Vancouver’s North Shore is legendary but —it’s not the place to casually pick up mountain biking unless you enjoy learning via controlled crashes. If you have the time, go to Squamish but if you don’t read on..
Meet the Mountains
Each mountain on the North Shore has its own flavor. Here’s the quick and dirty breakdown:
- Fromme – Slow, rough, and technical. Your balance and line selection will be tested.
- Seymour – More flow, less chunk. Fun if you love speed and rhythm.
- Cypress – Experts only
So, where do you start? Let’s break it down.
Trying mountain biking for the first time or new to the shore? Rent an E-bike, unless you’re some sort of endurance athlete like a competitive trail runner, or simply love to suffer.
If you’re looking to rent a bike or take a lesson get in touch with Endless Biking
Bike setup
It’s Always Wet. Make sure your suspension is dialed in and your tires aren’t bald.
Prioritize:
- Suspension Setup Guide: Watch here
- Tire recommendations: Maxxis rule the shore. The Maxxis Assegai, Highroller or Minion DHF all with 3CMaxx Grip, EXO+ or DD for the front, and the Highroller or Minion DHR II rear 3CMaxxterra (summer) and 3CMaxxgrip (winter) in (EXO+ or DD).
- Need a suspension service? if you’ve never done it and you have more than 50hrs on the bike this will change your life. Click here for service Fox | RockShox
Tire Pressure Matters. I run 23 PSI front, 26 PSI rear (tubeless). This depends on rider weight, ability and the type of tire being used. Add a few PSI if you’re running tubes to avoid pinch flats.
Bike Setup is Key.
- Start here: Watch here
- Need a shop? Obsession Bikes will sort you out.
The Ride Progression Plan
🚴 Introduction Ride (1.0): Seymour
Your first ride should be Old Buck Climb → Bridal Pass → Empress Bypass.
- Pre- ride lesson:
- Trail map: Here
- Parking: Old Buck trailhead
Do this loop at least twice per session until you feel confident. At first concentrate on your body position then its time to move onto breaking. Only work on one skill at a time
Remember, mountain biking is all about being able to ride tomorrow. Ride in control and if you’re making a lot of mistakes its time to call it quits for the day.
Once you’re comfortable with this loop, its time to try a technical trail
🚴 Introduction Ride (1.1): Welcome to Fromme
When you’re comfortable with Empress Bypass, it’s time for Roadside Attraction—a Fromme trail that introduces wooden features and some technical bits. You’d be amazed at what modern bikes can roll over but the roots and bridges can be intimidating. Walk around features that you’re not confident doing that day, they will always be there tomorrow.
- Before you ride, watch this video on picking lines: Watch here
- Trail map: Here
- Parking: Here
🚴 Beginner Ride (2.0): Lower Expresso & Bobsled (Fromme)
Once you feel solid on Roadside Attraction, move to these:
- Bobsled: A beginner-friendly rollercoaster with less climbing than Lower Expresso.
- Park here: Map
- Climb Mountain Highway to Bobsled.
- Lower Expresso: longer climb and a little harder than Bobsled
🚴 Intermediate Trails (Fromme & Seymour)
Once your riding Bobsled and Lower Expresso with ease the north shore starts to open up.
When these feel fun (not terrifying), head to Seymour for:
- old-buck (climb) – Baden-powell (climb) – C-Buster (descent) – Asian-Adonis (descent) – Penny-Lane (climb) – Good-Sir-Martin (climb) – John-Deer (descent) – Empress-Bypass (descent)
Once you can ride this loop fast you should be ready to try the other trails on the shore.
P.S. If you’re riding the shore for the first time expect every trail to be one level higher than marked ex. Green is really blue, blue is really black etc..
Final Thoughts: Welcome to the Community
North Shore mountain biking is about community, adventure, and progression—not just riding trails solo. Ride with friends, meet new ones, and get outside.
Looking for people to ride with? Motus makes it easy. Sync schedules, track RSVPs, and plan group rides without endless chats.
🚲 Join the Motus community and let’s ride.
www.motus.fun
