Students from Algonquin College enjoy a break in the sunset after a long day of designing and building trails.
The day started in the classroom, learning the cutting-edge trail theory outlined in IMBA's Trail Solutions book. In the afternoon, the group stepped outside to try their hand at trail construction using pulaskis and mcleods .
The students put sustainable trail theory into action by building contour, bench-cut trail. The work is tough, but the reward is incredible singletrack that is a thrill to ride and will be around for generations to enjoy.
In addition to building tread, the students also learned the basics of adding challenge to the trail. Log rides are a great example of enhanced natural features that can be used to build skill and add fun.
What better way to celebrate the end of a hard day's work, than to enjoy the new trail on a bike!
At Val des Monts, a new piece of land holds promise for a 100% sustainable trail system. Employees and families from the LaRocca XC Mountain Bike School brave the weather for a chance to learn the tricks of the trailbuilding trade.
"Build it right, ride it forever." The untouched rocky terrain, is a trailbuilder's dream come true.
Despite the approaching storm, 22 volunteers stuck it out for the day. A fireside lunch provided a chance to warm up and to trade trailbuilding stories.
The secret to a successful mountain bike trail is to test the trail's flow. Test-rides on the new insloped turn ensure that riders will stay where we want them - on the trail.

MEC/IMBA Canada Trailbuilding Tour

Promoting ecological integrity through sustainable trails

In the second half of 2005, IMBA Canada received a grant from Mountain Equipment Co-op's Environment Fund to help fund trail education visits to four provinces.

The MEC/IMBA Canada Trailbuilding Tour was kicked off this November with a visit to the National Capital Region. Workshops were held at Algonquin College, in Pembroke, Ontario, and in the municipality of Val des Monts, Quebec. The focus of both trailbuilding workshops was to educate as many people as possible in the basics of environmentally sustainable trail design, construction, and maintenance for multi-use trails.

Between the two workshops, more than 60 people participated, and over 400 volunteer trailwork hours were completed!

Thanks to all who participated, and to MEC for helping to make this visit a reality.

Three more visits are being scheduled as part of the tour. Stay tuned to the IMBA Canada website for updates!