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Video: The Trail-Building Journey of Max McCulloch in Cumberland in 'Life of a Trail'

May 21, 2024
by Rossignol Bikes  

Cumberland hosts one of the most vibrant trail networks on Vancouver Island, but a network of that size comes with a lot of effort. “Life of a Trail” showcases Max McCulloch's journey to revitalize a section on one of the most popular trails in the area - Vanilla. With support from Rossignol and UROC, Max embarks on a mission to reshape the trail after recent logging activities. Through 20+ build days and 100+ hours of labor, Max and his team transform the section into something they hope will last for years to come.

However, Max soon realizes that trail maintenance is an ongoing endeavor, compounded by factors like climate change and heavy usage. This realization underscores the importance of supporting local trail organizations and building efforts within the community.

Aligned with Rossignol's Respect Program, which prioritizes environmental conservation, the project allocates a portion of its budget to UROC. As a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for mountain biking, UROC plays a crucial role in trail maintenance, event hosting, and youth engagement, ensuring the sustainability of trails like Vanilla for future generations.

Produced by: Max McCulloch
Cinematography: Liam Morgan & Max McCulloch
Orginal Vanilla Builders: Mario Fehrenberg & Scott Stansburry
Building assistance: Liam Morgan & Merin Pearce
Special thanks to UROC (United Rider Of Cumberland): Dougal Browne & Alex Clynes


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Cumberland trail network

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28 Comments
  • 9 0
 Comment on the video: Thanks for your hard work to recoup a flattened trail! Love it.

Comment on the copy: Isn't "logging activities" redundant? Can we just call it "logging?" Some context: right now I'm doing procrastinating activities before breakfast activities and then I'll go to work activities.
  • 2 0
 site analysis, actual sawing of logs, slash pile burning, forest remediation steps all consist of logging activities. surprised this logger was not required to restore the trail, assume it was not a sanctioned trail or something
  • 7 0
 @ace9: Logging companies have the power here on the Island, they are not using our land, we are "allowed" to operate on their land.
  • 2 0
 @Bomadics: werd
  • 4 0
 @ace9: The video clearly states the trails are sanctioned and that there are a number of different land owners with different end use goals for the land. Logging is one of them. And the company doing the logging went out of their way to not touch the trail.
  • 1 0
 @ace9: There are lots of individual activities captured in the umbrella term "logging." Similarly, there are lots of individual activities captured in the umbrella term "breakfast," i.e. cracking eggs, grinding coffee, setting the toaster, etc. Those activities are all happily summarized in the single word "breakfast."
  • 1 0
 @ace9: It's the same in the US.
  • 2 0
 @dadof4: ok thanks dad
  • 1 0
 @pmhobson: across all jurisdictions, i dont think so
  • 3 0
 @ace9: Weyerhaeuser, Stimson, Greenwood, Hood River County, ODF, WA DNR, and USFS all rely on volunteers to rebuild trails after they are logged, based on my experience in the NW Oregon and SW Washington.
  • 1 0
 @ace9: lol
  • 8 0
 I was pleasantly surprised when this turned out to be a trail maintenance piece rather than yet another trail build from scratch. There has been a building boom in my area since the beginning of the decade with sections of local forest being massively overrun with questionably planned and executed builds while once amazing trails are left to languish. The Mtb world definitely needs more well presented reminders like this to preserve and improve the great trails we have. Brilliant vid!
  • 3 1
 Out of curiosity, have you done any work to maintain said trails?
  • 2 0
 @JamesOliver: I have. When I am home (10-ish days out of the month) I spend at least one day per month (often two in the spring) doing trail maintenance consisting mostly of clearing downed trees and fixing erosion damage. The progress made in battery powered chainsaws has been a huge help! I travel quite a bit for work and when my schedule lines up with a work day at a trail system I happen to be near I go get me some fitness swinging a shovel or mcleod. No dig-no ride
  • 3 0
 Great clip showcasing what it takes to maintain a trail. People never know the work that goes on under that skiff of dirt. The 5m section of trail that takes 2-3hrs to build and you fly through it in a millisecond. Can't wait to check this out on my next trip over to the island.
  • 6 0
 Good job Max! Your hard work is apreciated.
  • 2 0
 When I rode Cumberland last year I was struck by how the trails that go from being in the woods, to put in an open cut-block, and back again must be a challenge to maintain. It was obvious that the sections in cut-blocks must be way harder to keep up - they dry up and blow out waaay faster. Forest sections would be hero dirt and cut block sections would be moon dust, on the same trail.
  • 2 0
 That was a great video! Really cool story about how the trail has been changed over the years, as well as the backstory about the dialogue with the logging co. We just rode Vanilla with our 7 year old daughter last weekend, so your timing of publishing couldn’t have been better. Nice work!
  • 3 0
 Nice work. However, I was under the impression that you weren't allowed to ride anything but a Forbidden with Nobl wheels... go figure.
  • 1 0
 video was sponsored by Nobl?
  • 3 0
 Clear cuts are so hard on trails. Our biggest issue in the PNW is weed overgrowth and excessive moisture in the winter. You don't have any trees to soak up all the water.
  • 3 0
 It's crazy how drastically the soil degrades following a clear cut :/

Decent dirt becomes peanut butter in the winter and then nearly straight to dust after the rain stops.
  • 1 0
 Cumberland’s become a second home for us last few years, I’ve really enjoyed exploring the trails during one or two trips a year. The climbing trail is awesome and my Son really liked Vanilla this Spring Break. Looking forward to giving the recently updated Sphagnum P.I. a look later this Summer too.
  • 2 0
 The new spagnum PI is also amazing....another great contribution to the growing network. Thanks to all!
  • 1 0
 I misread the title as Cumbernauld and then flicked through the pics thinking "this doesn't look like the Cumbernauld that I've been to before" (its a desolate wasteland outside Glasgow).
  • 3 0
 more people to step up and help with the trails.
  • 2 0
 JayDawg, as a rider of the trails you create and maintain, I want to shout out to the great work you do, my man. You are a real one!
  • 1 0
 Nice work Max! Inspiring style as always!







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