This is March in the Okanagan?
Is there anything more awesome than getting a surprise early start to the MTB season? Out of the blue, suddenly there are bone dry trails, awesome weather, and BBQ-ready evenings. It reminds me of being a little kid with my first mountain bike, just waiting for spring to happen to go enjoy the total freedom of the bike, being able to go out all day with your buddies and have an adventure. This spring feels exactly like that! Something about the unexpected opportunity to ride lets you forget about being an adult with responsibilities, and just get back to having fun. After struggling with an injury for a few years now, I’ve come to realize how lucky it is to be able to get out for even an hour of riding. Its exciting to be out with the boys again hitting jumps and ripping turns! I’ve never been more stoked to be out riding and shooting.
While there is still plenty of mud and snow to be found, many of the trails are already dry and in perfect shape. The last week of riding has been an amazing start after a long winter of valley cloud and fog which made biking a distant memory. The West Kelowna Fire Department is already out burning slash piles, which made for some unique photo-ops. Hope you enjoy this summary of my first week of the season!
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Stretching out the winter legs, and toughening the lungs with a little smoke.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
2014 BC Enduro Series Open Men winner, and new dad Mike Acton dropping in.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Swooping and diving Lake Loop.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Ross behind the heat plume of a slash pile. Big shout-out to West Kelowna Fire for protecting our trails, and letting us film in this area while they were doing the controlled burn.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Finding the fast line.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
The author, remembering that winter beers do not directly improve climbing ability.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Smoky trails for local wrench / shredder / moustache aficionado Dubbs.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Cruising speed on the rim above Rose Valley Lake.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Observe the surgeon operating on a spine.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
That's not fog.
![This is March in the Okanagan]()
Basking in the sun. This season is already promising great things!
Photos/Words: Niall Pinder
While there is still plenty of mud and snow to be found, many of the trails are already dry and in perfect shape. The last week of riding has been an amazing start after a long winter of valley cloud and fog which made biking a distant memory. The West Kelowna Fire Department is already out burning slash piles, which made for some unique photo-ops. Hope you enjoy this summary of my first week of the season!
Photos/Words: Niall Pinder
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However the high elevation DH stuff still needs time for access roads to dry out.
Already seen evidence of rednecks tearing up roads trying to check out the DH too early.
Have some patience with the soft ground/roads.
Don't be "that guy".
Hillbillies=B.C.
Rednecks=Alberta
My bad.
All the trails are primo on the shore & Fraser valley as well.
Bring on the Brown pow!
Smith Creek has some mud above the lookout with snow at the upper parts, so easy there.
Rose Valley is your best bet right now, or Knox Mountain. We need to give our more ridden trails time to dry otherwise it's gonna be TOTAL shit by May/June...
There was a local guy who did some trails work up there a few years ago, but when I was chatting with him once he said he was moving away, so I don't know if the work ever continued.