Papa Woods - New Trail Completed in Prince George

"Papa Woods" is the latest project completed by the First Journey Trails crew and many of you have followed the building progress of this intermediate trail on Prince George's Pidherny MTB network here on PinkBike.

In 2010 the PG Cycling Club entered into an agreement with Sites and Trails BC to manage a sanctioned recreation area consisting of 25 dedicated mountain bike trails. The club secured funding to construct two new trails, a two-way XC trail and a downhill/enduro/AM style intermediate trail. The challenge with the downhill trail was to make it ridable for an intermediate rider, but fun and interesting for a more advanced level rider.
The Pidherny Recreation Site is approximately 650 hectares in area, and is located northwest of downtown Prince George, partially within Prince George city limits and partially in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. Access to the site is provided from both Foothills Blvd, to the north, and Pidherny Rd. to the south.

I want to use this opportunity to give a big shout-out to my crew and the many volunteers who came out in support of this project:
Master-builder Gustav Vollmer designed many of the TTF's and was crucial in finding a sweet line. Krow, a Prince Rupert local and trail builder heard my cry for help and travelled 800 kilometres on a Greyhound bus to come and work with us. Josh, Logan, Michael, Dylan all worked hard, packed loam and gravel and hauled tools all day.
Justin, a PG rider volunteered his time, as did many others. The Ruckus crew looked after our bikes and made sure we were adequately hydrated around the campfire at night. Liam Baker, Pidherny Director for the PG Cycling Club has been available at all times for support, questions, concerns and was super efficient in his work as the liaison between the club and the builders. Megan Broswick, scoped out the rough line and helped wherever she could. The biggest surprise for me and my crew was the love the local riders showed us. What a great group of mtb enthusiast you guys are up in the North! Thank you all!

Ripping boards - The game of the day/week/month.
I'm estimating between Gus and I we ripped close to 9,000 board feet of lumber by hand.
During the last hour on the last day, both of our 365 Husky's died on us and we made final
cuts with a small Stihl carving saw.

Camp Life - Home away from home, while working on the trail.
We fell in love with this camp spot high above Prince George. We picked it for
the winds and some bug relief, but weather watching was our nightly entertainment.

Krow showing off a true torture device. We used the portage barrel to haul gravel and loam to berms and
transitions. Backbreaking work but necessary to armour the sandy areas of the trail.

Gateway Stunt - This large bridge gaps a popular ATV/moto trail and is the entrance to the new trail, complete
with a Japanese style roof and a couple of benches to chill.

Wallride Hip.
Gustav and a handfull of PG riders hit the big wallride-to-drop during Saturday's "bropening".

The "Dish". Another one of the 22 stunts on this action packed trail. One stunt every 400 meters... game on!

Step-down drop to dirt step-up hip.

The "Alpenhorn" takes shape. A big roller-coaster inspired by one curved log.

Detail of a TTF construction.

Double Rainbow... Oh my god!

Tom getting the entrance stunt stringers in place.

Liam, Megan and Gustav.
Happy faces, another project completed.

Leaving Prince George - The crew all packed up and ready to hit the next jobs. For me it is back to the Cariboo.
What a crazy time it's been: We cursed the cold, the heat, the sun, the rain, the bugs, the dust. Worked countless 12 hour days. And in the end when you watch the smile on people's faces riding the trail and hitting the stunts it's all worth it. P.G. see you in September for the next project!

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