It feels sensational when your sport of choice pushes you beyond extreme. The rush of adrenaline while trying to focus is always a new experience.

Extremism should be another synonym for equality.

All of us feel the same buzz, the same shock, and the same jolt of adrenaline. Most importantly, we all secrete the same blissful endorphins at the end of the trail because our bodies, once again, succeeded another accomplishment.

From a mountain biker’s perspective, if you’re fully equipped with the early morning rocket fuel, a skid lid, glasses, comfortable gear, and H2O, following a bumpy trail is a rapid charge!

There are numerous mountain riders in the Okanagan Valley, the Bow Valley, and the Kootenays, many of which don’t receive the recognition they deserve.

Bike trails are exploding everywhere from the east coast to the west, and it’s no wonder B.C. boasts “the best place on earth to mountain bike!”

As the industry continues to escalate, and female riders are showing more and more presence, trails have been created for every skill level. Teaching parks and guided tours are also great options. With progression, adventure racing teams are a great means of staying motivated.
Based out of Vancouver, Mind Over Mountain (MOMAR) is an exceptionally well put-together series. Their first event takes place in Squamish on Saturday, May 12^th. A bonus to MOMAR is the social parties they put together before and after the race. Not only is mountain biking triumphing the Canadian extreme-sporting industry, but socials are also being created to discuss face plants, carving techniques, and curb grinds.
Check out these sites for great riding options. See you on the power slide!

www.mindovermountain.com

http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/

http://www.redresort.com/

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm

http://www.kootenays-bc.com/maps.html

Mountain Bike Slang (because no one wants to look like a Rookie.)

• Rocket Fuel: coffee
• Skid Lid: helmet
• Face Plants: hitting the ground face first
• Carving Techniques: to ride with great speed around the corners of a twisting road
• Curb Grinds: pricy erasures of low-hanging, shiny parts of the bike on a curb or rock
• Powerslide: a two-wheel sideways slide, with the foot opposite the direction of travel, still kept on the ground.