| Grab a Giant and go - mountain biking, that is! The | | | | "This tour is essentially an introduction to mountain |
| sweet single-track cycling trails in Jasper National Park | | | | biking," says Lescard, "no experience necessary." |
| have been hoarded by locals and those in the know | | | | In small groups (two to eight riders per guide), clients |
| for far too long. This year, auspiciously Jasper | | | | learn the skills and gain the confidence they need to |
| National Park's centennial year, anyone can hop on | | | | eventually go out and do this on their own. That |
| for a guided two-wheel adventure through some of | | | | being said, OT&T is more than willing to offer other |
| Alberta's top bike-riding terrain. But you'd better | | | | options for more hard-core bikers looking for an |
| hurry, because the opportunity may not be around | | | | introduction to area trails. |
| forever. | | | | OT&T will operate the tours on a select number of |
| Jasper National Park's scenery is rugged and | | | | trails, ranging from an easy ride along the Trail #7 |
| mountainous. The authentic mountain town of Jasper | | | | system to the more difficult trails of "The Bench" (as |
| is a hub for adventures in the park and there is | | | | locals refer to the Pyramid Bench trails leading up to |
| lodging and dining to suit all tastes. | | | | Mina and Riley Lakes, among others). |
| Trail biking (a.k.a. mountain biking) has passed its 30th | | | | "Trail Seven offers a beautiful, moderate terrain, |
| birthday, but it was only last August (2006) that | | | | double-track in places," says Lescard of one of his |
| Jasper National Park issued the first business licence | | | | favourite places to share with visitors. "It's relatively |
| to a certified company for guided trail biking tours. In | | | | flat and we stop at Lake Annette with views of the |
| 2007, Overlander Trekking & Tours is one of four | | | | Athabasca Valley." |
| potential operators set to offer the first full season | | | | For visitors to the park, having a guide "adds to |
| of guided cycling adventures within the park. | | | | overall experience." And there is the benefit of a |
| Experience Adventure on Wheels | | | | safety factor - all of the guides are trained in first |
| Trevor Lescard, partner and general manager of | | | | aid, as well as what to do in wildlife encounters, be it |
| Overlander Trekking & Tours (OT&T) is pumped and | | | | bears or female elk with calves or a male elk in rut. |
| ready for pedalling. The company (established in 1999 | | | | "Guides have the local knowledge," adds Lescard, |
| and currently operating with six year-round guides) | | | | "and know where to go, when to go - whether to |
| already offers a full-time slate of guided backcountry | | | | avoid crowds or find the best trail conditions." |
| tours, from summer heli-hiking to winter ice walks, | | | | As well biking basics and safety, guides offer the |
| but they wanted to include mountain biking in Jasper | | | | opportunity to experience and appreciate the area on |
| - the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain national | | | | a deeper level. Rather than blasting by the fairy's |
| parks. | | | | slipper orchid in bloom, OT&T guides take the time |
| "Mountain biking itself was already an approved | | | | to point out hidden highlights on the forest floor and |
| activity in the park," says Lescard, "and we felt that | | | | provide historical nuggets about the Athabasca Valley. |
| guided trips could help reduce the pressure on busier | | | | Try an Historic Ride |
| trails and educate visitors on cycling safety and | | | | Trail Seven includes a connection segment of the |
| forest ecology." | | | | Overland Trail. The Overlanders (namesakes of |
| Because of the short lead time (the permit was | | | | OT&T) were a group of people travelling west from |
| issued in August of last year), OT&T only had one | | | | Ontario, chasing dream of the Cariboo Gold Rush. By |
| guided mountain biking trip in 2006, but they're hoping | | | | rail, by cart and by foot on trail, they crossed the |
| that'll change this year. | | | | country and are remembered as a hardy, |
| To reduce overhead and make the tour viable, Doug | | | | adventurous people. |
| Albert of Jasper Source for Sports will provide the | | | | Other gems include mention of North West Company |
| Giant brand mountain bikes and OT&T will provide | | | | fur trader and mapmaker David Thompson's area |
| the guides to lead the tours, which will kick off in | | | | travels in the 1800's and a glimpse of the old Fort |
| mid-May and run Mondays and Fridays at one p.m. | | | | Point area, once used as a stable for outfitting |
| (trips can be planned on other days for groups of | | | | travellers with fresh horses before crossing the |
| four or more) until the end of September. | | | | mountains. Vistas at old Fort Point include the |
| No Experience Necessary | | | | renowned Athabasca Pass, the main trade route |
| Each of OT&T's three trail biking guides (Trevor | | | | through the Rockies for almost half a century after |
| Lescard, OT&T partner Craig McCarthy and guide | | | | Thompson crossed it in 1811. |
| Christian Roy) are certified Association of Canadian | | | | The guided mountain bike ride itself is making its own |
| Mountain Guides Hiking Guides and hold Mountain Park | | | | inroads into history. Parks Canada is allowing a |
| Heritage Interpretation certification and have | | | | two-year guided biking trial in Jasper and the issuance |
| Advanced Wilderness First Aid. Lescard has been | | | | of further licences will be evaluated (with public input) |
| hiking, biking, climbing and skiing Jasper for the past | | | | for the 2008 management plan review. |
| 12 years (10 of those as a guide). | | | | |