Dirt Jumps Bromont is a group of five passionate riders working together to develop and maintain a place unlike any other in Quebec. Driven by a strong community spirit, the project is built as much on the joy of riding as in the collective effort behind every line. In this interview, Félix Côté-Bouvette looks back on the origins of the committee, explains what makes this discipline so unique, and shares the group’s vision for growing the sport and passing that passion on to the next generation.

1. Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is Félix Côté-Bouvette, and I’m part of the Dirt Jumps Committee here at the CNCB. We’re a trail crew made up of five passionate guys who have been building jumps together for the past few years. We’re really trying to create a great trail so everyone can come and enjoy it with us!

2. For those who are not familiar with it, what is Dirt Jumps?

Dirt jumps are a series of jumps built through the woods. What we try to do is blend into nature, move between the trees, and create obstacles and jumps to navigate through the forest. It’s cool because it can be used in many ways. Some people want to do tricks on the jumps. Others just want to ride through the line. So, you can really reach a wide range of riders and enjoy it together in an interesting way.

3. How did the committee’s project begin?

The project started in 2019. Samaël Piché and our friend “  Hibou” built the first version. It was active for a few years, and then it faded a little. Last year, we decided to bring it back. We had this idea together of giving a second life to this exceptional spotand, in a way, giving something back to people in Quebec. This kind of thing doesn’t really exist here. It was through our trips to the United States that we said to ourselves, “ Why not bring that here?” 

5. What do you love most about this discipline?

It’s very community oriented. We spend a lot of time together, and there’s a lot of maintenance involved, so it really must happen as a group. In the end, it becomes a bit like a second family. We see each other here at the Center, we see each other outside of it, we’re friends, we build the jumps, and then we ride together afterward.

6. Why was the CNCB the right place to build this?

The Center is a local organization, and its values really align with this kind of project. The CNCB is a multidisciplinary cycling center, and with the arrival of the Freestyle Zone, it created a natural link with what we do: jumps and freestyle. The timing was perfect: the bowl was coming, we were relaunching the project, and the Center got on board. On top of that, we’re able to do it legally, which is rare in the world of Dirt Jump, thanks to the Center’s insurance coverage. That means we don’t have to hide out deep in the woods. It’s truly a unique opportunity, because this kind of infrastructure is very niche and there are very few places like it. timing was perfect: the bowl was coming, we were relaunching the project, and the Center got on board. On top of that, we’re able to do it legally, which is rare in the world of Dirt Jump, thanks to the Center’s insurance coverage. That means we don’t have to hide out deep in the woods. It’s truly a unique opportunity, because this kind of infrastructure is very niche and there are very few places like it.

7. Is it possible to create another Dirt Jump facility without being associated with the CNCB?

Honestly, not really. It’s all about passion. There isn’t much of a way to make it profitable, especially when you count all the hours we put into it. And that’s not even the goal anyway. For us, it’s a volunteer project the five of us built together, with the idea of creating something everyone can use and that becomes an added value for the Center. In the end, the most important thing is having a spot and spending time together. Other places have tried, but it’s too hard to justify this kind of infrastructure, and it’s still complicated to manage.

8. Who can come to lend a hand with digging and maintaining the lines?

Anyone can come to lend a hand. Whether it’s for digging or maintaining the spot, we’ll take all the help we can get, for sure. The Dirt Jump Bromont page is active, and we announce all the sessions there, both for digging and for riding.

We’ll never turn away someone who wants to help us or learn how to work with the dirt, shape the jumps, and understand the whole process. It’s truly all about community. We put a huge amount of effort into this to offer the best possible spot for everyone.

9. Beyond the discipline itself, what do you want to pass on through the committee?

At the core, what we want is for this place to be here for as long as possible. That’s why, one day, we’re going to need a next generation to take over. This year, we’re trying as much as possible to include young people. We’ve got lots of projects and ideas for organizing small evenings and activities to involve more people. This year, we’re building an easier jump line to make it more accessible for everyone. What we want is for it to last. So, if we can inspire young people to think it’s cool, to come dig a little with us, to gain experience, and then want to bring in new ideas, we’ll be very happy. My team and I were just talking about that the other day. We’re just waiting for some young riders to come to tell us, “ I want to build this, I want to build that, I want to do it this way, I had this idea yesterday, I was thinking about that, we could do this and that.”

10. Where do you see the committee in 5 years?

We hope there will be a lot more jumps in the woods and that the project will keep going. We want it to become a recognized spot and to gain international recognition. It would be amazing to have the best riders in the world come to Bromont to ride the jumps.

11. Are there recognized competitions in this discipline?

Not really, there isn’t an official competition scene. The community has started putting on events in a kind of triple challenge style,, but it’s just for fun. Basically, you must ride the line as fast as possible while also doing the best tricks. A score is given based on the average of both. There aren’t many events because the spots are often hidden in the woods since technically, they’re not really allowed to be there. Usually, it’s more of a jam format because there’s no judging and nothing official. When we hold jams, we give out prizes, but it’s subjective. That’s also where the best energy is. If we try to include everyone a little, it’s to make sure it’s enjoyable and puts on a good show. Sometimes, just riding the line or watching someone else ride it is already interesting enough.

12. What is your best biking memory ever (with the Dirt Jumps committee together)?

The first time we went to Catty Woods in 2023, we got there… there were five or six of us, if I remember correctly. And from that moment on, it changed everything for us. It was a completely crazy week. We discovered a world-famous spot hidden deep in the woods, in a town called Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. There’s basically nothing there, but you meet people who are passionate on an indescribable level. It’s disorienting when you first arrive. There are 150 jumps in the forest—everything is great, everything is beautiful, everything flows well, everything rides well. It really changed the way we see things.

To see the interview, click here! : https://www.instagram.com/p/DY3BnQJjaAI/