Bring a Shovel Instead of a Bike
6 ways to take care of your trails
Haven’t we all felt that unparalleled feeling from mountain biking at least once in our lives? Yea, we wouldn't want to take that for granted. With great privilege comes great responsibility. As mountain bikers can all play our part in preserving the trails and keeping them around for the next generation of riders. Here are 6 ways you can give back to your local trails, for some, you don’t even have to spend a penny.
1. Get Digging:
One of the most direct ways to give back your Mtb trails is by putting a shovel in hand and joining in on a trail workday. Trail maintenance is especially important because how can you expect to ride the trails day in and day out without showing them some love? Trail work parties are often organized events from the local community or local clubs. These events generally happen once a month so mark your calendar and show up! You can benefit from a trail workday by not only maintaining the trails but learning the process as to how they were built, making friends, being outside, and possibly getting a first send on the new dirt.
2. Open the wallet or empty out the garage:
Have you ever started a ride and noticed a box attached to a pole or board? Yep, you don’t have to look far to donate to the trail system. Donations can be sent to websites, grassroots movements, or any entity centered around growing the sport and looking after the land. Donations don’t have to just be in the form of money, clean out your garage! If you have extra trail maintenance tools or bike things donate those too!
3. Join the club
Becoming a member is a win-win situation, you’ll probably get a free t-shirt and they’ll grow the club. Becoming a member may go farther than you know!
4. Take a seat at the table
Sure we ride the trails but can you confidently say you know the political process that goes into land acquisition, or trail building? Taking a seat at the table provides a voice for the Mtb community when critical decisions are being made. You may have great insights and solutions since you are an avid user of the trail system. Be an advocate for the positive impact mountain biking has on the community and show local officials how important it is.
5. Volunteer at events or races
Make race days a success, by volunteering! Help mark out races, work at an aid station, or help organize riders. Plus the race atmosphere is always a good one!
5. Be a good steward of the trails
When you’re out on the trails, you speak on behalf of the dirt, you bring the trails to life. Help give directions to a fellow rider, show a partner a new route if they're interested, pick up trash if you see it, don’t ride when the trails are muddy, and most importantly respect the rules of the trail.
