Web page screen to access new promotional campaign offering mountain bike tours and rentals of various trail systems in Kamloops/via Tourism Kamloops

A new push is being activated by Tourism Kamloops to try to capitalize on the city and region’s extensive network of mountain bike trails and facilities.

The agency has launched a new program which will allow visitors the opportunity to take guided mountain bike tours through different locations within Kamloops.

“We have, in my opinion, one of the most impactful and revolutionary mountain bike campaigns that we’ve done, aimed at not only attracting people, but also the preservation…the stewardship of our trails and great assets that we promote,” said Erik Fisher, CEO of Tourism Kamloops in conversation with Radio NL in advance of the program being launched.

Operated by Adventuring Into Life, which runs outdoor recreational programs and services in various parts of BC, there are currently three tours being offered through Tourism Kamloops’ Ride Like a Local initiative.

The tours will see guides take riders through the grassland mountain bike trails in Lac du Bois, a more wooded adventure via the trails in Pineview or on the routes through the Kamloops Bike Ranch.

Each of the tours offers options for beginner or intermediate riders, and is $220 for two people for two hours, but is only $15 per extra person, which incentivizes larger group tours.

Mountain biking lessons are also being offered at the Bike Ranch at similar rates.

The program also offers bike, knee pad and helmet rentals starting at $20.

While not able to provide a lot of detail on the marketing strategy at the time, Fisher noted they are potentially looking for American dollars this summer.

“We dip down [with our marketing campaigns] into California, even Oregon. Most specifically though, Bellingham and Seattle areas for both our golf campaigns and the upcoming mountain bike campaign that we’re really excited about,” said Fisher before Ride Like a Local became active.  “We think that we have to offer people in those areas.”

Bookings for the tours are active online, with the first set to begin on Friday, May 31st and will be available from Thursdays to Sundays.

The guided tours will wrap up on September 7th, according to the booking windows on the Tourism Kamloops access page.

The initiative is part of a broader goal of Tourism Kamloops to promote the city through the mountain biking opportunities  within the city, which boasts some 270 different biking trails, according to Tourism Kamloops.

Combined with the proximity to Sun Peaks and the downhill events that attract professional riders, the CEO of Tourism Kamloops suggests they should be able to market the city as premier destination for all levels of mountain biking — something he suggests could benefit the overall municipal and regional economy.

“We have an economic impact study coming out on mountain bikes specifically,” noted the CEO of Tourism Kamloops.  “That again is with Larose Research [& Strategy] coming out near the end of this summer.”

video via/Tourism Kamloops