The Keepers of the Trails

By Adam Peck
Guelph Tribune Photo
July 31, 2007

Seven years ago when Brad Hull was looking for people to go trail-riding with, he joined GORBA, the Guelph Off-Road Bicycling Association.

Now he is helping the group of mountain biking enthusiasts develop a program to benefit all people that use the trails at Guelph Lake.

Hull is one of 11 GORBA members that have formed a bike patrol to assist cyclists or other trail users who may need help on the trails.

"The mandate of the bike patrol is to assist, educate and inform other trail users," said Hull.

"It's just part of our commitment to the community in Guelph," he continued.

The bike patrol was started in 2006, and is sanctioned by the International Mountain Biking Association, an international cycling group that advocates for safe and sustainable mountain biking opportunities.

Currently, GORBA's bike patrol is one of only two Canadian bike patrols listed on the association's website.

The members of the bike patrol have received special training in trail-side bicycle maintenance and first aid, so they are able to help anyone who is injured, having mechanical problems or are just lost on the trails, Hull said.

At the moment the bike patrol does not have a set schedule, but when any of its members are on the trails, they wear a red jersey and can contact emergency services if required, he added.

"We know that the trails are used by many members of the community and we want to enhance their experience," he said.

GORBA was originally formed in 1992, when the Grand River Conservation Authority wanted to close trails on its land south of Guelph, but was willing to open land at Guelph Lake for cyclists.

Hull said the GRCA would only open the land if one specific group of cyclists would develop and maintain the trails. Essentially, GORBA was formed to develop the system of trails at the lake.

Part of GORBA's mandate is to ensure that all trails are sustainable and will have minimal environmental impact.

This means that trails will stand up to the demands of day-to-day use, and won't be victim to erosion and run-off water, he said.

There are times when it is necessary to close trails that are not built by GORBA or approved by the GRCA, he said.

"There are some people who believe they have the right to dictate where trails should be," he said.

If a new trail has been cut, he said, a GORBA work crew will close the trail and work to return it to its natural state.

Despite its role as caretaker at Guelph Lake, Hull says that GORBA is really about cycling and helping people become better mountain bikers.

The club offers both youth and adult riding clinics to introduce them to off-road cycling and how to ride safely.

It also has weekly club rides for its members, and will often organize trips to other trails outside of Guelph.

"We give everyone a safe, supportive environment to ride in and we always encourage all of our riders to become (better riders,)" he said.

Hull says the best way to become a better rider is go out riding with cyclists who are more advanced.

"They show you how to do stuff you don't know. But it really comes down to time in the saddle," he said.

Hull says the benefits he feels from mountain biking make his daily life easier.

"What I like best about off-road biking is that when you're on a trail you have to focus on the task at hand for the entire time you're out there," he said.

"At the end of a two-hour ride, you come out with not only a great exercise but a real mental break," he said.

That's something other people will notice, too.

"If there's ever a time when I can't ride for an extended period of time, my wife says that I'm unbearable to be around."

"You come out with not only a great exercise but a real mental break."

- Brad Hull

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	The Keepers of the Trails By Adam Peck Guelph Tribune Photo July 31, 2007 Seven years ago when Brad Hull was looking for people to go trail-riding with, he joined GORBA, the Guelph Off-Road Bicycling Association. Now he is helping the group of mountain biking enthusiasts develop a program to benefit all people that use the trails at Guelph Lake. Hull is one of 11 GORBA members that have formed a bike patrol to assist cyclists or other trail users who may need help on the trails. "The mandate of the bike patrol is to assist, educate and inform other trail users," said Hull. "It's just part of our commitment to the community in Guelph," he continued. The bike patrol was started in 2006, and is sanctioned by the International Mountain Biking Association, an international cycling group that advocates for safe and sustainable mountain biking opportunities. Currently, GORBA's bike patrol is one of only two Canadian bike patrols listed on the association's website. The members of the bike patrol have received special training in trail-side bicycle maintenance and first aid, so they are able to help anyone who is injured, having mechanical problems or are just lost on the trails, Hull said. At the moment the bike patrol does not have a set schedule, but when any of its members are on the trails, they wear a red jersey and can contact emergency services if required, he added. "We know that the trails are used by many members of the community and we want to enhance their experience," he said. GORBA was originally formed in 1992, when the Grand River Conservation Authority wanted to close trails on its land south of Guelph, but was willing to open land at Guelph Lake for cyclists. Hull said the GRCA would only open the land if one specific group of cyclists would develop and maintain the trails. Essentially, GORBA was formed to develop the system of trails at the lake. Part of GORBA's mandate is to ensure that all trails are sustainable and will have minimal environmental impact. This means that trails will stand up to the demands of day-to-day use, and won't be victim to erosion and run-off water, he said. There are times when it is necessary to close trails that are not built by GORBA or approved by the GRCA, he said. "There are some people who believe they have the right to dictate where trails should be," he said. If a new trail has been cut, he said, a GORBA work crew will close the trail and work to return it to its natural state. Despite its role as caretaker at Guelph Lake, Hull says that GORBA is really about cycling and helping people become better mountain bikers. The club offers both youth and adult riding clinics to introduce them to off-road cycling and how to ride safely. It also has weekly club rides for its members, and will often organize trips to other trails outside of Guelph. "We give everyone a safe, supportive environment to ride in and we always encourage all of our riders to become (better riders,)" he said. Hull says the best way to become a better rider is go out riding with cyclists who are more advanced. "They show you how to do stuff you don't know. But it really comes down to time in the saddle," he said. Hull says the benefits he feels from mountain biking make his daily life easier. "What I like best about off-road biking is that when you're on a trail you have to focus on the task at hand for the entire time you're out there," he said. "At the end of a two-hour ride, you come out with not only a great exercise but a real mental break," he said. That's something other people will notice, too. "If there's ever a time when I can't ride for an extended period of time, my wife says that I'm unbearable to be around." "You come out with not only a great exercise but a real mental break." - Brad Hull


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright