Getting involved in trail chores 

You have been riding bike trails for several years now. You enjoy it, you have fun every time you ride. The networks you use are impeccable! With friends, alone, as a couple, you ride quality mountain bike trails, season after season, it's so satisfying. But what about your involvement once the season is over? 

The trails you use are, more often than not, build by volunteers. Mountain bike enthusiasts, just like you.

Volunteering your time for trail upkeep is a must! The reason is simple: getting involved in trail chores allows for efficient maintenance of the trails, as well as developing the network and ensuring its quality and safety. Besides, it is an excellent way to give back to the community and to develop the mountain biking culture in Quebec.

The chores are usually done in the spring and fall. The spring chores prepare the trails, a bit like a spring cleaning; the late fall ones allow to prepare the ground for winter and close the season. In the meantime, maintenance is also done to maintain the trails in good condition.

Tasks and tools

Trail maintenance and development is a manual task that can be physically demanding. There are several tools - readily available at home improvement centers - that will help you accomplish the five main tasks. You will need round or pointed shovels, picks, garden and leaf rakes, crowbars, handsaws and pruning shears. Several other more specialized tools will be used when necessary.

The trail builder’s 5 main tasks

1. Cut back vegetation  
2. Cut and move fallen trees (saw)  
3. Take out moving rocks (crowbar)  
4. Analyse and cut cumbersome roots 
5. Check irrigation