On Saturday July 11, 2009, Fernie Alpine Resort will host the ultimate challenge for hard core climbers! The annual Lost Boys Lungbuster builds in tradition as it draws out endurance bikers from the region. This incredible endurance-testing, sweat-drawing event starts at the base area and climbs to the top of the Timber Express Chairlift - 2100 vertical feet!
Competitor registration is now open with entry forms available online at www.skifernie.com or at Guest Services starting opening weekend (June 27). The race starts at 9:30am and is followed by a delicious brunch (included with competitor registration) and awards at the Lost Boys Café. Last year’s winner was Geoff Clark from Calgary, AB. Geoff completed the climb in an amazing 40mins and 35secs.
The birds are busy making nests and filling the valley with song, and the early bird riders are searching for dirt and singing a similar but different song. The song is generally about how Dem Bones is open to the powerline, or Hyper Ventalation is clear to the Castle Mtn cut-off, or Cementary By-pass and Sidewinder are open. And a few are singing about a new discovered trail like the Silver Springs loop or a new iron steed.
Birds and riders equally celebrate spring and rightfully so. The zen of the spin, the focus of the climb and the freedom and flow of that first downhill are so enjoyable––especially after a long Canadian winter. This winter will not be as punishing as the trails are opening early. Get your bike and go enjoy, and it’s ok to sing like a bird!
Fernie trail builders expanded the Castle trail network with a new super fast and scenic “blue” downhill called “South Castle”. This single track leads from the top of Castle Mtn and follows an open pristine ridge with spectacular views to a towering forest and ends on Cokato Road minutes from Fernie. This is another of a series of trails that are being built for all levels of riders to enjoy. Once again the Fernie’s volunteer builders amaze me with their seemingly endless passion and energy!
At the top of the Castle on Georges bench
Mid point of the ride with Castle in the background
The old bridges are falling down and we finished building the first new
bridge on the Coal Discovery Trail. This bridge has 27 foot steel beams for the span and a 4 foot deck of rough cut 2 X 6 cedar. We also built a new bermed approach to the bridge for greater speed and/or safer approach. SMS (Transwest Mining Equipment) donated enough structural steel for the three bridges that we need to replace on the trail near Fernie.
This first bridge required 8 man hours of steel fabrication, 4 hours of cedar cutting and trucking, 8 hours of packing in materials, and 20 hours of building the bridge and approaches. We earned $20 X 40 man-hours or $800 for the Fernie Trails account. The wood and nails cost $500 so total cost is $1300 per bridge. Will build the next two bridges before the ski touring season starts.
RDEK has a $25,000 budget for improving the trail close to Fernie and
Sparwood. Elk Valley Coal will probably provide money to build two new
Kiosks at Sparwood and Fernie to promote the trail. I am continuing to put up trail signs provided by Tembec to properly mark the trail.
The past weekend in Fernie was very busy. On Saturday a group of riders and Fernie “celebrities” were Highrolling three of Fernie best trails, a group of Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club members were implementing major repairs at the Thunder Meadows Hut and a few more “good old boys” were constructing a new bridge over a mud bog on Splitting Bears. Not bad for a weekend!
The “good old boys” walked in with a bag of spikes, axe and a chain saw. Utilizing fallen timber, they constructed what is now one of Fernie’s premier cycling bridges over a mud bog where almost everyone has a tale of a prior crash. Hopefully the tales and just that! Good work George, Doug, Nuke and Dennis!
We tested the bridge and it rolls well, single lane traffic only recommended.
Fernie Trails Club cleaned up Coal Creek Heritage Trail the last several weeks to get it ready for the TransRockies VII and rejuvenate one of the few (blue) mountain bike trails outside Fernie.
Five club members rebuilt this collapsed bridge with 20 foot structural steal beams donated by Cameron Enterprises and rough cut fir planking. The new bridge should last more than the last bridge that was built 10 years ago.
Now we need a bunch of riders to pound the trail in. Start on the single-track immediately east of the rifle range along Coal Creek Road and follow the signs.
Those of you who are fortunate to sit on this bench will not ask the obvious only because of these pictures! Yes, the local heli pilot Greg lifted this bench with his A-Star.
And why you might ask if you have not ridden this trail. Because it is the best climb and downhill that you might ever ride and the views are unsurpassed!
Yes folks, Castle Mtn via Roots hyper extension and down Roots Extension is a ride to enjoy. Thanks these fine gents and Transwest Mining for the great effort in trail and bench building.
Chuck and I enjoyed our final ride of the season on the newly completed “Slunt Trail”. This trail drops from the Stupid Traverse to Hedonism on Fernie Mountain. The map shows the new trail in red tucked in between Stumpy on riders right and Lactic Ridge. The trail is awesome - all the turns are banked, a few optional small tricks ad some fun and the gradient is ride-able for all levels of ability.
Hats off to the old fart and bros who inspired the building of this trail - well done!
The lack of early season snow has helped with the building of Castle Rocks. Trail crews have completed all but 100 meters and it will be completed if the weather holds. Here are a few shots of the trail gang:
Just when all the switch-backs on the new Hyper Ventilation were completed and ride-able, the trail gang from the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club bunkered in on an even greater project – a trail to the top of Castle Mountain.
I gathered with a few riders on Saturday for what I believe was the first ride from the summit of Castle Mountain. Castle Mountain has been a local hike for many years and I had never been to the summit and once there was stunned with the breathtaking vantage. The trail requires a few days of work to be complete however at present it offers a nice adventure ride with a 700 meter downhill.
We met local climber Sean Staplin and geologist Pat Gilmar trail building on the summit. They observed the Moose Mountain limestone that forms the summit outcrop. This sedimentary rock is especially hard and offers good rock climbing with a Southern exposure.
Overall I must say that the trails in Fernie keep getting better. From Castle Mountain the Microwave trail is only another few hundred meters. I complement Pat, George, Doug and the others who have opened up this exciting terrain with great trails!
For more information on Fernie including accommodations, real estate, locals reports, web cams, weather, forums, history, dining, and much more, go to Fernie.com
