Provincial competition rolls in Valemount

For 16-year-old Angie McKirdy, this week’s British Columbia High School Mountain Biking Provincials are extra special, because they’re being held in her hometown of Valemount.

“I’m really excited for it,” she said, “it going to be a fun experience.”

McKirdy has been riding for four years, and competing in the provincials each year, but has decided not to follow in her sisters footsteps - who currently competes for Canada in women’s mountain biking.

Nonetheless, McKirdy gets out riding once or twice a week, even visiting Jasper to enjoy the trails of the mountain park and still hopes to place on the podium this weekend.

Having the competition at home means she’s got a home ground advantage too, said the 16-year-old.

“We’ve been riding the trail a lot, probably every other ride and so we’ll know it really well. We know what are good passing lanes and what’s coming up and what to expect and all that stuff,” she said.