Ride. Build. Repeat.
Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club was started in 1998 by a rowdy bunch of highschoolers to race XC in Thunder Bay. We have evolved over the years to promote the sport of mountain biking; running a series of fun events, races, regularly scheduled social rides, as well as building and maintain the trail network in Trowbridge Forest and Shuniah Mines.
Mountain biking is at an all-time high in Thunder Bay and the club is making its presence known in the community. A primary focus of the club today is trail development and improvement. We are currently working on completing the Trowbridge Forest Master Plan which will add an additional 15km+ of multi-use and mountain bike trails to our system. The new trails planned vary from multi-use trails, green level flow trails, to expert downhill gravity trails. Make sure to check out the Trails page on our website and find out more about the work being done and how you can help out.
Blacksheep is a volunteer-run not-for-profit and we could use your help at our events and trail building days. Becoming a Blacksheep club member is a great way to support trail development and mountain biking and also get access to lots of great events held each season!
The trails we ride are on the traditional lands of the Anishinabeg Nation and the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850. We recognize and honour the past, present, and future caretakers of the lands and waters which surround us. We are grateful for the privilege of recreating on this land, for the joy of riding our bikes together, and for the opportunity we have to connect with nature. As a community of mountain bikers, we recognize we also have a responsibility for the stewardship of this land.
Meet Our Volunteer
Board of Directors
David Valente
Position: President
Why did you join the board? I joined the board to help the club host top-tier events.
Goals for 2023: Increase the community presence of the club.
Favourite Trail: Any trail without climbing
Ben Urbanski
Position: V.P.
Why did you join the board? MTBing is an activity that can be enjoyed by almost anybody, and I wanted to see the club grow to offer world class trails and programming that everyone can enjoy.
Goals for 2023: Add world class infrastructure to Kinsmen Park, and our trail network.
Favourite Trail: The Vein
Tristin Radley-Hansen
Position: Treasurer
Why did you join the board: I participated in Blacksheep’s Wednesday Night Race Series during university and always appreciated all the hard work put in by the club’s dedicated volunteers, who always had fun and enjoyment of the sport as their top priority. So when I moved back to Thunder Bay after a year-long stint in Kenora I wanted to help carry on the tradition and help grow the sport of mountain biking in Thunder Bay.
Goals for 2023: Host events that are fun and inclusive for everybody.
Favourite Trail: The Vein
Steve Yeung
Position: Secretary
Why did you join the board? I wanted to give back to the club and the trails because they provided me with a space and activities to relieve stress during the pandemic. After seeing the efforts put into the trails by the club (maintaining, grooming in the winter, and building new trails), as well as putting on various activities for the club (the race series, group rides, clinics and events), I wanted to contribute in any way that I could and taking care of the admin duties for the club is the least I could do. I want to see the club grow and flourish so that everyone (whether you’re a biker or non-biker) can continue to enjoy the trails in perpetuity.
Goals for 2023: Personal goal is to learn how to wheelie and manual. Club goal is to get the word out that Blacksheep is not just a racing club.
Favourite Trail: Blaster
Michael McKenzie
Position: Trail Development
Why did you join the board? The amazing access to the outdoors was one of the main reasons I originally moved to Thunder Bay. I believe we have the terrain and riding community to become a world class mountain biking destination. I’m excited to be back on the board to help continue to develop our trails and our programming to achieve that dream. Plus nothing beats riding a trail you helped build!
Goals for 2023: Get more people involved in the planning and building of trails. Continue to add variety to our riding options and start scouting locations for another trail system.
Favourite Trail: Rocky Road
Jill Rajewicz
Position: Community/group rides
Why did you join the board? Being new to Thunder Bay, I was eager to get involved with the Club to meet people and contribute to growing mountain biking in Thunder Bay. I also knew that the board needed more gender diversity so I took the leap and volunteered! Mountain biking has traditionally been a very white and male-dominated space that can be intimidating for people who are new to the sport; I wanted to help to build a riding community that reflects our city and is inclusive, welcoming and fun for everyone.
Goals for 2023: Get more folks on bikes in general, and more group leaders on board so we have consistent and fun weekly group rides.
Favourite Trail: Otherside-Milk and Cookies-Yo Mitchell loop
Fraser Gibson
Position: Open
Why did you join the board? I decided to join the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club board because of my love for mountain biking. The BlackSheep Mountain Bike Club’s success in promoting and growing the sport in our community, both in membership and trail infrastructure, has been remarkable. I believe that by actively participating in the board, I can contribute my skills and ideas to further elevate the club’s success. I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share a love for mountain biking, as we collectively work towards creating memorable and rewarding experiences for riders of all ages and skill levels.
Goals for 2023:My goals for the club in 2024 are to successfully host the 2024 XCM National Championships; Showcasing our amazing trail system and mountain biking community to the rest of the country.
Favourite Trail: Look Out!
Anders Pylypchuk
Position:
Why did you join the board? Blacksheep is the driving force of MTB in Thunder Bay. Having ridden my whole life, I still remember the excitement around a race that I felt as a kid. Now that I have the capacity to contribute to the club, I’m looking forward to doing my part in ensuring the MTB scene in Thunder Bay continues to grow.
Goals for 2023: My goals for the 2024 season are to increase participation and accessibility for people who may not otherwise be interested in riding mountain bikes. Using my experience in corporate events and festivals across Canada I hope to elevate Black Sheep races to an experience no one will want to miss.
Favourite Trail: My long time favourite trail has always been Hilltop, tons of fun charging down that hill. Most recently my favourite has been Scary Canary. Awesome mix of tech and flow riding.