Posts
7
Joined
12/1/2011
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA
US
Hey everyone - Every year I try to take at least one mtb related trip somewhere, however, I tend to procrastinate so a lot of the time I don't go anywhere of significance. This year I'm learning from my errors and planning early. I thought it might be cool to get some input from others on where I should consider going? Below are some places I'm considering but not limited to and for background the couple of places that I've been. I've limited my destinations to North America (I live in southern California) and was also considering driving.
Places I'm considering
-Whistler (including Squamish and Pemberton)
-Revelstoke, BC
-Bellingham and Issaquah
-Colorado (specifically Crested Butte and surrounding area)
-Park City
-Angle Fire
Places I've been
-Tahoe (Northstar and a few trails in the larger area)
-Whistler (been once, only rode park, about 5 days of riding, no riding in Squamish and Pemberton)
-Issaquah (limited to Duthie and one trail at tiger mtn)
-Downieville
-Sedona
-Mammoth
Where would you recommend?
Places I'm considering
-Whistler (including Squamish and Pemberton)
-Revelstoke, BC
-Bellingham and Issaquah
-Colorado (specifically Crested Butte and surrounding area)
-Park City
-Angle Fire
Places I've been
-Tahoe (Northstar and a few trails in the larger area)
-Whistler (been once, only rode park, about 5 days of riding, no riding in Squamish and Pemberton)
-Issaquah (limited to Duthie and one trail at tiger mtn)
-Downieville
-Sedona
-Mammoth
Where would you recommend?
Humboldt
Central Oregon Cascades
B-Ham
Squamish, Pemberton
If youre flying and wont have a car, i'd say Whistler would be the best bet to keep you occupied for two weeks. If you really wanna road trip....bellingham for a day, squamish for a couple days, whistler for a handful of days, then jump over the Revelstoke for a few days and start making your way home. Stop in idaho for a day to get some riding in and split up the drive. I did that trip a few years ago, and man, was it hard coming back to So-cal summertime riding after that.
Squamish and revelstoke are my two favorite mountain towns I've ever been to. If you drive, you'd be silly not to sack up and just hit up both. Its a lot of extra miles, but totally worth it.
Also, Angel Fire is a hoot, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to do two weeks there.
If not, I echo what a few others said on that you can easily hit Bellingham, Squamish and Whistler in those two weeks.
and it's a really good way to ride a lot of trails over 6-7 days. And if you're lucky, the MSA world cup will be right after the race so you'll get to enjoy that too.
Hi folks,
for those of you from overseas and are up for a trip to Finale Ligure/Italy! We now also offer complete holiday packages.
So you can book the bikeshuttle, guide, accommodation, food and airport transfer directly with us.
One week, two weeks or only 4 days - no problem.
From 2023 we also have in our accommodation a small bike store and various rental bikes.
Have a look here www.enduro-rides.com
You can also book only the bikeshuttle in Finale Ligure with us.
Feel free to contact us via your preferred channel!
Enduro Rides
See you guys - Ride on
Michi
Moab is a great destination city for us MTB types. It's a whole day's drive from SoCal, but since you are looking at Canada anyway....
No reason you can’t do Issaquah, Bellingham and Whistler/Squamish. I live close to the local I-90 trails near Issaquah and can say if you’re heading to Whistler it’s worth a day or 2, but not a week. Bellingham has lots of goods that would keep you entertained for a couple days. Also Darrington has a great shuttle zone called North Mountain that is well worth a day. In my opinion Whistler is great but I would want to ride the bike park for a week. A few days there and I’m good, the valley has lots of other stuff to explore.
Just realized this is an old thread and I replied almost the same thing a couple years back.
I have to say, I love to travel and discover new places to ride as well! I recently found some good deals on business class flights, so I'm definitely in the mood for an adventure. From your list, I've only been to Tahoe and Whistler, but I've heard great things about Bellingham and Crested Butte. Have you considered Moab or Bend, Oregon? I've heard they're both fantastic spots for mountain biking. As someone new to this forum, I'm excited to hear more recommendations and see where others have been! Cheers to planning early and making the most of your MTB trips!
For the euros around here, a road trip from Northern Italy through Austria is an insane week/two trip. It's a great mix between some of the sickest dh riding in the world (Val di Sole, Schladming, Leogang) and mellow-er adventure oriented destinations (Canazei, Saalbach come to mind).
let them stay over that side of the pond.. PDS queues are starting to be annoying ; ) . In fact Morzine/les get, exploring nearby swiss parks, samoens area and may be aosta is a good road trip. just need the flight ticket ; )
I've been lucky to ride most of the places mentioned in North America this thread and, in my experience, the most important ingredient for a happy mountain bike trip is local knowledge. Riding around staring at your phone or a map is a great way to ride lots of meh trails, but connecting with someone (anyone) who knows the area is a surefire way to ride the good stuff. Plus, despite my username being a misanthropic ROBOT, people really do make the experience. Seems like everyone's listed a bunch of great options, so I would pick the one where you know people and let them help shape the experience.
One other thought- if you have two weeks to play with, and you're coming during the summer, enduro races are a fantastic way to see an area and ride trails you otherwise wouldn't. If there are any Enduro races going on at any of the places you're looking at, definitely do that [Disclaimer: As long as you're the sort of rider who can make good choices and stay healthy at a race. Not a good idea if you're the sort of rider who has their biggest crashes and gets broke off at races].
Coming back from my fourth trip there yesterday, Finale area has A LOT to offer of you're willing to pedal too. And the less shuttle access frequented trails are much smoother and friendlier to shorter travel bikes (150ish mm for example). And you have Molini fairly nearby too which apparently is awesome.
For shuttling, a day with Backcountry Finale is an awesome experience. Shuttling with Defenders to some hidden trails.
(I know I'm quoting an old post, but might be useful for someone.)
Sadly I've only done two days of Aosta (one day of pedalling over 1500 vertical and another day of Pila bikepark), but I'm REALLY hoping to change that this summer as it looks amazeballs.
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