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Village of Cumberland: copy for Mountain Biking BC site
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The unofficial epicentre of Island riding, Cumberland boasts more than 80 km of legendary singletrack, plus a riding culture that’s second to none.
Where the mountain biking is legendary: Cumberland, BC
Etched into the gnarly, forested hills spreading out from the Village of Cumberland are more than 80 kilometres of Vancouver Island’s most legendary singletrack – where the trails range from fast and flowy to rugged and rocky, and where epic vistas are awarded to riders with the legs and lungs to get them there.
Welcome to Cumberland, BC – The unofficial epi-centre of island riding, Cumberland boasts legendary singletrack a few pedal strokes from downtown, and a riding culture that’s second to none
From the village’s decidedly chill downtown strip, you’re just a few pedal strokes from the loamy, rooty and lovingly maintained trails that have made Cumberland one of British Columbia’s premiere mountain bike destinations.
Depending which trails you choose, you’ll find combinations of flowy, forested singletrack (Space Nugget), fast, bermed descents (Bear Buns), man-made features like boardwalks and A-frames (Thirsty Beaver), or technical cross-country rides that will test your abilities and make you earn every exhilarating descent (Queso Grande).
Cumberland mountain bike culture
The hub of Cumberland’s mountain biking community is a dedicated group of riders known as the United Riders of Cumberland (UROC). Most of Cumberland’s vast trail network is located on private land in a working forest, and UROC has played a key role in ensuring non-motorized public access. A land-use agreement signed in December 2015 formalized trail access and allowed for the expansion and improved maintenance of the trail network.
Consistent with its image as “the village in the forest,” the mountain bike culture in Cumberland is ridiculously friendly. Local riders are quick to share their trail knowledge and advice, and expertly staffed bike shops are nearby to provide everything you need to make your next ride an epic one. With several accommodation options in the heart of this supremely walkable village, it couldn’t be easier to park your car for the weekend and rediscover your happy place in Cumberland, B.C.
Each year, Cumberland hosts a variety of mountain bike races and events, including the BC Bike Race, Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) and annual UROC-hosted enduro, cross-country, downhill and marathon races.
For a GPS-enabled trail map, download the Cumberland TrailMapps app on Google Play or iTunes. A portion of every purchase is kicked back to the local mountain biking community.