 14

Time to pack up and head for home. Transfer from Pemberton to Vancouver airport for your return flight.

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Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions. Your guide has extensive knowledge of the region and may choose alternate trails or activities as conditions dictate.

Prices Include: Services as specified in the itinerary above include 13 nights accommodations; continental breakfast daily and 11 lunches as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner]; 11 days guided riding with local guides; ground transportation from Vancouver airport (one departure time) to Squamish and from Pemberton to Vancouver airport; support vehicle for the duration of the trip; snacks and bottled water; hotel taxes.

Not Included: Services unless specified otherwise in the itinerary above such as airfare to/from Vancouver; meals not specified in the above itinerary; alcoholic beverages; optional additional activities and services in Whistler Village; tips and gratuities and items of a personal nature; medical, hospitalization and evacuation costs; and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in our itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

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Activity Level

This trip is rated BLACK . Trip members should be strong, experienced cyclists in excellent physical condition. Rider’s physical fitness level will be a very important factor to their success and enjoyment of this trip. A serious conditioning program should be undertaken several months ahead of departure in preparation for the demands of this itinerary. Time in the saddle during the trip ranges from 4 to 8 hours a day. Although options abound and a support vehicle will be available, trip members should feel comfortable in their capability of completing extended rides, approximately 50km per day, difficult climbs and technical riding most every day of the trip. Pace and speed are not important, as there is sufficient time each day to complete the rides. Climbs and technical features on the rides are extended over many kilometers with little relief. Many descents are technical and caution is mandatory.

BLACK A trip for experienced and very fit riders

• Riding: 4 - 8 Hours Per Day
• Distances: Half Day 15 – 25km; Full Day 40 - 60km
• Surfaces: Remote mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents and challenging technical descents, uneven trails with loose features, rocks, roots and man made features
• Elevation Change: Up to 1400m per day
• Altitude: Max altitude will be approx 2200m

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Weather

The weather in and around Whistler is generally sunny during summer months, with daytime temperatures around 20-30C. Nights can be chilly (5-15C), especially in the mountains so plan to bring along some warm clothing. As in any mountainous region, weather can change rapidly and rain/wind storms are not uncommon so please pack adequate rain gear.

 

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Rates

Prices below are quoted Per Person in CANADIAN Dollars, excluding 5% Goods & Services Tax

Package Price

	Fri Sept 5 2008
1 Bedroom Ste (1 Queen Bed & Sofa bed) - Squamish & Pemberton. Hotel Room (2 Queen Beds) - Whistler
Double Occupancy	$3019
Triple Occupancy	$2919