Follow the Fraser, a film showcasing three professional mountain bikers, riding trails in Northern B.C., including the Sibola mountain range near Houston, was featured at the Pleasant Valley Plaza Theatre on Aug. 10 at 7 p.m on behalf on the Houston Mountain Bike Association.
The event was a fundraiser that included the viewing of two films Unreal and Follow the Fraser, a silent auction and a children-friendly after-party. Tickets were $10 per adult, and $6 for those under 16, all proceeds went to the Houston Mountain Bike Association.
The film showcased professional mountain bikers, Kyle Norbraten, James, Doerfling, and Tom Van Steenbergen travelling from the south of B.C. to Williams Lake, Kelowna, and the Sibola mountain range to embark on an riding adventure that has never been done before.
“Originally, their plan was to bike the Telkwa Range,” said Jonathan Van Barneveld, member of the Houston Hikers Society. “But I was able to convince them to look at the Sibloa mountain range, so that’s a win for Houston.”
In July 2016, the film was made at the Sibola mountain range, where the three men got to experience a full riding day.
“They had planned to ride a second day,” said Miake Elliott, member of the Houston Mountain Bike Association. “But due to conditions were unable to. Nonetheless, it’s great footage of the area.”
Over 70 people attending the film event, raising over $900.
Elliott says that they hope to do future film festivals and events like this in the future and raise awareness to this avid sport in the Houston area.
“I hope the film could inspire all riders to get out and enjoy the trails and the great scenery,” said Zach Del La Mare, president of the Houston Mountain Bike Association. “It lets everyone know that riders do it for the freedom and rush of the sport.”
De La Mare and another member of the Houston Mountain Bike Association, AJ Houlihan, had the pleasure of meeting the riders last year when the Follow the Fraser crew got a flat tire on their way out to the Sibola mountain range.
Houlihan was out responding to their service call and contacted De La Mare where the two Houston Mountain Bike Association members got to talk with Noraten, Doerfling, Steenbergen and the rest of the crew on the excitement of the trip.
“We chatted with the group for a while before they headed up to make base camp. The experience was like meeting any great rider, adrenaline was up and we all related on how awesome his trip was going to be,” said De La Mare.
On behalf of the Houston Mountain Bike Association, De La Mare would like to thank everyone that came out to the movies. “I hope everyone had a great time and hope to see them on the trails.”
For more information on the Houston Mountain Bike Association and the mountain bike trails on Mount Harry Davis, call CountryWide Sports at 250-845-0022