Mountain bike aficionados will soon have another reason to consider Burns Lake their favourite destination in Northern B.C.
The Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association (BLMBA) is planning to build a wall ride called the Pierce Hofer Memorial. The wall ride is approximately 80 feet in diameter, 10 feet high, and 10 feet wide with a wooden plank surface. The Pierce Hofer Memorial is essentially the semi-circular end of a velodrome track.
The wall ride will sit directly across from the Kager Lake parking lot.
“We are totally excited about the new wall ride,” said Guy Epkens-Shaffer, BLMBA’s President.
“It will be something that riders of all levels will be able to enjoy,” he said. “Experts (and experienced riders) can take a high, fast line while beginners will go low and slow.”
The total cost of the structure is approximately $100,000. The BLMBA received funding from the Bulkley Valley Credit Union, the Burns Lake Rotary Club, Lakes District Secondary School’s 2014 graduating class and School District No. 91. Furthermore, Epkens-Shaffer said volunteers dedicated several hours to guarantee this project would become a reality.
“We still need approval from Recreation Sites and Trails B.C., but it sounds like we are close to obtaining that,” said Epkens-Shaffer.
Construction of the Pierce Hofer Memorial is expected to begin in early June, and BLMBA hopes to have the project finished before the Big Pig Weekend in Aug. 14-16, 2015.
