For this freeride mountain bike champion, a B.C. hideaway is close to home

British Columbia may be a large province with many spectacular locations to choose from, but sometimes our favourite hideaways are the ones closest to home.

Such is the case for freeridemountain biker Brandon Semenuk, who lives in Squamish, B.C.

Semenuk, 25, says one of his favourite spots in the province is pretty much in his backyard: the Mamquam River Forest Service Road.

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"It's essentially just a logging road that has access to probably hundreds of kilometres of trail," he said, adding the trails can be used for hiking or biking.

"It's just local to me, and I mountain bike, so obviously it's just a good place for me to be."

The two-time FreerideMountain Bike World Tour champion grew up in Whistler, but says he moved to Squamishabout seven years ago for a more central location, slightly better climes and fewer tourists.

There, the MamquamRiver Forest Service Road provides access to the local mountains, including Elfin Lakes, and connects to the Town of Squamish.

Semenuk tries to get there as often as he can, but says between mountain biking, travelling and filming with Red Bull,that's only a few times a year.

His latest trip took him to Ontario, where he was pursuing his other passion: rally car racing.

Semenuk may be home at the moment, but that won't be for long.

But for his next trip, he sayshe's on the hunt for a more commonplace goal than his usual death-defying antics: he'll be searching for some sun, probably in California.