You Can Bike Your Way Down This Beer Trail In British Columbia
Originally posted by Matador Network on July 5, 2018
WARM SEASON ALONG the Powder Highway beckons you to spin your wheels in dirt. Famous for sliding snow, this road traversing the southeastern corner of British Columbia shifts into flowy and loamy time in the summer, with a plethora of mountain biking trails — from gravel grinds and forested single tracks to pedal-worthy alpine ridge rides and downhill delights.
Summer detours through four mountain towns in the region offer the opportunity to pedal your way down some of Canada’s best mountain bike trails, then down pints of craft beer at local brewpubs, recapping your day while sipping the flavors of the region. All four towns have brag-worthy trails, as well as a unique gritty and soulful appeal. They’re a little crazy and laidback, and you can’t beat the refreshing post-ride suds.
Golden: Alpine heritage
Climbing is in Golden’s nature. There’s a reason that the famous Swiss Guides are located in the blue-collar haven of Golden, British Columbia. They came with the railroad of the early days, with Americans forming the base of their business. With precision, they knocked off thousands of routes, with big mountains being the draw. Over the years, switching ice axes for two-wheeled gravity slayers, an expanded and dedicated crew have created myriad mountain-biking trails.
Start with one in Moonraker Network, from smooth and rolly to fast-and-furious banked goodness. If speed is your quest, there is the famed Mount 7, one of the original places for badass descent events in North America. No shortcuts. You’ll have to make it all the way back into town to enjoy an after-ride bevy at the newly opened Whitetooth Brewing. Speed Metal, a foreign stout, will crush your taste buds with a deep, dark, chocolate hoppy feeling.