Cumberland is getting a mountain bike festival. The first annual Stokefest MTB Festival is being held in the village May 14-15, and features live music, DJs, bike races, films, jump jams, beer, food and more beer.
The festival is being co-organized by Cumberland-based ROAM Media. It’s modelled after the successful Winter Stokefest Ski and Snowboard Festival held last October in downtown Courtenay.
The festival is billed as “a chance for Vancouver Island’s MTB communities to come together, stoke the fire, and celebrate Mother Nature’s return of Summer.”
It’s a jam-packed weekend of events and activities.
Friday night features an open house at the Gravity MTB Garage, this mountain bike school’s new storefront on 3rd Street. A DJ and bar will support UROC (United Riders of Cumberland.) UROC is the non-profit society that manages the Cumberland network of nearly 200 km of trail. People are also invited to bring their classic, custom or vintage bikes for a “show and shine” event.
On Saturday, head down to the Cumberland Dirt Jumps for Forbidden Cycle’s Dodge City Throwdown and watch pros and amateurs send it on the green, blue and black jump lines. A beer garden and food vendors will keep spectators and participants primed.
On Saturday night, grab a seat at the Cumberland Cultural Centre for NOBL Wheel’s Dodge Diaries, celebrating local filmmaking and mountain biking talent.
Sunday is race day. A friendly King and Queen of the Mountain Strava competition will take place on 50:01, a classic Cumberland trail. At the same time, spandex-clad riders will hit the trails for a gruelling Island Cup XC race.
For more information about this bikes, beer, food and film event, go to StokefestVI.
