How Would You Describe the Trails in Ontario?
I think most riders across Ontario would describe our trails as Cross Country. Of course, our excellent trail crews build in as much downhill into their trails as possible, but you can’t create elevation out of thin air. The exception to Ontario’s flatitiude is, of course, Horseshoe Bike Park. Horseshoe offers lift-access, downhill fun, and they do a great job. But even Horseshoe can’t compete with the size of the hills they have in British Columbia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I had a chance to ride all four of these amazing locations this summer. So, let me tell you what I learned from Whistler, Highland, Killington and Thunder Mountain and how it applies to riding in Ontario.
A brief description of Whistler, Highland, Killington and Thunder Mountain
Whistler Bike Park in British Columbia is a world-renowned mountain biking mecca with over 80 kilometers of lift-accessed trails. It offers everything from beginner-friendly runs to expert-only lines, all amidst breathtaking alpine scenery.
Highland Bike Park in New Hampshire is a dedicated mountain biking facility famous for its progressive terrain and rider-focused community. With trails designed for all skill levels, it’s a go-to spot for those looking to improve their skills and enjoy some serious riding fun.
Killington Bike Park in Vermont is known as The Beast of the East. Its expansive terrain and variety of trails, offering everything from mellow flow trails to steep, technical descents. It’s a prime spot for riders looking to explore diverse mountain biking experiences in the East.
Thunder Mountain Bike Park in Massachusetts offers a rider-friendly atmosphere with a diverse mix of trails, from smooth flow routes to challenging technical sections, all set against the scenic Berkshires.
What Did I Observe in Whistler, Highland, Killington and Thunder Mountain
Two things come to mind when you ride trail systems with elevation: steepness, and speed. Let’s start with the steeps. Sure your local trail has a steep chute, or maybe even a trail or two where you have to get behind the seat. That’s amazing. Love it. Do you have to pedal at all on these trails? If so, darling, they ain’t that steep. By contrast, EZ Does It, a Green Trail in Whistler, is utterly featureless, and is wide enough to drive a car down, but you don’t have to pedal. Like at all. Not once. It’s not the steepest trail in the world by any means, but it goes to show that when you get elevation, you get perpendicular(ish).
With elevation also comes speed. There are a lot of trails at Whistler, Highland, Killington, Thunder, and Horseshoe which, if made slightly flatter, would be manageable by a wide variety of riders. Turn it on an angle though and suddenly every root, rock and decision comes flying at your face like some kind of angry flying monkey warrior. Your decision time is reduced. You hardly have time at all to consider where the monkeys even came from. This takes a massive amount of getting used to. Many people, The ONtrail crew included, start on green or blue trails, re-ride them and work their skill and speed up from there.
What Can Whistler, Highland, Killington and Thunder Mountain Teach Us About Riding in Ontario?
Let’s go back to the steeps. The best part of riding steep trails is returning to Ontario, and riding steeper sections with more confidence. Riding downhill teaches you that your bike wants to go downhill. It’s made for the challenge. Point it down the trail and go. Now, don’t get hurt and tell people a blog made you go OTB. Ride within your limits. But, perhaps push them a little, safely, and with a friend, or maybe a coach. Biking is fun, have more fun on your bike.
Speed might be the biggest takeaway from riding DH. It’s incredible how fast you and your bike will go when you let off the brake. It’s also amazing how many obstacles your bike can glide over when you don’t brake into them. The speed you thought was fast before DH will seem slow compared to your new found flat-out, no-brake DH speed. I’m nowhere near the fastest in my crew (let the debate about who’s fastest begin!). I’m stunned when I see how quickly those guys bomb down the trail. I don’t know if I’ll ever be that fast, but I’m learning that speed is fun, and fun is your friend.
One last thing we can learn
Most bike parks have skill zones which allow you to progress through a series of small, medium, large features such as drops and jumps. These are invaluable, and where possible should be in every trail centre in Ontario. The skills you learn there can be transferred to the trail, and you’ll gain the confidence and skill to tackle tougher features.
In Conclusion
Riding in Ontario is incredible. It’s what we know, and what we love. However, riding out of province is also an amazing experience, one which will likely make you a better rider when you get home
