{"id":21676,"date":"2021-08-04T07:00:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T14:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/?p=21676"},"modified":"2022-02-28T16:52:52","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T00:52:52","slug":"comox-valley-ales-tails-trails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/comox-valley-ales-tails-trails\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Run For Beer: Ales, Tails, and Trails in the Comox Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pushing your limits in the great outdoors, then settling in for a sweaty post-effort pint with friends is a feeling like no other. Among the trails in the Comox Valley, it’s a way of life.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"trails
Cumberland Community Forest is part of an interconnected system of forests that house important salmon-bearing creeks, wetlands, and riparian areas, right next to the Village of Cumberland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Comox Valley is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. A burgeoning food and craft beer scene, easy access to \u00a0Strathcona’s remote wilderness, and a world-renowned network of trails attract passionate folks who work hard and play harder.<\/p>\n

Like many, I found myself seeking out new hobbies in a year of lockdowns and uncertainty. I’ve always considered myself a runner, but my efforts until recently have been mostly focused on road, meaning I’m, by all accounts, a beginner in the trail-running realm. There’s something exciting about being a beginner again, though, isn’t there? Trail running brings me closer to nature; it’s the perfect vehicle for exploring new places and new landscapes and, in this case, new craft beer! My partner Tavis and I are here for the weekend with our pup Bodie (yes, in true COVID-clich\u00e9-style, we adopted a dog during lockdown). He’s an energetic little guy and we’re working hard to make sure he’s well-versed in two of our favourite things\u2014trails and patio beers.<\/p>\n

Day 1<\/h4>\n
\"Atlas
Atlas Fish Tacos and a couple of Cumberland Finally IPAs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Afternoon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Atlas Cafe, Courtenay
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

It’s Saturday morning; we load up the pup, stuff a couple of Hornby Bars in our bags and make our way out of the city. A few podcast episodes later, we’ve arrived at our first stop (aka fueling station): Atlas Cafe. This place is known for its laidback excellence and tasty international menu, featuring everything from Italian to Mexican to Japanese (and doing it all really, really well).<\/p>\n

They have an adorable garden patio in the back, but we opt for a shady spot out front where Bodie can sit with us. We’re greeted by our server, who promptly disappears back inside and reappears with a doggie water bowl. I scan the menu and am tempted by the Panzanella Salmon Salad, but Tavis reminds me we’re fueling for a run, so I settle on the Atlas Fish Tacos and he goes for the Veggie Enchilada. We both order a pint of Cumberland Brewing<\/a>‘s Finally IPA. I mean, heck, it is<\/em> vacation after all and we’re here to enjoy the trails, not break records. Our food comes quickly and we eat it slowly while Bodie snoozes at our feet, lifting an eye every so often at passersby on the sidewalk. I could relax here all afternoon, but we’ve got trails to run! \u00a0Next stop: Cumberland.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cumberland Community Forest<\/strong><\/h5>\n

If you’ve visited Cumberland, you’ll understand when I say it’s the beating heart of the Comox Valley. The stoke here is intoxicatingly high and it seems like both locals and out-of-town folks alike are here for one thing: the trails (of course, the apr\u00e8s-trail situation doesn’t hurt either).<\/p>\n

We fill a few bottles, grab Bodie’s water dish and make our way to the forest on foot. The access to recreation here is insane<\/em>\u2014the trails back directly onto the edge of town, making everything supremely walkable. We contemplate the trail map for a moment\u2014Bodie’s young and still tires quickly, so we pick a relatively flat loop route where he and Tavis can split off early.<\/p>\n

We set off, keeping our eyes peeled for oncoming cyclists (I suggest leaving your headphones at home for this one!). We do some climbing midway, watching our feet mostly for exposed tree roots. The smell of the fir trees towering over us feels like just what the doctor ordered this weekend! A few bikers pass by as we pause for a drink; friends chattering about life and work as they ride side-by-side, donning baggy double shorts and enduro packs strapped to their backs.<\/p>\n

It’s clear this forest is teeming with life and people who love theirs. We continue a bit further and eventually decide it’s time for Bodie to pack it in.\u00a0Tavis cuts off onto some double track and heads back to the house with the pup while I continue on.<\/p>\n