To pedal or not to pedal? To charge your battery or not to charge your battery? Or maybe, the question you’re asking yourself is to hit a jump or not to hit a jump? There’s a variety of biking all over Whistler and we bet that we can figure out which type of biker you are (or should be) by taking the short quiz below!

Two mountain bikers on Top of the World trail in Whistler
Does this look like your natural element? PHOTO MIKE CRANE

What kind of hills do you gravitate towards?

  1. Only the ones that go down, obviously!
  2. Singletrack that goes up, down and all around. I’m not afraid to pedal!
  3. It doesn’t matter because my bike has a battery pack.
  4. Hills? I prefer paved pursuits that end at a lake.
  5. The longer the uphill, the better! I like a challenge.

What kind of protection should you wear?

  1. Full face, knee pads, elbow pads, back protector…the list goes on!
  2. Half shell helmet and gloves. Waterproofs for when things get muddy.
  3. Any sort of helmet will do.
  4. Helmet and sunscreen.
  5. Aerodynamic helmet and I can’t forget my lycra. That’s protection, right?

What suspension are you running?

  1. The longest travel available so I can hit the Whistler Mountain Bike Park jump trails, like A-Line and Dirt Merchant.
  2. Short travel for all the quick uphill sprints.
  3. Usually, full-suspension so that I can ride comfortably up and descend down.
  4. No suspension, it’s not needed on the paved Valley Trail.
  5. None for me thanks, I don’t want to put in more energy and effort to pedal at a certain speed.

How often do you get a flat tire?

  1. Depends if I’m hitting tech or flow but usually every few laps.
  2. Maybe a pinch flat here and there.
  3. If you ride far and long enough which you can do with a battery pack, an unwelcome flat is always a possibility.
  4. If you’re getting a flat on the Valley Trail, something is wrong!
  5. Roughly every 2000 kilometres / 1242.7 miles.

Where are you having your post-ride beer?

  1. Garibaldi Lift Co. so I can watch everyone hit the last jump on A-Line.
  2. Handlebar Cafe & Apres in the Upper Village since I’ll be lapping the Lost Lake trails.
  3. I’ll be stopping at a number of patios, after all, I’m using pedal assistance to explore.
  4. Cure Lounge at Nita Lake Lodge since it is conveniently located on the paved Valley Trail network.
  5. I usually have my post-ride recovery beer at Coast Mountain Brewing or Whistler Brewing Co. seems how they’re both along my route.

 If you answered mostly:

1s: Downhill Mountain Biker

You dream of being on your downhill bike in the gravity-fed Whistler Mountain Bike Park. So far, all the trails you’ve ridden are your favourites. You’re decked out in the necessary protection and can list the infamous hits. Maybe this year is your year to tackle some of the big ones like Fade to Black or Filthy Ape. Or perhaps, you’re planning on getting to know the 15 kilometres / 9.32 miles of new trails found in the Creekside Zone.

Find out more about downhill mountain biking in Whistler.

Mountain Biker on jump in Whistler Mountain Bike Park
PHOTO MIKE CRANE

2s: Cross-Country Mountain Biker

You’re all about pedaling and consequently, there isn’t a trail that’s deemed too far away. As a cross-country mountain biker, you can be found lapping the Lost Lake trails or ascending into Sproatt Alpine on Into The Mystic. Your cross-country bike is your tool to explore, taking you through old-growth forests, past the many lakes in Whistler and then back into the Village for après.

Find out more about cross-country biking in Whistler.

Cross-country mountain biker on a singletrack trail in Whistler
PHOTO JUSA JESKOVA

3s: E-Biker

You’re looking to explore the nooks and crannies of Whistler and what better way to do that than by e-bike. You’re excited about all the possibilities and the ease at which you can access everything from the most southern tip of town to the most northern, thanks to the pedal-assisted e-bike. The minimal energy expended will leave lots left over for other Whistler activities such as ziplining, hiking and patio hoping!

Find out more about e-biking in Whistler.

Whistler E-bike Mountainbike tours
PHOTO COURTESY OF CANADIAN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES

4s: Valley Trail Cruiser

Laidback and on mountain time, you’re a self-proclaimed Valley Trail cruiser. You use your cruiser bike to visit the lakes, take in the spectacular scenery and maybe dip into the Whistler Farmers’ Market to fill your bike basket with local produce, tasty treats and a piece of art or two.

Find out more about biking the Valley Trail in Whistler.

Person riding a cruiser bike on the Valley Trail
PHOTO MIRAE CAMPBELL

5s: Road Cyclist

You’re a road cyclist. You thrive on hitting the pavement, going the distance and pushing yourself to go further. Big hill climbs? No problem! There’s plenty of variety and a stunning landscape in the routes surrounding Whistler. Some of your favourite routes include travelling north on the Sea to Sky Highway to Pemberton or going to south to Whistler Olympic Park.

Find out more about road cycling in Whistler.

Road cyclists on the Sea to Sky Highway
PHOTO MIKE CRANE

Check out our Insider articles for more on the biking in Whistler and head over to Whistler.com to start planning your ultimate biking trip. Happy trails!

Author

Hailey came to Whistler for a season and never left. Now, the local community, world-class mountain biking, and endless adventures are what keep her feet firmly planted in the mountains. When Hailey isn't writing, she can be found on a trail, photographing other athletes in action or working freelance as a digital strategist and content developer. Hailey's favourite mountain bike trail is Hey Bud on Blackcomb.