Have you ever seen two men ride one bicycle, one standing on the other’s shoulders as they go around in circles doing a wheelie?  How about a women standing on her handlebars, which just happen to be upside down drop (road) bars, and then proceeding to execute consecutive 180 degree spins while riding in a circle? To borrow from Will Ferrel, it was “mind bottling.”

Until two weekends ago I had never seen such things, nor entertained the notion that people might actually try and succeed at these odd gymnastic feats on a bicycle. It was like a circus clown car accident, I couldn’t help but watch, and with at least eight shows over two days, I caught a lot of Artistic cycling. It is incredible what these riders can do on a bicycle.

This was just one show that was featured at the Seattle Bicycle Expo.  Ryan Leech was there spreading his good natured Trials stoke. There was also a grade five unicyclist club that performed their routine. And there was the show itself, which had over two hundred exhibitors, a photo contest, food and more.

I love it when I get the chance to attend a show like the Seattle Bicycle Expo, there are so many things to see and do and an eclectic mix of people to talk to that all have one thing in common – a love of cycling. Sure, we all come from different backgrounds and harbor different ideas of what makes the perfect ride or bicycle but we all love to ride. It was an awesome show.

This weekend, March 13-14, Mace Gear will be at the Seattle Bicycle Expo. Showing off some of the new 2010 gear we are kickin off the season at the “largest consumer bicycle show in the United States.” Put on by the Cascade Bicycle Club and in a brand new venue, the bicycle expo promises to be a great time for everyone. Food, photos and tons of new and exciting gear, there is no lack of things to do and see in Seattle this weekend. If you are in the area then stop by and come and see the Mace booth located in the Norco booth #301, just across from Mace rider Ryan Leech who will be performing at the show.  Hope to see you there!

Nestled in the coastal mountain range of British Columbia sits the city of Port Coquitlam and if you found the industrial zone down by the river you would find the Mace headquarters. This is where we call home, but nobody knows where Port Coquitlam is, usually it is easier to tell people we are in Vancouver. Most people don’t know that, besides The Shore, the Vancouver area is littered with exceptional places to ride that few, but those in the know, will ever experience.

By most standards Burke Mountain offers exceptional freeride trails.  But you’ve probably never heard of it.  You see Burk Mountain is in Port Coquitlam, which is just east of Coquitlam which is just East of Burnaby, which is across a bridge from the world famous North Shore. And because of its geographical impediment the rest of the world has never heard of this gem.

Sure, if you get picky, Burke can’t rival the size and number of trails that the Shore boasts between its three hills. It’s not nearly as scary to ride either, unless you accidentally stray onto the shooting range that is half way down.  No, unlike the Shore you can make it to the bottom of most trails with all but a few tense, puckering moments.  But there is just something about the fun, loose, rooted trails of Burke that remind you of why you started riding in the first place.

It is more old school! Unless you have a key to the gate, you have to pedal or push your way up.  There aren’t a ton of structures, ladders and bridges; for some reason people tear them down when they are built. But the trails do have flow, variety and consistency and the trip up is a great chance to catch up with friends. And Burke has history; some riders you’ll run into up there have been frequenting these trails for the better part of two decades.

On the weekends the road is lined with cars as people meet with friends for their weekly ride. It’s a chill environment, with relaxed riders and fun terrain. No, it’s not the Shore, but it doesn’t try to be: it’s not pretentious or well known, it just is. Not many people know about it and that’s okay, because the trails aren’t crowded, they’re just good fun. You probably know of a place just like this in your area; a place that just the locals know that isn’t as flash or demanding as the well known spots but can be just as fun. These are the places that add variety to riding and finding a new one is always an adventure. If you ever run into someone from Port Coquitlam that wants to go ride Burke, take them up on their offer –Burke is one of the best places you have never heard about.