History of the Gillard Trails

From 1995 onward the Kelowna mountain bike scene was exploding as it was the world over. It was not uncommon to see as many as sixty riders on any given night preparing for an evening of riding in ‘Crawford’, now known as Myra-Bellvue Provincial Park. This area, along with Knox Mountain Park, was the epicenter of the local riding scene offering seemingly endless single-track and technical trails that pushed the boundaries of modern mountain biking. During this time mountain biking was in the process of reinventing itself. Modern technology and the introduction of mountain biking videos were tempting riders to push their limits by riding more technical, steep terrain and jumping larger, more difficult jumps. Wooden stunts and rock drop-offs were being built into the trails of Crawford. With each passing season the trails, riders and their equipment improved allowing the limits to be pushed even further.

As the pressures of development threatened the Crawford riding area many groups banded together to try to convince the provincial government to designate the area a provincial park. This new designation would certainly come with new rules regarding trail construction, erosion control, safety and maintenance. Some of the more technical stunts and jumps would certainly be removed. For the group of mountain bikers pushing the limits of the sport it was clear that a new area was needed to build their progressive trails. In 1999 a group of active trail builders started working on three new trails completely dedicated to the progression of this new form of mountain biking now known as freeriding. The area they choose to work in was a little known isolated area of the south slopes called Gillard, located above the mission area of Kelowna on the west side of Bellvue Canyon. The initial trails were called Dr. No, Super Bowel and Honey Rider. They were deliberately built on steep, technical fall lines meandering through and down cliff lines, rock faces and tight treed areas. Throughout these trails were stunts such as rock face drop offs, steep roll downs, wooden lipped jumps and log rides (literally riding on fallen logs). Very few riders knew about these trails and that was the point. These were trails meant only for those willing to build and only for those committed to the progression of the sport. Outsiders were not welcome. As time went on this group of builders continued to add new trails to the area. Eventually the network consisted of five or six trails spanning the mountain side from the Kettle Valley rail bed above the base of the Gillard Forest Service Road below. Trails were accessed from the top by driving pick up trucks to the top full of bikes and anxious riders for a ‘shuttle run’.

As with any good thing, the word got out. The builders working in the area took their craft very seriously making sure that the quality of their structures and the flow of their trails were top priority. Other well known trail networks within the province lacked this level of care and this group would not have themselves become known as builders of poor, unsafe trails. They were building a network that would stand the test of time and set a new standard.

By 2002 the word was out and the Gillard area, now a network of about 8 to 10 trails, was beginning to see regular use by the now enormous local freeride mountain bike scene. Additionally, many groups of riders from towns as far away as Calgary and Vancouver were beginning to make regular trips to Kelowna to experience what was now known as one of the best freeride mountain bike trail networks in North America. It was not uncommon to see professional riders, mountain bike tour groups and tourists in the area every week end of the riding season. It had become a ‘must ride’ destination for all self respecting freeriders. A side effect of this booming scene was the level of talent it spawned among the younger local riders. Many of these kids had their first mountain biking experiences on the technical slopes of Gillard, not every knowing that these trails were considered difficult to ride! Riders such as Steve Romaniuk, Ryan Schnepf and Nathan Kemila would eventually become very well known names among the freeride scene world wide (Steve has ridden as a paid professional ever since). These riders were known for their incredible flow, deep range of tricks and most of all their guts. These three riders were the first to successfully jump the infamous Gillard road gap, a sixty foot lip to lip jump over Gillard forest service road! From that point on, all of the major mountain bike film companies were clamoring for a chance to feature the progressive trails of Gillard in their movies. These companies even brought professional riders from other areas to shoot in Kelowna. Due to the exposure provided by these movies, mountain bike magazines and e-magazine websites such as Pinkbike.com Gillard and Kelowna are now known the world over. Mountain biking tourists and professional tour groups have frequented the area ever since. It is common place to meet riders in Gillard from as far away as California, Europe and eastern Canada. Kelowna, like Kamloops and Vancouver, is considered a must visit stop on everyone’s BC mountain bike trips. (BC is considered the birthplace and epicenter of the freeride mountain biking movement).

The fire of 2003 wreaked havoc on the Gillard area burning to the ground many of the best, most technical trails within the network including one of the original trails, Super Bowel. Some trails were a complete loss, while others escaped with only damage to isolated sections. Many thought that it was then end of this legendary network, but it didn’t take long for the builders to get in, access the damage and plan the rebuild. Over the years following the fire the area was transformed from a ‘black diamond’ only network to a well rounded network catering to freeriders of all levels. Some of the original builders had moved on in life, some had remained and many new builders were emerging. Some of the new builders were also newer riders and wanted to add an element to Gillard it had never had in the past, trails that are able to be ridden by intermediate level riders and not just the pros. Others sought to build on the trails of the past, pushing the limits of what could be done on a mountain bike even further. The ensuing transformation served to make Gillard an even more appealing place to ride for the now huge freeride mountain bike scene, a scene that now included younger kids, parents, entire families and middle to older aged riders. The area now consists of fifteen very well built trails that are regularly maintained and upgraded by dedicated local trail builders. There are currently two newer trails under construction and there is always a plan for more. Gillard had not only survived the fire, but had come out of the other end stronger, larger and more popular than ever.

Gillard, if protected, will continue to offer local citizens and visitors alike great mountain biking experiences for years to come. Due to development, easily accessible areas like Gillard are quickly becoming a thing of the past. These areas offer our citizens and especially our youth a chance to make the great outdoors an important, valued part of their lives. Isn’t that alone worth fighting for?

Mountain Biking – Here to Stay

The sport of mountain biking has only been around for about 25 to 30 years. In that time it gone through many phases of reinvention. Like many of the newer modern alternative sports, mountain biking has now matured and is here to stay. Many separate disciplines have emerged within the sport offering a participation opportunity for nearly everyone who has ever wanted to feel the wind in their face. From leisurely excursions down park pathways, to lung busting epic single track rides to adrenaline pumping dare devil downhill runs and jumps; there is a form of mountain biking for everyone. Mountain biking is no longer a fringe or fad sport, it is now as common as all traditional sports with an ever increasing level of participation.

As a city that embraces sport, health and lifestyle we need to embrace mountain biking and provide our citizens with quality facilities and areas for them to participate in this great sport. An investment in mountain biking is not money thrown away or money wasted. Existing and new facilities will see regular use by the mountain biking community and serve to introduce more people to this healthy, fun activity. Additionally these areas will serve to attract more and more visitors each year, adding to Kelowna’s already great reputation as a sport enthusiast’s destination of choice.

Mike Kittmer

XC/All-Mountain Coordinator – Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan

Active Transportation Coordinator – The City of Kelowna