Welcome to the 2026 edition of Burnabop XL Day, taking place October 24th 2026. Gather some friends to ride it with, or go solo for some regenerative forest bathing. It is not a mass start; recommended start time is 9:30-10:30am (I will be there to see riders off during this range), but adjust to suit your day. Expect the ride to take quite a bit longer than you think it will. Budget for five hours even if you’re a strong rider, seven or more if you plan to take it easy.
At the finish there will be a low key social from 3-6pm, and intend to have cover, fire pit(s) to warm those digits, and some hot and cool beverages available. I recommend for those who expect they’ll need some extra time to start the route by 10am so they don’t miss out on the chance to commiserate with fellow boppers.
Burnabop season runs from October 1st to November 1st so if you can’t make the 24th, the course can be ridden for ‘credit’ during the month of October. What credit, you ask? A shared experience, and some free stickers from yours truly.
I will strive to provide all the information you need to make your plans below, as well as answer questions that ought to be asked.
What is Burnabop XL Day?
First and foremost, this is not an official event in any capacity. There is no sign-up, no support, and no rider tracking. It’s definitely not a race. Your finishing time is completely irrelevant, and there will be no enforcement of completing the route or following the route accurately in order to get merch packages. In fact, prioritizing speed is against the spirit of this ride: stop to check out interesting things, yield to others on the trail and enjoy a day out exploring.
The 2026 edition of the BBXL is about 54km in length, with around 1000m of elevation. The route strings together many of my favourite natural areas around and near Burnaby. Priority was always to include interesting sections over making the course flow better. It doesn’t flow. You will miss turns and probably get a little lost. You almost certainly won’t know where the heck you are for periods of time. This is the point.
What’s the terrain like? Somewhere between gravel riding and mountain biking I suppose. The kind of ride I would have done as a teen in the 90s, and that’s where the inspiration came from. Not really concerned about genre, just riding bikes to and through interesting places. See this link for some photos of the south half in mid September.
Who is this ride for? Is it for me?
While the route is challenging for just about anyone, I want to highlight that it’s not some suffer-fest that only suits really athletic types. By definition, Bike Portage Club celebrates that there’s no shame in walking your bike. Indeed, you’ll need some very good bike-handling skills to ride everything on the route, but you don’t need them to enjoy the natural spaces and beautiful fall foliage. The slower you go, the more you see.
That said, you should be comfortable being out on your bike for most of the day and have enough technical skills to ride over roots and chunky gravel if you’re going to enjoy the loop. Most important is a mindset to appreciate your surroundings over worrying about how you’re riding.
What kinda bike does this route need?
While you can accomplish it on just about any bike, I have to say, those old 1990s MTBs are kind of perfect for mixed-terrain rides like this. If you have both a gravel bike and a hardtail, you might want to consider the hardtail, but both will do the job. While I personally want at least 45mm tires, a bunch of fixed gear folks have shredded the course on sub-30mm tires.
Can I see the route please?
Sure, here you go. It’s bound to require small adjustments for changing conditions. As far as I know, there are no trails marked ‘no bikes’ on the route, but sometimes that’s simply because they aren’t popular enough to warrant saying so. So please bear this privilege in mind when interacting with other trail users.
What’s important to know about the route?
I’ve tried to annotate the RWGPS track to include notable hazards, such as the uncontrolled train track crossing at around 20km, and the limited options for food. Bring lots of snacks in addition to the usual tool kit and first aid items. In 2025 the route took out two derailleurs, a fender, and surely some other bike parts. Be prepared for mechanicals! Also, be aware there will be hidden roots and rocks all along the route ready to take you down if you’re not careful. Peak leaf peepin’ season comes with its share of risks.
Starting Location
The starting location has moved to the gazebo just east of the washrooms and playground at Confederation Park. This provides amenities and shelter which the green gate from the original double-loop XL course did not.
Finishing Location
I know there is a charm to the anti-climatic green gate finish, but I think the new finish location is going to be rather iconic: one last dumb hike-a-bike in a confusing web of trails to a beautiful viewpoint. While best during sunset, it’s good anytime.
Final Notes
I know this is a highly detailed page for what is not an organized event, but please don’t be misled: I am simply sharing my personal favourite curated loop around Burnaby and want to see those who also enjoy this kind of thing get something out of it. And remember this is a Bike Portage Club event, so when in doubt, walking is always a good choice.