I just came across this edit from the Silver Star Bike Park, and it reminded me of how good the locals have it in Kelowna, BC. Not only do they have one of the best bike parks around, it is less than an hour’s drive to get there. We spent some time in Kelowna in the summer of 2009, and were amazed at how different cycling culture was compared to the states. Compared to the US, mountain biking is a way bigger sport. I recall stopping at a local grocery store, and saw a local kid rolling around on an old, beat down Kona hardtail mountain bikes- with a vintage Jr. T fork mounted to the front of it. A very different sight than what we typically see at the local pump here in Oakland, California. (here: beat-down hoop-d BMX bike from Walmart) Of course, when you’re surrounded by some of the most choice soil for trails found in the western hemisphere, it all starts to make sense.
This edit we came across from the Silver Star Park just brought up a ton of memories from one of the most fun days of riding we had during our time there. The riding and trails rival those of the legendary Whistler Bike Park hours to the west, but with no lift lines (at least when we were there- and apparently when they filmed the edit as well) to speak of.
Quite a few of the current slopestyle shredders hail from this area, and it is easy to see why. This year all of our road trips are forced to be less ambitious due to crappy credit card interest rates and the fact we’re still paying off trips like this one, (thanks a lot crappy economy!) but at least we can get stoked on edits like these of dudes shredding prime dirt while we’re headed east this summer to our local bike parks, with their dry soil and blown out turns.
- Quiet time on the chairs at Silver Star
Video link via bike198