By Andrew Mitchell
It took a marathon of volunteer trail work and a $20,000 investment in a bridge from the RMOW, but Comfortably Numb finally opened to the public in 2004 — eight years after trail builder Chris Markle started to explore the area with the goal of creating an intermediate epic ride for Whistler.
This fall the trail has been officially designated an Epic Ride by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, an organization that works to preserve mountain bike trail access through the development of the sport and trail standards.
Previously 37 trails had received Epic Ride status, and just three of them in Canada — the Eagle Ridge Expedition trail outside of Vancouver, the Seven Summits Trail in Rossland, and the Mansfield Trail in Alliston, Ontario. Joining Comfortably Numb this year is the Santos Trail in Florida, and High Country Pathway in Michigan.
According to Scott Linnenburger, the Field Programs coordindator for IMBA, Comfortably Numb was an obvious choice for Epic Ride status. It’s definitely long enough — 24 kilometres of solid singletrack from the entrance near the Wedgemont parking lot to the finish in Lost Lake Park — but it also was built to a high standard. The fact that the trail has been embraced by the local municipality and received official Section 102 status from the provincial government also helped the cause.
“I love that trail,” said Linnenburger. “I actually got to ride it last year when I was up there. I think the first thing I noticed was that it’s all singletrack-based, backcountry cross-country riding. It’s definitely not a speedy ride, but really demanding.”
IMBA traditionally defines epic rides as long, backcountry excursions geared primarily to cross-country mountain bikers, but that has been expanded to include urban and freeride trails as well that are built and maintained to a high standard. Comfortably Numb meets both the old and new criteria, says Linnenburger, with enough freeride elements to make it challenging for almost any type of rider.
Comfortably Numb has not been added to the IMBA website yet as that section is currently being reworked, but should be up sometime this winter. By next year Whistler can expect to host more mountain bikers from around the world looking for epic experiences.
“We really do see more tourism to Epic Ride locations,” said Linnenburger. “Just looking at our own website hits, the most widely sought after information we have is where the best riding in the world is. Local clubs are seeing the same thing for trails that have been included in the past.”
He adds that the real benefit of designating trails as epic rides is the fact that those trails do get more attention from local governments and clubs that sanction and maintain them, as well as an added layer of protection from development or being shut down.
“We just provide (Epic Ride) details on an informational basis, but we do notice that local clubs do start to take more pride in maintaining them and even making sure that the trail improves over time. And we do see quite a bit of outside visitation aimed at getting on that trail.”
The way the Epic Ride program is presented is also being changed. No longer will it just be about the trail, it will also be about the trail builders, the design, the region, and the clubs and governments that make those trails possible.
“As great as the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is, you can’t deny that part of its success has to do with all the other trails in the valley and the overall experience of riding in Whistler,” explained Linnenburger. “That’s really what we’re hoping to get across — instead of focusing on individual trails, our mandate is to show the whole big picture, and protect the whole riding experience.”
IMBA formalized the new trail designation in a recent newsletter, it was called a “must-ride for technically advanced riders. Long climbs, challenging rock faces, elevated bridges and spectacular views combine for a continually thrilling experience… By itself, the trail is worth the trip. Combined with the whole Whistler scene — incredible trail experiences for every rider — it’s the perfect icing on the best cake to feed your riding appetite.”
The trail was built in stages. The north section was opened as North Secret, and looped back on itself with a long descent back to the valley. The descent is still ridden heavily under its new name, Young Lust.
The south section was once called Foreplay, and was an out and back trail for several years until the middle section of Comfortably Numb was completed.
In addition to mountain bikers, the trail is also used by runners and hikers. For the past three years the trail has also hosted the Comfortably Numb Trail Run, which is part of the Sea 2 Sky Trail Running Series. Proceeds from the run have gone back into the trail for maintenance.
Markle estimates he put more than 4,000 hours of almost entirely unpaid labour into the trail over eight years, only getting money near the end to finish the route.
“I guess that’s kind of neat for the trail to get that kind of designation,” said Markle of the Epic Ride status, “that people will be coming here from around the world to ride it.”
That said, Markle doesn’t think of Comfortably Numb as his trail any longer now that it will be maintained by the municipality. He is also opposed to proposed municipal plans that would put exits along the trail, give riders the option of cutting out the middle section, and extend the trail back up Blackcomb before the descent.
“Would Comfortably Numb still be an Epic Ride if it was broken into smaller sections?” asked Markle. “From my perspective that’s not what epic rides are all about.”
