| There are few places in the world that can | | | | influx of new residential growth and mountain |
| market themselves as literal Meccas of | | | | biking tourists, the area has formed a North |
| mountain biking. The Pacific Northwest is a | | | | Shore Mountain Biking Association to help |
| great place to find dozens of trails. The | | | | mediate between bikers and residents and try |
| beautiful forests and beaches of the | | | | to preserve trails. Also responsible for more |
| coastlines are perfect for an hour of casual | | | | fun activities like races and annual events, |
| riding or a weekend long excursion. The North | | | | the NSMBA is one of the premier mountain |
| Shore area in British Columbia is considered | | | | biking associations in Canada. Whistler For |
| one of the true hotspots of mountain biking | | | | those familiar with the world class skiing |
| and from all over the world avid mountain | | | | and boarding of Whistler-Blackcomb resort in |
| bikers arrive to traverse the hills of the | | | | British Columbia, it's no surprise that the |
| Burrard Inlet and the trails of Mt. Fromme, | | | | mountain offers world class mountain biking |
| Cypress Mountain, and Mt. Seymour. Also in | | | | as soon as the snow starts to melt. Usually |
| the general area, you'll find amazing riding | | | | starting in April, the mountain biking season |
| in Coquitlam's Eagle Mountain and Burke | | | | carries through until the end of the summer, |
| Mountain. Together, these numerous mountain | | | | utilizing the numerous ski lifts and wide |
| ranges comprise one of the best places in | | | | open space to hold numerous mountain biking |
| Canada and possibly the world to mountain | | | | events. In years when the snow lingers a |
| bike. The Trails The mountain areas in | | | | little longer, mountain biking season might |
| British Columbia as listed above are some of | | | | run a little short at the top of the |
| the most difficult and subsequently dangerous | | | | mountain, though usually the lower lifts are |
| mountain terrain trails around. Merely | | | | open by the end of April. British Columbia |
| through the standard machinations of nature | | | | for Mountain Biking As one of the largest |
| there are dozens of obstacles like fallen | | | | developed spaces, complete with the |
| trees, rock slides, ravines and ditches to | | | | convenience of modern society and the joy of |
| jump and much more. Man has added his own | | | | the great outdoors, British Columbia offers |
| little touch to the trails with bridges, | | | | some of the best Mountain Biking trails in |
| twisting "ladders" and mountain biking ramps. | | | | the world. You can find something almost |
| This hybrid style of mixing natural obstacles | | | | anywhere there is a mountain and often enough |
| with man-made jumps and ladders is often | | | | when you leave the mountain trails, you'll |
| referred to as "North Shore" style trail | | | | find simple back wood trails that are ten |
| riding. If you're looking for the most | | | | times better than anything you'll have back |
| popular of these trails, the CBC is | | | | home. They take their mountain biking |
| considered by many to be the pinnacle of | | | | seriously in the mountains of BC, Canada and |
| North Shore style trail riding. Controversy | | | | any mountain biker should take the time and |
| Like any massive sport related tourist | | | | energy to make a visit and traverse the |
| attractions, the trails of North Shore have | | | | expansive, exciting trails. |
| reigned in a great deal of controversy with | | | | |
| local residents complaining of off trail | | | | Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor |
| bikers disturbing their property. In some of | | | | sports magazines and a contributing writer |
| the nearby mountain trail areas, new | | | | for Body Sport Paintball, specializing in |
| developments threaten existing trails on | | | | Mountain Biking, mountain biking ramps, and |
| Eagle and Burke Mountains. Because of the | | | | paintball guns. |