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It’s sad…..so many riders, so little help. We have a monthly trail maintenance day which is clearly posted on a billboard at the trailhead, on our club website and all over social media. It’s the same Saturday of the month, same time 9-12…… You get the picture. A small group maintains nearly 30 miles of trail which gets heavily used by so many. We usually have 6-8 dedicated individuals that come out rain or shine every month. It was -3 yesterday and we showed up ready to work!! Our group consists of three gentleman over 60 ( one pushing 70) three in their mid 50’s and three or four in their 40’s. No younger folks….period. I understand younger folks have families with small children and commitments, but they find plenty of time to ride. So if your reading this and do not contribute to your local trail system, please get out and help the very few that do.
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I wanted to respond to this. You seem to be of the mindset that if they’re not showing up for the group maintenance, they’re not maintaining the trails. I would like to suggest that this is likely not the case.
As an example, last Friday, I was riding Tanasi and came across a tree over a foot in diameter that had taken three smaller trees with it across a narrow portion of singletrack on the side of a hill. I got off the bike and grabbed my folding saw, as I always do and began cutting it up.
Three riders that I had been playing leapfrog with for the last hour or so pulled up. The first one climbed under the mess, dragging his bike; "Man, you’re a Godsend!" and rides off. Second guy climbs under "Are you one of those pesky SORBA members?" I – "Nope, just like to ride." him – "Oh, you should be. This is the kind of stuff we do." Then he gets on his bike and continues riding. Third guy – "Do you work for the forestry service?" I – "Nope." him – "Oh, well thanks man!" and he rides off to find his friends.
I suspect none of them thought to help because it wasn’t an official trail maintenance day and people hate to pause riding for an extended period of time ( it took me 45 minutes to cut it all up and find a lever big enough to get the largest portion of tree off the trail ). I understand and was happy to see them again further down the trail, where they thanked me again for clearing the trail.
I can’t tell you how many trees, thorns and overgrowth I’ve cleared but I can tell you that I average 5 trail saws a year and I had to replace my sickle’s blade last year due to running out of metal to sharpen. I probably do more for the trails I ride than any group or committee that gets together to officially work on the trail en masse. I’m sure I’m not the only guy out there that isn’t a group guy but at the same time, does a lot to make the trails a nicer place to ride.
Of course, I have no idea what the particular situation on your trail is but my post, like yours, is speaking in general terms.
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Schwim, thanks for your comment and like you I try and clear everything that is "sawable" while I’m out on a ride weather I am on my local trail or riding somewhere else. I use a foldable saw and go through a blade or two myself. maybe I should have been more specific and in greater detail. We are constructing a 3 plus mile addition to complete a loop that would give riders more options while riding that side of the park. We have posted many notices encouraging people to come out and help get this done prior to a race we are hosting early spring. I guess we were optimistic in thinking we could get this done. I am not implying that no one that rides the trails doesn’t pick up a branch or kick a limb off the trail. I’m not looking for a pat on the back, just trying to get people to stop and think that the trails don’t build/ mend themselves. Someone gotta do it.
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Ahh, I understand the situation a little more clearly. Unfortunately, I would be preaching to the choir to tell you that the majority of trail users are heavy on the "user" 😀
Can I ask where you posted/how you let people know you need help? I would think posting at the trail would be pretty ineffective. Maybe bike shops, regional forums, FB groups, and the like. Making it a work event/b-b-q would probably go a long way in getting some people to commit as well.
I’m not very helpful in this scenario, unfortunately, but do see that the shops often spearhead trail stuff in the area when it has anything to do with a race that will give them exposure. Maybe trading some advertising for the lbs’ help might be possible.
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rsb201 – I’m afraid that your experience is the normal state of things. A few dedicated individuals always do the lion’s share of the work while everyone benefits. This is true in many endeavors, not just with trails. I have slowly come to accept this situation and stopped wondering why or if it will ever change. The most disappointing thing, however, is that some of the lethargic many will start to criticize, often loudly, about upgrades or improvements that “ruined” their favorite trail.
Schwim – I thank you for your efforts on behalf of the trails you ride. I suspect, though, that you represent the minority instead of the rule. On trails that I ride regularly it seems that most people can’t be bothered to interrupt their ride to do something as simple as remove a small, fallen branch from the tread. That action would take what, five seconds maybe? Very discouraging . . . 😢
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"CFM" wrote
Schwim – I thank you for your efforts on behalf of the trails you ride. I suspect, though, that you represent the minority instead of the rule. On trails that I ride regularly it seems that most people can’t be bothered to interrupt their ride to do something as simple as remove a small, fallen branch from the tread. That action would take what, five seconds maybe? Very discouraging . . . 😢
I would like to argue but the number of gel packets, reflectors, power bar wrappers and other detritus that I have in my pack at the end of the ride points to the fact that you’re not far off the mark.
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"CFM" wrote
five seconds
Five whole seconds? But STRAVA MAN! (Heavy on the sarcasm.)
rsb201
I would love to have 6-8 regular folks on just our weekly group rides, let alone a recurring maintenance day! The average person here (and everywhere else) just doesn’t like to be in a group, it seems.
One thing that I found to be successful in recruiting help is finding others to ride with and trading numbers with them. After a few rides, you then invite them to help with trail maintenance…or if you’re creative, you just happen to invite them for a group ride on a trail that needs some work and you just happen to have some tools with you. What a strange coincidence!
Unfortunately, the signs at the trailhead/bike shop/watering hole don’t work very well (bystander effect?). Personal invites seem to have a larger success rate. -
Ultimately, it is personal choice. There are going to be some people that are just flat-out not interested and/or can’t be bothered with it. Keep in mind though, we don’t know everyone’s situation.
Maybe that guy that we think can’t be bothered works 50 hours a week, cares for an ill family member, and volunteers at the soup kitchen making sure people in need have something to eat. He may be doing everything he can do to cram a couple hours of riding into his schedule in an effort to remain sane.
Okay, I may be exaggerating (or maybe not), but my point is that I don’t judge. I just continue to try and spread the word and do what I can do to give back to the trails. I am a member of the Friends group and part of the local (volunteer) trail crew at a state park trail system. While there is great support from and partnership with the state park, the trails are built and maintained 100% by volunteers.
There are “Volunteers Needed” signs and flyers up in the park to drum up recruits, but the Friends group support goes far beyond just trail work. In addition to the Friends distribution, any volunteer registered with the state park system receives emails from the state park about volunteer opportunities, including trail work. We also use a website, Facebook, Meetup and local forums as a way to get the word out. If you can get someone to sign up, Meetup is a great communication tool. Overall, response is varied.
More recently, we had business cards made so if we encounter someone on the trails that expresses interest, we can hand them a card that lists the website, Facebook, and Meetup sites making it easy for them to find more information.
With all that, for the most part, it is the same small group of trail gnomes that do the majority of the planned building & maintenance. We are also the ones that are prone to spending a portion of our riding time removing debris, cutting up trees, inspecting wet sections, planning reroutes, etc. Once you commit to trail building/maintenance, it’s kind of hard to let go.
Sure, I volunteer a fair share of hours toward trail maintenance. I think it is fun and important. I don’t waste my energy getting frustrated that not everyone has the same perspective that I have. I conserve that energy for digging and riding. Oh, and partying. Sorry for partying!
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