Urban Adventure in Vancouver: A Journey through the Birthplace of Freeride Mountain Biking

Hans Rey’s latest urban adventure took place in Vancouver, the birthplace of modern Freeride Mountain Biking. Over the course of five exhilarating days, he was joined by downhill legend Steve Peat and freeride pioneer Wade Simmons, a local from North Vancouver, along with a group of local shredders.

The mission was to traverse this multicultural city from east to west on e-bikes, showcasing classic spots and hidden gems while highlighting the striking contrast between the urban landscape and the breathtaking nature surrounding the city.

Planning these excursions requires extensive research to determine the ideal route that blends trails, scenic views, riding spots, landmarks, and lesser-known areas that even many locals may not be aware of.

The adventure commenced on Eagle Mountain, situated near Coquitlam to the east of Vancouver. This area, while well known to locals, remains largely undiscovered by the thousands of visitors who flock to British Columbia each year for mountain biking. The group tackled a classic loop called “Full Pull,” a 15-mile journey leading to one of the best viewpoints overlooking Vancouver Bay. Along the route, they navigated iconic trails such as Marvin, which featured challenging technical sections, steep rock drops, and classic North Shore wooden features, including ladder bridges and skinnies. After completing the loamy backcountry tour, they descended through various neighbourhoods to Port Moody, where they were welcomed by the vibrant Vancouver trials biking scene. Nestled along the picturesque waterfront, between brewpubs and under a highway overpass, was a permanent trials riding area. Meeting the local riders was a thrilling conclusion to a fantastic first day.

After taking the gondola to the top of Grouse, the group visited a grizzly bear orphaned wildlife refuge, an encounter that should ideally be enjoyed from a safe distance.

Following some ‘first tracks’ in the bike park, they descended to Fromme Mountain to tackle some legendary trails. After navigating a secret loamer near the summit, they reached Upper Oil Can, known for its challenging stunts. These trails are aesthetically beautiful, built within ancient woods with natural cedar stunts and logs, featuring rock formations. They are classified as double black diamond trails, requiring advanced trial skills and are certainly not for the faint-hearted. The exposure and difficulty of this riding style were aptly described as ‘stressful riding.’ Observing Caleb’s approach was captivating, as he made every section even more challenging than necessary. Wade, known as the Godfather of the North Shore, showcased his impressive skills, while Steve and Hans also thrived in the environment. Many of the stunts have unique names, with the ‘Combobulator’ being particularly notorious—a series of elevated, interconnected boards that wobble as riders attempt to cross.

The next trail, ‘Expresso,’ offered a bit more flow and is reputed to be one of the most ridden trails in the world. After several more exhilarating runs, the group met up with Darren from ‘Endless Biking,’ who provided lunch at one of Lynn Valley’s popular swimming holes.

Back on the urban route, they navigated the North Vancouver neighbourhoods, home to many mountain bike professionals, and made their way to the waterfront, where they explored the industrial harbour and grain silo terminal before arriving at the Shipyards district at Lonsdale Quay. Along the way, they stopped at The Cove, one of the oldest mountain bike shops in the world. The day concluded at the Northshore Indoor Bike Park, a favoured venue for birthday parties, where Caleb demonstrated his jumping skills while the seasoned riders enjoyed a refreshing beer.

Although Squamish is not directly adjacent to Vancouver, the team could not resist incorporating this popular riding destination, renowned for its granite rock slabs and extensive trails. Ryder Bulfone, an emerging local talent known for his dual skills in freeriding and freeskating, joined the group. Unlike the others, Ryder rode a traditional GT Force bike. They tackled classic slabs on the ‘In n Out Burger’ trail before navigating the steep, dry, and dusty trails around Diamond Head. The granite’s traction proved exceptional, allowing the group to ascend steep chutes that had initially seemed implausible. Ryder tackled several challenging lines, even airing into some of the slabs with impressive speed, adding another black diamond to the double black diamond trails while testing his Suntour suspension. To cap off the day, Peaty arranged for a pizza dinner at the home of rising star Jackson Goldstone.

The final urban stage focused on discovering the west side of Vancouver. The group consisted of Peaty, Hans, and their camera crew: J.B. Bazzarini and Alex Chapellier, along with photographers Hoshi Yoshida and Carmen Rey, who captured the entire journey and rode alongside them throughout the week. A documentary-style film featuring their experiences is set for release in the fall of 2024.

The adventure commenced with a ride across the Lionsgate Bridge to Stanley Park, situated in the heart of the city. Stanley Park, larger than New York’s Central Park, stands as the premier destination for recreational activities. On weekends, the park comes alive with bikers, runners, beachgoers, kayakers, roller skaters, and tourists. Towering ancient trees create a striking contrast with the urban skyline just a mile away, while seaplanes frequently land in the harbour, and local restaurants buzz with activity.

The journey continued from Robson Street via Granville Island to Kitsilano, ultimately reaching West Point, the most western point of Vancouver, which also features the infamous Wreck Beach, known for its optional nude area. This marked a memorable conclusion to an incredible adventure through Vancouver, showcasing the dynamic blend of urban exploration and the natural beauty that surrounds this iconic city.

Photos by Hoshi Yoshida and Carmen Rey.