Pinkbike Poll: What is Your MTB Capital of the World?

Jul 3, 2020
by Daniel Sapp  
The Unlikely Mountain Bike Mecca of Bentonville AR
There's something for just about everyone in Bentonville, but you won't find any high alpine singletrack.

There are numerous locales and regions in the world that have, arguably, some of the best mountain biking that is to be found. I've heard Moab, Durango, The Northeast Kingdom in Vermont, Pisgah, Bellingham, Squamish, and even Santa Cruz called or named a mountain biking capital at some point. Head overseas and Finale Ligure, Les Gets, Andorra, Champery, Perth, Girona, and Pietermaritzburg are just a few of many places with great trails.

Many would argue that the Pacific Northwest in North America offers up some of the best and most diverse riding that is to be found, anywhere. Squamish, the 'Outdoor Recreation Capital of the World' sits between Whistler and the storied North Shore of Vancouver, BC. It's also the home of Pinkbike's headquarters. The number of trails, diversity, and accessibility to trails, along with the constant progression in that region has pushed the sport of mountain biking substantially in the last two decades. As with countries, capitals can move and evolve over time.


So, how did Bentonville, a town in Arkansas (that's in the US, bordered by Missouri, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Texas, and western Tennessee) stake its claim by trademarking the title of 'Mountain Bike Capital of the World' this week?

Bentonville, AR, is home to the headquarters of Walmart. Steuart and Tom Walton are avid mountain bikers. With that, they've invested heavily in the sport, and in the trail network and infrastructure surrounding their local region and beyond. In the last several years, Bentonville has gone from a nearly unheard of place in mountain biking to a destination offering a trail network with hundreds of miles of trail, accessible from town.

Several years back, I heard one of the Waltons quoted as saying that they wanted to make Bentonville the Mountain Bike Capital of the World... Soon after, I visited the town itself and it was quickly apparent that they were on a mission to make riding bikes in the woods a priority.

bigquotesThis incredible distinction has come after years of intentional work from Bentonville’s city leaders, trail builders, maintenance teams, new and experienced riders, and countless others in our great community. From the outset of our shared vision to transform our city as a mountain biking paradise unique from other destinations, the city government and community leaders provided the support and balanced leadership we needed to help make the dream become a reality.—Tom Walton

There are a lot of incredible places to ride and there is plenty of riding in the world that is more epic, scenic, challenging, what have you, than Bentonville. But as an all-encompassing destination, I've not visited anywhere more pleasant to ride, because there's more to bikes than simply terrain. The town is bike-friendly, there are phenomenal restaurants, entertainment, a badass museum, incredible coffee, top-notch bars, and a smorgasbord of other businesses that I actually want to visit. Take me to a resort with really great riding and I'm not really going to do anything else.

Bentonville? I'm going to go explore the town too. Not only that but the town has brought in the IMBA summit, trail-building workshops, retreats, and more. There are weeks of riding right from town and then plenty more within a short drive. Pump tracks, jumps, features, you name it. And it's all integrated into the town without the feel of a resort. It's Pleasantville for a mountain biker and it's a region with people behind it that are willing to do whatever it takes to grow the sport.

The entire town seems built for mountain biking and the infrastructure seems to be there for them to keep expanding that. So, does that make Bentonville the actual Mountain Bike Capital of the World? I'm not sure... it's hard for me to say so having spent time in other great riding destinations all over the world. It's definitely an example of how great a place can be for riding given a deep pool of resources and the correct people in place to make it happen. What's the 'Capital' in my mind? Mix the infrastructure, town, and feel of Bentonville, AR with the trails and terrain of the Pacific Northwest. Throw in a dash of Western NC and I'll call that place home...but a 'Capital' is still a little different.

If you had to choose a Mountain Bike Capital of the World, where would it be for you? What's important to you for that designation... is it just the trails? Or are there other factors at play? Let us know from the list below and if we happened to miss a spot (we really tried not to), select other, and drop it in the comments.

What is the mountain bike capital of the world?


What's the most important thing for a mountain bike capital?




Posted In:
Other


Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
67248 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
49531 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
47458 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
46059 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
41391 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 2
39167 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
38980 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38627 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

368 Comments
  • 193 0
 Trademark lawyer here: nothing is registered in the U.S., it's merely a common law trademark right, which is severely restricted in geographic scope (and, to be honest, difficult to enforce). You can tell by their use of TM instead of R (registered trademark).

Put another way, it's the same protection that would prevent a pizza shop from copying the name of another on the same block. Given the limited geographic scope of protection, there's nothing stopping another U.S. city from making the same claim.

Sincerely, "Best Lawyer in the World" TM
  • 52 0
 change your user name to "Best Lawyer in the World" TM
  • 1 0
 To clarify, you can get trademarks federally registered in the U.S. I recently sent patent correspondence with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • 9 0
 @mdrrich: Right, federal registration confers a number of benefits and if there was anything registered the town could have prevented anyone in the US from using the name "Mountain Biking Capital of the World" or similar. The scope of the registered mark would also be limited by the classes of goods and services on which it was registered in the first place.

Here, nothing was registered based on my search of the USPTO's database, as well as Arkansas' database.

PS - @radek, looks like Pinkbike has not registered any trademarks in the U.S. or Canada. Suggest you look into it!
  • 8 1
 "Best Lawyer in the the World" Tribute!
  • 8 2
 Update:

The official "Mountain Bike Capital U.S.A." is Winter Park Colorado, based off their registered trademark. Makes a bit more sense, terrain wise.

tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4809:3o6k60.5.1
  • 49 2
 I'm sure Specialized lawyers have already looked to see if they own any of those words
  • 4 1
 It is no longer acceptable to use the term dentist bike, it has to be "best lawyer in the world" bike.
  • 17 0
 @EKrum: How dare you...
  • 2 0
 @best-lawyer-in-the-world: an imposter.
  • 13 0
 And Steamboat Springs calls itself “Bike Town USA” despite treating their bike park like an afterthought at best. Lmao
  • 10 1
 Am a lawyer also, but am just here to make fun of your inferior legal system. Statutory law rules!
  • 4 1
 @wilbersk: Steamboat bike park has some of the best tracks in the state IMO.
  • 3 0
 @johnnyrox: "this is just a tribute"
  • 4 0
 @wilbersk: I mean, most of the best riding isn't in the bike park...
  • 1 0
 @Kellefornia: it's a great spot no doubt and Trestle keeps getting bigger and better every year
  • 1 0
 Everybody knows Torrance, CA is the sickest. Wilson Park, Sur la Brea and the Madrona Marsh are all sick AF.
  • 1 0
 @wilbersk: After working at the resort for 2 seasons I can confirm this lol
  • 1 0
 @rbreish: yea it was frustrating living there the last two bike park seasons
  • 1 0
 @wilbersk: at least Trestle is just down the road. Does your SB pass still work there?
  • 135 3
 When a place with 500' vert and nothing but flow trails claims to be the MTB capitol of the world.... LMAO it's not even the best spot in the US. Whistler and Squamish must be rolling their eyes.
  • 186 8
 Hell no, whistler and Squamish suck. Go to Bentonville - way better.
  • 113 2
 @onemind123: Agreed. Don’t come here.
  • 4 0
 i wonder where else in canada contends with the shore/sea to sky
  • 28 0
 @SquamishSucks: Yeah, you definitely wanna avoid this place... Nothing to see here folks.
  • 21 0
 @SquamishSucks: name checks out.
  • 12 0
 @crysvb: You can probably list a few dozen places in BC alone
  • 41 1
 Definitely take your whole family of sweaty screaming crotch goblins to the truly greatest vacation spot, Arkansas. No need to look anywhere else. GO TO BENTONVILLE - its the best.
  • 12 1
 @crysvb: MSA region in Quebec is unreal
  • 1 1
 @shmarv: can't think of one... sorry, keep looking.
  • 4 0
 @shmarv: yeah, i should've rephrased that as BC as a whole.
  • 27 0
 Should probably have a “mountain” if you want to hold that title?
  • 2 2
 @crysvb: dont try VI it sucks
  • 16 2
 Ahh, the bike park paradox, best places to ride bikes are the best places to ski, how does that work out in winter?
We may not have overly commercialised bike parks here in Australia (most states have good trails), but the trails are damn good, and I get to ride 12 months of the year, whilst wearing shorts I might add.
  • 10 0
 But.... IMBA....
  • 14 4
 I'll just say this... I think a lot of beginners (emphasis on the word beginners) don't really love riding in north van or squamish as much as people think. It's mostly pretty advanced stuff where generally speaking you're pedaling for 45min up a gravel switchback (so much for nature..) to enjoy 4-5 minutes of downhill, and as a beginner the only trails you can really ride are Bobsled or Half Nelson. From there it's either bike park which is a different skill set, or straight up Jank black and double blacks. There's almost nothing in between that i know of... [edited to emphasize the word beginner]
  • 8 0
 @RichieNotRude: yeah, but your skiing sucks. Skiing is rad.
  • 16 0
 @DialedMtb: Agreed. Betonville can be the mountainless mountain bike capital of the world.
  • 2 0
 @RichieNotRude:

Works out pretty well. We get to ski, don't suffer from burn-out and get to wear lots of clothes in the winter.

That being said, after 20+ years living at a resort, I could really do with a year of good warm weather. These bones are starting to feel the cold.
  • 1 6
flag ajaypate1 (Jul 3, 2020 at 19:23) (Below Threshold)
 it haas amaazing flow traails and stuff, but to be the best it needs all types. I rode there a yeaar or too ago and it was the bgest singl;etraacjk i ever roddee.
  • 1 0
 @crysvb: In the BC interior its still sick AF, go east past the mountains and its a wasteland for a few hundred kilometers.
  • 21 0
 You can’t own everything, Walmart.

Trailforks database:
BC - 14,978 trails
AR - 970 trails
  • 1 0
 @ajaypate1: Haas sucks. Kitamura all day baby.
  • 1 1
 @onemind123: I will fly from Italy there instead of whistler. That is for sure.
  • 2 0
 @crysvb: shhhhh. I heard there’s some decent shit east of Vancouver.
  • 7 0
 @Andrewfdennis: Fair enough but how many true beginners are traveling North America to ride bikes, id venture to guess most are training in their own respective towns. Then when they get good, they go to BC
  • 2 1
 @Andrewfdennis: Maybe we should say your area is the e-bike capital of the world! That'll keep the riders away...
  • 3 1
 @Andrewfdennis: You literally described one mountain in North Van: Fromme. There are a lot more beginner trails in the area. You can try Seymour in N. Van, Starz in Coquitlam, and Squamish has a bunch.
  • 1 6
flag mkul7r4 FL (Jul 4, 2020 at 10:24) (Below Threshold)
 @SquamishSucks: Sounds good, I'll stay in AR. People, go to Canada please.
  • 3 1
 @Andrewfdennis: There are dozens of Squamish beginner trails. Take a beginner class and they will show you them all.
  • 8 1
 @Andrewfdennis: I was a beginner a year ago.

1. Climbing is awesome.
2. Bobsled, John Deer, Empress Bypass, Griffen, Bottletop, and even 90% of Expresso are ridable as a beginner. After couple months on those you progress to Crinkum/Kirkford. 6 months in, I was riding 7th secret.
3. In Squamish you got Upper Mad Hatter/Ed's Bypass/Man boobs - almost 400m of vertical drop easy blue flow. Plus Half Nelson, Plus Pseudo Tsuga, plus Leave of Absense...

There's a ton out here for beginners.
  • 8 1
 500'?! Bentonville has 180, max, including the extra 15 ft the "hub" on Coler gives you
  • 2 1
 Squamish/whistler/N-Van. Hands down and no comparison.
  • 3 1
 @Andrewfdennis: Theres a lot of other stuff. Check out jacks, the corners, room with a view, or bony elbows (ok not the last two). But explore, there is a ton in squamish, you just need to go look for it.
  • 4 0
 @SquamishSucks: Yep, it sucks bad. I've vacationed in BC for the last 20 years just to really verify how lousy the riding is. I'm practically in tears because I can't visit again this year to experience how crappy the trails are. I had planned to visit Revvy and Golden this summer just so I could remind myself how terrible BC riding is.
  • 2 0
 @ksilvey10: depends of if we’re counting Ponca or not
  • 2 0
 @Andrewfdennis: There's lots of great beginner to intermediate stuff in the region, you just need to come out to the valley.
  • 1 0
 @onemind123: It's MTB capitals not (Bentonville) Hill Biking Capitals. Now if you say the weather sucks in BC in the Winter for MTB Thats a legitimate gripe. Oaxaca should be on the list and Crested Butte if you don't count the weather. I also hear Ecuador is very cool and you can MTB year around. Year around weather should be a consideration.
  • 128 7
 I sincerely wish all MTB media would stop mentioning Bentonville. F*c% walmart and their rich kids' hobby.
-Man up, Stu and Tom, and demand to get your workforce a livable wage and off of government subsidies.
-Stop taking tax breaks to build a monster building in a town only to move just outside of town limits (and tax revenue collection) once the tax breaks end.
-Stop discriminating against women
-End child labor for your cheap plastic crap
Stop focusing on trails in some weird midwest US town and be good, at the very least, decent humans.
  • 10 1
 Hell yeah.
  • 22 1
 And F*c% IMBA!
  • 2 0
 @skelldify: Does that stand for International Mountain Biking Association?
  • 3 0
 Yeah!

Wait. Arkansas is in the midwest?
  • 4 0
 Thank you. It is insane to me that Bentonville became so popular within mountain biking, which historically has been pretty grassroots and counter-culture oriented. Really speaks to how the sport has changed within the last decade or so, I guess.
  • 5 1
 @toast2266: Arkansas is the south. The midwest didn't secede. Lol.
  • 1 3
 Clean your room
  • 3 1
 No good deed goes unpunished. Walmart may not pay the best, but far from minimum wage now. I think it's $12 an hour vs $7 and change.
  • 4 0
 @Bkdjr2000: I'd say there is a higher percentage of people in the "bike industry" making less than Walmart employees
  • 1 0
 @ksilvey10: Sadly, on a much, much smaller scale, that could be true, but I can't think of any bike industry company, or LBS, that dodges taxes and takes government handouts like walmart.
  • 1 0
 @nooch98: When people talk about the handouts Walmart takes their generally referring to not paying its employees a living wage requiring them to be on welfare. I'd say thats very much true in the bike industry as well.
  • 65 1
 Anywhere you're on two wheels is the bike capital of the world. Rubber side down!!
  • 16 1
 Best place is any trail system that has the support of local government officials, mtn bike community and is in harmony with all user groups. I don’t see any of that happening in Northern California.
  • 3 0
 @rivercitycycles: is that happening anywhere in California...besides towns with 3 residents?
  • 3 0
 @rivercitycycles: Redding’s bike culture is booming. Growing community and more and more quality trails all the time. Don’t knock it til you try it.
  • 6 0
 @Jaydenc: Redding? ?? Ugh, yuck.
  • 3 1
 @rivercitycycles:Hey now, it’s not all bad here. There are some good scenes in Cali. Bad day on the trail? Take a chill pill my friend and tomorrow might just be all rainbows and unicorns. I say this living in Marin Co. where, well, you know...
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: Best public lands jump line in Norcal. Hands down.
  • 4 0
 @normar: smoke meth, hit big jumps, slam a monster and repeat!!!!
  • 7 0
 @Jaydenc: The area surrounding Redding is freaking beautiful, but meth and heroin just ruin it. Zombies everywhere. Not to mention racist hillbillies. Lots of them. Such a beautiful area but ruined by uneducated fools and drugs. Oh, it also gets 115 in the summer.
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: that combo is what make the dentists $$. Meth mouth and energy drinks! I love Red Bull because they sponsor the best events AND give me fillings to do on the same teeth every six months!
  • 55 7
 Walmart should start paying their workers a living wage rather than building mountain bike trails in a flat area. I bet Bentonville isn't even top 25 places in the USA to ride.
  • 17 3
 Bentonville isn't in the top 25 of anything and neither is Arkansas
  • 2 0
 @matadorCE: lol
  • 30 1
 Bentonville is the “mountain bike capital of the world” as much as Applebee’s is the capital of fine dining.

Can’t wait for the offended locals to come after me)
  • 12 0
 ...and budweiser is the king of beers
  • 25 1
 If you want to take a connecting flight in route to your MTB destination, and you LOVE 6-10 foot table tops, Bentonville is the place for you. If you have ridden one trail in Bentonville, you have essentially ridden them all. I was bored after the first hour.
  • 22 1
 Don’t get me wrong... Bentonville is cool AF and what they’ve done there is mind blowing. Ever wonder what it would be like if someone spent a bizzilion dollars on your average terrain with below average dirt building trails in the middle of no where? Go see Bentonville. At the end of the day though, it’s a cool place to live and play but not a very inspiring place to mountain bike.
  • 24 0
 First question for consideration. Are there mountains there.
  • 37 2
 Technically no, but in the US we like to make mountains out of mole hills so our sense of scale is a little bit skewed.
  • 3 1
 @ridebikesyall: maybe in Georgia...
  • 17 0
 I live about 25 miles from Bentonville & obviously the"MTB Capital of the World" thing is a publicity stunt.
That not withstanding the trail systems around here are pretty amazing & there is a insane amount of them at this point with more going in all the time. The popularity of Bentonville has also spurred the building of trails a bit farther south were there is a lot more elevation. There is a nearly 5 mile black diamond DH on the Buffalo river now & a system on Mount Nebo just opened 1,345′.
  • 22 2
 Most important thing to be mountain bike capital is there is a walmart
  • 46 0
 where else am i supposed to get a bike?
  • 21 3
 I would say the most important thing would to be inclusive of all people. The state of Arkansas has a poor track record in this respect. I’d rather spend my tourist money elsewhere.
  • 7 2
 @dsmdan18: here here. Brevard has some of the best biking I've ever done, and I've ridden in a lot of spots in the USA.
But... NC has a similar track record IRT civil rights and equality as Arkansas.
New York, Vermont, New Hampshire all have excellent biking, and as a geographical location have comparable riding to Brevard, but you'll spend a lot more time in a car to get to the variety you'll find in Western NC and Tennese. Plus if you combine Brevard with riding available in the Knoxville Urban Wilderness and Windrock area, there isn't much better.
Plus the Western NC area is year-round.
I have ridden PNW, and it's awesome. I haven't been to BC, but I'd like to make that trip. But to be honest, lift access doesn't interest me too much. And buffed, groomed trails bore me.
In Maryland where I live there is a ton of really good riding, it's just not as extensive as Western NC, or have the elevation.
  • 5 1
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: NC honestly probably has a worse record than Arkansas, tbh. There was a Eugenics Board that gave people involuntary sterilization a for over 40 years. There’s the Wilmington Massacre of 1898. It’s a nice place to live now but the contrast between the wealthy urban cities and vacation spots and the rural areas is stark.
  • 4 1
 @dsmdan18: last time I was in Bentonville I grabbed a fast food burger between rides. The guy asked me where my accent was from, England I replied, do you have a problem with the ni@@ers there too was his response!
  • 14 0
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: "I haven't been to BC, but I'd like to make that trip. But to be honest, lift access doesn't interest me too much. And buffed, groomed trails bore me."

Redundant statements there. You clearly haven't been to BC if you think it's all lift-served and all buffed and groomed!
  • 3 1
 @catweasel: sounds like their real problem is with people who would say something like that. That’s messed up.
  • 1 0
 @MtbSince84: That's not my assumption of BC, but it is of some of the spots on the list. Squamish is on my list.
  • 8 0
 @MtbSince84: And I can pretty much guarantee that a good number of the "buffed, groomed trails" we do have here will not bore you. Some will have you swapping your chamois for depends.
  • 3 1
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: If you're referring to Whistler: I spent 10 days there last summer, and didn't use a lift once. The self-pedal trail system there is immense and varied.
  • 1 0
 @dsmdan18: Hmm, yeah, excellent point.
  • 17 0
 Sea to sky, Vancouver up to pemby and everything inbetween. There is good riding all over the world but nowhere can come close to the amount, quality, variety and local support that the sea to sky offers.
  • 2 1
 I've ridden in a lot of different places and I'd have to agree. I haven't been for 10 years, but I've yet to visit somewhere better than it was then, let alone now. For me, Finale is the only place that's come anywhere near the quality and diversity.
  • 3 2
 If you normalize for geographic area, I imagine the Cumberland/Comox Valley/Mount Washington folk would have something to say about "nowhere com(ing) close".

Sea to Sky is fantastic, but a huge advantage for it is simply proximity to more people. Lots of amazing places throughout BC that have equally great riding, and everyone's always going to have their biases.

If Sea to Sky has anything that's a clear advantage, is historical impact on how MTB developed. (And even then, some would argue for, say, Kamloops)
  • 5 0
 @shmarv: If you are arguing historical impact on "Freeride" mountain biking than you have to include the Kootenays but if we are suggesting places for tourists to visit then yeah, just stick to Van/Squa/Whis, we are okay without the crowds... and Bentonville... you should all go there.
  • 6 0
 What we can all agree on though, is BC is surely the capital!
  • 6 1
 @shmarv: seriously cumby is nice but not comparable to squamish in any way and comparing mt Washington to Whistler?? Really!?
  • 5 0
 Port Du Soleil - the valley that contains Les Gets, Morzine, Chatel and Morgins is a crazy good riding area. If you're going on an MTB holiday in Europe that's probably where you're going. As well as having the riding and the lifts there's a really good scene in Morzine - lots of great bike shops, tonnes of people doing full seasons out there and there's decent nightlife and partying etc. Definitely a buzz to the place in summer, unlike most ski towns which are totally dead in summer. It's definitely the MTB capital of Europe. However, Whistler area beats it for sure. Size of the park and variety of riding is as good or better, but it's the culture and history that set it apart I think. So many companies and so much MTB history comes out of that area. It's been around way longer and is way better known. People who have never been to Canada or even North America can tell you about features on A-line, Dirt Merchant, Crabapple hits etc. It's definitely the world capital.
  • 2 0
 @Strobeha: genuine question here. How do you have so many trails? Who builds them, who funds them, how do they get approval? We have literally 7,000+ feet of vertical in our backyards here (SLC, UT) and can’t get a single trail built. It’s insane that a fairly major metro area with some of the greatest potential for MTB in the world has virtually no trails. We have to fight to maintain access to our limited, mundane riding, while you guys have more miles of trail than a person could ever ride. What’s the secret?
  • 2 0
 @shmarv: dont forget Hornby Island when you list comox valley. Amazing beginner and intermediate riding with a few black diamonds thrown in for fun.
  • 1 0
 @tom666: PDS is fantastic, and if you get to know the out of the bikepark trails, better. But in the end, it's very personal choice.. I would give up 2 trips to PDS to have semi-decent trails that I could go on my bike from my door, year round.. and I had that.. now I have to fly or ride 5-6h to get good riding, form Paris..oh, and wait for summer of course...
  • 1 0
 @shmarv: you do realise the pds area has 650km off official trails all accessible from 1 lift pass and no car. That’s before you add in the unofficial stuff
  • 1 10
flag CM999 (Jul 4, 2020 at 2:56) (Below Threshold)
 @tom666: there is very little bike industry in the sea to sky corridor. Beyond Rocky Mountain and raceface who is based there?
  • 2 0
 @CM999: Chromag, North Shore Billet and Vorsprung are 3 others that immediately spring to mind.
  • 9 0
 @CM999:

Rocky Mountain
Raceface Easton
Giant Canada
Norco
Brodie
Chromag
Knolly
Dark Cycles
Cove
Endless Biking
Rockblock
Sombrio
BC Bike Race
Pinkbike
NSMB
Arc Teryx

Just to name a few...
  • 5 0
 @Hayek: people just go build without permission.

You'd be surprised how little effort land owners will put into shutting a trail down. Just go build, better to ask for forgiveness than permission. It's only been in the last 10 years that any sort of legal trail networks have been setup in BC. It's always just been people who like to ride building trails that they want to ride. Just go build it and see what happens
  • 4 0
 @Hayek: We have a significantly different outlook and setup here in Canada. People aren't quite as quick to sue over every little thing here. Part of that has to do with the that we are raised less individualistic than you folks South of the border. So, a lot of the trail building starts with people grabbing shovels,etc, and building a trail. If it's in more populated areas it gets a bit trickier, but that's usually where the local trail-building associations step in.
There are success stories in your country of trail building networks, message people there for a how-to road map. Good luck!
  • 1 0
 Will definitley have to come visit and see for myself at some point.
  • 1 0
 @Hayek:

The secret is strong membership and volunteer base for the local mtb associations. Become a member, get involved!

nsmba.ca
sorca.ca
worca.com
fvmba.com
porcabikes.com
  • 1 0
 @Hayek:

And a quick Trailforks check of SLC trails shows me only USFS as land manager with no mtb associations. Sounds to me like your area needs to organize. It just take a few friends to put in a lot of hard work to get it started.
  • 1 0
 @Hayek: always wondered this too! Similar to what you see around Boulder CO. Lots of potential in the area but local government has never gotten behind trail building. A shame!
  • 2 1
 @Hayek: most of our land is crown land. Private citizens own everything in the US and there is no insurance protection for them. There are also not enough right of way laws for unused private land. Comes down to our socialist state vs the 'rugged' individualism of the american way.
  • 3 0
 @Hayek: Also, the provincial government in BC has a branch called Recreation Sites and Trails BC that stewards trail systems and acts as recreational land managers for vast areas of crown land. They aren't always the easiest to work with but at least they have the specific purpose of creating and maintaining recreational opportunities for British Columbians so bike clubs have a place to go to with trail proposals..
  • 1 0
 @ybsurf: the CV region is definitely better than Bentonville, but i would agree the Squamish and whistler have far more developed expert level sanctioned trails.

Everything sanctioned in the CV is so dumbed down for the soccer moms out there. anything truly DOPE is a secret trail and cant be found on trailforks.
  • 1 0
 @deepstrut: oh yeah way better than bentonville for sure no complain here I'm happy with what we got but to compare that to sea to sky is a bit much
  • 1 0
 You could really expand that to include all of BC. The big problem with Sea to Sky, is that I'm not riding there right now. I can't wait until I can come back.
  • 1 0
 @Strobeha: Do you have any idea just how hard it is to plan a vacation there? I'd need a couple more lifetimes to get to all the trails I want to ride.
  • 1 0
 @snl1200: Fair point. I suppose with "Sea to Sky" I was primarily referring to the North Shore (and the lore behind it)
  • 1 0
 @ybsurf: Yup -- read "normalize for geographic area"
  • 1 0
 @fabwizard: No argument from me there
  • 10 0
 I haven’t been to a lot of the places listed but voted for Vancouver area, BC even though I have never been.

They seem to have almost everything and it’s the place almost everyone wants to go. Plus they are home to a lot of bike industry.

When I looked at going to Bentonville it was pain to get to, had only a few trail systems and didn’t have much elevation gain/loss. I’d put most of the Colorado areas (none listed except Fruita) above Bentonville.
  • 13 1
 My “mountain bike capital of the world” is certainly not Bentonville. That’s like saying waki was the best pinkbike commentator in the world.
  • 3 1
 he still reads your words, watch out....
  • 10 0
 There's a small up and coming place called Queenstown, but shhh. Sometimes people get it confused with Queensland which is more known for it's world class surf than it's mountain biking.
  • 1 0
 lol lol lol
  • 10 1
 Santa Cruz is a strange one. Very few trails are sanctioned by the local authorities, so you cant find them on trail maps. You need to ride with someone that knows the area, to find the trails. Then you are also risking getting ticketed by Rangers. It is more of a mountain bike underground there. I met some guys from Archer Components out there one day and they were nice enough to let me tag along with them. The trails were really nice. Steep as hell, with lovely dirt and beautiful redwoods. They made it look easy, but the trails pushed my limits.
  • 2 2
 If we are doing off the grid riding locations based on trails alone, and not considering tickets, Marin County has some of the most Euro style, raw backcountry steep tech jank anywhere. There's a reason Weir, Cruz, Osborne, Matt Koen, all come from there. And the XC aint bad either.. Kate Courtney, anyone?
  • 1 0
 One bonus is that you can ride year-round. And the beer scene pretty awesome, too!
  • 8 0
 I professionally built trail in arkansas for 3 years. Arkansas has the same terrain and dirt as windrock, arguably one of the gnarliest US bikeparks, more than a few 1000' peaks and a couple of 2000'. No one wants to build anything steeper than 10% and buffed wide enough that a golf cart couldnt run on it. For this reason and this trail philosophy they will never be a TRAIL destination for all riders like they claim. There is no progression. Every trail is the same and most times does not flow correctly and is incredibly pedally. The double black rated trails are a standard of blue anywhere else in the country. The truth is, NWA isnt building trails that are simply enjoyable for riders, they are building trails to make there 'livability resume' look good on paper for tech moguls coming from california so walmart can compete with amazon in the future. The people in the comunity are incredible and i have never seen such a tightly knit group of riders, but for years i have heard "what do we need to do to make this place a world class riding destination that competes with whistler" answer from a trailbuilders perspective: steeper more raw trails. And you hear *now is the time for the shift in arkansas trail building" and again, all talk and no action. People are bitter about the greatest missed oppurtunity in the history of mountain biking because there is virtually unlimited resources and a huge demand from the riders for gnarlier trails, but there is no action, and no passion.
  • 2 0
 So why don't the trail builders just go out and build some rad stuff? A lot of other areas with killer trails evolved because trail builders just went out and did it, some of the trails get shut down and some end up getting approved with the help of advocacy groups. Obviously this model hasn't worked everywhere but it seems like it could in Bentonville given the positive attitude it has towards mountain biking.
  • 6 0
 @shami: The trail builders here in Bentonville are professionals from out of state getting paid by the Walton foundation. Nobody is using a shovel for free here. The trails are great, but like ibishreddin mentions, they're never steep enough grade going down. I think it's because they choose hills right in town and try to stretch out the descents, and then you end up having to pedal like crazy just to clear jumps. There's plenty of steeper terrain they could build on but they just don't.
  • 2 0
 @casman86: that's interesting and very foreign to me. I'm used to living in a place where the trail building culture is part of the mountain bike culture. No dig no ride. Hopefully that can change there so that the trails are not so homogeneous.
  • 2 1
 You're going to love what's happening in Ironton, Mo. 600' of steep gnar and massive granite formations
  • 2 0
 @shami: there's no organic passion for trail building here yet. The perception of trail building here is that of just another construction site.
  • 2 0
 come to salt lake and ill show you some missed opportunities for mountain biking...
  • 1 0
 @ibishreddin that's probably the best and honest answer here. I was born in Europe, lived in the Bay Area and now close to Lake Tahoe. We did a trip to Bella Vista where we stayed 5 weeks and rode around 5 days a week. My conclusion was also that it's about all the same, the way the trails are build. Way too many bumps and berms, any XC trails are build like pump tracks. It get's really old after a while. Coler had some better, more gnarly trails and I rode Mt. Kessler which I thought wasn't that great. The "World Cup" ambitious trails at Centennial are bad in my opinion, has nothing to do with XCO racing. And then there's the humidity, it was bad.
We enjoyed the trails on the rest of our trip way more, Angel Fire, Durango, Laramie and Park City as example.
Well, now we know. ;-)
The town of Bentonville is definitely cute and there's some attractions around, the bike paths are cool and the connection and signage is better than in most places. It's purposely build by professionals with endless resources.
Although I had never imagined that groceries or restaurants would be as or even more expensive then in CA! A loaf of bread at the farmers market was $10-18!!!
  • 10 2
 I'm lucky to have riden in many places from Vancouver, Bentonville, to Copper Harbor U.P. and my pick is still Grand Junction to Moab up to the Le Sal and back. Something about that country that is very magical.
  • 3 1
 I've ridden all over the world and I have to agree.
  • 3 0
 As a new GJ resident that’s nice to hear!
  • 7 0
 Wales has some great riding spots already. The best are at the extremes - north and south wales - and offer a huge variety of riding.

And if you ever happen to drive around, it is literally full to busrsting with potential locations for more great places to ride. And it's a 4hr drive end to end. Even the furthest distances are possible as a day trip wherever you start from.

Basically, with the right investment and infrastructure, Wales could be MTB paradise. And also a breeding ground for future champions if kids are growing up with BPW, Dyfi and Revs to ride at. Just remember to pack a rain coat.

With Revolution at the top, Dyfi in the middle (sort of) and Bike Park Wales at the bottom; you've got some of the best parks in the country with a relatively close proximity. And that doesn't even cover the top notch trail centres dotted around.

What we don't have though, is a unified/national identity as an MTB destination. If we could get that right, there's so much potential for more investment. Especially since Bike Park Wales are about to open their new green trail - Kermit. Whilst a green trail is not much for most people here to get excited about... a 5km legit MTB trail made suitable for absolute beginners (with the option of uplift for those who haven't got their climbing legs yet) could be of huge importance.

Some people might prefer their favourite places to stay under the radar, but more people means more potential revenue to be made. Which in turn means more/better facilities as people invest to generate even more revenue. I don't necessarily like things coming down to money/profit. But if people think they can make money out of mountainbikers (either as individual businesses or communities that benefit from increased visitors) then they'll be inclined to provide mountain bikers more of what they want.
  • 7 4
 Yea but the weather is absolute shite
  • 3 0
 Agree with all of this, and not to mention that all of the trails are rideable 12 months of the year whatever the weather. Having lived in Wales all my life, my recent emigration to Minnesota has really opened my eyes to just how good I've had it my whole life. It blows my mind that the Welsh Assembly aren't looking at BC and taking inspiration. MTB has the potential to revitalize so many parts of Wales that are desperately in need of investment. Why aren't there tax incentives and subsidies available to build hotels and hostels near trail centers and bike parks? Merthyr and Glyncorrwg are prime for this type of business. As always, Wales just lacks the belief and ambition to fully commit to doing something properly, and is just half-arseing it as per usual. I look at NZ and see the confidence and self belief of a country not much bigger than ours, and dream that one day we'll find it within ourselves to recognize how incredible our natural resources are and begin to utilize them in positive, sustainable ways. Cymru ym byth! (Covid has made me homesick, can you tell?).
  • 1 0
 @Riwajc: That depends very much on wether you like the pissing down rain and freezing cold or not? To each their own ;-)
  • 2 0
 Wales never fails! Found some brilliant new tracks, during lockdown,straight from my front door.
  • 2 0
 @swansejack22: There was talk in recent years of a company (from NZ i think) wanting to put a gondola system on Kilvey Hill as a tourism feature (i assume you know Kilvey given your username). Haven't heard much on that for a while. But i did think that it would be brilliant for someone to get involved with turning Kilvey into an official trail centre/park with access to trails from the gondola.

The company building the gondola are gonna need constant numbers to make a profit. Offering a reasonably priced day-ticket to bikers would surely bring a steady stream of regular/repeat customers from south and west wales, as well as numerous visitors from further afield.
  • 1 0
 @Riwajc: True. My initial excitement yesterday at the news of trails reopening was tempered somewhat by that fact that it was avsolutely hammering down all day.

Still though, when it's what you're used to*, why do you think riders like Danny Hart are hitting warp speed when everyone else is trying to pick their way down a rain-soacked WC run.


*this does not include me. I'm a dedicated adherent to fair-weather biking.
  • 1 0
 "Paradise." I do not think it means what you think it means. . .
  • 2 0
 I moved to Wales from South East England for affordable housing and some decent hills. Never regretted it once. I love it here. If you're hard enough to ride fast down a hill you're hard enough to put on a coat and ride in the rain.
  • 2 0
 @Plastercaster: "You're not made of sugar!" as my rugby coach used to say.
  • 2 0
 Wales has like 6 or 7 quality bikeparks. Immense quality and quantity of riding. I live in Hampshire/Surrey area in England and I'll drive 2.5 hours to South Wales or 5 hours to North Wales a few times a year. The riding is worth it. BMCC deserves a huge shout out. Such a gem of a spot.

I don't think Wales compares to Port du Soleil valley (containing Morzine, Les Gets, Chatel & Morgins) or Whistler area for a biking holiday though. The fact that both of those places are set up as resorts make them so much better suited. You finish a day's riding in Wales and you're either in a car park in Merthyr Tydvil or a car park in the middle of nowhere in North Wales. Finish a days riding in Port du Soleil your accommodation is right under the lift and there's restaurants, pubs, bars, bike shops etc right on hand. The weather is way more reliable in the Alps than it is in Wales too. Whistler also has pretty good weather in summer.
  • 2 0
 I’ve been binge watching Fireman Sam... and got to say it looks beautiful. Are there any trail centers near Pontypandy?
  • 2 0
 @deez-nucks: There's a few trails but you can never ride them because that pr!ck Norman Price keeps getting himself into bother up there.
  • 7 2
 A little self serving, but I would say Chile has a range of riding that few if any other regions have. The Andes run north to south and you are never more than an hour away from some of the highest mountains in the world. From the driest desert in the world (Atacama) in the north, through the center of the country that best resembles California through Oregon, to Patagonia in the south that is very similar to Canada to Alaska. Chile has accessible single track trails absolutely everywhere including right in the center of its modern and safe capital of Santiago, but also bike parks and remote trails hidden all over the Andes mountains and and its coastal range. It's hard to say what is "The Best" at anything, but Chile is up the with the best spots in the world for sure. On top of that, the riding scene is as big and active as any.
  • 3 1
 You might be right, but you also must consider Argentina (has the other side of the same mountains) and Perú. Cusco was the capital of the Inca´s Empire and is sorrounded by a more than interested trail network.
  • 1 0
 @cebolla: year round riding is hard to give up.. you get really spoiled in Peru/Ecuador/Colombia... freaking winters are annoying, except you make up excuse to escape it and ride somewhere else...
  • 1 0
 Chile is pretty freaking great. Tons of trails everywhere, but it doesn't have anywhere near the huge number of riders in BC or CA or 4 Corners in the states.
  • 5 0
 Tasmania, Australia.
EWS trail of the year both years it had a round.
All year round riding.
Great climate.
A huge explosion in new trails. (Two major networks under construction and another two soon to start)
A little island below a big island give that remoteness feeling without the drawbacks.
Great government backing to MTB tourism.
Full array of trail types.
It’s my home state????
  • 1 0
 And, Daniel and Emma!!!!
  • 3 2
 You make it sound great. Except there are two things that completely knock this down:
#1. All the things that can kill you (snakes, spiders, Aussies...)
and
#2. Aussies

Even the Aussies have flocked to Whistler to get away from both of those. Wink
  • 5 0
 I've road tripped most of the US (and never been to Canada) and my pick would be getting into the proper mountains around Crested Butte / Salida and Durango. Trails great, but what did it was the scenery and people. Riding my bike at 3500m seems crazy for an Australian. Colorado is my favourite state, and Crested Butte is by far my favourite town I've ever been to.
  • 4 0
 As an NWA native, I always start our sort of laughingly agreeing with the people pointing and laughing at the "BVille is Mecca" propaganda. Then some jack wagon has to come in and just demean the crap out of the riding here and act like it's awful and I end up "fight me, bro".
  • 5 0
 With 75% of the country covered in mountains and more ski resorts then the USA and Canada combined Japan should be the world leader in MTB. Too bad most resort managers in Japan have their head up their buts.
  • 1 0
 I was there last year and the potential is just so huge. Sad that not more is happening there.
  • 4 1
 Valle switzerland? Is that supposed to say Valais? Verbier is the unquestionable mountinbike capital of Europe

How is champery always getting mentioned as a world class riding destination? I found the riding there dissapointing and lacking variety
  • 5 0
 Whistler is fun but my favorite in Canada for variety is Fernie. Going to Moab or Hurricane/St George is different and like going to another planet. Love them all!
  • 6 0
 This article is a bit like the captain of the football team saying “who’s the best? I’m the best!”
  • 7 0
 why is queenstown not an option. its another whistler with less of a line
  • 5 1
 Shhhhhh. We don't want too many people coughing and sneezing all over our sweet, sweeeeet covid-free fun-spots.

Also: Rotorua.
  • 1 0
 @dubiousdesigns: truen but come on queens towns 2nd best after whistler
  • 1 0
 I can't wait to go there. It seems like an extremely awesome place. Not looking forward to 16 hours in the air though.
  • 1 0
 @NWBasser: yer haha that will suck...
were we gonna go there last holidays but covid came...
  • 6 1
 The mountain bike capital of the world is “I’m not f—king saying” because it doesn’t need any more knuckleheads on its trails.
  • 1 0
 MmmHmm...
  • 9 4
 Vote for New Zealand. Most important quality: Everything is open and doing business to pre-covid levels.
  • 9 3
 Vancouver Island is the worst
  • 1 0
 That's right. Nothing to see, move along.
  • 5 3
 Oakridge, Oregon gets my vote for Loamtastic-Grin Capital of the World. Caught Eula Ridge zone at utter perfection after storm cycle. Have never grinned so much in my entire life. I reserve the right to change my mind if I ever make it up to Squamish and manage to grin more there ;~>
  • 1 1
 Not much of a town but an excellent place to go ride for sure!
  • 2 0
 Hush, now.
  • 5 1
 Sedona, the views are unreal, the rock is crazy sticky...and you can ride there when it's winter elsewhere. In summer tho ride early
  • 2 0
 Arizona and the four corners region generally. But shuuuuuuushhhh let them think Arkansas is dope.
  • 2 0
 I'm with you. I was surprised it wasn't on the list.
  • 2 0
 Agreed. I'm also surprised it was not even on the list.
  • 6 1
 You people. The best spot isn´t even on the list. Come to MEXICO and find out for yourselves!!
  • 2 0
 Definitely Morzine/ Les Gets based on:
1. Amount and quality Trails
2. Food / drinks and amenities
3. A lot of activities for the non riding family members
4. Spacious chalet’s
5. Affordable in terms of price
6. Access to the world famous tourist cities for daily commute
  • 2 0
 You've not been to Bourg St. Maurice then, it's even better.
  • 1 0
 @Cordall: it is 1 day trip from Morzine, it all depends what you like to ride, also it is less known globally
  • 1 0
 Yep the Portes Du Soleil has my vote as well, about the only thing I could fault there is the coffee. Only the Germans do worse coffee.
  • 2 0
 @Cordall: I like Bourg a lot but you need a decent map to find the good stuff or a guide like inside line etc. The bike park is ok for beginner to intermediate riders, it’s fun but you can’t link it up like you can in the PDS for big days out. I will say the combination of the fenicular? (Sorry can’t spell) and lifts and lack of queues mean you can get a lot of runs in!
  • 2 0
 I've done morzine 3x, bourg/Les arcs 1x and finale 1x. Morzine has a great feel about it for riders in the town, and they seem to do a lot of trail maintenance (but still plenty of breaking bumps). And you can cover a massive distance using the chair lifts. I'm "allowed" to go back as there's so much to keep the rest of the family occupied. From my experience, there are better natural trails in Bourg, but it can be proper steep, and the town is just a town - a bit industrial. Finale doesn't feel like a mountain bike town, more an outdoors town - lots of climbers etc, but I would personally say that's a good thing. Plus it's got the beach, pizza, gelato and your can ride 12 months of the year. But you simply can't cover the miles using van uplift.
I suppose what I'm saying is that I've not found riding perfection yet, so I'm not sure what to vote!
  • 2 0
 I'm lucky enough that I have been able to ride in many countries, in both hemispheres, on some of the finest trails surrounded by vastly different cultures and people. Taking all things into consideration, the PNW and the Sea to Sky Corridor have everything required to be the capital of MTB. To have the level and variation of riding available combined with the respect the community show to the scene and area is on a different planet to other locations.
  • 2 0
 BC, though I hate to say it simply due to the fact that it will draw even more traffic to the region, is the best place I've ever been for mountain biking. The variety and selection of trails is unparalleled.
I grew up there and now live in Germany. After living here I can say that the atmosphere and level of acceptance for MTB is also unmatched (of course my comparisons are limited to Moab, Bellingham, most of the bike parks/destinations in western Europe and of course Finale Ligure).
There are definitely some seriously epic rides throughout the world, but in BC you can ride every type of trail, every day. There's also a lot less getting yelled at by angry hikers.
  • 7 1
 Regina, SK
  • 8 1
 YES! I just hucked off a 6" high curb yesterday! I really put the supermonsters through their paces...
  • 2 0
 Regina rhymes with fun.
  • 3 0
 I had an amazing time in Nelson, NZ a couple of years ago. A great MTB local scene, with some stellar trails within riding distance of town.
  • 4 0
 This article is courtesy of a joint partnership between the Bentonville department of tourism and the Walton foundation.
  • 2 0
 lol the grouping of Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler together is laughable. Each stands on its own as a world class riding area. Throw Pemberton in while you're at it - 20 minutes past Whistler...
  • 2 1
 wait, yes, everyone... go to AK! The tails are the shit, so amazing. So much fun, great beer, perfect weather, amazing food and plenty of beautiful women, cheap land and amazing job! Go here... now. and don't every travel anywhere else...
  • 4 0
 AK is Alaska.
  • 3 0
 @fruitsd79: To be fair, AK surely has better riding than AR.
  • 1 0
 @fruitsd79: Hence the "perfect weather".
  • 5 0
 BC sucks, we're moving to Bentonville!
  • 2 0
 Orange County in Southern California! Year round riding because of the weather. We ride on New Year’s Day 72 degrees F. Telonics downhill in Laguna. Trails everywhere. Pros come in the “winter” whatever that means.
  • 1 0
 Davos/St.Moritz - Graubünden - Switzerland. It is so well organized for bikers. Signs, special places on cablecars for bikes, bike wash stations, bike hotels and more. And then there is the awesome scenery. An amazing place.
  • 1 0
 My MTB capital is my backyard. We’ve got a pump track, a couple skinnies, some wood features, a few bridges, and a few jump lines. It takes 2 1/2 minutes to ride a loop down and up our 100’ of elevation. I have 3 kids and we ride it almost everyday. We built it all ourselves some by hand some with a mini X. We’ve been fortunate to travel to Moab, Durango, Bellingham, Whistler, and more, and we live 2 hours from Bentonville. The most fun we’ve had as a family is in our backyard with shovels in our hands slapping the dirt until our hands bleed, then hitting that new line.
  • 3 0
 I love how they name dozens of American towns I never heard of and then lump whole continents together :')

North-Americans…
  • 3 2
 We moved our family to Bentonville after seeing some Oz Trails videos on PB. But I didn't ask my family to move so I could have awesome trails out my back door. It was the quality of life that made it great for our family and it's been a blessing to be here. What really sealed the deal for me and my wife was the big city amenities in the small town (40K) of Bentonville (300K people in all of NW Arkansas), the great public schools, much lower cost of living that the metro area we currently lived in, and most importantly it was the genuine and warm people in the community.

We have really amazing trails here and they are getting better all the time. The ease of access to all types of trail for all kinds of users is really special. I've seen a dozen other dads and their kids in my neighborhood get into the sport just in the past year. Really stoked to call this place home and have trail right out my door.

Here's a taste of the Slaughter Pen trail network that connects to downtown.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkPhmj2GQYQ
  • 1 0
 I suppose the poll results speak for themselves, Squamish has the Shore to the south, Whistler to the north, Pemby and the Chilcotins beyond that, and a ferry ride away from Cumberland and the rest of the amazing island as well as Sunshine Coast. I left out 5 wicked riding areas within 90 mins drive too. So yeah, give it to Bentonville.
  • 1 0
 Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa is pretty damn fine. Year long riding, many great trails, huge mountains, great surfing. In the middle of one of the world's premiere wine areas. Darkfest to the Cape Epic. Every summer bump into pro's from all over the world who come to train, some have apartments in town. And pretty cheap for all your dollars, pounds and euros. Interesting fact - South Africa has more MTB races than anywhere in the world.
  • 5 0
 Not telling you...
  • 4 1
 Yes.. please move to Arkansas and NOT Colorado. Nothing to see here.. LOL.

P"
  • 2 0
 La Thuile and Finale are a great example of how the trails should look like. Mix of everything, not just endless flow trails which seems to be common these days.
  • 4 0
 Vancouver out polling Bentonville 30 to 1.
  • 1 0
 As well it should.
  • 3 0
 USA- Other:

Wherever I'm riding at the moment is the capital of the MTB world. Atleast for me it is.
  • 3 3
 I will vote for Bellingham, WA. The reasons I gave on the second half of the poll are: Access to lots of trails/Yes, Beer/I can't drink yet, but theres about half a million breweries here, and Community support?Yes! plus, we have Kona, Evil, Transition, Cirrus, Allsop (Who does not make bicycles anymore Frown ) and it's my home.
  • 2 1
 If you like Bellingham you should vote for Bentonville, help keep the trails here a little less crowded????. It's definitely a good thing alsopp doesn't make mountain bikes anymore, those things were awful. Those suspension stems and seat things would send you OTB immediately.
  • 1 0
 @shami: I can see your point with keeping the trails less crowded. I have a 2000 Allsop Solo Powercurve, and I love it! although mine is a road bike, and while I have never tried the mountain bike version (The guy who sold me mine has one) I don't think I would feel comfortable taking it down anything rough. I assume you live in Bellingham?
  • 2 0
 I rode the trails in Bellingham a couple times. Kinda garbage. Amateur quality. Clearly there's no real trail advocacy group. Town smells pretty bad and it rained a lot. Couldn't find a proper bike shop either. I'd just recommend everyone stay away from Bellingham.
  • 1 0
 @TheStabbyCyclist: that pretty much sums it up.
  • 1 0
 @shami: It took me a moment to get your point there, @TheStabbyCyclist, but I see your point...
  • 4 0
 Crested Butte/Gunnison, Colorado.
  • 1 0
 Having lived in or travelled to quite a few of these places, I can unequivocally call the sea to sky (vancouver, squamish, whistler) area in BC the world capital of mountain biking.
  • 2 0
 Cape Town SA, not Pietermaritzburg, PB. Better city, more trail,, Darkfest, Cape Epic. I mean come on. Just look at trailforks.
  • 1 1
 So Does that make Walmart the best shopping in the world?
Is Bentonville a welcoming scene for poc?
When you are waited on and catered to by the uninsured and disenfranchised, doesn't that leave you with warm fuzzy memories about your dream vacation.
  • 1 1
 Haha, I think the poll easily answered whether Bentonville is somehow the capitol. Were the Waltons asked if they'd been to Squamish/Whistler? They might retract their claim...

I typically celebrate the Indepedence Day of my mediocre nation (at best) by going to the best place to ride bikes in the world: CANADA!!!
  • 2 2
 Pinkbike comments piss me off. People will rail on places or things that they have never been to or tried out. Bentonville is the perfect town if you love flow trails and jumps; not many places give you the opportunity to work up from beginner all the way to massive jumps and doubles. If you don't like flow trails then go somewhere like Bravard or PNW. No need to be an a*shole cause nobody cares.
  • 2 0
 There is complaining because there is no progression in bentonville. Beginners will stay beginners because there are only pedally jumplines with the biggest jump being 20-25 feet. The marketing for Bentonville is incredibly misleading and locals (like i was 2 weeks ago) want something different if it's going to be "a world class riding destination"
  • 4 0
 Whistler
  • 2 0
 Saw rhe title and thought of Peille, south of France, the place where it started for bruni barel and vouilloz.
  • 3 0
 And randomly Hong Kong is on the list.......... Batman
  • 3 1
 Is this some kind of trick question? The news video says Bentonville is the mountain bike capital of the world.
  • 4 1
 Mags 99....for those who know
  • 2 0
 Bland and overrated
  • 4 5
 No mention of the Himalayas? I understand that the trail network is "non existent" but if you base it on geography alone, it would make BC look like a joke, you could probably ride alpine, desert, jungle, slabs, get hypoxia, etc. all in a couple days all year long... and they have some +8000m (+26,000') peaks.
  • 3 1
 The center of the MTB world and the universe is where ever I'm at. Fools think otherwise.
  • 1 0
 Correct. the article focuses on the external , ie; elevation, type of trail ,rocky or flow, natural surroundings , trees rocks etc, etc.
There is no mention that the most important aspect of a place being the “ best “ depends on ones subjective state while riding in that place . If you are in total joy while riding , the environment becomes secondary or completely
unimportant .
  • 2 1
 I don't think you can crown any place on earth the single 'mountain bike capital of the world' every place is so different, will offer different atmospheres, riding, etc...
  • 3 4
 Hard to leave pinkbike but this article is the cliched nail in the coffin for me. There is a reason this is the top mtb site. That reason used to be great content. Now the reason is click bait and sell outs. The recent attempt at more moderation was long overdue and I hate to bail. I just rather be riding than read one more uninformed article or comment. Say all you like, I will not be reading it.
  • 9 0
 Bye felicia
  • 1 0
 Not the capital of the world, but best trails in my life right now !
hear is 10% of what I have built !

www.pinkbike.com/video/520028
  • 1 0
 Chamonix did a similar thing by self-proclaiming "Trail running capital of the world". Just like UTMB trademarked "Ultra Trail"
  • 2 0
 Mountains... mountains are the only starting point for a world class MOUNTAIN BIKING destination.
  • 1 0
 Kernville ca.... The most and biggest descents in north America..and the potential is huge..it's just not hip enough for you guys
  • 1 0
 I find my favorite spots will never show up on a list like this as they tend to be hidden gems. But let's be honest, they're all in BC.
  • 4 1
 Lake Tahoe
  • 1 0
 Innsbruck based on never being there.... but I hear the town is just as awesome as the trails.
  • 3 0
 fontucky.
  • 1 0
 Yes! Lol
  • 1 0
 Love me some of that fontucky lung!
  • 4 1
 Kamloops, BC!
  • 1 0
 The person riding the pumptrack with drop bars at 0:13 knows whats up. Pump-cross capital of the world!
  • 3 0
 Surrey Hills!
  • 2 0
 Wow, the PB community agreed on something.
  • 2 0
 I'm so proud!
  • 3 0
 es chile focking giles
  • 1 0
 chill out cabron
  • 2 0
 Southern Rockies. Northern NM especially!
  • 2 0
 Vancouver island should be up there
  • 1 0
 Nelson New Zealand, wicked tracks, great climate and plenty of top beer and food options????
  • 1 0
 Good to see Hong Kong even on the list, we have a very underrated trail network out here, possibly the best in Asia.
  • 1 0
 Daniel, thanks for not mentioning that place I live and ride that doesn't need any more people.
  • 1 0
 Hoping to ride AR this fall. What are the highlight areas? Should I bring fs trail bike or hardtail bike?
  • 1 0
 Lake leatherwood can be done on a hardtail but you're going to want the squish.
  • 1 0
 Vancouver Island B.C. is hands down the best place to ride MTB, year round.
  • 1 0
 "Belmont & Wissahickon" - Every rider that lives in Philadelphia."SMDH" - Me
  • 1 0
 WTF !? No Derby Tasmania option ?

I thought this was a legit operation ?
  • 1 0
 What is my favorite MTB area ? Anyplace where there isn’t anybody but me.????
  • 1 0
 Man what a great poll. Who'd have thought 98% of peeps would vote Whistler?

All filler here.
  • 2 1
 Rychlebské stezky, Czechia
  • 3 5
 It would be nice if the mountainbike capital of the world is a place that people can actually pronounce...
  • 5 2
 @cvoc: Your username translated from Czech to English...
cvok, cvoc in English:
crazy crank wack screwball kook nutcase nutter goofball ding-a-ling
  • 3 1
 Durango by far
  • 3 4
 Wales..... hahahahahahahhahahhahahhahahahhahahhahahahhahhahahahhahahhahahhhaahahhahhahHhhahahHhHahahahahhahahhahahhahahhahah.....
  • 4 1
 The ignorance of people on this website is mindblowing! Have you ever ridden there?
  • 4 0
 Says someone from London. LOL
  • 3 0
 Ironically written by someone from London
  • 2 0
 I love riding in Wales, especially south Wales. I dont travel far to get there but its as much about the vibe as the trails and you will never meet more chilled and friendly people as those from the other side of the (now free) bridge.
Bizarrely, having spent a lot of my childhood in north Wales and still going there a lot riding and hiking, the same can not be said of the friendliness there. Its like an insult that you dare to speak English. I cant be arsed with it.
  • 2 0
 @bikemongmatt: why isn't Wales grouped with UK? UK + Wales gets my vote - so many trails in such a small area.
  • 2 0
 @bikemongmatt: If we come back to this question in another decade, Wales could be up there. Still lacking the infrastructure and investment for mass mtb international vacations etc.
There are some amazing bike parks and incredible people driving the Welsh scene and economic benefits it will bring in the future.
Mae'r ddraig yn codi
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: i reckon its because wales is known within the uk and has such a high density of trials and people from all over the country come to ride here.
  • 2 0
 @Dropthedebt: i bloody hope not! all my secret trails will be found! but no in all honestly some government investment towards mountain biking would hugely help out the economy
  • 4 2
 Rossland BC
  • 2 0
 Hey mikedk how bout you STFU and go ride your bike in peace. Everyone go to Whistler.
  • 1 1
 Thanks for not putting Pisgah! Im from NYC but ridden out in so cal and rockies front range but NC took the cake!
  • 1 0
 Dunkeld. Fort of the Celts, Town of the bun, Land of the natural trail.
  • 1 0
 Go 40 miles north east of Dunkeld & it does not rain as much?

www.pinkbike.com/video/520028
  • 1 0
 @aljoburr: Never been there. Only dryish place in scotland I've ever found is Ballater.
  • 1 4
 BC is truly amazing, however, I wonder how many people who voted "Vancouver/Squamish/Whistler" have actually seen Big Mountains and experienced trails which have 2000 m of vertical drop and 100 switchbacks with any kind of terrain imaginable
  • 4 0
 It’s not necessarily about amount of vert, but the quality of the trail that runs down it.
  • 6 1
 " I wonder how many people who voted "Vancouver/Squamish/Whistler" have actually seen Big Mountains and experienced trails which have 2000 m of vertical drop and 100 switchbacks with any kind of terrain imaginable"

I have. It's not even close. Van/Squamish/Whistler is by far better
  • 3 1
 Ashland OR? Lol
  • 1 2
 I didn't vote for Ashland, but it would be my #2 because my Grandparents live there, and my dad worked for one summer when he was about college age to buy a 1988ish completely rigid Specialized Hardrock in cherry red (We still have it!!!)
So... my parents should not give me any grief if I spend around $866 to $975 on a new bike, because with inflation from about 1988, that's about how much he spent in today's dollars (He can't recall if it cost him $400 or 450)
  • 1 0
 @rosemarywheel: sounds sweet - would love to see a photo of that bike!
  • 1 0
 @shredddr: I will see if I can take a photo after dinner Smile
  • 1 2
 Have you been? Not the MTB capital of the world, obviously, but the riding in Ashland and around the Rogue valley is excellent.
  • 2 0
 Not sure about WORLD, but Ashland probably takes the cake in Oregon. Bend is too flat. Oakridge, ok but what are you gonna do after you ride? Hood River, too close to Portland. Our problem here is lack of trails but the ones we have could be considered world class.

Most places in Washington beat Oregon out.

Ashland lacks in steep, tech gnar.. Unless you live here and know where to look..
  • 1 0
 Chile, South of France, PNW, New Zealand
  • 1 0
 Why wasn't Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico included on this list?
  • 1 0
 Home is where the heart is !
  • 1 0
 Oaxaca Mexico gets my vote.
  • 1 0
 Petition to add Vancouver Island to the Van/Squam/Whis category
  • 1 0
 Anyone who went to Whistler knows it IS the MTB capital of this world. Smile
  • 1 1
 Interesting that Bentonville has more votes than Finale... WTF is Bentonville? Or Brevard
  • 1 0
 Whups! I was looking for Whistler and missed Vancouver....
  • 1 0
 It's not San Diego. We have the weather, but the trails not so much.
  • 1 3
 With year-round riding weather and an abundance of mountainous terrain, So. Cal. "should" be the MTB capital. There are good to almost great trails here, but nothing world-class.
  • 1 0
 Hell no. SoCal is dry, hot, dusty, sandy ten months out of the year. Unless you looooove biking through sand, cactus and blown out conditions, SoCal biking is mediocre at best.
  • 1 0
 Wherever I'm at, with family and homies
  • 2 0
 Durango, Colorado
  • 1 0
 All that Walmart money must be starting to make that Walton kid delirious
  • 2 1
 ...Arizona, year round. Just don't tell anyone.
  • 1 0
 Greg Minaar won't be too happy with these poll results!
  • 1 0
 The UK. It's where MTB began. But, in terms of the MTB hotspot, I'd say BC
  • 1 0
 To be a capital though, you need to have a history.
  • 1 0
 Lost Sierra- Downieville to Quincy, California. Thank you SBTS
  • 1 0
 Britbong Columbia FTW. Place is as nuts as the name implies.
  • 1 0
 I think the polls have spoken pretty well for themselves.
  • 1 0
 I'm here for the unbiased opinions of others.
  • 1 0
 Canader, eh?
  • 1 0
 Red 15
  • 2 3
 Your mother is the best ride I've had yet, but wasn't an option in the poll.
  • 2 2
 Doesn't the "Pacific Northwest in North America" land you in Alaska?
  • 1 0
 Windrock.
  • 2 2
 The Kootenays - Alberta Border to Nelson/Rosland
  • 1 2
 Surrey hill innit? Why else would Brendog, Olly Wilkins, Bernard Kerr and myself live there? Wink
  • 3 0
 Scared of Northerners..?
  • 2 0
 @Dropthedebt: nah, your all welcome to visit Smile
  • 1 0
 @MrAngry: do you know Steve? From Purley?
  • 2 0
 Nope, unfortunately not. @Dropthedebt:
  • 1 0
 @MrAngry: Sorry dude... Just a Steve Wright pun... That really does show my age.
Damn... Eek
  • 2 0
 Blimey Steve Wright, that’s a blast from the past! Probably should have got that Smile @Dropthedebt:
  • 2 3
 Bentonville, AR...HAHAHA! What a JOKE. Arkansas...anywhere...is a SHIT HOLE!
  • 1 0
 Salida, CO
  • 1 0
 Mumbai India Smile
  • 1 0
 Sedona should be on here
  • 1 0
 It is now . ????
  • 1 0
 Crested Butte, CO, USA
  • 1 0
 crested butte co
  • 1 0
 Windrock
  • 1 2
 What kind of list doesn't even have Sedona on it?
  • 2 2
 Downieville , NorCal
  • 1 2
 Salida, Colorado
  • 1 2
 crested Butte, co
  • 1 2
 Gunnison/Crested Butte.
  • 5 7
 Sponsored content.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.086847
Mobile Version of Website