[http://active.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/northshore2.jpg]The two words "North Shore" usually bring to mind Hawaii's northern beach with huge waves, rolling pipelines, and the core crowd of surfers. Recently, a new North Shore has been receiving its fair share of attention.

Vancouver's North Shore is quickly gaining a reputation for having the most serious and technical mountain bike riding in the world. The shore demands certain attitudes, certain equipment, and an amount of mental concentration that is unmatched elsewhere.

North shore mountain biking originated in the hilly, slick, rocky terrain of Vancouver, Canada's north shore. Riders began building bridges over swampy or muddy areas as a result of the nearly unridable conditions. These bridges evolved into complex, oftentimes extremely challenging, man-made stunts including twisting "ladders" raised above the ground and teeter-totters. The stunts can be narrow and may require the rider to move very slowly, requiring immense balance and bike handling skills, or may involve large drops and high speed descents.

North shore riding is quickly spreading to other parts of Canada and the United States, but if you want to experience the real thing head to one of the three mountains in Vancouver where it all started: Mt. Cypress, Mt. Fromme, and Mt. Seymour.