Comox Valley MTB » Comox Valley Mountain Biking – Forums, Maps & Trail News

Rocky Mountain Demo Day May 5th hosted by Black’s Cycle

CVMTB — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:43:04 +0000

Come test ride a Rocky Mountain! The factory trailer is coming to town with a ton of demo bikes to try out.

Details:

Saturday May 5th
CRI Parking Lot, Cumberland BC
10am – 2pm
Bring photo ID and credit card for demos

Facebook event listing for more info

Bike trails among best in world

CVMTB — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:38:48 +0000

Comox Valley Record.com

Grassroot efforts at the community level have earned Cumberland’s mountain biking trails a reputation as some of the best in Canada, if not the world.

Volunteers perform regular maintenance on the forest trails, keeping them in prime shape for the many races that are run at the venue.

While Comox Valley Mountain Biking (cvmtb.com) is an excellent source of information on the sport, the United Riders of Cumberland (unitedridersofcumberland.com) is the voice of mountain biking in the Valley, according to one of the group’s original founders and board member Jeremy Grasby.

Grasby says UROC works with the Village of Cumberland, the two private landowners of the forest land (Hancock Timber Management and TimberWest), and the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) to advocate on behalf of mountain bikers.

Grasby said mountain bikers enjoy the co-operative relationship they have with Hancock and TimberWest. He says both groups consult with UROC before they harvest and are interested in seeing the trails repaired when the logging work is done.

“The ultimate plan is to have a land use agreement in place with the village and the two private landowners. It’s an ongoing process,” Grasby said.

“UROC works with the forest society on a management plan just established for that area. We’re one of the stakeholders and we’ve been holding monthly meetings for the past few months.

“As far as trail maintenance goes we have a very active group inside of UROC,” he added. “Another group, the River Rats, are very active. They’re always out there … every day just shawzamming the trails. It really showed in our (recent) cross-country race. (They were) putting dirt where it needed to be and bridges where they needed to go.”

Grasby said it is great to have so much volunteer help, and those who want more information can check UROC’s trail maintenance page on Facebook.

However, he emphasized the best way to get involved is to financially support the forest society.

“That’s a great way to be involved. They have monthly donations. That helps them buy more land, which provides more mountain biking in Cumberland.

Ultimately the best way to manage it (the forest land) is to own it.”

He notes the non-profit UROC supports the CCFS through a variety of fundraisers, including their Fall Classic which last year collected $1,000 for the society.

UROC, with support from local bike shops such as Dodge City Cycle also works with the Cumberland Community School Society to provide a kids’ club at the elementary school, where the two groups help reduce UROC membership fees from $47 to $15.

Noting the CCSS provides bikes to those who need them, Grasby says a group of about 25 to 30 students gets together and goes riding for a couple of hours every Thursday.

Original Article http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/sports/149929055.html

By Earle Couper – Comox Valley Record

Published: May 02, 2012 5:00 PM
Updated: May 02, 2012 5:10 PM

sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com

New Signage in the Cumberland Community Forest

CVMTB — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:57:26 +0000

Curious about the new signs posted in the Cumberland Community Forest? Following is some history of the Forest and how to care for this community resource!

The Cumberland Community Forest consists of two parcels of land totalling 71 hectares and is owned by the Village of Cumberland. The first coal mining in the Comox Valley occurred in these woods in 1888, and many artifacts remain including the remnants of mines and the original logging roads. In addition, local mountain bikers have put in hours of work to build and maintain the significant trail network.

New Cumberland Forest Signage

This land was given to the Village by the members of the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) in 2005 to be an accessible wilderness park for all people, for all time.

To protect that vision of the park, a conservation covenant is registered on title. This is a legal document and is a commitment by the Village of Cumberland to honour the terms of the covenant. The two covenant holders are The Land Conservancy of BC and the Comox Valley Land Trust. These conservation organizations are tasked with monitoring activities and the management of the park to ensure the terms of the covenant are met. The terms include restrictions on activities and use in the park; such as motorized vehicles are not permitted, no new trails are to be constructed, and no man-made structures are to be built. However, the covenant does permit mountain biking on the existing trail network. Currently a management plan is being finalized as part of the covenant and includes the management of vegetation, wildlife, sensitive habitats, signage, fencing, roads and trails.

These restrictions are to balance the ability of people to enjoy activities in the park with the protection of the park so that it can continue to be enjoyed by many people and to be a home for many plants and animals. The forest provides an enormous benefit to the community through the trees ability to provide oxygen, filter pollutants, improve water quality and more – much of the covenant’s language protects these natural processes of such a living landscape.This balancing act requires the community to love the park but not to love it to death. Overuse leads to braided trails and erosion. Building new trails eliminates needed vegetative cover and built jumps can limit the use of the area for the greater community. We ask that all of us respect the terms of the covenant so that the park can provide joy and respite for generations to come.

On behalf of the Village of Cumberland, the Cumberland Community Forest Society, the Comox Valley Land Trust and the United Riders of Cumberland we thank you for your support, your understanding and your help in enjoying and protecting this treasure. A copy of the covenant is available at the Village office or an excerpt online at www.cumberlandbc.net. To become a member of the CCFS or view the entire covenant online please check their website at www.cumberlandforest.com.

If you notice misuse of the park, please contact The Village office at 250-336-2291.

Written by Village of Cumberland

Thank you and enjoy your park experience!

Swicked Cycles Gear Swap April 28th

CVMTB — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:46:08 +0000

Sell your old bike & gear and get onto something new!

All bikes purchased at the Swap receive $10 off any tune-up at Swicked Cycles.

How it works: Bring in your old bikes & gear between April 21st to April 27th, register them, we will set a fair sale price for each item.

Date: April 28th
Time: 9am – 1pm
Location: Swicked Cycles, 1791 Spruce Street, Campbell River
More Info: 250-914-2453 or swickedcycles.com

Sale Starts promptly @ 9am, ending at 1pm. CASH ONLY.

Unsold Bikes & Gear need to be picked up by 5pm April 28th. Owners will be notified via phone immediately after 1pm. If bicycles & gear are left, they will be donated to a local charity, unless other arrangements are made.

Items: Broken, torn, filthy and dangerous items will not be accepted.

Fees: $1 registration fee, with the exception of donated items.

Items sold at the Swicked Swap will be charged 15% commission

Strength in Numbers coming to Cumberland

CVMTB — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:19:52 +0000

The United Riders of Cumberland are hosting the newest film by Anthill Farms on Thursday May 10th.

Strength in Numbers – Official Trailer on pinkbike.com

Viewed at a distance, the world of mountain biking is a network of seemingly similar but disconnected communities. Freeride. Downhill. Big Mountain. All Mountain. Dirt Jump. Slopestyle. A sport of individuals, equally defined by their many differences, as the common threads that bind. And while our story doesn’t follow a straight line, we all end up in the same place. Tire to ground, foot to pedal, hand to bar – communities drawn together by trails of dirt.

A new action sport documentary, Strength in Numbers is a rally call to connect all mountain bikers, regardless of location or language or discipline. The film captures a true way of life, from the world’s best pros to those who are just learning to love the sport. Shot over two years in some of mountain biking’s most iconic locations, Anthill’s signature style combines compelling stories with core action to create a shared experience that unites all riders. Come join us!

Time – 2 shows
7 PM ALL AGES, DOORS OPEN AT 6:30,
9 PM ADULTS ONLY, DOORS OPEN AT 8:30PM
Venue – RIDING FOOL HOSTEL
City – CUMBERLAND

Tickets All ages = $5 Adult only = $10
Tickets Available at the door

Specialized Test Bikes now arriving

CVMTB — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:52:14 +0000

‎2012 Specialized Test Bikes are arriving daily at Simon’s Cycles

We have a great selection of bikes to demo including – Enduro Evo Expert, Stumpjumper FSR Expert Evo 29er, Camber Comp 29er, Safire Comp, Amira Comp, Tarmac Expert, Roubaix Expert.

Test rides are free, call to book an appointment today.

More info www.simoncycle.com

Buggered Pig Trail Maintenance – April 1st.

CVMTB — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:16:01 +0000

Come give the trails some love!

No this isn’t an April fools joke, UROC will be hosting a Trail Maintenance Day on Buggered Pig trail in the Cumberland Community Forest.

Meet at 11am at the CRI parking lot or come by later and help out.

There will be a selection of tools available, but if you have your own gloves, shovel or bucket, bring them along.

Organizing team will have a few focused locations for erosion repair and drainage improvements.

All ages welcome. Hikers, walkers, bikers, runners, all welcome.

Facebook Event Listing

http://www.facebook.com/events/129172727212025/

Come join and help the local community forest trails.

Future of Nymph Falls Park secured

CVMTB — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:36:26 +0000

Philip Round

Comox Valley Echo

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The future of Nymph Falls as public parkland has been assured.

The B.C. government has offered a 30-year rent-free lease on the property to Comox Valley Regional District to secure its status.

The existing shorter lease is due to run out in one week’s time, regional district directors heard yesterday (Monday).

The riverside park off Forbidden Plateau Road is one of the most visited in the Comox Valley.

Regional district parks staff estimate up to 20,000 people a year take advantage of its many trails for both walkers and bike riders, and easy access to scenic parts of the Puntledge River.

On hot summer days, as people head to the water to play and swim, the parking lots overflow with vehicles.

So an increase in the park’s budget over the next five years is being proposed so that vehicle parking can be expanded.

Over the past five years, a total of $60,000 was spent on maintenance, new signs and a new toilet close to the falls.

For the next five years a budget of $95,000 is being proposed, with $60,000 of that to expand the parking provision in 2013-14.

Much of the day-to-day work in the park is carried out by volunteers from the Plateau Road Residents Association, which came in for warm praise from directors at yesterday’s meeting of the regional district’s electoral areas services committee.

Committee chair Bruce Jolliffe said volunteers were a critical element in the parks system in rural areas.

“Volunteers allow us to do many projects we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do,” he said.

He urged parks staff to ensure personal recognition to volunteers was offered whenever appropriate.

Parks manager Michael Nihls and parks technician Brian Allaert told the committee there were about 140 volunteers working in a dozen regional district parks on a regular basis.

The largest numbers of volunteers were Bear Creek Park in Area C, Little River Park in Area B and Morning Beach Park in Area A. But in some parks, just a single regular volunteer – such as on the One Spot Trail – made a significant impact.

All did tremendous work in all sorts of ways, not only in maintaining and repairing park trails and facilities but also by adding amenities such as directional signs, fencing, removal of invasive species, tree planting, installing hitching posts for horses, building outhouses and even operating a hatchery at Bear Creek.

In addition, a growing number of private donors were contributing money to pay for additional facilities in parks, such as benches, picnic tables, signs and kiosks.

A new brochure had been prepared to encourage more people to donate so further amenities could be provided, with name plaques attached as appropriate to acknowledge such contributions.

In recent years, for example, 35 new benches had been provided, including five more in Seal Bay Park last year alone. Many are in memory of people who have passed on, but that is not a requirement.

Some people in the Valley have been so generous that they had donated land to add to parks or create new ones. Over the past 20 years, a total of 98 acres in six locations had been given in that way.

More details of the ‘Leave a Legacy’ program covering options from benches to land can be found online at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/gifts

“Contributions by volunteers and donors allow the regional district to provide more and better maintained park facilities than would e feasible under current budgets,” staff noted in a written report.

“Local residents get to enjoy improved facilities when they visit the parks, and the cost savings realized by park gifts and volunteers are reflected in their regional district taxes.”

pround@comoxvalleyecho.com

Mount Washington – Integrated Resort Community Plan

CVMTB — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:32:30 +0000

Mount Washington Alpine Resort

The Comox Valley Regional District is conducting an update to the Local Area Plan that includes the Mount Washington Area.

The main intent of this planning exercise is to build upon and update the current Mt. Washington Local Area Plan with recent CVRD strategies and policy direction and complement it with public input. The CVRD Regional Growth Strategy for the Valley has recognized the Mount Washington area as a new settlement node.As such, many policies must be updated or created to address important matters such as land use, community services, infrastructure, transportation, the environment, design guidelines and the need to adapt to climate change.

The consultants for the project are seeking the public’s feedback through an online survey.

More information about the project is here : http://www.mountwashingtonircp.ca/

The online survey is available here : SURVEY

Raw Element Guest House now open in Cumberland

CVMTB — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:10:07 +0000

Welcome to Raw Element

Looking for a vacation house for mountain biking in the Comox Valley, skiing at Mount Washington or just vacationing? Cumberland’s newest guest house is now open for business.

Hosts Kim & Blair will happily welcome you to Raw Element Guest House.

This fully self-contained guest suite with a kitchen and private entrance located in the picturesque Cumberland on Vancouver Island, BC. It is located on a 1/2 acre in the heart of town and is walking distance to restaurants, pubs and shopping. The area is also well known for fishing, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding with Mount Washington Alpine Resort only minutes away.

What Is Included:

Kitchen with fridge, stove and microwave
Coffee/tea making supplies
Wireless Internet
Telephone, TV, DVD player and movies to choose from
Queen sized bed with feather duvet
Double futon couch
Private bathroom
Private backyard access overlooking forest and gardens
Hot tub and pool access
Fire pit
Secure bike and sport equipment storage/wet room
Welcome basket filled with fresh local goodies included with each stay
Full breakfast available upon special request

Comfortable living space

Ready for a good nights sleep

For more information, to make a reservation and more check out their website at http://www.rawelement.ca/