🚵 Where the West Still Feels Wild

Many years ago, I joined a week-long guided mountain bike trip through the Canadian Rockies. At the time, I’d only been riding for a few years, and the experience opened my eyes to how vast and complex real mountain trail networks can be. We rode remote, off-the-beaten-path routes that genuinely required a guide to navigate.

I still remember the final ride of the trip. Before we dropped in, our guide casually mentioned we should keep an eye out for grizzly bears. In that moment, it truly hit me—we weren’t just riding trails anymore, we were deep in the wilderness.

We didn’t see any bears, but the riding was unforgettable.

Those memories came rushing back while writing Part 3 of this four-part series—an exploration of mountain bike–friendly weekend trips that feel like expeditions, without requiring expedition-level skills.

Last issue, we headed north.
This week… drumroll… we’re heading west.

This week’s question:

Can the GTMTB Assistant uncover three western weekend rides that feel like true expeditions—without advanced skills or big mileage days?

Let’s see what it comes up with.

P.S. If you haven’t tried the GTMTB Assistant yet, you can open the custom ChatGPT and run your own outdoor challenges. It’s free for subscribers.

👉 Click here to open GTMTB the Assistant. 

— Adam

1. Sun Peaks, British Columbia

Alpine Lift + Progression Basecamp 🚵

Why it feels like an expedition:
Lift-accessed alpine terrain delivers big mountain energy right away, with the option to mix in mellow XC riding—so it feels like a true mission without grinding huge climbs.

Ride style:
Sun Peaks excels at progression. The Progression Park is purpose-built for kids and beginners, making it one of the best places to dial skills before stepping onto longer green and blue lift-served runs.

Good to know:
Starting in the Progression Park is encouraged—even for intermediates—before moving onto longer laps.

🔗 Trail hub:

• Bike Park overview — https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/bike-hike/bike/bike-park

• Trail map & status — https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/bike-hike/bike/trail-map-status

Sample Weekend Flow

Day 1 — Skills & Confidence
Progression Park and easiest green laps.

Day 2 — Lift-Served Exploration
Green/blue runs with breaks.

Day 3 — Best-Of Laps
Revisiting favourite sections before the drive home.

2. Bend, Oregon — Phil’s Trail Complex

Classic Trailhead to Endless Forest 🌲

Why it feels like an expedition:
From one iconic trailhead, the network keeps unfolding deeper into pine forest, lava terrain, and high desert edge—without forcing long mileage commitments.

Ride style:
Highly mix-and-match. Multiple green and blue routes branch directly from Phil’s Trailhead, making short out-and-back adventures easy to tailor.

Good to know:
There’s no reservation system, but seasonal alerts and closures do happen—check status before heading out.

🔗 Trail hub:

• Bend Trails maps — https://bendtrails.org 

Sample Weekend Flow

Day 1 — Shakeout Loop
6–10 mi (10–16 km) close to the trailhead.

Day 2 — Exploration Day
10–18 mi (16–29 km) using Bend Trails maps; keep it mostly green/blue.

Day 3 — Short Spin + Coffee
5–8 mi (8–13 km), then roll into town.

3. Bellingham, Washington — Galbraith Mountain

Choose-Your-Own Pacific Northwest Adventure 🧭

Why it feels like an expedition:
With 70+ miles of trail spread across a massive forested zone, Galbraith rides like a true backcountry system—complete with viewpoints over Bellingham Bay.

Ride style:
The scale is the advantage. By choosing shorter climbs and mellower descents, you can keep mileage modest and repeat what you enjoy instead of committing to long loops.

Good to know:
Trail conditions change frequently—use local resources to stay on the most suitable options for your group.

🔗 Trail hubs:

• WMBC Galbraith page — https://www.wmbcmtb.org/galbraith

• Trail networks & status — https://www.wmbcmtb.org/trail-networks

Sample Weekend Flow

Day 1 — Orientation Loop
6–10 mi (10–16 km) focusing on navigation and pacing.

Day 2 — Two-Lap Day
Climb + descend, snack break, repeat. Total: 10–18 mi (16–29 km).

Day 3 — Farewell Lap
5–8 mi (8–13 km), then head home.

Longer rides and new trails usually mean a tighter grip—and that’s where good gloves make a difference. These are the ones I’ve been riding with since last spring: lightly padded palms and a touchscreen index finger for quick map checks.

Simple, comfortable, and easy to forget you’re wearing.