The Columbia Valley Cycling Society (CVCS) is the driving force behind many of the mountain biking trails that locals and visitors enjoy throughout the Columbia Valley. Through trail maintenance, sustainable trail development, volunteer coordination, advocacy, and community events, CVCS helps ensure the region’s trail networks remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for riders of all abilities.
Written By: Eleanor Crabb
I understood what the Columbia Valley Cycling Society does when I raced on a trail I’d helped dig!
Mountain biking is woven into life in the Columbia Valley. From locals squeezing in evening rides after work to visitors planning entire vacations around the trail networks, thousands of people enjoy the Valley’s sanctioned trails every year. Behind those trails is the Columbia Valley Cycling Society (CVCS), the organization responsible for maintaining and managing many of the networks that make the region such a sought-after riding destination. I found myself participating in one of their “Fiver” race series nights at Swansea Mountain, one of the many community events they host for locals and visitors alike. Although the goal for CVCS’s “Fiver” race series is a bit of community fun, I had my own, more competitive goal in mind: Beat my time from last year.
The races that CVCS put on for the local community and visitors alike are always a good time. They are experts at fostering a supportive atmosphere. This particular race was taking place on “Hula Girl”, an intermediate level trail on the Swansea network. Whilst I did the race last year, my relationship to it this year was slightly different. Only a few weeks before, I’d been on the trail, rake in hand, helping at one of the CVCS organized maintenance nights. Did this give me a level of ownership over the trail that wasn’t there before? Possibly. Did this give me a certain “holier than thou” smugness, reserved for those who “earned” their rides? Probably. What it definitely gave me was a connection to the community and the trail network, that made racing on it even more fun.
The maintenance night had truthfully been a lot of fun. Before attending, I assumed trail maintenance mostly involved clearing branches and tidying things up. Instead, I learned how much thought goes into sustainable trail design. Volunteers were carefully shaping corners to improve drainage, repairing sections that had seen wear, and making small adjustments that would help the trail withstand another season of use. I also picked up some practical knowledge, from which rakes work best to how berms are shaped and maintained. What looked like a simple evening of digging was actually a lesson in the expertise and care required to maintain a trail network. Toby Creek Adventures and Travel Columbia Valley had sponsored the night, meaning there were plush shuttles up the trails for the builders, and a stellar BBQ afterwards. The camaraderie of the trail builders as they chowed down a burger, covered in dust from the dig was tangible. Trail work wasn’t glamorous, but every berm, drainage ditch and feature exists because someone gave up an evening to make it happen.
CVCS doesn’t simply organize trail days when something breaks. The organization works year-round to maintain sanctioned trail networks, improve trail sustainability, coordinate volunteers, secure funding, and work with land managers and other stakeholders to ensure trails remain accessible and safe. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, making it easy to overlook just how much effort goes into keeping the networks rideable. The organisation uses memberships and donations to buy materials, upgrade features, support volunteer trail nights and help maintain the sanctioned trails that so many of us ride each summer. They also organise fun events like the fivers throughout the summer – open to locals and visitors alike – and a Poker Ride which will be on the 20th of June. Every summer, people visit the Columbia Valley to bike, spending money in campgrounds, hotels, coffee shops, gift stores and restaurants. The ripple effects of biking are felt throughout the community. Yet, without these volunteers working on the trails, while also liaising with land managers and other stakeholders, the sanctioned trails would be in jeopardy. One of the easiest ways to support this work is to buy a membership or make a one off donation when you visit.
During the race, I sped as fast as I could, appreciating, like never before, every smooth berm. I went on to beat last year’s time by 24 seconds, and took second place in the women’s category. Was it the magic of connecting with the trail after a few hours volunteering? Hard to say… It couldn’t have hurt though. Crossing the finish line felt good – knowing I’d spent a few evenings helping maintain the trail beneath my tires felt even better. It was a reminder that every ride depends on a community willing to give something back.
How can you give back to the Columbia Valley mountain biking community and the CVCS?
Follow CVCS on Instagram or Facebook to hear about the next maintenance night or community event and get involved!
Visit www.columbiavalleycyclingsociety.org to buy a membership or make a one off donation if you’re just visiting.
