From the Ashes: Okanagan Valley

In the Okanagan valley, on a north-facing slope just south of the City of Kelowna resides one of BC's many hidden trail network gems. The Gillard riding area (named so in reference to the resource road used to access the area) has weathered fire, windstorm, industry trends and most recently the threat of trail decommissioning.


The forested area in which the current trail network is located has been utilized for mountain biking since nearly the dawn of the sport. As early as the 80's local kids would ride down the many skid roads in the area left behind by logging. In the 90's and numerous trails were opened among the rock cliffs and mature pine forest. The advent of stunted “Freeride” mountain biking had a huge impact on the most prolific generation of Gillard builders and subsequently, in the early 2000's the area became home to possibly the largest collection of trail structures outside of the North Shore. This led to Gillard making appearances in numerous mountain bike videos of the era and sparked the careers of a handful of locals who turned professional. The network's reputation made it a “must ride” destination for anyone visiting the interior of BC for mountain biking. This meteoric rise came to a fiery end in 2003 when the Okanagan Mountain fire that blazed across the south slopes of the City of Kelowna, threatening numerous housing developments, burned the majority of the network and its extensive collection of stunts to the ground. Prior to the fire a new generation of riders had migrated to the area from throughout Canada. With a number the original trail builders having moved on from mountain biking it fell on the shoulders of this new generation to rebuild the trails. For many, these trails were the reason they had moved to Kelowna in the first place. Rebuild they did, in a short period of time the network rose from the ashes. Stunts were rebuilt, trails were re-opened and new ones were developed.


Nature wasn't done with Gillard, the 2003 fire was just the first hurdle the network would have to overcome. In 2007, only five short years after the fire, a large windstorm decimated the area. The large number of standing dead trees left from the fire fell like dominoes, taking with them the rebuilt stunts and littering the re-opened trails. Once again, a local community of builders banded together and got to work. Logs were removed, trails were raked, stunts were rebuilt. This second rebuild came at a time when the industry was at a crossroads, bikes were getting lighter, trails were becoming better designed and a smoother, faster style of aggressive riding was becoming more popular. This influenced some of the second reconstruction. Gillard morphed into a better built and more diverse trail network. With the network once again rebuilt, some forward-thinking members of the community came forward with the idea of securing legal status for the trials. They envisioned a sanctioned trail network with proper facilities, appropriate funding and a promising future. A mountain bike club was formed and the foundation for the future was laid. The trails and tribulations of volunteer associations are vast and sometimes insurmountable. The organization, named Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan (MTBco) as they wished to see legal trails throughout the region, went through the growing pains of all trail advocacy groups. While paperwork was filed to secure the network there were unforeseen complications and a lack of support at various levels of government. Their vision, however, did not die, it simply went into hibernation.


Two and a half years ago, in the spring of 2014, the trails were once again threatened – this time not by nature but with possible decommissioning. Trespass notices were placed upon some of the more recently constructed features. MTBco stepped forward, a call to action was made for the community to once again band together. This time, it wasn't a call to rebuild but one to support a renewed initiative to legalize the network in order to ensure it would be there for yet another generation of rider to enjoy. The club had spent the past couple of years ensuring it was financially solvent, developing strong relationships with local government, and increasing its presence within the local riding community. These important steps ensured that with a groundswell of community support from the potential decommissioning of the network the likelihood of legalization this time around would almost be certain to succeed. A new application for formalized status of the network was submitted and the process of legalization began again.

This brings us to the present, MTBco is proud to announce to the worldwide mountain bike community that we are entering into 2017 having signed a partnership agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC for the management of the Gillard Trail Network. Now that we have secured a signed partnership agreement with the province, our first step is the development an approved work plan. Under the agreement network safety will take first priority. Initial works will include the installation of signage, the removal of unsafe stunts and a reduction in the number of points where trails intersect the road. In addition, plans for years one and two include the development of formal parking areas and installation of other trailhead infrastructure and facilities. Long term goals are numerous but key aspects of the proposed build-out are the development of climbing trails, the creation of a BC Cup level race course and construction of intermediate and beginner flow trails to meet the needs of the regional cycling community. MTBco is enthusiastic to be working with the province and we look forward to involving the entire local mountain bike community in creating what we hope will become the premier regional trail network for gravity oriented mountain biking.

The MTBco board of directors would like to thank all of our community supporters and acknowledge our past directors and the local trail builders who laid the foundation for this momentous undertaking. The mountain bike community owes you a pat on the back and a cold beer. You can keep up with the club online through various means, we encourage you to do so. If you live in the region and want to help out we will be hosting an increasing number of clean-up days, trail work days and group rides going forward so keep your eyes and ears open.

Cheers,

Jay Darby, President, MTBco

Visit MTBco.ca to grab a membership, make a donation or find out more about the club!

Like MTBco on Facebook to keep up with events and news!

Follow mtbcentralokanagan on Instagram to see photos or trail days and group rides - Don't forget to tag #mtbcentralokanagan if you post photos!

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