| Grab a Giant and go - mountain biking, that | | | | mountain biking," says Lescard, "no |
| is! The sweet single-track cycling trails in | | | | experience necessary." |
| Jasper National Park have been hoarded by | | | | |
| locals and those in the know for far too | | | | In small groups (two to eight riders per |
| long. This year, auspiciously Jasper | | | | guide), clients learn the skills and gain the |
| National Park's centennial year, anyone can | | | | confidence they need to eventually go out and |
| hop on for a guided two-wheel adventure | | | | do this on their own. That being said, OT&T |
| through some of Alberta's top bike-riding | | | | is more than willing to offer other options |
| terrain. But you'd better hurry, because the | | | | for more hard-core bikers looking for an |
| opportunity may not be around forever. | | | | introduction to area trails. |
| | | | |
| Jasper National Park's scenery is rugged and | | | | OT&T will operate the tours on a select |
| mountainous. The authentic mountain town of | | | | number of trails, ranging from an easy ride |
| Jasper is a hub for adventures in the park | | | | along the Trail #7 system to the more |
| and there is lodging and dining to suit all | | | | difficult 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 Park | | | | terrain, double-track in places," says |
| issued the first business licence to a | | | | Lescard of one of his favourite places to |
| certified company for guided trail biking | | | | share with visitors. "It's relatively flat |
| tours. In 2007, Overlander Trekking & Tours | | | | and we stop at Lake Annette with views of the |
| is one of four potential operators set to | | | | Athabasca 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 Wheels | | | | the benefit of a safety factor - all of the |
| | | | guides are trained in first aid, as well as |
| Trevor Lescard, partner and general manager | | | | what to do in wildlife encounters, be it |
| of Overlander Trekking & Tours (OT&T) is | | | | bears or female elk with calves or a male elk |
| pumped and ready for pedalling. The company | | | | in 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 in | | | | trail 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 an | | | | appreciate 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 help | | | | orchid in bloom, OT&T guides take the time to |
| reduce the pressure on busier trails and | | | | point out hidden highlights on the forest |
| educate visitors on cycling safety and forest | | | | floor and provide historical nuggets about |
| ecology." | | | | the Athabasca Valley. |
| | | | |
| Because of the short lead time (the permit | | | | Try 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 will | | | | of the Cariboo Gold Rush. By rail, by cart |
| provide the Giant brand mountain bikes and | | | | and by foot on trail, they crossed the |
| OT&T will provide the guides to lead the | | | | country and are remembered as a hardy, |
| tours, which will kick off in mid-May and run | | | | adventurous people. |
| Mondays and Fridays at one p.m. (trips can be | | | | |
| planned on other days for groups of four or | | | | Other 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 Necessary | | | | glimpse of the old Fort Point area, once used |
| | | | as a stable for outfitting travellers with |
| Each of OT&T's three trail biking guides | | | | fresh horses before crossing the mountains. |
| (Trevor Lescard, OT&T partner Craig McCarthy | | | | Vistas at old Fort Point include the renowned |
| and guide Christian Roy) are certified | | | | Athabasca Pass, the main trade route through |
| Association of Canadian Mountain Guides | | | | the Rockies for almost half a century after |
| Hiking Guides and hold Mountain Park Heritage | | | | Thompson crossed it in 1811. |
| Interpretation certification and have | | | | |
| Advanced Wilderness First Aid. Lescard has | | | | The guided mountain bike ride itself is |
| been hiking, biking, climbing and skiing | | | | making its own inroads into history. Parks |
| Jasper for the past 12 years (10 of those as | | | | Canada 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 to | | | | input) for the 2008 management plan review. |