Trail "blazing" in Val-des-Monts Québec

Speak - Build - Respect - Ride

Imagine 108 acres of rock, trees (elevation 130 m) for families to re-create themselves through outdoor activities and learn about sustainable trailbuilding and ecology. Imagine the words of perennial philosophers and environmental art intermingled with sweet singletrack and mountain bike teaching stations. Imagine a place where every trail bears the IMBA stamp of trail design and construction.

This is the vision my husband and I have been faithfully building since Autumn 2003. We call it our labour of love; love of nature, love of movement, art and philosophy. Construction of a 2,000 square foot A-frame structure is now underway and my company, Creative Wheel Consulting Inc., with its numerous programs (LaRocca XC MTB School being one of them) will relocate fulltime to the land in the spring of 2007.

IMBA has played an inspirational role in my vision making. I was not prepared to encounter such enthusiasm, positive energy and solution oriented individuals when I first met Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner back in the spring of 2002 during their Subaru/IMBA Trail Crew visit. I organized the visit in Ottawa to educate and inspire local land managers as well as the National Capital Commission. Since then, I have been under what I call the mysterious "IMBA Schmidt/Woolner spell" which has inspired much of my work on the land.

Due to the nature of my profession, I had the "RIDE, RESPECT and SPEAK" component of IMBA well rehearsed but what Mark and Lora gave me is the confidence to BUILD. Build not only trails but also a center - a hub in the woods where everything that would radiate from there had a message of respect and gratitude for all that is natural. I believe that mountain biking and outdoor sports is the best form of therapy. I like to think I am building my little church in the middle of the woods and that IMBA's Trail Solutions book is my bible, somewhat symbolic of the Life Solutions book I still dream of writing one day.

Since the 2002 Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visit, IMBA's Rules of the Trails and key trailbuilding concepts have become an integral part of the mountain bike summer camp experience and any hiking/biking related activities. LaRocca XC Mountain Bike School, the largest in Eastern Canada, teaches and inspires 500 kids/teens/women per year to embrace IMBA and I am so excited to now have my own center to showcase IMBA's work across Canada.

It is so exciting to hear my kids say: "Can we go trailbuilding now?" Whether it is picking up garbage on the trail, envisioning new lines, armouring sections, or digging water escapes, the kids eat it up.

What follows are 10 key points to remember when creating outdoor programs which include trailbuilding:

1. Follow the KISS Principle: Keep It Simple Stupid! Present the key elements of sustainable trailbuilding and go from there. Don't overwhelm your students by forgetting how long it took you to have these key elements become second nature.
2. Don't underestimate the mind of a child. I am always amazed at how kids and teens grasp the IMBA concepts quickly.
3. Mistakes done while trailbuilding are OK and often become the prerequisite to better workmanship and leadership down the trail.
4. When working with kids and teens, have the young kids ride sections of trail as the older ones work on the trail. To witness children and teenagers work together on a trail remains the highlight of my summers.
5. Respect shamanic time. Linear timeline in trailbuilding will only frustrate you. A trail is never complete. Accept that fact and smile. Know when to quit!
6. If you have a co-ed group, you may want to separate a women's group and a men's group. The synergy created by dividing the genders has often created better results.
7. Make sure to bring some great food and beverages along the way. Trailbuilding is a calorie burner and "mini-breaks" with awesome food is what keeps a crew motivated. Building a fire for lunch time or bringing a BBQ is always a big plus!
8. Don't cancel a trailbuilding day because of rain. Torrential downpours are another thing but cloudy days with intermittent showers are often the best days to trailbuild in the summer. Roots are also easier to "Pulaski" out of wet terrain.
9. Always bring bug spray, garbage bags (there is always litter to be found) and a watch to keep track of time. It is so easy to forget time when trailbuilding and your body will make sure to point out to you that you did too much too soon!!! Respect the gradual process involved to reduce injuries.
10. Teach your kids and teens good work habits right from the start. Have them sign in and out the tools they take to increase the sense of responsibility and prevent tools forgotten in the woods.

Dominique Larocque is a Gestalt Therapist/Shamanic Practionner residing in Ottawa, Ontario and presently completing her Master's Degree in Sport Psychology. She first started riding a mountain bike back in 1984 and would use it to hunt small game in Northern Ontario. She represented Canada at the 2nd World MTB Championship in Lucca, Italy. Has since then captured the National Title in 1997 in Inline Skating and won many medals in marathon speedskating. She can be congratulated for building the bridge between IMBA Canada and the National Capital Commission. Dominique and her husband Steve are Ottawa's IMBA Canada Representatives and work closely with Mark and Lora in creating a strong Canadian IMBA office.

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