Taming Thomson.............right

I've had the opportunity to ride with some interesting people, discover the varying aspects of what cycling means to them, and even toss in a contribution of my own to the cycling community here and there. The last few months I've jumped head first into making trail modifications at Thomson Trails, and hopefully it will leave a lasting mark on the mountain biking community in these parts. Not the chest pounding, "love-me" wall, neanderthal grunt hey-look-at-me aspect some desire. Far from it. Simply..........a quiet way of paying back those who I enjoy spending time riding with by making the trail more enjoyable for all. A trail that doesn't erode, or needs to be maintained. Hey, I may be on to something here.

There are some trails that people just hate to ride, and there are people who hate to ride any other trail but one. Thomson is exactly that. Hated by some, loved by others. I too like to tempt fate sometimes and ride beyond my wisdom. Hell, some people can take the brakes loose and never have a problem. Those folks are getting paid, and they don't ride the local trails.

This past weekend was one for the record books. I'm not sure what brought everyone out to help with the trail maintenance/re-routing plans, but damn it was outstanding to see some familiar faces and some new ones as well. I think close to 14 folks showed up, and some drove a long way, like Bruce, just to help out. Big THANKS!! to all who put some sweat equity into the local trail! Recently, I'd walked out several possibilities for re-directing the area at what the locals call "Dan's Bastard", and I met Mark D at Thomson one afternoon to walk them out and see what he liked. It was cool to find that Mark was fired up about the re-route like I was and we marked out some very nice single track. And, I must give credit to Don Bill for showing me several of the spots that needed immediate attention a long while back. Hopefully, he and Angie will get a chance sooner than later of riding the trail in its new form. It flows nicely, IMHO, in each area that has been re-routed. But it is still an animal. These areas will not need attention like some areas of the trail..................and those areas will see the blade soon enough.

While I'm giving credit, let me say something about the peanut gallery. As thankful as I was for having more help than I could have imagined, I was more thankful for the thick skin I've built up over the years. When a person who is helping build new trail complains that we are "dumbing down the trail" (make that 3 people), its difficult to smile and hold your tongue. But life is like a box of chocolates, you can throw away the chocolate covered cherry ones after your done getting what you want from them. Dean Thornton said it best, "If they think we're dumbing down the trail, tell them to un-hook the brakes and ride it. Then we'll see."

Amen Deano. Amen.