Bear Mountain XC Bike Race

The Bear Mountain XC Bike Race, hosted by Heads or Trails, is an endurance mountain biking event scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Mission, British Columbia. Utilizing the rugged terrain of Bear Mountain Park, the race features significant vertical gain, technical climbs, and fast descent segments. The event serves as a fundraiser for local outdoor organizations, specifically Mission Search and Rescue and the Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association (FVMBA).

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- Race Course Profile: The routes wind through the backside of Bear Mountain, incorporating a "new segment route" on the final descent. The 40km distance consists of two laps of the 20km course, providing two opportunities to time the segment descent.
• -- Finisher Incentives: All participants who complete their registered distance receive official finisher swag. Custom merchandise is also available through the event's online store.
• -- Youth Participation: The Kids Race is a 500m out-and-back event for young children. Skilled riders under 13 may enter the 12km distance provided a parental waiver is signed and they are confident in their ability to handle the 550m elevation gain.
• -- Series Opportunity: This event is part of a larger series by Heads or Trails. Participants can register for the entire series at a discounted rate, which also includes a companion trail running event on the same mountain.
• -- Location Access: The race village is established at Bear Mountain Park off Dewdney Trunk Road, with the event officially opening at 8:00 AM for check-in.

Community and Charitable Impact:

• -- Beneficiaries: The event actively raises funds for Mission Search and Rescue and the FVMBA, the latter of which maintains the trail networks used for the race.
• -- Fundraising Status: Currently, the FVMBA has reached 14% of its fundraising objective, while Mission Search and Rescue is awaiting its first 2026 donations.
• -- Environmental Stewardship: As a mountain biking event on public and conserved lands, riders are expected to adhere to trail ethics and respect the flowy downhill segments maintained by the community.
• -- Technical Difficulty: The 20km and 40km routes are described as "jam-packed" with climbs, specifically targeting experienced riders looking to test their leg strength against nearly 1,000m of gain per lap.

The Bear Mountain XC Bike Race 2026 offers a high-intensity cross-country challenge that highlights the premier trail systems of Mission, BC, while supporting essential local volunteer and trail-building organizations.