Connecting through cycling
Mountain Bike Trail Builders Pictou County enhancing trails
SCOTSBURN - What if the old saying about ‘crossing the bridge when we come to it’ is about needing a new bridge?
It’s not a riddle the Mountain Bike Trail Builders Pictou County (MBTBPC) have to worry about after recently finishing construction of a new bridge about 10 minutes from the start of the Fitzpatrick Mountain Trails in Scotsburn.
With funding from the provincial government and Municipality of Pictou County, as well as the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia on behalf of the Heartland Bike Tour, the well-constructed bridge is in place.
“From down here, this is really the only access across the brook,” group member Christian Bucher said of the bridge. “We kind of patched up the old one as much as we could.”
Janice Bucher guesstimated the old bridge was around 25 years old. She said it had reached the end of its “useful life.”
“Without this bridge, there is no access to the trails from the Scotsburn Trailhead Park,” she said.
The MBTBPC is a volunteer sub-committee of the Pictou County Trails Association.
They formed approximately a year and a half ago with the primary focus to maintain trails at Fitzpatrick Mountain.
Janice listed a few of the tasks they take on regarding maintenance.
“Replace aging infrastructure, removing downed trees, cutting back overgrown vegetation, repairing and building trails, improving trails for erosion control and water management, and improving signage,” she said.
“Generally, we try to keep the trails in good repair so they can be safely used by all.”
Christian pointed out that Janice is the one who helps the group “navigate” potential funding opportunities. He also pointed out the land they have access to is privately owned.
“We have agreements with the landowners,” he said. “They’re fantastic in their support, allowing us to do that.”
Both Christian and Janice talked about visiting the area as far back as the 1980s.
“We appreciate this being so close to home,” Janice said, referring to Lyons Brook. “It’s probably one of the better trails in the province I would say.”
Christian said he enjoys doing the maintenance piece of it.
“And the exercise piece of it,” he said. “The trail system here extends quite a way. There are so many places you can go … so many beautiful spots. And being able to go out on the bike is a bit of an adventure, it’s just fantastic.”
Thomas Bucher is also a member of the group. He said being on the trails represents an opportunity to get out in nature.
“Hiking or snowshoeing or mountain biking, it’s about pushing yourself physically while also being able to be in nature,” Thomas said.
“This area is nice because it feels like you’re so far away from everything even though you’re not.
“It’s unique and nice to have this so close.”
Mark MacNutt joined the Bucher in praising the trails.
“I just like the biking, hiking, and snowshoeing (opportunities),” MacNutt, who travels to the area from Earltown, Colchester County, said.
The MBTBPC is always on the lookout for more volunteers and even though the name starts with ‘mountain bike,’ you don’t have to ride one to be part of the group.
“Generally, we have trail build days in the spring and fall where we try to work on larger projects,” Janice said.
“We try to post these on social media or if someone contacts us through social media to let us know they are interested, we can add them to our contact list. No experience is necessary, only a willingness to work.”
Christian said even with the latest bridge project complete, there are more coming up.
“A lot of them are rotted,” he said.
“The next bridge is a smaller one on Reindeer Road. We have that prepped and ready to go in the spring. It will just be getting the group together, taking the old one out, and putting the new one in.”
Along with offering thanks to those who provide grants, the generous landowners and fellow volunteers, Christian also wanted to shout out the local businesses who have supported their work.
“Just helping out with pricing and things like that,” he said.
For more on MBTBPC, visit their Facebook page or Instagram account. You can email them at mtb.pictoucounty@gmail.com.