Mountain Biking at Kickinghorse Mountain

	Bikers in Body Armor

“Do you want to rent body armor?” asked the eager, young bike shop clerk at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, British Columbia.

“Is it recommended?” I sheepishly countered, wondering if I had perhaps made some sort of critical error by purchasing my one-way lift ticket to the top of the mountain.

“Only if you don’t have a high pain threshold,” the young man quipped while sporting a menacing grin.

Just days before, I had called a hotel in Golden to make a room reservation. I would be in town overnight on business, and thought I might bring my antiquated mountain bike to explore what the area has to offer. The voice on the other end of the phone suggested that I try latest rage in town: the Mountain Bike downhill at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. When I expressed interest, he immediately asked me two very important questions: 1. “Is your bike fully suspended?” and 2. “Does your bike have hydraulic disc brakes?” When I answered a resounding “NO” to both questions, he strongly urged that I rent a bike from the shop on the hill.

Not until I stood next to the resort’s high-speed gondola with rented bike in hand, did I finally understand the wise suggestions of that ever-so-helpful front desk hotel operator. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort provides 4,200 vertical feet (1280 meters) of downhill adrenaline. The speedy ascent by gondola makes for some grand scenery as you are whisked steadily toward the summit. I have to admit that my knees were shaking as I glanced down at the bonsai riders barreling down vertical steeps sliced into the mountainside at break-neck speeds. Once at the top, the rider is treated to a spectacular panoramic view of the Kicking Horse and Columbia valleys.

After spending about 20 minutes taking snap-shots, I hopped on my bike and pointed it downhill. The first drop speeds you through alpine double track along the hill’s cat service road before switching back and offering a choice of more technical routes. It only took about five minutes for me to appreciate the full suspension and even less time to realize that standard rim brake pads would melt before reaching the bottom. Cruising onward, I made a couple of detours to test the bike’s structural integrity and found a crazy steep slick rock section that could only be described as suicidal. It was early July and a good amount of snow still lingered creating abundant melt water that made for a noticeably more perilous (read: Greasy) ride. A sharp right turn at the end of the steep found me bouncing over roots that would have rivaled those on Dagobah, the home planet of Yoda, Jedi Master (with apologies to non-fans of Star Wars). After feeling that my brain had come un-glued (Yoda had appeared before me and warned me that my friends were in danger), I found the cat road and decided on a more leisurely pace to the day lodge.

Kickinghorse Mountain Trails

The direct routes to the bottom are the stuff of speed freaks and admittedly more advanced technical riders. For the recreational cyclist, sticking to the double track is by far the preferred choice, and less daunting. The quick twelve-minute gondola ride up resulted in an amazing forty-minute high-speed descent. One thing I should point out is the difference in temperature from the base of the hill to the summit. I neglected to bring gloves and noticed half way down that my knuckles were white from a combination of heart-pounding vertical speed, and somewhat cooler temps than I was prepared for. Overall, the downhill at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is as good as it gets for the recreational rider, and a descent challenge for the seasoned pro.

Since my heart rate would not slow down, I acted on the advice of the Bike shop clerk and headed down the hill to the Moonraker trail system. A short drive along Kicking Horse Trail to the junction of the Cedar Lake road brings you to an extensive 45-km patchwork of rolling and technical trails that follow ridgelines, nestle up beside beaver ponds, and offer breathtaking canyon views. My old steel framed steed was at home on the trails in this magnificent area that is perched on the west side of the mountain, across the Columbia River. I stayed on the main routes as much as possible, not only for fear of getting lost, but also because the boys at the bike shop had regaled me with tales of curious black bears who frequent the area. The Moonraker trails take the rider though some of the prettiest mountain scenery imaginable. There is no shortage of detours, vistas, and variety within this system, and I would recommend it to anyone who has the time and inclination to explore. You can purchase a map of the Moonraker Trails at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort bike shop, with the proceeds going to the local Golden Mountain Bike club.

	Gondola Lift

Gearing down a sprocket or two, there’s yet another option for the recreational rider who may want to tackle trails at a slower pace. Golden’s in-town loop offers the cyclist a leisurely sight-seeing ride complete with a nice stretch of trail that parallels the river, a residential section, and a particularly pleasant part that runs through some trees at the far east edge of the loop. The trail is maintained by the Golden Rotary Club, and clearly demonstrates the town’s community spirit, as it is in great shape and relatively free from litter and other debris common with larger urban centre trail systems. Any town map of Golden will outline this loop, but you generally don’t need one, as the trail is visible as soon as you cross the first bridge across the Kicking Horse River into town.

All told, Golden has some great cycling suited to riders of every ability. I’m sure that there are more trails than have been listed here, but that will have to wait for a return trip. Next time, I’m bringing the body armor.