Campbell Mt. Trail-Day

Spent a few hours with Aaron, Chris and Gary, building a new section of legal / sanctioned singletrack trail on the east face of Campbell mountain this morning; it was, after all, >>>National Trails Day<<
Met up for beer with Dave's Diggers - who were working on another trail - for grub and more beer... Kudos Boyz'

Am a wee bit disturbed that most riders as a whole don't seem to grasp the value of trail-building or trail-maintenance... Do they think that trails just magically appear in the night?

One (small portion of) one day per year people! How hard is that - for the sport that you so love?!

Smokey the Bear isn't going to do it, you mom isn't going to step up and build or maintain your trails; Mr.Ranger sure as heck isn't going to jump in there with a McLeod...

If you give back just one minuscule block of time per year (!) - generally two hours or so - you will be able to enjoy more amazing front and back-country recreation trails than you could imagine!

As my physically disabled friend James always says; "Practice a little GOYA" ((Get off Your Ass"!))

The lad is wheel-chair bound, yet still physically puts more effort into doing things that 'pay it forward' for others than 80 percent of the mountain-biking community! WTF is with that!?

For those of you who think I'm "too harsh" give your heads a shake, look in a mirror and ask yourselves "shouldn't I at least give back one measly morning [per year!] to the trails that the entire sport that I love is based on...?

Andrew

Any thoughts on another trail day soon?
I'm going to organise some tools and some troops.

It would be a wonderful thing if we could all pitch in on the same cause. I agree that many people get to enjoy their sport because of the hard work of a few people, but it is good to remember that not everyone's volunteer efforts are organized. Some people do their bit by clearing a fallen tree, pruning overgrown shrubs or even by pulling invasive weeds along the trail. This may not seem like enough sometimes, but harsh attitudes and guilting people in to volunteering isn't cool.
Please keep in mind that the effort is greatly appreciated when you volunteer!
Laura

I kinda' figured that my post would draw that response... but I was just being honest.

It's not like I'm asking for a significant input of time or money; two hours per year shouldn't be considered onerous by any means, especially when it supports the foundation of an entire sport - one which returns many hundreds, if not thousands of hours of bliss per annum for each and every rider!

Guilt does not overcome me in stating that trail user-groups should step up and do the right thing in support of trail-based recreation.

The alternative is that those few who do all of the work become burnt out and disillusioned - and trail maintenance / trail-building of any significance grinds to a halt, as it did in communities south of us.

This is closely followed by people bemoaning the fact that the trails are falling into disrepair... yet self reflection is missing from the equation.

Andrew

Aaron

I'm going to go up for an hour on Tuesday, another hour on Thursday; both days are 'after-workers', so about 5pm from the north parking lot.

Also, I have a bunch of new tubes that you can use as prizes for the Toonie Races this year.

Andrew

Tomorrow afternoon i have off. I might head up after lunch and do some more.
That is all dependent on if i can get the McLeod sharpened. The rain we just had is going to make for some nice digging.

I will probably join you Tuesday.
Thursday is PACA group ride.

If there is any changes to the ride line, then mark it and send an email to confirm.

Have to skip on the Campbell trail on Tuesday; was asked by Apex Voly' Patrol to show them around the Carmi area, in preperation for an annual staff cycling event.

You are welcome to join us, it'll be a mellow outting, as the guy that I'm touring around is fighting a chronic arthritis condition - no, he's not an old dude - he's younger than me...

Andrew