Adventure Travel World Summit 2007

For full collection of photos from Canada, visit:
the photos on my www.karenkefauver.com.


A Taste of Fat Tire Adventure in Whistler

My mountain biking debut in Canada was just like in the movies! After years of watching radical riders tackle the legendary mossy green trails of British Columbia in the Banff Mountain Film Festival, I knew just what to expect on a steep singletrack trail: lots of elevated, narrow wooden bridges to navigate.

My Saturday, Oct. 6 afternoon ride with a group of participants from the Adventure Travel World Summit was tame by Banff Mountain Film standards, but the adrenalin factor was still high. Our ride leaders, Chris Ford and Grant Lamont, from Whistler Bike Guide, took us on a fun maze of singletrack trails. Our 3-hour bike tour took us by Lost Lake and other scenic spots not far from Whistler Village.

My favorite part of riding was the challenge of crossing the wooden-planked bridges, which were narrow, uneven and twisty. I stayed on course on five of the six bridges I crossed in the woods: one one bridge, I dropped a foot off the side of the bridge but managed to stay upright on my bike.

When a heavy rain started to fall, it was time to head back. I was happy to have a taste of cross country adventure in a town where downhill mountain biking is king. Whistler Bike Guides plan to offer guided one-day and multi-cross-country tours in 2008. Check them out: Whistler Bike Guide.

The trip was sponsored by Outside Magazine as part of the third annual Adventure Travel World Summit, hosted by the Adventure Travel Trade Association.