Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association – Founding Meeting

As mountain biking grows in popularity so do the pressures associated with regional trail use. The more riders that descend on an area make the sport more visible, which on the whole is ideal. The draw back however that comes with that is greater opposition by those who feel that mountain biking isn’t a beneficial activity, that its presence is detrimental to the environment and that to allow continued access to public land is irresponsible. Trail associations have sprung up everywhere there has been opposition to riding, and B.C.’s Fraser Valley is no exception.Just a short drive from downtown Vancouver, the Fraser Valley is the home to the city’s bedroom communities and the suburban sprawl has extended further and further up the valley floor as the demand for housing has increased. Those who live and ride here have built a trail network on the surrounding hills and mountains that in its own right rivals the nearby “Shore”, and so not surprisingly the Fraser Valley is fast becoming a well-known riding destination. As you travel east from Vancouver the wet and rooty terrain of the Shore’s temperate rainforest yields to a drier climate with more open vegetation. The trails are fast and flow extraordinarily well, permitting the freedom to construct stunts that blend seamlessly into the trail, as evidenced by the Woodlot’s ”Platinum” in Maple Ridge or “Wifebeater” on Vedder Mountain in Chilliwack.

The hills and mountains around the Fraser Valley provide the perfect place for residents to ride, and for the most part conflicts between riders and other recreational users have been minimal. The trails however have come under the scrutiny of various interest groups and government agencies. Their have been issues with trail use on Vedder Mountain and recently the long established trails on Sumas Mountain have been assaulted by the newly formed Fraser Valley Regional District; the trails “Knob Gobbler” and “Sideshow” have both been chainsawed to pieces, including a two foot diameter, forty foot long log that naturally came to rest across a creek long before the trail was established (or the FVRD for that matter). It was employed as a bridge by riders to get to the other side.

Oddly enough ladders and bridges that made sure that riders navigated the sensitive sections on these trails responsibly have been destroyed, though their remains not removed, which begs the question whether or not the FVRD truly understands mountain bike trail impact and construction technique. It also makes one wonder whether the FVRD can effectively manage the forest as a park for public use as it engages in a controlling “tug of war” with local citizens.

Not only would the restriction or even complete removal of access to the Fraser Valley’s riding trails deprive the valley’s citizens - particularly those not old enough to drive elsewhere - of a valuable recreational resource, the economy will suffer loss. If those who travel to the valley and patronize the bike shops, grocery stores, and places of accommodation are forced to go elsewhere then business will undoubtedly see a decline in revenue.

To hopefully put an end to the wrangling the riders who have worked hard to provide these trails have decided to form the Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association in order to put a face and a name to the effort of responsible trail construction, management and use. They would like your help; on Sunday November 16th the founding meeting for the association will be called to order. Attendees will be asked to pledge a yearly membership fee of $10 to cover operating expenses and a board will then be elected.

The FVMBA will advocate its charter and pledge to represent riders and the trails through out the Fraser Valley. If you ride in the Fraser Valley - which includes Bear Mountain, The Woodlot, Sumas Mountain, Vedder Mountain and the Hope area - then you need to attend.

The meeting will be held on November the 16th, 2003 at 4:00 pm in the Agrifair Arena 32470 Haida Drive Exhibition Park in Abbotsford B.C.

For further information, or if you feel you would like to get involved email bgharder@shaw.ca or phone (604)853-4563.