BC Bike Race (BCBR) announced on Wednesday, May 11, that its 2016 route will again feature Powell River, and locals associated with mountain biking credit the annual event with putting the area on the cross-country map.
BCBR marks a decade this year as one of the premiere cross-country mountain biking events; it draws more than 600 competitors annually.
This year’s race is July 6 to 19, with the 52-kilometre Powell River portion taking place July 8, marking the seventh year Powell River has been included in the race.
City of Powell River councillor Russell Brewer, an avid cyclist and president of Powell River Cycling Association (PRCA), will be competing this year.
“BC Bike Race has certainly given us a lot of exposure,” said Brewer. “Powell River has been, for the last couple of years, ranked as the racers’ second favourite, as far as the trails for BCBR, and their favourite location, because of the setting down on Willingdon Beach.”
Trails in the Powell River area rank just behind Squamish, according to BCBR organizers.
Most of the action in Powell River trails happens in the Duck Lake protected area and, because the stage is a bikers’ favourite, trails have not been altered for this year’s race.
For all skill levels, Powell River trails are more accessible and rewarding than places such as Pemberton, known for its Nimby Fifty, a switchback-loaded, technical bike marathon, according to Brigit Sirota-Goldammer, who moved from Pemberton to Powell River with her husband just over a year ago.
“It’s really fun here,” said Sirota-Goldammer. “This forest is just so beautiful. It’s got a real diversity and an amazing network of trails. It’s a little more cross country than just up and down.”
Sirota-Goldammer has been mountain bike riding for 25 years and was a director of the trail association in Pemberton. She said she thinks BCBR has made bikers more curious about the network of trails here.
Mountain biking is not limited to tough, adrenalin seeking extreme athletes. People of all ages and abilities ride the trails around Powell River.
“There’s still a perception out there that mountain biking is this crazy, downhill, people all suited up and going super fast, but that’s not the case,” said Brewer.
Brewer said the sport can be expensive for those willing to invest in high-end bikes.
“You can start out and get yourself a decent mountain bike for three or four hundred dollars,” said Brewer, “but what quickly happens is as their abilities increase, they enjoy it and want to test themselves on harder trails so they end up forking out for a $2,000 or $3,000 bike. If you get really passionate, easily the bikes can range up to $5,000 to $10,000.”
PRCA has around 90 members, according to Brewer. The club organizes rides for advanced, beginner and intermediate riders every Monday at various locations.
Club membership is $60 for a family, $18 for students and $25 for individuals.
For more PRCA information, go to bikepowellriver.ca.
