April 13, 2022 - The iconic North Shore Triple Crown is a rite of passage for cyclists in Vancouver, as the well-known challenge features tackling three North Shore mountains in a single day, including Seymour, Grouse and Cypress.

Starting and ending at sea level, you can traverse the Triple Crown via road or mountain-bike trails, with various possible itineraries that range from 50-80km depending on the route. Usually done from east to west, it covers over 2,300m elevation (7,500ft). As such, e-bikes are opening the door for more and more riders to take on the challenge.

Launched in 2010, the Triple Crown for Heart is held each July, and it offers the opportunity for roadies to ride the three mountains in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Heart Unit.

The mountain bike route is mostly on singletrack trails and is much more challenging than the road route. The first test begins at the base of Seymour up the Old Buck Parking Lot trail to the first switchback on Mount Seymour Road. Climb to the TNT/Cabin trailhead and connect to Dales, Forever After, High School, and then take Bridle Path before hitting Hyannis. Follow up with Fisherman’s trail (south) to the historic Twin Bridges, and then climb your way back up to the LSCR parking lot. Finish up at the End of the Line Café via Rice Lake Road Connector.

From End of the Line, make your way to Mountain Hwy and climb to the water tower. Follow Mountain Hwy (gravel road) to the entrance of Executioner Trail and flow onto Dreamweaver, and then west to Mosquito Creek once you hit Baden Powell. Descend down Skyline to the Powerline Trail and head west again to the Grouse Mountain Parking lot. Grab a coffee and lunch or rip down Nancy Greene Way to Cleveland Dam.

Climbing from Cleveland Dam along Dam Road Path, you will work your way back onto the tarmac. Climb up Glenmore Drive to Bonnymuir, and find your way up to Millstream Road. The Millstream Connector trailhead leads you over to the first switchback on Cypress. Climb on the road to the second switchback, and then head through the west gate onto the gravel access road. A few hundred metres up trail, drop left onto Slippery Canoe.

Next up, or down in this case, is Pull Tab which drops you onto Upper Tall Cans. Cut right on BLT gravel road and head down to the Powerstation. Stay right and take the bridge over Cypress Falls, then stay left on the Northwood Connector to Nelson Creek FSR. Head on down to Eagle Heights via the old highway and onto your final destination, Horseshoe Bay.

The Triple Crown will test your mettle, both physically and mentally, even on an eMTB. But, once accomplished, you’ll earn bragging rights and have a notable palmarès on your résumé.

Keep in mind that there’s no rush, as you can take on each mountain separately and build up to claiming the Triple Crown epic adventure — or receive help from locals who know the terrain. Trail conditions are prone to change throughout the year, so check access and the conditions before you clip in for your adventure.

For more information, visit www.nsmb.com, www.nsmba.com and www.triplecrownforheart.ca.