In early April, the Love Machine House Band made the trip over to Vancouver Island for a few days of primo riding. First thing on the list was to link up with the NOBL Wheels crew in Cumberland, who were kind enough to show us around their backyard. The Comox Valley might be known for it's mountain biking, but its gravel and ATB routes are all-time (and underexplored). We'll let Max from NOBL, the local expert and route-curator-extraordinaire dive deeper:

Most riders see Cumberland, home of NOBL Wheels HQ, as a mountain biking town. With hundreds of kilometres of whoop-worthy trails, it’s not a bad take. But the hidden gem is the gravel riding that brings it all together. 

The beauty of the Cumberland gravel scene lies in its variety. Endless miles of perfect FSRs, cheerful gravel paths, smooth singletrack, plus a little cheeky rough stuff for added spice. 

Take the Sobo No Michi (Grandmother’s Path) climb trail, for example. It might be intended for mountain bikes, but with an easy grade and switchbacks all the way up to a view of the Salish Sea, dare we say it’s more fun on a gravel bike? 

We’ve got two routes that showcase NOBL’s take on Vancouver Island gravel, with both routes starting and finishing at their HQ. Make sure to stop by and say hi!

The shorter route is an ideal afternoon jaunt through the Cumberland trail network. It’s a rider’s town– we had to showcase some flowy trails and yummy climbs. 

The longer version (below) is an all-day affair, with selections of our absolute favourite gravel missions across the valley.

A major highlight of this longer route is the all-encompassing experience of Wattaway/Browns main. With a river crossing, one steep climb, and The Smoothest Fastest Best Descent Literally All Time, it’s got true BCE (Back Country Energy) while only being ~20 KM away from town.

*Important note: There's a river crossing at KM 59, with water height about calf-high and 15 steps in length. I can't recommend it between October to March (and sometimes April on a big snow year) as there will be snow up there. Otherwise, it's pretty tame, especially midsummer. A winter version of the route (or a version for those who prefer not to get their feet wet) can be found here.

So what’s the perfect setup for these routes? We recommend a 45mm+ tire, with a low PSI to maximize traction and comfort. There isn’t any “serious” terrain on either route, but it’s nice to have a little more squish out there.

Don’t forget to grab a brew and bite at Cumberland Brewing Company post-ride. The focaccia is delightful. As for ride snacks, we recommend Courtenay’s FrankieJo’s Café for cinnamon rolls and coffee, or Cumberland Bakery for the Ultimate Cronut Experience. 

So, hop on the ferry and head on up the Island. The gravel is calling.

Happy trails,
Love Machine & NOBL