Category: Bike Tours

Cumberland is a small town with a storied history.  Settled in the late 1800′s due to the discovery of large deposits of coal in the area, Cumberland was a boom town at the turn of the century.  Beginning as a coal mining settlement, Cumberland was an active mining town until the early 1950′s.  Originally called Union after the Union Coal Company that opened the first mines, the name was changed to Cumberland in 1891, named after Cumberland County in England.  The coal mining operations were very large at the turn of the century and prosperity continued along for decades following.  The town’s population was 3000 in 1897 and is only just over 2800 today.  Prosperity began with mining, then logging and has now been replaced with recreation and culture.

In addition to mining operations, Cumberland has always had and continues to have an active forestry sector.  Logging in the area began in the late 1800′s and continues still.  Cumberland is surrounded by forests of varying age as a result and gives the area a unique mix of trails to ride.

The mix of mining and logging history has led to a vast network of old  roads that are now intermixed with an ample amount of singletrack.  From IMR’s base at the Riding Fool Hostel, we can access all of these local trails within minutes.  Cumberland trails are all homegrown, mountain bike specific trails, built and maintained by a small but hearty local crew.  The trails, like Cumberland itself are a nice mix of old and new.  Recently, the Cumberland crew has moved a staggering amount of dirt in a full scale effort to sculpt corners and create the ultimate network of trails that flow from the first minute you get on your bike.

IMR can show you all the goods, in the right order to maximize flow and descending time.  Leave the hard work to us and you can concentrate on riding your bike and having a great time!

In addition to the great riding, Cumberland has a vibrant arts scene and is close to other recreation activities.  Just past town and accessible by bike is Comox Lake and a short drive away is Mt. Washington Alpine Resort and Strathcona Provincial Park.  The arts and culture scene is focused around Cumberland Village Works.  This local promoter brings great musical acts into town regularly and provides a nice compliment to the vibrant recreation scene.

Come check out Cumberland’s trails, beautiful surrounding areas and the vibrant entertainment.  You won’t be dissapointed!

Contact:

For more information and 2009 pricing and availability:

e-mail: info@islandmountainrides.com

phone: 1.250.702.3940

Within 10km’s of Cumberland and the Riding Fool is the trails of the Forbidden Plateau/Comox Lake area.  This area has some of the best singletrack descents in BC and some absolutely spectacular scenery.  From the plateau’s trails you can see Comox Lake, Cumberland, Courtenay/Comox, Denman and Hornby Island and even over to the mainland and the vast expanse of the coast mountains.

Forbidden Plateau is an area rich in local history and folklore.  The name is supposedly derived from a local native legend.  The story has a few versions, but each version explains that a tribe or part of, “fell off” the plateau.  In the hundreds of years following that incident, local natives have generally avoided travel to the “Forbidden Plateau”.

European settlement arrived in the late 1800′s and the plateau has since been a recreation destination.  The first lodge was built on the plateau in the 1930′s and served as an access to the back country and to what is now Strathcona Provincial Park.   In 1949, ski lifts were installed and skiing operations began as Wood Mountain ski park. In 1982 the original lodge burnt to the ground and in 1999 a huge snow load collapsed the roof of the day lodge.  Since 1999, the lifts have not turned and what remains now are a few burned out buildings, the abandoned lift towers and some of the orange chairs of the main lift.

In 1946,the plateau was the epicenter for the largest earthquake recorded in Canadian history, measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale.  There was not much damage in the immediate area, but it was recorded that nearly all of the chimneys in Cumberland crumbled on that day.

The trails that Island Mountain Rides will show you descend down from the plateau, through mature and young forests. There are also open rock bluffs with spectacular views of the ocean, neighboring islands and the coast mountains in the background.  The trails are mostly downhill and vary from technical steep lines to fast, flowy rips with short climbs and stunning views.  IMR can take you there and will ensure that the ride down fit’s your style and needs.  IMR can show you the classics and link them up with the new school lines for a great day of singletrack descending.

The trails of Forbidden Plateau feed into the Comox Lake area trails including the trails of Puntledge Park and Nymph Falls Regional Park.  These recreational trails are well maintained and mountain bike specific.  The trails are fun, fast and roll smooth, sometimes near the banks of the Puntledge River.  Riding at Forbidden Plateau can begin and end with these trails as the two networks connect.  The Puntledge Park area also serves as a great day of riding for beginners as the Nymph Falls, Bear Bait and Bevan trails are a nice tight loop through large trees with periodic views of the river. For more advanced riders, the trails can be used as a throughfare on the way up and down from Forbidden. Feeling really fit?  These trails can also be accessed via road, doubletrack and singletrack right from Cumberland for an epic experience that you will never forget.

Following a great ride down from the plateau or around and near the river, relaxation along the Puntledge or a swim at one of the local swimming holes is always an option.  Island Mountain Rides can bring it all together for you and show you all that these areas have to offer.

Contact:

For more information and 2009 pricing and availability:

e-mail: info@islandmountainrides.com

phone: 1.250.702.3940