North Shore Mountain Bike Association

Trails for all, trails for ever

NSMBA, Hoots Inc. and the City of North Vancouver to formalize Loutet Jump Park

Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 15:39 by Mark

Loutet to be given a new beginner line!

In March, the NSMBA applied for and received a Parks and Environment grant from the City of North Vancouver to start the process of formalising the Loutet Jump Park. Many cities across Metro Vancouver have sanctioned skills parks, including Burnaby, Port Moody, Surrey, the District of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver.  This will be the City of North Vancouver's first. The jumps at Loutet have been informally maintained over the years by the community, and is an obvious first choice for this project.

The NSMBA and CNV are looking for volunteers to help with Phase I this Friday and Saturday:

VOLUNTEER - Friday August 20, 3-8pm

VOLUNTEER - Saturday August 21, 9am-12pm

VOLUNTEER - Saturday August 21, 12:30-3pm

If you like the way Bobsled is shaping up, why not get your hands dirty?

Posted Mon, 08/09/2010 - 09:53 by Mathew

With the machine work almost complete, it's your turn to get out the rake and help finish Fromme's newest trail! The NSMBA is teaming up with Owen and the rest of the DNV crew all this week to complete naturalization work on the trail and have it open by the end of August. Work will be mostly light duty raking and shaping! The following volunteer sessions are available:

Tuesday, August 10th 9am-12pm 12:30pm-3:30pm
Wednesday, August 11th 9am-12pm 12:30pm-3:30pm
Thursday, August 12th 9am-12pm 12:30pm-3:30pm
Friday, August 13th 9am-12pm 12:30pm-3:30pm

We're putting a limit of 5 volunteers per session to keep this manageable, so please contact us if you can make it!

Pre-Reaper Trail Day - Saturday, August 21st.

Posted Fri, 08/06/2010 - 09:35 by Mathew

There's another Pre-Reaper Trail Day on Saturday, August 21st.

With enough help, we can connect the trail right through to the bridge. The stretch goal is fill in the crush and give riders a smooth, flowy trail through what used to be a mud-fest every time it rained. With the work completed by our volunteers in June, plus some extra building by Matt and Alan plus Mike and Roger hauling crush in their spare time, this goal is within reach.

As an added incentive, Whole Foods will be supplying lunch and snacks this time. They've been warned about hungry volunteers, so bring you appetites.


The coffee will be ready at 9AM in Parking Lot #5 on Cypress. The focus will be less on logs and more on crush. The NSMBA will supply tools and gloves. Steel toes are up to you, but they're recommended.

Thanks again for all your help getting us this far. Hope to see you there. Please contact us to confirm if you can make it.

Fromme Update - Bobsled Progress

Posted Thu, 08/05/2010 - 23:52 by Mark

Its a new era! NSMBA Directors Wade Simmons & Adam Walsh (far left/right) have a group hug with the DNV Trail Crew, Alex Walton and Amanda Turner.

Progress on Bobsled is moving forward at a rapid rate.  The DNV trail crew is on target for a projectected completion end of August.  Owen Thomas, DNV Head Trailbuilder, has been using the excavator to remove organic material exposing a trail of gold that now spans nearly a full kilometer.  

Bobsled Progress Update (Photos)

Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 13:24 by John

A few of us were on our way up Fromme yesterday, so stopped for a few minutes to wander down Bobsled and see how things were going and check out the DNV's work. Here are a few photos, see for yourself:


One of the first berms.

Danger Tree on Bridle Path

Posted Sun, 07/25/2010 - 10:20 by Mathew

Watch out for a fallen tree on Bridle Path near the entrance to Sticks and Stones. We have notified the landowner and recommend that you avoid this trail until it is removed or falls down completely. The tree is hanging dangerously over the trail and may come down at any moment. If you notice anything while you're on the trails, please contact trails@nsmba.ca!

Fromme Update

Posted Fri, 07/23/2010 - 09:51 by Mark

First Ever Machine Built Bike Trail Begins on Fromme!

Owen Thomas, head trail builder of the DNV crew, begins to sculpt the new Bobsled!

Bobsled on Fromme has been closed as the new line has begun to be built.  Work began this Thursday as the DNV Work crew broke ground.  With an average grade of 10%, it is going to be a trail for beginners, with enough flow and bermage for advanced riders to enjoy as well.  Estimated time of completion is end of August.  It is a monumental time in the history of Fromme as the DNV ushers in a new era.  As the plan to create a trail system for the community moves forward, this is the beginning of great things to come.   Comparable in principle to Half Nelson in Squamish, it is a project that will be another positive step forward for the community and also creates tourism opportunities by creating a trail for all levels of rider.

Wade Simmons, NSMBA Trail Ambassador & Owen Thomas, head DNV trailbuilder, discuss berms, flow and trails for all!

Bobsled Closed for Repairs

Posted Mon, 07/19/2010 - 19:04 by Mathew


Interactive Panoramic Photograph by John Housser

Effective Tuesday, July 20th  Bobsled will be closed. The DNV will be completing a Danger Tree Assessment in preparation of the trails makeover. The majority of the work will be starting next week and the trail will remain closed until work is complete.

The plan is to turn Bobsled from a primarily fall line trail that requires constant maintenance into a fun, flowy beginner/intermediate trail that will provide a new level of progression for riders new to the Shore. Please allow the trail crew to focus on their work by choosing a different trail for your ride. Even better, if you see the crew working away stop in and lend a hand!

DNV Trail Work on Fromme

Posted Sun, 07/18/2010 - 10:38 by Mathew

Rode some of the work done by the DNV trail crew on Fromme yesterday. Great job and thanks a lot!

Sticks & Stones

Posted Wed, 07/14/2010 - 11:55 by Mark

Bridle Path Renewal Project Final Report

The NSMBA is happy to report that the Bridle Path Renewal project has been completed. The project has been a resounding success and has directly addressed the interests of outdoor enthusiasts from across the Metro Vancouver region. The Bridle Path was originally used by horses to traverse the lower slope of Mt. Seymour and later on logging companies used parts of the trail. It is one of the most popular trails on the North Shore for dog walkers, hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers. The original trail was built without regard for long-term sustainability or the management of large numbers of trail users from diverse user groups. As such the trail has suffered from erosion and devegetation caused by the combination of heavy traffic and unsustainable trail alignment.