Local Flavours: The Complete Guide to Riding on the Sunshine Coast, BC

I woke up 10 minutes before my alarm was set to go off. My eyes went from the ceiling of my hotel room, back to the bedside clock, then to my bikes, and finally to a pair of crows building a nest outside of my window. Oh and then back to the clock. The sounds of downtown Vancouver 6 floors below were probably what woke me up initially, but it was the prospect of what lay ahead that prevented me from a few extra minutes of slumber.













First, we need to establish something very important about the Sunshine Coast and really the rest of British Columbia. These are very obviously beautiful lands, and the people who call this place home are famous for easy going temperaments and generally kind attitudes. See: Canadians. However, it is also important to acknowledge that these lands belong to an indigenous people who never relinquished land rights by refusing to sign treaties with the Canadian Crown. These are the traditional territories of the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh), Sechelt (Shíshálh), and Sliammon (Tla’Amin) and Klahoose First Nations, and we should consider ourselves fortunate that they share these lands with others, allowing us to freely explore this breathtaking land aboard two wheels.

The Sunshine Coast stretches 110 miles from Gibsons along the southern edge of the South Coast, to Bliss Landing, which is the tip of the North Coast spear. It saw its first non-natives arrive in the 19th century, and from there the logging and fishing industries took hold as initial economic staples. The mid-twentieth century saw a rapid population increase, as the largest newspaper mill on the planet was operating in Powell River, and the development of ferry services and increased highway infrastructure allowed for easier travel to and from Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Over 50,000 people call The Sunshine Coast home today, with the largest population centers being Powell River, Sechelt, Gibsons, and Robert Creek. Forestry is at the top of the heap in terms of economic impact for the region, but tourism, cultural arts, and small business entrepreneurship are closing in. Mountain biking is a massive draw here, with events like the BC Bike Race bringing hundreds of participants through the area every year for several years running, and over six times the mileage of legal trails to ride than that of paved roads between the two coasts, a number I found staggering when I first heard it.

More recently, the Sunshine Coast has become an ironic amalgamation as a highly visible, yet still largely unknown mecca for some of the most influential and progressive riders and edits in all of mountain biking, with folks like The Coastal Crew, Brandon Semenuk, Kyle Norbraten, Logan Peat, Paul Genovese, Forrest Riesco and scores of other high flying Canadian freeriders and World Cup racers calling this place home while pumping out a steady stream of mind-meltingly brilliant edits time and time again. In reality, the high profile contingent is just the cherry on top of a foundation built upon an unbelievably dedicated core of volunteers and stewards who never seem to take for granted the supreme privilege calling such a paradise home truly is.


Well, here's the thing: While the Sunshine Coast is technically connected to mainland British Columbia, the mountains and fjords have so far proved to be too much for the installation of roads in or around them. Thus, the only means of getting to and from this rugged southwest corner of BC is by sea or air.

I drove to BC from the eastern United States, and made my way into Canada via Interstate 5, through Canadian Customs, and onto Highway 99 north towards Vancouver. Getting through Customs was a breeze, and the drive north to town was especially lovely as the area was drenched in late afternoon sunlight. My decision to stay overnight in Vancouver felt wise as well, allowing for me to rest up and keep my wits about me after such a long drive. The alternative would have been to try and race through post-work rush hour in one of Canada's largest metropolitan centers in order to catch my ferry. Instead I was able to get a great meal, get some great sleep, and had all morning to make the 30 minute drive from downtown to the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay.

Both Vancouver and Vancouver Island offer regular ferry service to and from the Coast via BC Ferries. A quick look at their website will provide you with all of the schedule and fare information you need. Automobiles, cyclists, and hikers are all able to utilize ferries and I found the ride to be comfortable, beautiful, and quick. Most of the vessels have cafeterias and wifi as well. In fact, I was actually able to get a lot of work done on my laptop during my return trip following my week on the Coast. Additionally, a ferry ride is required if you are looking to drive from the South Coast to the North Coast, with terminals that connect in Earl's Cove and Saltery Bay. If the first ferry ride from Vancouver is an eye opener, the trip from Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay will bring tears to them.

While ferries are by and large the primary means of getting to and from either part of the Sunshine Coast, airlines do offer flights from Vancouver International Airport in Vancouver to both Sechelt and Powell River, as well as flights from Nanaimo and Victoria on Vancouver Island to Sechelt.
































The Sunshine Coast is a year-round riding destination. Despite being north of the Canadian/American border, the warm air from the Pacific keeps temperatures relatively mild during the winter months, particularly at elevations close to sea level with daytime highs averaging somewhere in the mid-40's Fahrenheit. The steep mountains here certainly collect plenty of snow over the course of the winter, but that precipitation is typically found in the form of rain down low. It's a fairly wet place for most of the year, so always pack some shells and layers, but things can get rather dry and dusty during peak summer months, though still very comfortable with average temps rarely exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August.


Bring them all. Seriously, there is more than enough terrain here for almost every conceivable type of mountain bike out there. There's even some decent road riding, particularly around Powell River. We all know those folks who dust off the downhill bikes for a handful of flow laps at the local bike park, and that's totally viable here, but those things were built to smash steep and rough stuff, and this is a place that actually warrants the use of those big hit machines.

I brought my long and low Firebird with me, as well as my shorter travel and wheelbased Switchblade, and managed to find things to keep them both extremely happy. I almost always opted for the Firebird on the South Coast, particularly between Roberts Creek and Gibsons, and even some of the steep and raw terrain outside of Sechelt. It was good to go for Coast Gravity as well, although a proper DH bike would've been pretty ideal there.

Powell River definitely caters to the shorter and more responsive XC to mid-travel trail bike, as those bikes tend to hit the sweet spot on much of those trails. I drove, so I was able to have a selection, but if you're flying in and need to go with one bike to rule them all, I'd likely opt for a longer travel trail bike. It's better to be over prepared than under gunned, especially during travel.



The Coast Mountain Bike Trail Association is a non-profit organization serving the MTB trails on the Sunshine Coast, BC (South Coast - Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, Langdale & Egmont).

The Powell River Cycling Association was created to represent the interests of cyclists from all disciplines in and around Powell River area, such as developing an all-access bike park, improved cycling infrastructure including the development of bike lanes, ways and paths in and around the major routes of town and creating more access to cycling for the youth of Powell River.












While the entirety of the Sunshine Coast combines for just a hair over 50,000 inhabitants, as tourism continues to grow as an economic presence here, the number of lodging options and restaurants to choose from grows with it. I worked my way up the coast during my week in town, and had the opportunity to sample many restaurants and lodging options.

If you're looking to stay in Gibsons, Bliss by the Bay is an amazing B&B, perfect for families or a group, and the costs are incredible, especially when split among a few people. In Robert's Creek, I stayed at the venerable biker/backpacker inspired hostel, Up the Creek. Martin Prestage and his son are both mountain bikers, and it includes a bike wash and storage. My last night on the South Coast was spent at the uber-luxurious Painted Boat resort. It is another option perfect for large groups and is just a 20-minute drive to the Earl's Cove ferry. My stay in Powell River was at the Old Courthouse Inn, and it might've been my favorite of the lot. There was fast wifi, bike storage, a really comfy bed, and an adjoining cafe serving up amazing coffee and breakfast. It's run by a couple of amazing guys, J.P. and Kelly, who have a great deal of knowledge of the area and are incredibly hospitable. It's BC though, so everyone was really nice and went out of their way to make me feel at home throughout my time here.

The proximity to the water definitely plays a role in what you eat here, although you don't have to be a seafood lover in order to eat well. Gibsons, Sechelt, Pender Harbour, and Powell River offer up the densest selection of dining options, but food is damn near an art form in these parts, so you're never far from something tasty. Keep in mind, this is not a nightlife hub, so places tend to close shortly after dark, even on the weekends. Here are some of my favorite places from my time on The Coast:

Breakfast:
Gumboot Cafe in Robert's Creek
Edie Rae's Cafe in Powell River
Base Camp Coffee in Powell River

Lunch:
Lone Wolf Bakery in Sechelt
Gibsons Public Market in Gibsons
Base Camp Coffee in Powell River

Dinner:
Gumboot Restaurant in Robert's Creek
Smitty's Oyster House in Gibsons
Costa Del Sol in Powell River
The Coastal Cookery in Powell River

For those of you who fancy a tasty beer or two, see below.


The Sunshine Coast has a few bike shops to help keep you rolling on your trip here:
Off the Edge in Sechelt
Elphinstone Cycles in Roberts Creek
Suncoast Cycles in Powell River


1. Learn a bit more about First Nations culture. As we established early on, this is land that has belonged to a large community of native inhabitants long before anyone else set foot on this pristine soil, and it would behoove us all to do what we can to show respect and appreciation for their generosity. One way to do so is to educate ourselves on their art and culture, and the shíshálh Nation tems swiya Museum in Sechelt is a good place to start.
2. Check out the craft beer, cider, and distillery scene. The craft beverage scene here is strong and getting stronger, with several breweries, cideries, and distilleries popping up along the Sunshine Coast. Many of them are deeply involved with the mountain bike community as well, donating beer to the BC Bike Race, opening up their property lines to riders for increased trail access, and working hand in hand with the mountain bike community to cultivate a growing love for mountain bikes throughout the region. Tapworks Brewing, Townsite Brewing, and Brickers Cidery are just a few of the places you should check out while in town. You can even build an entire vacation around it via the BC Ale Trail!
3. Check out West Coast Thick. I travel quite a lot, and often like to come home with some cool gifts for the family that are rooted in wherever I've been. This is a rad clothing and art shop in Powell River that is emblematic of the love locals have for the place they call home. A portion of the proceeds from many of these items are pumped right back into the trails as well, which almost makes me feel good about the amount of money I spent there.




Southern Sunshine Coast mountain biking trails


Northern Sunshine Coast mountain biking trails

Coast Gravity Park mountain biking trails

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