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This BroCard partner caters to bikers and boarders |
Words by Ian Ward
Photos courtesy of the Riding Fool Hostel
In the mountain biking world, the phrase 'road trip' is synonymous with the memorable experience of cohabiting with sweat-soaked, skanky gear in an old camper van or in a beyond-maximum capacity tent wherein the aroma of dirty ride gear is unfortunately accentuated by the way-too warm, and way too early, morning sun.
For those riders who prefer the feeling of clean linens and the comforts of a home-away-from-home, the options have been limited to the traditional hotel (read: expensive) or the proverbial rich relative’s RV. Thankfully, the bike-oriented folks in Dodge City (a.k.a.: Cumberland, B.C. - just south of Comox on Vancouver Island) have a third option – one that doesn’t require a fat wallet or a fat, rich uncle. |
The Riding Fool Hostel in Cumberland, on Vancouver Island |
The Riding Fool Hostel rounds out a trio of businesses that cater almost exclusively to the cycling community. BroCard partner Dodge City Cycles and the popular Tarbells Café occupy the main floor of the 1895 heritage building, while seven months of extensive renovations have transformed the upper floor into a modern hostel that maintains a heritage flavour through the use of reclaimed wood and attention to detail.
 You, too, could sleep in this bed |
The common kitchen augments this commitment to quality, with concrete countertops, modern appliances, slate flooring, & the obligatory barbeque. A maximum of thirty tired riders can be accommodated in a twelve person co-ed dorm, two six-person, gender-specific dorms (yup, you guessed it, one for the boys, one for the girls), and three private rooms with two double beds per room. The whole posse can rehash the day's high (and low) lights in a common room with wood stove, and, rumour has it, a soon-to-be-installed pool table. |
And of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention the four bathrooms, each with tub and shower to wash off the muck and grime from Cumberland’s excellent network of trails.
In addition, in keeping with Jeremy’s rider-oriented approach, the Riding Fool boasts semi-secure bike storage (bring your own lock), a bike wash station, wax table (for the winter riders whose weapon of choice is a board instead of a bike), and flame-decaled Electra cruiser bikes to take you down to the nearby lake or beer store - or both.
The Riding Fool Hostel meets and exceeds the standards of Hostelling International, is literally steps from the local trails, and for the DHers, it is only a short 25 minute drive to the only lift-accessed terrain on Vancouver Island - Mount Washington ski resort. While the Riding Fool welcomes your VPS, they don’t take pets, so leave Fido at home.
For reservations and/or information give them a call toll-free at 1.888.313.FOOL or drop them a line at info@ridingfool.com. The Riding Fool Hostel welcomes your nsmb BroCard – mention it at the time of booking for nsmb.com specials. And just in case you're worried that it's too late in the year for a trip to the Island, it's not. Fall is definitely one of the best times of the year to ride on the Rock, so make the trip over and check out Riding Fool. |
 Catching air on mid-Island trails |
