Indeed, the excitement is real! The North Shore Bike Park has been a vibrant hub for riders since its opening in July, offering an exhilarating indoor cycling experience. Located in the Capilano Mall, this bike park has breathed new life into a space that remained vacant since the closure of a large Sears store in January 2018.
Now, you might be picturing a typical Indoor Bike Park with just skinnies and ladder bridges. However, the “North Shore” in its name actually refers to its geographical location rather than the style of woodwork you might expect. This impressive facility is designed to accommodate a diverse range of bikes, from dirt jumpers and dual-suspension mountain bikes to scooters and BMX bikes. Constructed entirely from lumber, the park features plywood riding surfaces in most areas, with Skatelite* enhancing the street zone for a smoother, more durable experience, especially beneficial for smaller wheels. It’s the perfect venue to boost your fitness, master new skills, and enjoy quality time with your riding buddies, all within a controlled, indoor environment.
*Skatelite: A premium wood composite panel known for its superior smoothness and durability compared to plywood, ideal for skate and bike park surfaces.
When I first encountered this indoor bike park project, it was still in its early stages of development. Since then, it has transformed remarkably, now boasting green, blue, and black jump lines, alongside two dynamic pump tracks and a dedicated street zone. Invited to experience it firsthand, I must admit, I approached it with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. It had been quite some time since I last rode a dirt jumper, and “rusty” would be an understatement to describe my current jumping abilities. Like any mountain biker facing their fears, I turned to YouTube for guidance and stumbled upon a goldmine of tips.
Living in the North Shore, we’re accustomed to challenging terrains, but opportunities for true airtime are often limited, mainly to drops. Arced take-offs are a rarity, and sadly, my Whistler visits aren’t frequent enough to maintain the jumping prowess I once had. In my search for improvement, I discovered the Loam Ranger’s instructional video on jumping, which emphasized the importance of standing up to the jump. This simple yet effective technique made a significant difference in my confidence and control.
Interestingly, the nature of jump riding fosters a social atmosphere. The rhythm of riding and resting between runs naturally leads to camaraderie and shared encouragement among riders.
While some members of the nsmb editorial team, blessed with superior skills on smaller bikes, navigated the park effortlessly, I initially felt a bit out of my element. After renting a GT dirt jumper from NSBF, I started on the pump track, and to be honest, my initial runs felt underwhelming. The advancements in modern mountain bikes have made us somewhat complacent. Our highly capable bikes often mask the need for dynamic body movement. Those large wheels and sophisticated suspension systems do so much of the work for us, and I realized I had become lazy, particularly with my fore and aft movements on the bike. But more on that later.
Fortunately, pump tracks are inherently enjoyable, even when you’re not performing at your peak. I persevered with laps, gradually increasing my speed and regaining a better feel. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew progressed to more challenging lines. Ryan Walters brought his daughter, who looked as thrilled as any of us, and he was confidently tackling the jump lines on his BMX. I knew Deniz was a skilled jumper, but it quickly became apparent that Ryan, Cooper Quinn, Dave Tolnai, Emma, and Graham were all adept at catching air on smaller bikes. Watching them was both inspiring and a little intimidating, providing a great opportunity to learn by observation.
After some tentative laps on the green jumps, feeling reasonably comfortable, I decided to revisit the pump track for more practice. The pump track features two lines that you can switch between, adding variety to the session. However, on one particular lap, I became a bit too casual transitioning into the tighter loop. It quickly became clear that my front wheel was heading off the top of the berm, and I was powerless to correct it. The inevitable happened, and I landed in a tangled heap of bike and wood, bruising both my ego and my ribs equally. While I was physically fine to continue riding, I felt a renewed sense of caution about jumping. It was time to cautiously venture onto the blue jump lines.
Remembering the Loam Ranger’s advice – Stand Up to the Jump! – my first run through the blue set felt surprisingly decent. In fact, I felt more confident than anticipated. However, I still lacked the nerve to fully commit to the final, largest jump and make a smooth transition.
Observing the more experienced riders, it became clear that speed wasn’t the missing ingredient; it was more about generating pop – or something else I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Nerve was certainly a factor, but eventually, I started finding the sweet spot on the jumps. My landings were still a bit rough, producing a noticeable thud compared to the smoother landings of the better jumpers, but that seemed like a minor detail compared to actually getting the hang of it. On the smaller jumps, I began to understand how to manipulate the bike in the air, and that’s when the real fun began. I wasn’t executing any advanced tricks, but I had definitely progressed from my initial clumsy attempts.
This image provides a glimpse into the spaciousness of the indoor bike park, though it only captures a fraction of the entire facility. The street zone and another jump line are not visible in this frame, and there are still areas earmarked for future development. Rumors suggest that we might even see the addition of skinnies and other North Shore-style features in the future, further expanding the park’s appeal to diverse riding styles.
Skill Transference: From Indoor Park to Outdoor Trails
The most significant takeaway from my time at North Shore Bike Park unfolded the very next day. I joined James Wilson, a partner in NSBP and owner of Obsession:Bikes, for a ride on familiar trails of Mount Fromme. Surprisingly, the trails felt different – unfamiliar, in a positive way. I experienced an unusual sensation of slow motion on the bike, yet I was navigating sections faster than ever before. Even more peculiar was the feeling that my suspension settings were inconsequential; I seemed to adapt to the bike’s setup instinctively, rather than needing to adjust it to my preferences. It wasn’t until we reached the bottom of the first trail that I realized the skills honed at the indoor bike park had seamlessly transferred to the natural dirt trails.
Fueled by this newfound confidence, I began to push my limits, and it felt remarkably effortless. I was carrying more speed than usual while maintaining a heightened sense of control. The highlight was effortlessly clearing a couple of doubles* that had previously eluded me, landing the transitions with ease.
*Yes, there are a few doubles for those seeking an extra challenge.
These improvements, while dramatic and unexpected, made sense upon reflection. I had experienced similar skill transfer benefits from riding BMX in wooden parks before, so the outcome shouldn’t have been entirely surprising. However, what truly amazed me was the enhanced performance on technical terrain, including uphill sections. There’s a particular spot on the Baden Powell trail that demands a powerful move to ascend onto a bridge, with a limited run-up and a combination of a large and a small stair-step feature. Recently, I had been struggling with this section, but post-NSBP, I cleared it effortlessly. My rear wheel barely touched the stairs, or at least, it felt that smooth.
I believe I understand the underlying mechanism for this improvement. Riding modern mountain bikes often encourages a passive, “inside the bike” style. You can often get through challenging sections simply by hunkering down and letting the bike do the work. However, dirt jumping necessitates more deliberate and dynamic movements, particularly those that involve shifting your weight and body position away from the bike’s vertical axis. The indoor bike park experience effectively reactivated dormant skills, prompting me to actively handle the bike, rather than allowing it to merely handle the trail. The result was my best ride in recent memory, leaving me with a persistent grin.
While you might not reside in British Columbia, the trend of dirt jumps and pump tracks is expanding, reaching even unexpected locations. I highly recommend seeking out an indoor bike park near you and experiencing the positive impact it can have on your riding skills.
My overall impression of NSBP is overwhelmingly positive. I was impressed by the spacious facility, the welcoming atmosphere, the progressively designed lines catering to skill development, and especially the tangible improvement in my trail riding skills after just one visit. Next time, I’m eager to explore the street zone and perhaps even attempt some vert riding, keeping my wheels firmly planted on the ground for now!
Bring on the rainy days – and more indoor bike park sessions!
Park Details
North Shore Bike Park is an ideal venue for hosting birthday parties, for both kids and adults. It’s open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, offering flexible riding times. The most convenient entrance is through the underground parking (2-meter height limit!), accessible east of Capilano Mall off Hanes Ave, or through the mall itself before 6:00 PM. Detailed directions are available here.
You are welcome to bring your own bike or rent one upon arrival. The rental bikes we used were well-maintained and performed excellently. Day passes are priced at 30 CAD for individuals over 13 years old, 20 CAD for children aged 5-12, and 10 CAD for younger children. Season passes and 10-visit passes are also available for frequent riders. Bike rentals are also 30 CAD. Additionally, there’s a pro shop onsite stocked with Troy Lee Designs merchandise. It’s definitely worth checking out.
North Shore Bike Park Official Website
Open Daily: 9am – 8pm | Phone: 1-604-969-0888
