Early Spring Trail Report

Bike Park

With the good weather and recent winds the Bike Park is drying up fast. There are still some critical wet areas and subsequent rutting from riders  who are too impatient to wait it out. The ground is still frozen and spring showers are sure to come.

The strong winds also present a hazard with unstable trees in many areas of the areas of the Park. Several of these trees will have to be professionally removed and this may take time.

If favorable conditions hold throughout the week, there will be a basic maintenance day on Saturday April 18th. This will include garbage cleanup, removing debris from the trails, raking leaves and debris from drainages and raking out the unfortunate new ruts.

Stayed tuned on our website calendar for upcoming maintenance dates!

When conditions are poor, you will see signs like these at the Hinton Bike Park.

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Trail Systems

Happy Creek

The Happy Creek trail system has seen high use in the last couple of weeks with favorable temperatures and rapidly melted snow pack.

There are still a few areas with snow/ice and lots of wet problem areas throughout, especially Happy Creek East and Just Giver.  All other trails are in awesome early season shape. 

Downed trees on Slowcooker were cleared this weekend.

Jack's

Report from Jack's Trails of downed trees and wet areas in the obvious spots.

As always, please let us know your trail feedback. Keep us informed on trail conditions and maintenance so we can pass it on to others.   

See you at the AGM!

Spring Conditions in Bike Park - Please Stay Out!

Please stay out of the bike park during these early spring conditions.  The weather is great and we are all itching to get out, but please have some patience.  It takes a lot of time and effort to fix ruts created when trails and features are muddy.  Time that would be better used making the park radder for all of us!

Thank you!!

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Volunteer Call!

Volunteer Call! HMBA is looking for someone to help with a Hinton Bike Park mini-project. We need to have a cement pad installed near the seacan in the spring (roughly 3'x3' to 4'x8') and would like someone with good concrete know-how to help manage this small project. Any takers??

Email us at info AT bikehinton.com for more details!

Hidden Gems: Totally Lost

THIS WEEK'S HIDDEN GEM: TOTALLY LOST

This week's gem is not necessarily hidden (it can be found on current maps and signs), but may yet to be explored by those still unfamiliar with the park's network of trails.  A favorite to many, this twisty trail is a definite must when playing in the park!

Location: Hinton Bike Park

Difficulty: Beginner

Type: Singletrack

Description: This 1km flow trail keeps you guessing as it weaves and loops in all directions through the Park but don’t worry, it’s safe to leave your compass at home. Return to ride the opposite way or take “Okey Spokey” back to the start. Explore the other options such as “Gully Trail” or the new “Stinger” flow trail - another gem!

Directions: Two-way. Follow “Mid Access trail and look for the first trail on the right before the pump track to ride clockwise. Follow “Jodoin’s Journey” to the “Gully Trail” to ride counter clockwise. Are you lost yet?

AFD Gravity Cup Update: Event Cancelled

Recent weather conditions forces this weekend's event to be cancelled.

Post by AFD Racing.

Dirt Jam Under the Lights - Saturday September 13!

Thank you The Hinton Voice Inc. and Oui Print for donating this awesome poster!   And thank you to Jules Oilfield for sponsoring the big lights!!  Don't forget to check out AFD Racing .

Hidden Gems: Stinger

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association continually strives to promote mountain bike culture in Hinton.  The 2014 Trail Maps have been updated and released this summer, but all our trail signage updates are still on our to-do list - which we hope we can tackle in the near future.  We could always use your help! (hint hint!)

Unfortunately, some of our trails and features have not been fully explored by visitors and locals alike because they don't know it's there!   To help with this, we'll put out some posts about our 'Hidden Gems' to help all riders better explore and enjoy our great trails!

This week's Hidden Gem: Stinger

Location: Hinton Bike Park

Difficulty: Intermediate, Advanced

Type: Flow Trail - Loop

Description: Get your buzz on the Park’s newest flow trail featuring berms, bumps and quick direction changes. Swarm around the nest above, traversing the cut-banks in a 360 to where you started. Enter and exit the hive as you wish, with a return lap option at the bottom. Treat this as a mini-enduro, climbing your way to each new fastest descent. How many stages can you complete before you’re stung?

Direction: Ride from the parking lot through “Jodoin’s Journey” to the “Gully Trail”. The popular option continues right to the bottom of the rooty “Gully Trail”, with left at the wooden bridge.

Trail Background: Stinger was built in 2013 by Hoots Inc. and many volunteers.  The project was funded in part by Quality of Life grant, Hoots Inc. and HMBA.  Materials (wood) were donated by Hinton Home Hardware.  Food for volunteers was provided by Boston Pizza and Subway.

For other great trail descriptions in the bike park, visit our Bike Park Info webpage.

Sign up for the AFD Gravity Cup - Earlybird Special ends August 22!

Early Bird Registration for the AFD Racing Gravity Cup in Hinton ends Friday, August 22nd! Be sure to sign up! ‪#‎bikehinton‬!

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2014 Map of Hinton Mountain Bike Trails Now Available!

The latest map edition (2014) to Hinton's Mountain Bike Trails is hot of the press this week!  Maps will be freely available at the Hinton Visitor Information Centre and local bike shops!

Click on the image above to open the full map pdf (11 Mb).  Hinton Bike Park trails included.  See below for low resolution images.

A big THANK YOU to our sponsors that helped support the creation of this map!

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Low Resolution Image of Map Front

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Low Resolution Image of Map Back

Hinton Bike Park - Refreshed!

In the early evening of Friday, August 1st - Jay Hoots and his wonderful hard-working crew were packing up after a full & dedicated week at reshaping the park's Skills Area, (mini) Pump Track and Dirt Jumps.   Their love for our park can be seen in the great work they've done.  Big thanks are also shouted out to all the volunteers that came out to give a hand!!

The Happy Creek Bike Park was also given some TLC and has surely seen lots of action since!

A BIG THANK YOU to all the Hinton Mountain Bike Association's sponsors!!!

• Mark Deagle Log Home Builders;
• Hinton Home Hardware;
• The Cat Rental Store;
• Wolverine Integrated Resource Management (Terry Dodge);
• Lakeview Inn & Suites; and
• The Town of Hinton

Make sure to explore the park in the next few weeks and get ready to participate in the upcoming 5th Annual Beaver Bike Fest on August 23 & 24th!  

Hinton Bike Park Rejuvenation Almost Complete!

The Hinton Bike Park rejuvenation (Skills Area and Dirt Jumps) by Jay Hoots, his crew and many dedicated volunteers is nearing completion!  I would describe all the rad changes and additions, but fear I wouldn't do it justice... which means you should plan to visit the park in the very near future and check it out for yourselves!

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Dirt Jumps

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Square of Skinnies and Turns

The Happy Creek Bike Park on Forest Heights Drive has also been 'refreshed' and ready for some jump and rolling action!  Click here for map for this park's location

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Happy Creek Bike Park

HMBA Trail Maintenance Update

Latest updates

• Hoots Inc. have landed! Look for them at the Bike Park over the coming weeks.
• Junior Forest Rangers (JFR's) are braving the Heavy Rain Warning today and tomorrow continuing work out at the "GS Extension" !

Upcoming Trail Maintenance / Ride 

When:  Saturday July 26, 2014 at 12:30 (weather pending)
Where: Meet at the seacan at the Bike Park, pack tools (provided) and ride out!

Please bring water/snacks, appropriate clothing and safety equipment (gloves/glasses etc.)

PS. did you know that trail volunteers are entered into a sweet year-end prize draw?

Hinton Bike Park featured in WorldBikeParks.com

Check out this awesome feature on the Hinton Bike Park by WorldBikeParks.com - an awesome site profiling all of the bike parks from around the world. Please like their Facebook page and be sure to visit www.worldbikeparks.com