{"id":1260,"date":"2016-04-22T15:34:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-22T15:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bcparksvolunteers.ca\/?p=1260"},"modified":"2022-10-03T12:51:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T19:51:57","slug":"a-place-to-write-home-about-mountain-biking-in-the-north-okanagan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/bcparksblog\/2016\/04\/22\/a-place-to-write-home-about-mountain-biking-in-the-north-okanagan\/","title":{"rendered":"A Place to Write Home about: Mountain Biking in the North Okanagan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Home<\/a>\n \n A Place to Write Home about: Mountain Biking in the North Okanagan\n <\/span>\n
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A Place to Write Home about: Mountain Biking in the North Okanagan<\/h1>\n
Community Engagement<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
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BC Parks guest blog post by Dudley Coulter, North Okanagan Cycling Society<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hailing from the flatlands of Ontario, it was hard to imagine a place like this existed; a place that not only recognizes trail building as an invaluable asset to the community, but encouraged it. Mountain biking is not only alive in the Greater Vernon area \u2013 it is thriving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Noble Canyon Trail Day at Kalamalka Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The fun doesn\u2019t stop off the bike either. North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS) volunteers and other trail users put in more than 25 trail days last season throughout three main areas in the region; Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park; Ellison Provincial Park and; Silver Star Provincial Park. Typically, trail days consist of mountain bike enthusiasts and other trail users, young and old, working together for the betterment of our community\u2019s outdoor recreational experience. Trail users are educated on how to build new trails and maintain old trails so that they are sustainable and up to the \u2018Whistler Standard\u2019. This practice not only ensures park users are safe, but also that the trails are made for reduced environmental impact and longevity that allows them to be enjoyed by generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At \u2018Ellison\u2019, parallel to Lake Okanagan, families can stay in the campground and ride beginner to intermediate trails right from the tent. On the shores of Greater Vernon\u2019s other pond, Kalamalka Lake, lies \u2018Kal Park\u2019, a local favourite where locals can take in the lake and valley views from the \u2018Lookout Loop\u2019 after work or venture up to \u2018Big Ed\u2019 with friends for a truly imaginable ride. High above town at Silver Star Provincial Park lays the newly built \u2018Sovereign\u2019 network of trails that allow riders to feast their eyes on the bountiful alpine woodland and its (wild) inhabitants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kalamalka Park Trail Day<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although the eyes of NOCS are set on a wide variety of new trails for the future, one loop is elevated above the rest. \u2018Honest Ed\u2019 is a loop that mountain bikers will travel from far and wide to ride. The loop will utilize popular existing trails with the addition of new climbs and descents to avoid any FSR for an epic, ear to ear grinning ride that will have people gossiping from Vernon to Vancouver and beyond. This loop treats riders to breathtaking valley views and challenging trails to brag about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2015, the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS) saw more than 600 members, attracted 120 youth into the Sprockids Program and saw 25 Thursday Night Toonie Rides take place. With over 3500 hours of documented volunteer labour last season, it is no wonder why the mountain bike culture in Greater Vernon is so alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS), is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing positive trail experiences for mountain bikers in the North Okanagan. NOCS builds, maintains, protects and is an advocate for trails in the area. NOCS is the voice for mountain biking in the North Okanagan.<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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