Thanks for visiting our website -- we hope you find some things of interest and learn more about what mountain biking in the Bow Valley in Rocky Mountains of Canada is all about. We want to provide you with sound information about the sport we love and area we love to ride in. It is a remarkable part of the Rocky Mountains and we hope you get the opportunity to ride here some day if you live far away and if you live nearby, well we know you love the riding here!
If you find things on the site that you think need updating or correcting we'd appreciate an e-mail from you. We want the site to be current and accurate. Any contributions you have that you think we may want to post on the site are welcome as well. Should we think your contribution has merit we will feature it on this site. Send it to us at info@bvmba.org.
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ATTENTION ALL RIDERS INTERESTED IN TRAIL MAINTENANCE: A trail maintenance day on the Lake Minnewanka Trail is planned for September 20th. Please go to our Plans and Projects 2008 page for all the details.
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Donna Shire and a few friends from Saskatchewan were riding this month in the Canmore area and were kind enough to drop off a cash donation to Rebound Cycle for the BVMBA before they returned home. Thank you to these prairie riders for their assistance to the Alliance and we trust that means they had some awesome rides here in he Bow Valley. Many thanks ladies!
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The BVMBA would like to take this opportunity to once again remind all trail users that wearing earphones or earbuds connected to iPods and other personal music devices is a practise we strongly discourage when you are on the trails. This is particularly true if you are on your own. It is so very important that you be aware of, and connected to, your immediate surrounding at all times when you are enjoying the trails here. Make loud noises frequently. Many people think that travelling quietly they can avoid ,or escape from, a potentially dangerous situation with a wild animal. The truth is that most animals are aware of your presence long before you see them. But similarly, most animals wish to avoid contact with people so by alerting them to your presence as early as possible you give them a chance to move away to safer surroundings. Be Wildsmart proactive. Visit our "Links" page and read what you can do to keep yourself and wild animals safe.
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Be Aware Out There
Parks Canada is cautioning people in and around the townsite of Banff that cougar activity this spring and summer seems to be on the increase. It is important that you learn what to do and what not to do if you see or have an encounter with these animals. How you are advised to react to them is somewhat different than bears and as with most things, being prepared is usually much better than dealing with a situation.
Here are some basic tips to help you stay safe. These suggestions are taken from the Wildsmart website: www.wildsmart.ca/
Avoid Cougar Encounters
- Cougars generally prefer to avoid people. Their elusive nature is impressive, given that large males weigh up to 75 kg and can span up to 3m in length (including tail)!
- Cougars can be attracted to children, due to their small size and erratic movement patterns. Keep watch over your children, especially during dawn and dusk, which is when cougars tend to be most active.
- Cougars have been known to prey upon domestic dogs and cats. Keep pets indoors during dawn, dusk, and at night. Ensure your dog kennel is securely covered as cougars can easily jump fences.
- For the safety of both you and your dog, walk your dog on a leash.
- Make noise to alert cougars of your presence.
- Leave the area if you see or smell a dead animal.
- Cougars usually cover their kill with forest debris.
What to do if you do Encounter a Cougar:
- Immediately pick up children and pets.
- Do not turn your back on a cougar.
- Maintain eye contact with the cougar
- Always leave room for it to escape.
- Never run; it may trigger an attack.
- Make yourself appear as large as possible.
- Back away slowly.
- If a cougar attacks, fight back with anything at hand.
June 23, 2008
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Lake Minnewanka Trail
It's a favourite trail with all riders and rightfully so. It is quintessential Rocky Mountain rolling singletrack and it is usually our first trail open in the mountains once winter has left us. And at the moment it is in really great condition.
The Minnewanka Trail always sees quite high usage in the summer season from both hikers and bikers -- and this year is no exception. The weekends are really busy with all sorts of folks enjoying the outdoors. Mountain bikers should keep this in mind and yield the trail, travel slowly near people and when passing them and expect the unexpected at all times. Share the trail and respect all trail users. Have a safe and fun ride!!
A number of people, this writer included, have seen a cougar in the general Lake Minnewanka area this spring and summer. There have been no aggressive encounters with people that I am aware of here to date so don't be overly alarmed but be cautioned. Read the article above this one to help protect yourself from having an unfortunate experience with one.
As an update to this article, there was a dramatic and unique episode that occurred very near the Lake Minnewanka Trail on Wednesday July 2. A cougar was seen by a group of boaters on Lake Minnewanka stalking a small group of mountain sheep near the shoreline. In a seldom witnessed event in the wild, these boaters watched and captured on camera the cougar attacking and killing a ram. The boat was very close to the event and the people in the boat were somewhat overwhelmed by this dramatic incident , not the least because they were so close to it.
We understand that the sheep kill was removed by Parks Canada Wardens and relocated to the other side of the Lake. Apparently no closure is in effect for the trail but we would strongly urge all trail users to be very careful and use a heightened degree of alertness on this trail. Please read the article prior to this one and check with Parks Canada information office or website for any updates on this trail.
July 10,2008
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*Lake Louise Trails Update*
The Moraine Lake Highline Trail has been seeing a good number of riders this summer and the views from the avalanche slopes on Mt Temple are just wonderful. However the annual temporary but partial trail closure is now in effect. What this means is that the approximately three kilometers of the trail from the lake heading north is closed to all trail users. This section of the trail has valuable wild berry bushes for bears at this time of year. To keep people safe and bears and people seperated, this partial closure is put in place about this time every year. The partial closure will be in effect until the berries are finished for the season. This will be perhaps five or six weeks.The trail is still open for the other 12 or so kilometers and is still a fun, scenic and challenging ride. Parks Canada has built a somewhat hard to find and difficult to use drop-out trail that joins the Highline Trail to the Moraine Lake Rd. This trail is virtually impossible to ride and awkward to push you bike up or down but it is there as an alternative.
Don't let this seasonal closure discourage you from riding the trail. You will know when you have reached the closure point as the trail is clearly marked with lots of red plastic tape..
For your safety and the future access of all riders to this gem of a trail the BVMBA asks you to respect this closure and stay out of the closed area. Besides risking your health you also risk a hefty fine and court appearance.
August 16th,2008
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Parks Canada Website
Parks Canada has made their excellent brochure Mountain Biking and Cyling Guide for Banff National Park available on their Banff National Park website. There are also a number of messages about mountain biking in the park that are worth reading. Maps of the trails are also available from this site both for viewing and for printing. Check it out at :
Mountain Biking and Cycling Guide
June 13, 2008
Have a look around our site and enjoy your time riding our great trails here in Banff and Canmore -- some of the most beautiful country you will ever see!!
The BVMBA -- promoting sustainable socially and environmentally responsible mountain biking in the Bow Valley and Banff National Park since 1997.
