Thanks to an early spring the Huncity Mountain Bike Club is getting an early start on its summer plans.
Club president Steve Law said work is already underway on the first of six new trails that the club is adding to the 99 Mile Recreation Area. A team of volunteers led by longtime club member and trail builder Jonathan Visscher is using a rented mini-excavator from Performance All Terrain and Rentals with the goal of completing it and a second trail by the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the other existing 45 kilometres worth of trails including Stormrider, Kraken, Hustle and Flow and Climb and Punishment are now open to ride on. Law noted this early start to the season is unusual for the club.
“Normally we wouldn’t even be riding at 99 Mile for another month but as people are aware we had a very unusual winter so we’re able to start work early this year,” Law said.
To help fund the creation of new trails in March Law and the club asked the District of 100 Mile House for a letter of support and $30,000. Law explained the club plans to use those funds as leverage to secure a grant from the Outdoor Recreation Fund for $25,000.
If they’re able to get the money the club’s plan is to hire a professional trail builder to build some of their planned trails. Law remarked the club always does its best to secure funding wherever it can.
Law said the intake for the grant ends in April and he’ll hopefully know by the summer if they’ll be approved.
Law said that with the snow all melted and the ground largely dry the club is resuming their weekly group rides. Every Wednesday at 6 p.m. the club organizes a ride either at the 108 Mile Ranch or up at the 99 Mile area. Those who join the club are added to a mailing list where they’ll receive further details.
“We’re always looking for members and volunteers. It takes quite a bit of work to maintain these trails and during the building process you need rakers and diggers,” Law remarked. “There’s kind of a handful of key volunteers at 99 Mile. We are always looking for more help.”
Anyone looking to join the club can reach out to the club via their website at huncitymtb.club or email Law at pres@huncitymtb.club. Membership fees are only $25.