LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 33 Branch Community Trails in Keene, Wheelerville Trails in Caroga Lake, Adirondack Rail Trail in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, and bike skills parks in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. With additional funding from grants, members, and private donors, trail organizations can hire profes- sional trail builders. These highly skilled people bring improved construction techniques with an incredible ability to make trails that are fun to ride (and walk and run) for a wide range of abilities. They also bring earth-moving equipment in the form of mini-exca- vators and powered carts for moving soil, rocks, and other materials. The higher the skill level, the more these builders can blend the trail into the natural landscape. I'll never forget watching Luke Peduzzi of Peduzzi Trails working on the first construction phase at East Branch in Keene. With the bucket of his mini excavator, he gently peeled back the top layer of soil. He then rolled it into a mat, careful not to destroy the delicate vegetation. After shaping and grading that trail's surface, he unrolled the mat alongside. In doing so, he left behind a trail that looked like it had been there for years rather than a day. Even when they're fortunate enough to hire pro- fessional builders, organizations like BETA, AFTA, UHTA, and others will always depend on passionate volunteers. It takes an incredible amount of labor to build and maintain high-quality trails. These trails are not just fun to ride (or walk or run); they're also much more sustainable. Compared to old-school "rake-and- ride" trails, professionally built trails typically require less future maintenance. These trails often also ele- vate the quality of other trails in the region as organi- zations strive to bring existing trails up to that higher standard. A perfect example is the extensive work underway at Craig Wood in Lake Placid. These much- loved trails are receiving a facelift from a combination of professional builders, BETA's professional Trail Crew, and passionate volunteers. I should back up momentarily and say that my day job is "mountain biking." My career as a coach takes me all over the country to work with competitive athletes and recreational riders alike. Regardless of how many bucket-list places I get to ride, my favorite trails are still here in the Adirondacks. Our trails aren't good simply because they exist. They're world-class. They stand out with a unique character. These trails create an experience. Last summer, I was riding with a friend in a nearby state, and he said, "You know, this trail could be literally anywhere. It doesn't have any connection to the landscape." He was referring to a machine-built trail where the builder was simply too heavy-handed. They hadn't maintained any of the character from the land the trail was built upon. In contrast, when you're riding in the Adirondacks, you know you're in the Adirondacks. Rather than simply Photo Credit: Eric Teed

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