Sunday, August 23, 2009

Great Places to Ride Your Bike in Canada

By Patricia Walker

If you're looking for a biking adventure, Canada is the place to go! Experienced bikers will particularly love Canada's rugged terrain and demanding trails to test their skill levels and challenge them. There are, however, some trails in Canada suitable for less experienced bikers, as well. Take a look at what I found!

In Alberta, Canada, you can bike a 14-mile singletrack route from Old Fort Point to Valley of the Five Lakes. This area is a busy place to be in the summer months, so be on the lookout for lots of other bikers. This trail is also a good place for beginning bikers to try their luck, as there are numerous areas where they can enter or exit the trail, so they don't necessarily have to tackle the more technical areas. There are a few difficult climbs and challenging descents, so intermediate and experienced bikers will have fun here, too.

Not far from Quebec City, the Mont Ste-Anne Ski Area offers more than just skiing. It is also home to lots of different trails suitable for riders of many experience levels. The trails vary in length and many are quite technical. This area does have an entrance fee-$6-and it will cost a little more if you want to take advantage of the chairlifts, as well. But the scenery is breathtaking and you could even see moose or bear on your ride!

Still another area with lots of variety is the Burnaby Mountain trails in British Columbia. Some trails are technical gravel trails with rapid descents. Others are paved and a nice offering for the novice rider. Get a map ahead of time so you can select the trails suitable for your riding level.

Another ski area located near Bathrust, New Brunswick, also offers biking trails. With just about 10 miles in singletrack trails, you can select from steep inclines, fast descents, and bridges to navigate if you're an experienced biker. More trails are constantly being added, and they are very well kept. The locals highly recommend this area! A group ride is held each Tuesday evening, and you can join in if you like.

Porcupine Ridge near Bracebridge, Ontario is a fun ride for the experienced rider. There are 8 miles of trails to choose from. You won't find a lot of climbs or descents, but there are lots of rocks, roots and some incredible drop-offs to keep things interesting. It's a very technical ride, but lots of fun!

Air Supply is a hardcore ride in North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is for serious, professional bikers only. Packed into 1 mile of track you will find 10-20 foot gaps, huge ladder jumps, high skinnys, ladder drops, high wall rides, a swivel teeter-totter, and a double teeter! Masochists need only apply!

Biking in Canada is definitely a cool adventure! Be sure to bring your camera to capture the scenery and incredible wildlife. Select trails that match your level of experience, and have a safe, happy ride!

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