Donate NowThe United Riders of Cumberland is a registered non-profit society that manages and advocates for the Cumberland trail network.
2021 PLATINUM SPONSORS
UROC promotes and supports the local Mountain Bike Community in the Comox Valley.
Through trail advocacy, volunteerism, promotion of the sport and fundraising, we are able to encourage participation for all as well as maintain and build the local trail infrastructure.
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2021 Membership
Membership with UROC supports trail access and maintenance, and allows you to participate in all UROC activities from our race events and group rides to community programming.
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Community Engagement
Meet Sean. Sean moved to the valley with his family 6 years ago and has lived in Cumberland for the past 3. Although Sean used to bike the trails he's now switched to running, saying he prefers the feel of his feet on the ground. Sean runs the trails 4 to 5 times a week and hopes he can complete some ultra marathons this year. Sean agreed to take some time to tell us why he runs the Cumberland Trails and why he will always be a UROC member.
"In a nutshell, the Cumberland Trail Network is my escape. Trail
running keeps me balanced. The network in Cumberland has an
incredible variety of technical, vertical and flowy trails to keep your runs interesting. I really enjoy the climbs, technical and descents. You can create a loop out of all the trails here for whatever experience you want. For example, The Perseverance Race loop has a really nice
climb and descent over 11km while the Cumby 25km Race route has a good mix of flowy and technical. Don’t forget there’s the Eastern Bloc and of course the Italian dinner! You just can’t go wrong in Cumberland! It’s hard not to think of the trails whenever someone mentions Cumberland. I’ve encountered people from all over BC and beyond while using the trails here. Cumberland is synonymous with an outdoor
healthy lifestyle and our local businesses certainly benefit well from the draw to the trails here. The trail-builders do an absolutely phenomenal job keeping the trails in top shape for everyone to use. However, as more people use the trails, I think it’s important for people to practice good trail etiquette and to respect it. If you are new to the trails I suggest you pickup a map
from a local bike shop, speak with a local or download trail forks and
go explore! Please keep in mind that the trails are multi-use so keep your head up, eyes and ears open. If you’re alone, make a little noise so the wildlife know you’re there. Besides a decent pair of trail runners and appropriate layers for the weather, I always wear a pack for water, some first aid supplies, energy bar, knife and/or bear spray, and phone. Whether running alone or in a group, safety is paramount."
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Meet Dawn. Dawn is a regular user of the Cumberland trail network, but instead of on a bike she uses her two feet. Dawn is one of the many trail users who regularly visit our trails to hike, trail run, bird watch, or just explore and enjoy nature. It's great to hear from such a passionate user of the trails.
"I've lived in Cumberland almost 30 years and my first introduction to the forest was hiking with my children. It's my happy place, my way of keeping sane. I walk every day, on average 8km’s a day. Last year during the first part of COVID, when I was extra stressed, I was hiking closer to 12-14km’s a day, which makes my mileage for 2020 between
2500-3000km’s. I go through a lot of footwear. I became a member of UROC and act as a trail steward or trail warden. I'm out there every day and enjoy helping out by reporting any trail issues or problems.
The trails get people outside and that’s really important these days! When you are out in the forest time stops. Hearing woodpeckers or other creatures we share the forest with is very special and being aware that we are all part of something bigger, is humbling and exhilarating at the same time.
I hike solo with my dog most days but on Sundays, for about eight years now I've been hiking with a group of women - The Sunday morning Philosopher's Club - we talk about everything but by the end of the hike it is always about food. Good food and recreation are meant to go together!
Favourite trail? I love Hai Gai. It is magical and very Jurassic Park in there and now it is protected as part of the Cumberland Community Forest Society purchase completed last September. I am also a longtime supporter of the Cumberland Community Forest Society and am featured as the crazy lady in the documentary "Save Space Nugget" I also love Steam Donkey, as it has the steam donkey from the old logging days. I've done some grooming and signage in the Eastern Bloc and have a lot of respect for the trail builders. Hai Gai was the name of the main street in Chinatown, Bronco's is named for Bronco Moncrief, longtime Cumberland mayor.
Purchase your UROC membership online.
🔗in the bio.
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Meet Kevin. Like many of us, Kevin has to juggle numerous
responsibilities every day. Being a local realtor as well as the
president of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board is a tough enough
task, but he's also the father to two young girls. So getting out to
recreate is integral to ensuring his life is balanced and harmonious.
We are glad that Kevin uses the Cumberland trails to strike that
balance.
"The mountain bike trails are a place for me to get-a-way, challenge
and improve myself. The trail network has definitely drawn attention
to Cumberland! The MTB tourism positively affects the economy of the
whole Comox Valley. I am constantly surprised by the widespread love
of mountain biking in the mainstream. I often tell clients new to BC
that mountain biking on the west coast is like hockey to the rest of
Canada. The trails are always gaining more altitude. Everytime the
builders push the trails higher the riding population gets fitter and
faster. It always amazes me how the riders just keep getting faster
and stronger. My favourite are Truffle Shuffle to Off Broadway to
Found link to Orange Peels for the win! haha. Why? ... because it
rocks! ... steep rock rolls, rowdy terrain, super flowey, the odd jump
and drop and a wicked finish! My favorite trail feature has to be the
rock drop on Found Link. It just works! What biking skills am I
currently working on? Drops ... Always drops - they freak me out.
Essential kit besides a helmet? Knee pads and Clippy shoes. And my
advice for newbies...buy good equipment and wear protective gear. Oh,
and trust your instincts, there is no shame in walking - and healing
sucks."
Become a UROC member and support the trails.
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In the life of a trail, it’s the winter months that can be most devastating to the trail’s good repair and well-being. Right now 99% of the Cumberland trails are covered in snow, ice, and melt water. It’s prime time for freeze thaw. Freeze thaw, with continued trail use, will quickly destroy our trails.
Freeze thaw is relentless; the sun heats up the snow, which then melts during the day, leaving ground water and puddles. The saturated ground freezes at night as the temperatures dip, the water expands blowing up the compacted trail soil. The sun heats up the loose soil and makes MUD.
It’s a massive headache to repair muddy trails and it’s even more difficult to do with continued use.
If you are on the trails, and notice you are leaving holes or ruts, and the mud is sticking to your bike, boots or dogs paws it’s probably best to leave that trail for another time. That trail is not in good shape!
If you find yourself dodging puddles to not get muddy, then you are damaging the trail by widening, also known as braiding.
The next few weeks would be a good time to consider alternatives to trail use.
Graphic: #crankjoy
Meet Tom. Tom just finished his goal of running every day for 365
days. Every day he's walked out his front door on Camp Road and
started running. Some days he explored areas in Courtenay and Comox,
but most days it was the local trails that he pounded...rain or shine,
snow or ice, daytime or nighttime, he never wavered. Since Tom is a
UROC member, when we learned of his accomplishment we knew we needed
to profile him. We are amazed and inspired. We hope you are too.
"The trail network is my happy place, my peace of mind, my playground,
my zen. I'm a mortgage broker, constantly dealing with deadlines and
stressed clients. My goal is to make the experience as calm as
possible. Being able to unwind in nature and shut off the rest of the
world is key. I think our trails have played a massive role in
putting Cumberland back on the map. The economic benefits are
undeniable, but the best effect? Forest therapy. Those big grins on
every single person after spending a few hours in our forest. My
favorite trail memory? That feeling after you've been pushing yourself
hard on a long climb and you reach the top. You feel miserable, head
pounding and heart racing. Your mind can go to some angry places if
you let it. But sometimes, when you push through that last stand of
bushes or get over that last ridge and you see what you've been
working for, it can be a very emotional, cathartic experience. I've
been moved to tears by the beauty of it all many times just letting go
and taking it all in. That's the best feeling. It's really hard to
pick a favourite trail, but one of my favourites involves a lot of
effort and a lot of reward. Tiring but inspiring. Two & A Juice,
The Pig, Sobo no Michi (all of it), Potluck, Switchback, Grunt &
Grind, Race Rocks, Trent Canyon Trail (all of it), Italian dinner, Rhizome, Buck Rub, Cabbage Patch,
Outfox and home! Advice for those wanting to explore our trails for
the first time? Get a map or use an app. Seriously, this network is
huge. We're so lucky. I, for one, am so grateful for all the hard
work that goes into building and maintaining these trails. UROC, you
rock. ;)
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Meet Leslie. Leslie has travelled the Cumberland trails on two swift feet since 2007. She leads run groups, is a CVRR Member/Director, and
was the director of the Fred Bigelow Memorial 100K - which raised over $7000 for UROC and the CCFS. Needless to say, Leslie is a force, and we are happy to profile her as a UROC member.
"The Cumberland Trail Network is where I go to combine my love of the backcountry with my sport of running. Where I can release my inner wild child in a place that both expects it and encourages it. Having this amazing resource so close to where many of us live is an absolute blessing. The ever growing urban communities on the outskirts of this area use it to unwind, to absorb nature, to lay down some workout sweat that feels refreshing in its simplicity. The system is vast enough that with present restrictions (Covid) in mind it is easy to blow off steam in a safe environment - well spaced! Some of the best
times I’ve had here include bursting a lung gaining elevation just to thrill in the down hill - straining the communication speed between brain and feet to the max. Happily I’ve never had a bad encounter with another runner, biker or critter (be it dog or wild). Perhaps the only
time I’ve felt ill at ease was coming across a hunter on Upper
Queso...it sunk in real fast that this is open territory for everyone.
There's something for every need out here; short, long, easy, hard,
steep, flowy, undulating, smooth or gnarly - not to mention benches and art. Although I may repeat a few routes, fully 8 out of 10 times I run I’m always putting together a new route combination. That's the beauty of
the Cumberland Trails…the choices go on and on. If I was pressed to nail down one particular trail that just plain feels good to run down it would have to be Blue Collar with its mossy greens, and big trees.
Of course Extreme Lene is in my heart and has a ton of my own sweat equity. I always have a little compass on my run pack, a phone (trailforks or 911) and a trail map. I carry at least a litre of water. I also have an emergency blanket and an extra clothing layer…you never know!
Become a UROC member and support the trails.
Link in the bio.
