I learned today that the best way to be well fed is to volunteer for trail work. For National Trail Day, the Colorado Trail Foundation teamed up with all kinds of different trail user groups. I can’t name them all (how awesome is it that there are that many?), but some big players included IMBA, COMBA (COlorado Mountain Bike Association), and the Front Range Backcountry Horsemen. Equestrians and bikes, you say? Yeah, I thought so too. Usually I think of horse folks as courteous on the trails, but thankfully few and far between, just because horses can get pretty uncomfortable around bikes. This means that when I come across a horse, I stop and move off the trail, so (no offense), I’m glad I don’t see too many horses.
But today I learned how well horsemen and mountain bikers can work together.... Check this: The day before the main event, a group of equestrians rode in to a remote section of the Colorado Trail, caching water and tools. The next day, mountain bikers rode into their work areas, some as far as six miles one way, to find all the tools already there. How awesome is that!!
At the same time, hikers, depending on fitness ability, hiked into nearer sections. I joined a hiking group, one of the farthest flung, hiking three miles to from the trailhead to the top of the pass. From there we slowly worked backwards, clearing debris, adding waterbars, and repairing eroded trail sections. This action was repeated below by many other groups. Finally after a good day of trail work, we headed down. And did I mention the food? There was a huge breakfast spread (most notable: lots of coffee) at the trailhead while we learned about the trail and the work we would be doing. Then after we finished, a huge barbeque, all the meat and cookies and chips and picnic food we could eat. And beer! Thanks, Golden City Brewing.
And yes, I managed to hop on my bike and do my part to pack down the trail we had just worked on. The final verdict? FUN.
But today I learned how well horsemen and mountain bikers can work together.... Check this: The day before the main event, a group of equestrians rode in to a remote section of the Colorado Trail, caching water and tools. The next day, mountain bikers rode into their work areas, some as far as six miles one way, to find all the tools already there. How awesome is that!!
At the same time, hikers, depending on fitness ability, hiked into nearer sections. I joined a hiking group, one of the farthest flung, hiking three miles to from the trailhead to the top of the pass. From there we slowly worked backwards, clearing debris, adding waterbars, and repairing eroded trail sections. This action was repeated below by many other groups. Finally after a good day of trail work, we headed down. And did I mention the food? There was a huge breakfast spread (most notable: lots of coffee) at the trailhead while we learned about the trail and the work we would be doing. Then after we finished, a huge barbeque, all the meat and cookies and chips and picnic food we could eat. And beer! Thanks, Golden City Brewing.
And yes, I managed to hop on my bike and do my part to pack down the trail we had just worked on. The final verdict? FUN.
1 comment:
Don't forget the drive home... Chicane!!! :)
-Will
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