An epic, seven-day mountain bike tour through Northern B.C. will touch down in Williams Lake this summer.
The BC Bike Ride North, a spin-off from the world-renowned BC Bike Race, will call Williams Lake one of its stops alongside Prince George, Burns Lake, Smithers and Terrace.
Registration is open to 100 mountain bikers, who will have the opportunity to explore 14 distinct trail networks combined in each of the communities on a full-service tour that includes all meals, accommodations and transportation by plane, train and coach bus covering more than 1,800 kilometres.
Thomas Schoen, chair of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium — a volunteer-run, regional marketing organization — said Williams Lake was chosen as one of the destinations as a direct result of the city hosting the 2015 Mountain Bike Tourism Symposium where roughly 160 delegates and speakers participated and had the opportunity to enjoy Williams Lake’s vast trail network.
“As a direct result of the 2015 Mountain Bike Symposium we were able to secure yet another annual, significant revenue generator for the city,” Schoen said. “I’ve recently met in Vancouver with the organizers of the BC Bike Race and they will bring a high-end mountain bike tourism event to our area.
“When it comes to mountain biking and the economic impact it has on our city and region, we are not slowing down any time soon. This announcement is just another step forward in fulfilling our commitment to the city and our partners and funders.”
In organizing the event, the group works closely with local caterers, accommodation providers, transportation providers and other service providers.
“This is not a race event, but a tourism venture,” Schoen said.
“Williams Lake has been chosen as a direct result of the conference. They attended and were more than impressed by our community.
“I assured the event organizers that the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium, with the help of the city will make this upcoming event equally successful.”
The ride takes place from Aug. 5-15. Williams Lake is the first stop on the tour, before riders travel to Prince George, Burns Lake, Smithers, Terrace and, to wrap it up, sleep at Cassiar Cannery near Prince Rupert with optional tours in the area being offered. The event comes with a price tag of $3,999.
Seven to eight hours of riding will be available daily.
Registration is available at www.bcbikerace.com/bc-bike-ride-north/ opens on Feb. 7 at 9 a.m.