Like to smile? You should try mountain biking in Algoma, says local enthusiast

Forget runner’s high – mountain biking is the sport de jeur in Sault Ste. Marie.

Local bikers have been known to describe it as the best escape from the “BS” life throws at you.

Here’s a rundown of what the Algoma community has to offer in terms of fall biking trails – and the range of communities that travel them together.

The Hiawatha Highlands aren’t just ideal hiking trails, but perfect for bikers in search of a variety of terrain – lots of twists and turns, small jumps, rocks and roots of trees. But there’s also magical moments of discovering the odd waterfall, which is especially magical when it’s surrounded by the almost-neon fall colours.

Heather Carter, a mechanic at  Algoma Bicycle Company and an avid mountain biker, says the Highlands are a favourite for the mountain biking community.

“There are three trail networks with varying degrees of difficulty,” says Carter.

Just 25 kilometers long in total, it’s relatively short for expert riders, but is a well-kept path with signage and maps at the trailheads and within the trails themselves.

“You can’t miss the signs. They are like a white diamond shaped sign with a rasta guy on a bike,” laughs Carter.

Bellevue Valley is also a popular local spot. Given that there aren’t trail maps at this site, it’s not recommended for beginning bikers. There’s also a drop of 200 meters in elevation within a single 5 kilometer trek, meaning the ride to the top is especially difficult.

“It’s just a matter of learning how to operate your gears properly,” says Carter.

Unlike inner-city biking where people mostly stay in a single gear, mountain bikers are constantly changing anywhere between 9-12 settings, as they ride in tune with the ground.

“Finding your pedalling cadence can really depend on a million factors,” she says. “Everything from what your legs can handle to how soft or firm the ground is.”

While mountain biking has traditionally been a male-dominated sport, Carter says that’s changed a lot in recent years.

With respect to Sault Ste. Marie, that’s in large part thanks to a group started at bike shop Velorution: “Titty Tuesday Ladies Mountain Bike Group”.

The women’s-only bikers invite female riders from across the city to join them – no matter what prior experience they might have.

The group usually meets up at Hiawatha every Tuesday and then subdivides into three groups based on ability level. Bikers have to bring along the right type of bike — either an actual mountain bike or a Hybrid Trail bike. Some Tuesdays, they have up to 75 cyclists at a time and range in age from women in their late teens or early 20s to people in their mid-70s.

“It’s definitely a positive space with a non-competitive spirit,” says Carter, who has only been mountain biking for the past three years.

“Once people are introduced to the sport, it’s hard to go back to another type of workout,” she says.

“I’d much rather bike a trail than get on a treadmill – any day. When I first started, I was like ‘This was so much fun, why haven’t I been doing this for years?”

We're looking for ideas! Know about an outdoor adventure that should be featured in this column? Let us know at [email protected]