Visit the District of Sooke and you’re immediately struck by the natural beauty of this vibrant little town. And while the community’s motto, “Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea,” speaks to its incredible surroundings, there is one way to experience the area that transcends almost every other and shouldn’t be overlooked – on the saddle of a mountain bike.
“I can’t think of a better way to experience the area than by riding the trails in and around the community,” said Allen Krutz, the owner of West Coast Outdoor Adventure.
And for those people who might think that mountain biking is only for the athletically inclined, the truth is far more nuanced.
“The trails in and around Sooke are rated much in the same way that ski runs have ratings,” Krutz said. “There are easy Green trails that are designed for a pleasant, easy ride, perhaps with the kids, and then you have Blue trails that are a little more challenging with some twists and turns.”
Of course, there are far more challenging trails for the accomplished and experienced riders with Black Diamond and even Double Black Diamond trails available.
“The trails are marked so that you can judge for yourself how challenging a trail you want to ride,” said Krutz. “There are a lot of people who will come to Sooke, get on the Galloping Goose trail and just go for a leisurely ride. There are minimal grades, you ride by swimming holes and massive trees and, well, it’s just beautiful.”
Naturally, there are other, more challenging trails in the Sooke area, too.
The Sea to Sea Regional Park, one of the largest CRD regional parks, covers some 4,000 hectares and provides every level of riding experience. The well-maintained Harbourview Mountain trails fall within the park and range from quite easy to far more challenging rides with exposed rock sections, drops and jumps.
Then there’s Mount Manuel Quimper, a 10.5-km loop that offers spectacular views.
And one shouldn’t forget Mount Brule. It’s a backcountry, moderately challenging trail near Sooke that offers natural beauty combined with peaceful solitude.
Given the range of trail types, it’s no surprise that the design of mountain bikes has kept pace with the ever-growing popularity of the experience. Frame designs, suspensions, steering handles and even the wheels have all changed radically over the years, and high-end bikes can easily run into the $10,000 range. Then there are the e-bikes with motorized assistance that can increase that cost exponentially.
But the good news for people wanting to experience the beauty and (if they choose) the thrill of mountain biking is that they don’t need to have their own bike.
“We have a full range of bikes for rent and can accommodate anyone who wants to experience the fun of mountain biking without making the investment of buying their own bike. Of course, they may want their own bike once they discover how great the activity is,” said Krutz.
“The great thing about mountain biking is that it allows you to push your limits. Regardless of whether you’re coming off an easy ride on the Goose (Galloping Goose Trail) or a gnarly trail with jumps and twists and turns, the sense of achievement can be amazing. And inside each rider, there’s a sense that you just finished your own Olympic event.”
Add in the views, natural beauty, and the chance to swim at the Sooke Potholes, and mountain biking seems to be an ideal option for exploring this amazing part of Vancouver Island.
For more information, visit westcoastoutdoor.com/.
Information on trails in and around Sooke can be found at www.sookebikeclub.com/trails.
