DHdavey

Simply amazing photography. Living locally and riding these trails countless times, I sincerely hope this editorial gains traction locally here in the Bow Valley. It would surely go a long way towards getting one of these 3 incredible trails sanctioned (go check it on on trail forks). Alberta Parks, at a policy making level, will hopefully agree to continue to build a working bipartisan relationship with local trail alliances and local government here to maintain sustainable growth in mountain biking.

Underrated Canmore! We're pretty lucky to have eastern Rockies accessible backcountry right out the back gate.

After moving to Canada and becoming a slightly tragic enduro bro, I had my first exposure to bikepacking 2 years ago in Banff at the grand departe of the most legendary of endurance races, The Tour Divide. After a cold Albertan winter binge of Joey Schusler films, local Canmore legend Ryan Correy's podcast (bikepack.ca) and following Lael Wilcox's amazing achievements, I took off on my first overnight trip from Canmore, south to Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis. Initially obsessing over whether my bike was suitable and the belief i had to spend $500 on bike bags, I overheard a conversation at the LBS that stated the best bike was the one you have and the gear you can carry. Because "you'll never get it right the first time anyway". 90km of pedalling, hail storms, freezing alpine wind, soaking wet, lost, alone and in prime grizzly habitat as the sun set below the mountains, I knew I had finally found my purpose riding bikes. 3 weeks later I rode out on a solo, unsupported ride tracing the first segment of the tour divide from Canmore to Fernie via the Fernie alternate. 2.5 days and 235km of ass pounding gravel roads later, I pedalled the last few kms into Fernie on a full suss enduro bike that had prompted a few confused glances among the other tourers the night before in Elkford. I once heard a rider say that endurance cycling has the ability to take you to some dark places in your mind and that the outcome depends solely on your willingness to confront your own emotional/mental abilities. I can absolutely confirm that I was slumped in a ditch, choked with dust, exhausted and hungry, staring blankly at my feet as if expecting them to drag me up and finish the ride as they'd been told to do so many times before on the BC Enduro Series. What I learned that trip is that we can push ourselves emotionally and physically far beyond our perceived breaking point and to understand our true potential. For me, Bikepacking has not only been a complete revelation of the human spirit but also of the connective tissue of our local biking communities. I could not encourage each of you enough to grab your bike, grab a pack and go re-invent yourself on a gravel road somewhere. You will never feel the same about your abilities again.

Stoked to have guys like Jay leading the rest of us keeners in Canmore!

I understand where you're coming from. Try to look at it this way. As a PMBIA certified instructor you are not only upgrading your qualifications and also having them recognised world wide but protecting your future opportunities for employment. Believe me you will benefit from undertaking a course under their curriculum.

Why don't you do it? Instead of sitting around saying not very nice things about people who pour passion and commitment into something they love for the benefit of others. Sorry.