Welcome to A Canadian Odyssey | SCOR Collective

Like any great quest, this one begins with a group of heroes tackling a momentous challenge; the SCOR Collective have embarked on a journey from their respective homelands in Europe to the epicenter of mountain biking. Forging their own path through British Columbia’s Sea to Sky corridor, this ragtag team of riders with disparate styles and skillsets gives you access to a world of a road trip gone both wrong and oh-so-right.

No quest is complete without the help of locals and intrepid travelers found along the way, as the crew links up with Squamish granite grip enthusiasts and Chilcotin chamois connoisseurs. From grisly rides to grizzly bears, this odyssey is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and some sweat to your palms.

Episode 1 – Mount Up

Fresh off the back of a harrowing 25-hour trans-Atlantic journey, the crew manages to co-ordinate a YVR pickup in their right-side drive van, affectionately dubbed “The Travel Mate.” Straight into the gnar, they brave the biggest rock roll the North Shore has to offer, which is apparently more akin to base jumping than mountain biking. The wildlife tour begins with a scabby racoon making eyes at Ludo, Thomas’ rear tire shows its true colors and Kasi soars above a road gap in the dying light.

The Shore presents a new challenge for each of these riders; Ludo’s technical style is at home on the steeps and skinnies as he proves himself in MTB’s coliseum of balance and control, Kasi refuses to shy away from anything but also claims to be uncomfortable with everything, and Thomas shines when the trail undulates and snakes between airtime opportunities. This mix of styles keeps everyone, including the camera team, on their toes.

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Episode 2 – Not for the Squamish

As our crew winds their way north along the infamous Sea to Sky highway, full of views and rock rolls galore, they begin to develop a comfort with their steady transportation. Ludo opines on the peace he feels driving in the slow lane, we meet a new crew member (Squamish local and ice cream enthusiast Alex Hinkson), and the crew discovers their new favorite trail in the world.

After enjoying a sunset by the river, the Collective attempts to tame the holy grail of slabs, from “In n Out Burger” to “Gouranga.” While all may seem well on the bikes, the reality of an unrelenting heat wave begins to set in, and refuge is sought under a train track bridge where glacial melt steadily flows. Kasi reminds the crew he must be between 18-22 degrees at all times. The first mosquito of the trip is smacked, and bug repellent becomes a must-have item going forward.