Williams Lake mountain bike trail systems expanding
| Human interest |
By LeRae Haynes
Thanks to a focused group effort by local enthusiasts, a second section of mountain bike trails have been mapped, and certified.
This project offers a unique opportunity for volunteers looking for an outdoor experience that will help promote the unique, exciting sport of mountain biking in the area.
The Williams Lake Cycling Club and the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium have been working with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to get the Williams Lake bike trail systems legalized. The first one that reached that status was Fox Mountain, with trails that are signed, mapped and protected.
The same process is in place for the Williams Lake Westsyde Trail Network, an area bordered on three sides by the Fraser River, Bell-e-Acres Golf and the River Valley. Work is progressing on the âSnakes and Laddersâ trail, according to Thomas Schoen from First Journey Consulting, who is coordinator for the new Regional Signature MTB (mountain biking) trail.Â
âMost of the trails are in place and legalized. We applied for funding from a variety of sources, have developed maps and have had many stakeholder meetings, and collected input,â he said.
âWe got funding early this year to develop the âSnakes and Laddersâ trail. Part of the project is rebuilding a section of an old trail and adding a brand new section.â Â
He said that they have received money for wages and material for the project and have a crew hired for the summer. âThis will attract a lot of people to Williams Lakeâmovie makers, mountain bikers, high-profile athletes. They will come to experience our trails.
âOur goal is to raise the economic impact of mountain biking as a result of this project.
âOne of the challenges weâre facing right now is that the money we got to build the trail is not quite enough to complete it,â he explained. âThe Bike Club is contributing by building a section of the trail, but what we really need is volunteers.â
Tom said that you do not have to be a mountain biker to be part of this awesome project. âWe need strong people who like the outdoors and who can help pack lumber to the area where weâre building,â he explained. He added that he is organizing a volunteer raffle sponsored by Red Shred's and First Journey Consulting.
âWe purchased a brand new MTB (value $2,600) as our raffle prize. Volunteers working three days will get a chance to win the bike. For every additional three days of work you'll get entered into the draw again,â he continued. âVolunteers eligible for the raffle need to be 19 or older and the draw will be held during our Grand Opening in August.â
For more information about the raffle, including how to sign up as a volunteer, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and to find out more about the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium and the Williams Lake Cycling Club, including upcoming events like âPeddle by the Puddleâ visit ridethecariboo.ca Â
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