May 9th 2009 started off as a dark and desolate morning. I was driving out to Moose Mountain for the Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society’s (MMBTS) first ever trail day as an official organization. All the months of hard work of the MMBTS volunteers was to finally touch down on our trails this very morning. The skies were dark, our trails mostly still covered in snow and the threat of some major precipitation seemed apparent. Yet, I had this underlying calmness, this deep know, that somehow today would go down in Alberta biking history as the most successful trail day to date.

All the surrounding adversity could not budge the scales that are weighed down by the enthusiasm and dedication of our members, builders, executive and community. The call went out and the people answered. The flow did Grow! 80 plus karma filled riders showed up to enhance our trail network.

In one afternoon, a community with direction was able to accomplish what would have taken months in years past. As the remnants of winter were still everywhere though, we had to selectively pick our battles:

Pneuma, the new uphill single-track, was given new breath in the form of clearing and groundwork on its lower extension from Sulphur Springs to the bottom of Moose mountain road. Expect to see a push for completion on this one for future trail days! 

T-dub got more cut than a groom on Stag night! Side-hill bench cut, that is…for its alternate and sustainable non-gully option. This line is pushed through and ready to roll. If you still want to rock the gully it is all yours

The “Tib-Fib” line went to finishing school and is now looking for you to deliver its fat tire stamped diploma.

SLF got fluffed and its senior seasoned builders were able to lead a motivated crew to re-route an alternate to its infamous rock drop. Lower segments of SLF were also on the hit list, be sure to dial in, tune in and join in on the future developments on this line.

Toothless took one big trip to the dentist! Crews picked in 8 amazing and very hard to build water bars on its white-knuckle steeps. The dentist also prescribed a short flowy re-route for an upper problematic area and some berm hygiene enhancement VIA the bottom up crew.

The Cinderella story of the day goes to the dog with the name Billy! Billy Dog, the former Rhubarb, that has been resurrected and brought back to life by the Race Of Spades crew, saw an ambush of surgeons to bring this facelift to our community.

The new look was enhanced from both the top and the bottom and the amount of progress in one afternoon… would jolt any seasoned digger into a goggle eyed mute who had been hypnotized to look for corners but had been stuck in a round room. You get the picture!  

But People, let’s face it, here at MMBTS we are greedy, we are not satisfied, we want this momentum to grow, we want our trails to bring bigger badder grins to you – our riders. For this your contribution is required. We are oh so thankful for your support, for showing up on May 9th, for signing up to MMBTS, so lets keep growing the flow and pushing the movement. Ensure to clear your calenders for the June 13-14th weekend and come on out to our next trail day and riding party. Trail day to commence at 11 am at Ing’s mine p-lot on the 14th and the Riding party to start at noon on the 13th at the 2km locale. Details to follow in the next day or so.

MMBTS would like to send a biggie sized thanks to Bow Cycle for sponsoring the post trail day BBQ, a massive high five to Ridley’s Cycle for funds to help provide our volunteer’s with the proper tools and a cheers to Team Pilsner for providing some beverages to our hard working community.

Any other shops or business in the area that wish to get invloved and join in feel free to contact us! 

Step up to the challenge – Join the movement and find your flow!

 Big Thanks to: