Spring Trail Update

High School League – Seymour

A massive community trail day with 35+ volunteers came out to support builders Isabelle & Tom working along the descent portion of High School League Trail between Bridle Path and Hyannis. The goal was to fix trail erosion, rearmour and resurface where needed. The priority was to protect roots, close trail braids and re-surface for summer riding season.

Dales – Seymour

TAP Partner: NS ride & Comor Sports

A monster corner project has just been finished on Dales, complete with hidden drainage bridges and topped with rock armouring … just in time for the Comor Sports Fiver # 5 to roll through! Thanks go out to Penny (@mud_honey) @nsmba trail crew for helping move cedar and split slats, to the metro van trail crew who helped dig out the passage for water, to TAP partner @ns_ride @comorgoplayoutside for hauling rocks and helping build one of the bridges, and to @jesse.cablek for helping with the armouring work. Teamwork!

Dempsey – Fromme

TAP Partner: Mosaic

Dempsey trail work focused on enhancing reverse grades to support water management. Additional side drains were also cleared, with one key drain extended. The remainder of trail had loose protruding rocks removed with fresh mineral soil added to raise the trail bed.

Lower Griffen – Fromme

Tons of youth/ high school trail days have been completed with Brent on Lower Griffen. Eroded sections of trail have been topped with rock and dirt to lift the trail ben and remove water which pools in the section next to the BP. Ferns planted to help soak up water run off and the trail bed dirt capped to protect roots.

Boogie Nights – Seymour

TAP Partner: Kona Bikes

Throughout April, builder Caleb Holonko hosted two public days on Boogie Nights, completing top-to-bottom refresh with support from TAP Partner Kona Bikes. The black diamond trail on Seymour sees a ton of traffic, and while functional, some key sections were looking worn out. Caleb and volunteers focused attention on resurfacing, refreshing the trail tread and improving drainage throughout. The top rhythm section, step down and nascar berm all got a refresh, and with the dirt now settled it’s back open and ready to ride! Thanks to all the volunteers, NSMBA trail crew, and Caleb Holonko for the fine work.

Pangor – Seymour

TAP Partner: Giant Vancouver & Liv Vancouver

 
Pangor trail work focused on repairing the crumbling rock work at the entrance. Work was also completed to clear the water diversion field at the top (along Baden Powell Trail). The trail entrance got resurfaced with fresh mineral soil and a trail braid leading from the exit to Pingu Trail was also closed to prevent future erosion.

Executioner – Fromme

This old school fall line trail had a full rake and marble sweep, clearing debris from the entire length of the trail. Re-armouring work was completed to secure a roll-down feature. (While waiting for the volunteers to show up at the container, a friend of mine (Sarah) rode her bike up to say hello and asked who the builder was on Executioner.  I introduced her right there to Jaclyn, to whom she explained there was a big rock at the top of a roll down which had come loose and was becoming an issue.  So we fixed it! It was gratifying to immediately fix a problem reported by a passerby!)

King Of The Shore – Fromme

TAP Partner: Brian Young Real Estate

King Of The Shore reroute work is nearly complete! A ton of work was finished in a number of sessions led by Brent and our Youth Trail Stewards. The new re-route had the trail bed lifted with rocks, topped with mineral soil. Emergency trail day work was completed to fix a problem area that appeared after heavy rain. The good work never stops!

Lower Expresso – Fromme

TAP Partner: Sacré-Davey Engineering

Trail work on this day started from the trail entrance, working our way down the length of the trail sweeping debris buildup, topping up mineral soil and clearing out drainage points. Fallen debris, loose and surface rocks, and any other materials swept and cleared off the trail and out of drainage points. Mineral soil was built up in heavy wear areas, getting the trail ready for another busy season.

Entrances and exits of bridges were specifically worked on to ensure the trail tread matches the height of the woodwork entrance and exits. Berms were swept of any loose rock and drainage channels dug out, and then mineral soil added as needed to fill any pockets or brake bumps to make one smooth radius again. A big thanks to the 103rd Air Cadet squadron for all of the amazing work done on the trail!

  Jersey Shore – Cypress

A new section of trail was routed to control rider speed ahead of joining the new climbing trail. This section will direct riders uphill and through a grade reversal before crossing the climb trail drainage uphill of the current high-speed exit. The intersection of the new line with the climb trail will allow for better sight lines between non-riders and riders from both directions of the climb trail, and will join the climb trail on an uphill trajectory, reducing rider speed and giving time for riders to maintain control. Today’s work included clearing the line of deadfall, topsoil, and other debris and preparing the line to be a proper riding surface. This trail day was a hit. All volunteers were engaged and excited about the work, and we were lucky to have some nice weather. Volunteers were rewarded with a BBQ and some refreshments afterwards, many stuck around, though a few folks had to leave early.

Lower Oilcan – Fromme

Trail work focused on cleaning, clearing and restoring eroded sections of the trail. Old eroded armouring was removed and replaced. Drainage improved, and the trail bed was filled with mineral dirt. This work was completed as part of the Mountain Ravens women’s ride club volunteer day on Mother’s Day. A couple of mothers running around after kids who missed the group photo.

 Baden Powell – Fromme

 Volunteers removed loose protruding rocks and rotted wood, filled holes with mineral soil, and cleaned the remainder of the trail bed to create a more consistent rider experience.

Morgies & Blue Shore – Cypress

 On May 10th, over 30 dedicated volunteers, builders, and the community came together to work on Cypress downhill trails. Fresh drainage pipes installed, wooden bridges built, lots of rock and dirt moved, good times were had!

Blueshore had a drainage site excavated, pipes installed with rock and gold dirt packed in place. Jersey Shore had the bottom section of trail cleaned up. The entry berm into the wooden bridge was increased, a fresh drainage pipe was installed at the low point, and a small bridge was created over a drainage sump. The wooden bridge was extended by around 7ft to increase trail flow and speed. The jump after the wooden bridge was repaired and a rock added to the takeoff to decrease future erosion. The landing area was widened and increased in height. Thanks to all the volunteers, NSMBA trail crew, Cypress builders and Shore Sirens for the great work. Thanks go out to adidas Five Ten for supporting this community day.

Kirkford – Fromme

Began work on refurbishing the last berm. Rotten wood, rocks, organics and roots were removed, an entrance was armoured, cribbed and covered with mineral soil, and the first layers of mineral soil was added to the trail bed and the lower portion of the berm.

Pennzoil – Fromme

TAP Partners: Steed Cycles & Santa Cruz Bicycles

Steed Cycles’ volunteer day focused on a surface refresh for the upper portion of the trail, with mineral soil built up and packed down in heavy wear areas ahead of the summer season.

Mineral soil was built up to raise the trail surface back to intended levels and cover exposed rock armouring starting to become exposed from wear. Drainage points were cleared to ensure adequate water flow, and sections which had started to see braiding were re-naturalized to direct traffic onto the intended riding surface.

Support these Trails

The easiest way to support the NSMBA is with a membership! With a current membership, you are giving back to the trails and supporting the work that keeps them open and accessible to the community.

Membership is valid until the day of purchase of the following year. If you are interested in purchasing the membership as a gift, please email info@nsmba.ca