Samplings of single track at Kamloops Bike Camp. Part 1 of 3

May 26, 2005
by Tyler Maine  
Wow this adventure started a few months ago with my buddy Matt Davis telling me that Chuck Brennan at KBC wanted us here at Pinkbike.com to come out and take in a weekend at the new facility. After a lot of emails and a few phone calls it all became reality a few weekends ago, when 6 of us from the industry met at Chuck’s house for our trip to the future of what mountain bike camps will be judged against. Here’s a look into Chuck’s dream, which is now a reality:Back in the spring of 2002, Chuck Brennan set out to start an all inclusive mountain bike touring company utilizing the riding in his backyard of Kamloops B.C. His trips are 5 day/6 night set ups, that cover all Kamloops has to offer, including Sun Peaks and Harper mountains. Well 2 years ago Chuck saw something different needed to be offered to clients looking for an exclusive style trip, one that would set his company apart from others working in the area. He needed a private setting for his campers to experience a fully unique style of what cycling has to offer. The thoughts were there and he put the wheels in motion to develop a private riding area just out side of Kamloops.

After putting the word out and meeting with the appropriate people, the Little Shuswap Indian Band was the ones who could see the good and potential in Chuck’s quest. The Little Shuswap Indian Band is providing KBC with exclusive use to 6000 acres of private land. And we’re not talking about flat land either, KBC has full access to build REAL DH and FR trails all over the mountains that are contained in the 6000 acres. With 3 full time workers on the trail crew also being provided to KBC on behalf of LSB, things are just getting fired up out there. Cebo Tom is the head trail builder, with 7 years experience as a wild lands fire fighter he’s more then qualified in the usage of Polaskis, Macleods and chainsaws. According to Chuck, Cebo builds like there’s a fire coming, and with out his hard, dedicated work eithics, Chuck would be still digging the first trail. There are plans to bring Cebo on as a guide by mid-summer as his riding skills grow and what better guide then the man behind the axe!

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Now, your typical trip will start out with the riders, riding their first day up at Sun Peaks and spending the night at the Delta Hotel. Day number two will then find campers making their way towards the Quaaout Lodge on the LSB reservation. Here campers will be able to choose accommodations in either hotel surroundings or traditional Teepees. Personally the Teepees would be my choice to get the whole experience out of the trip, but this is just another part that you, the rider, can personalize when booking your trip. Oh and did I mention that the Quaaout Lodge sits on approx. 2 kms of beach front on the Little Shuswap Lake, so bring your shorts!!!! On the morning of your departure, Chuck will then load up all the campers in his wakeboard boat and you’ll get to take the lake and river back to Kamloops before flying home. Yep, this is an only at Kamloops Bike Camp experience.

Campers now have the choice of Cross Country, Freeride and road bike facilities at the Quaaout Lodge. Bikes are being supplied through HARO for the 2005 season, so look for some nice rental pieces to throw a leg over. Pro Mountain bikers such as Matt Hunter (our shuttle driver) are regular guides at KBC, so you’ll be getting help with your skills from some of the best in the freeride business. Now that you know what KBC is all about, I’ll tell you about my KBC experience a few weekends ago.

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So I cruised (at about 80km/h) up to Kamloops on Friday to get settled before hitting the trails with KBC. Saturday morning found Matt Hunter, Matt Davis, Mical Dyck, Darcy Wittenberg and Myself all unpacking our own rigs and filling up Chuck’s suburban as it was to be our means of transportation for the next 2 days. Here’s a little bit about our crew for the day:

Matt Hunter- UFC #2 champ, rides for the likes of Specialized, Race Face, Manitou and Adidas Eyewear. Matt was still feeling a little rough from a trip to Williams Lake, so he was gracious enough to be our shuttle driver for the day. He’s a regular guide at KBC and has been packing the lower trails with his dirt bike too.

Matt Davis- Working class hero and all around nice guy. Matty D can be found behind a desk most of the week putting in his time at Urban Systems and then off to ride at night and guide at KBC on the weekends.

Mical Dyck- This girl is studying Environmental sciences in school and is the ’04 Canada Cup Elite Women’s XC champ. She’ll be giving input into Sunday’s XC rides and just having fun with the boys Saturday.

Darcy Wittenberg- A leading member of the film crew that put The Collective together this past season. Darcy may make films, but he can ride his bike too. Darcy kept the rubber side down and was the first to claimed most of the log rides at KBC.

Myself-Well I’m just a guy who rides a bit and really we’re still trying to figure out how I got into this group.

Chuck Brennan-The man, the myth, the legend….. (I think this was his own quote) Really Chuck is a great guy and his vision of a great bike camp is happening right now at the Quaaout Lodge on the Little Shuswap Indian Band Reserve. He puts the time in riding and listening to comments to keep making the experience better for the riders.

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Enough about us how was the riding??

Check back in a few days for part 2.......

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