Prepare for a cycling race


Jasper Alberta Takes You Off-Road Biking in the Canadian Rockies

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



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