Downhill Riding Close to Home

It has been almost 8 years now since Rabbit Hill closed their bike park, a small lift accessed bike park just outside of Edmonton. Definitely not a park where a downhill bike was needed, but the park did help create more of a scene of downhill riders in the Edmonton area. It was a fun little park that gave you a reason to hop on your downhill bike during the week between trips to moose mountain or BC bike parks. Here in 2018 I have noticed the amount of riders in the city skyrocket over the past couple years, however the amount of downhill riders seems to be at an all time low.



The chance of Rabbit Hill's bike park making a comeback in the next 5 years are all but impossible, So how is it we get people stoked on riding downhill bikes in Edmonton? When most people from Edmonton think about going somewhere to ride downhill they are most likely thinking moose mountain or fernie/silver star/pano. Not crazy far away but definitely not places you would be hitting up after work for 4 or 5 laps. Moose mountain has always been that most popular place 3-3 1/2 hours away for riders from Edmonton to do day trips/weekend trips for some downhill laps a few times a year with usually weeks in between rides on the downhill bike making you question if it is worth keeping that $5000 bad ass shredding machine. And for BC bike parks driving 5 or more hours just to spend more on a ticket can be sometimes something people may not want to do very much. Thankfully there is great downhill riding much closer and free, making the decision to keep owning a downhill bike a no brainer.



The first time I rode Baseline mountain in 2015 I almost kinda felt stupid. I was driving with friends thinking there was about 45 minutes to go or more expecting it to be as far as moose and they say to turn left here. Ok must be a different road we gotta take for a while, nope it was the parking lot for Baseline. I just picked them up in Lacombe an hour and 15 minutes ago how can we possibly be ready to shred dh bikes? My expectations were fairly low since the place was so close and never busy it couldn't be that legit right? Our first run was the DH and had a blast, super fun steeps and fast single track down lower. Later we did Bearded Lady, and right there I fell in love with the mountain. My first day there was a huge success and I knew right away i would be coming here alot more.



In 2016 I started going there more often not only because of how close it was, but how inexpensive it was as things at work were slow and I had nearly no extra money to spend. I quickly found out going to baseline for a weekend cost me less than staying at home since all you need is a bit of gas and to bring a cooler full of food from home + camp gear, which cost less than a night out in town. I quickly met most the regular crew out there and became one of them. A close crew thats hard working, rides hard, and keeps the good times rolling out there even after the bikes are put away for the night. That first weekend out that year they showed me Rosies, a trail that is now one of my favorites I do many times a year.


This past season at Baseline was amazing for everyone. Just before our biggest event, the poker rally. We had a massive wind storm knocking down dozens of trees across the shuttle road and dozens more across the trails. The weekend before the event we spent it clearing the road and trails and the guys did an amazing job getting everything ready to go. MASSIVE thanks to Jason and Ed for getting the road cleared friday night making access to the trails all weekend for work and thank you everyone that was involved that weekend! The Poker rally was a great success with lots of new riders showing up to check out the trails with us regulars splitting up to show groups around the mountain. The next event and what is becoming a yearly tradition is the Solstice ride. Using the longest day of the year to pound out laps till 10:30 PM. I was not able to make it having to work late that day so later I went out for my own little mid week work night ride. It was the best work night I ever had and will be doing this more often. Living on the north side but working near the airport it usually takes me an hour sometimes more to get home where baseline takes 2 hours of less stressful driving to get to, giving me 4 hours of daylight to pound out a few laps and camp and relax, then to start my morning off with a 5 am lap in a beautiful sunrise and be back no problem for work at 8am in Nisku. Growing up in Edmonton living here 26 years leaving is much easier said than done. I have always wanted to live somewhere where I can ride DH more than just on weekends and weeks off. And now with being able to ride downhill trails any day of the summer, worknights or weekends,without moving or changing jobs is very refreshing.



In the Fall after some great work from the crew riding was all time. The costume ride had epic conditions and the crew was stoked. We did many laps the first day and had a little race the next day which was a load of fun. Two weeks later most of us were out having another great fall weekend joined by the Loam Ranger (Go check his channel on youtube for the baseline video and all his other great videos) . Although waiting for parts for my downhill bike and only riding my trail bike, the quantity of DH riding I was getting thanks to Baseline had my confidence on the bike all time high. Two weeks after that we were having a trail day (and a bit of riding), working on bearded lady as the snow starting coming in to finish the season we were able to finish what we were working on that day and celebrated the successful season we had at our favorite local eatery (Grand view Stage). As the 2018 season at Baseline comes closer we are very excited for what this year has in store and excited to show new riders this great riding close to home. See you this summer!