The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and the North Okanagan Cycling Society couldn鈥檛 be more excited about it.

The society is continuing with its efforts to provide better trails in the region.

鈥淚n the fall, Tourism Vernon committed $16,000 to help with improving trail signage,鈥� said president Daniel Poulin.

鈥滿any of our trails have been missing proper signs making it difficult for beginners or newcomers to the area to navigate our trail network. This new signage will make it easier for many local riders to get into the sport, and also provide positive experiences for tourist mountain bikers to help secure the North Okanagan鈥檚 reputation and image as a destination for mountain biking.鈥�

In Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Cougar Trap was constructed last year and the trail not only makes more space at the lower parking lot by using a different one, but it also makes other routes more easily accessible.

Also last year, the Ellison Connector was constructed and it provides access to the trail system at Ellison Provincial Park.

鈥淥ffering great views and terrain, the Ellison connector trail has been a real selling feature for current and future homeowners,鈥� said Rod Cochrane, Predator Ridge general manager.

So far, 2017 is shaping up to be a big season for NOCS with nine new trails in the works, and continued progress in the development of a bike skills park at Becker Park.

鈥淲e are currently in the request for proposals drafting stage to put the project (skills park) out for competitive tender to contractors,鈥� said Nick Macdonald, with NOCS.

鈥淲e have made significant progress throughout the last year, and cannot thank the Foord Family Foundation and Kal Rotary enough for their contributions.鈥�

In 2016, NOCS represented more than 600 members, and documented more than 3,500 hours of volunteer labour.

To learn more about the society, go to www.okcycling.com