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