Ride the Shore Photos Courtesy of Gibson Pictures
Ride the Shore
General Information

 

 

Skill Level
Ride the Shore Inc. caters to experienced mountain bikers who are riding at least at an intermediate level. You should be comfortable riding small drops, over small logs and roots. There will be ample opportunities to work on your riding ability while you’re here!

There are lots of opportunities around Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler for less experienced mountain bikers. Ride the Shore Inc. would be happy to recommend companies to help you plan your rides.

Fitness Level
To enjoy the experience, you should be moderately fit and able to ride for several hours a day. If you’re a cross-country rider, be prepared for some long, steep climbs. These are big mountains after all. That said, shuttling is pretty common among North Shore’s freeriders. Of course if you’re riding in the Whistler Bike Park you have the advantage of the taking the Gondola up the mountain.

Climate
Warmed by Pacific Ocean currents and protected by a range of mountains, Vancouver enjoys mild temperatures year-round. From high 70°s Fahrenheit (low 20° Celsius) in summer to a mild mid 40°s Fahrenheit (0° to 5° Celsius) in winter, the climate is ideal for mountain biking. Some hardy locals ride year-round, but prime mountain biking season is April- October. Although temperatures are moderate, be prepared for rain in any season.

Average Daily High Temperatures

Vancouver

Jan

Feb

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fahrenheit 42 44 50 58 65 69 74 74 65 58 48 43
Celsius 5 7 10 14 18 21 23 23 18 14 9 6

What to Bring
If you’re bringing your bike, a hardtail with shocks is sufficient if you’re planning on sticking to cross-country trails. Full suspension bikes with disc brakes are recommended for freeriding trails. Downhill bikes are recommended for the Whistler Bike Park. We can assist you with bike rentals if you choose not to bring your own bike. We recommend that you check with your airline about bike transportation costs and the requirement for bike boxes. You may find it’s cheaper to rent a bike rather than bring one.

Bike helmets are mandatory in BC
Protective gear including arm and leg armor and a full face helmet is
recommended for the North Shore and Whistler Bike Park. We can arrange for
body armour to be provided on your trip if necessary.
Flat/platform pedals are common here because of the abundance of tree roots and
rocks on technical trails
Mountain biking is a big industry in BC. Generally, you don’t see much lycra on the
trails. There are several clothing and armor manufacturers based here (check out
www.roachclothing.com, www.corerat.com, www.sugoi.ca, www.raceface.com
www.sombrioracing.com).

*It is important that you are aware that riding on the North Shore, in Squamish, and in Whistler is very different than what you may be used to. Due to the climate and topography of the Coast Mountain range, trails can be very steep and rugged. Be aware that the risk of injury is considerable.


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