Rok'on HMBA!

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association recently acquired a new essential tool to help with year-round maintenance of the Hinton Bike Park and trail systems.  The Rokon Trail-Breaker is a powerful yet versatile multi-terrain vehicle that will allow our trail maintenance volunteers to access all our trails.  It can also be used during the winter and has proven to be an awesome trail-grooming tool on it's own!

Expect to see HMBA's grooming volunteers on both the Rokon and the winter sled out grooming many of our trails this winter!

Rok'on HMBA!

A New Rock Band

Amp test

Exciting news

The Happy Creek Trail system has a new addition in the form of a short but sweet 0.6 km technical downhill trail option. Similar to "Fast Trax", this trail is located along the Bighorn Trail (town connector) and deposits onto Happy Creek East.  This is an advanced trail, walk before you ride!

How it Started

"Rock Band" started as a mapping day-dream, with layers derived through GIS to spot a clearly elevated band of bedrock. Once in the field, some of the rock was exposed with protruding ledges and faces with features that a few riders commented would make for some gnarly drops. Rock Band is designed as an advanced trail that can be rocked or rolled, depending on the amps you're cranking!  Thrash it or groove it, whatever way you choose it, just don't blow your speakers!!

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Making it official!

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The band at work

Can't have a Band without Rock Stars!

The trail will evolve as it is ridden with new lines and potential, so watch for changing conditions and additional work. Big thanks to a solid crew of builders led by Rock Star Mike Langford who did the bulk of layout and building!

Shrek's Swamp

The last 40m of Rock Band, before connecting to Happy Creek Trail, challenged (and keeps challenging) our rockin' crew.  A wet area made very wet during the last few months with many frequent rain events amped up the band's efforts in finding a sustainable solution.   The final phase is 'slated' to be completed by the end of September if the weather finally cooperates!

Choosing Your Next Beat

Once onto Happy Creek (East), you can choose a longer ride (left) or continue the descent back to the town trail (right).   

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Rock Band is a black diamond trail that descend from Bighorn Trail to Happy Creek East.

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Rockin`Start

Rockin' Drop

HMBA Trails Signed

After two years of inventory and planning, map signage at the Hinton Bike Park and on the Happy Creek System trails have been refreshed!  This important project had many phases, including:

• GPSing existing and new locations (usually major intersections),
• fine tuning our trails database,
• acquiring more recent background imagery (2014),
• putting the maps together (digitally) - over 100hrs volunteer time!
• working with local printer (a1 Signs) to get signs created,
• gluing directional signage onto plywood (Thank you RBC!),
• putting up the signs where they need to go and trying not to forget the "You Are Here" dots! - over 30 hours of volunteer time.

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All our awesome signs!

In total, over 200 volunteers hours and community support via donations made to HMBA have made this project possible. 

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RBC Vollunteers

Six staff members from Hinton's RBC Branch came out on June 8th to volunteer their time.  They helped with staining and gluing at the Hinton Bike Park.

The final phase: getting the signs out there

A special thanks to all the volunteers who have helped getting the signs out on the trails!

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Julie Duval

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Gabrielle Duval

Bill Heir

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Maureen Harper

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Tim Trahan

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Jeff Morris

Thank you Bike Boy!

The handy bike trailer has seen a lot of mileage in June!  A special thank you to Bike Boy who had donated the trailer to HMBA over 5 years ago.   

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The sign caddy!

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Going up!

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An up!

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Great travels under summer sunshine

Ride Dirt Not Mud

Just a reminder to all our bike park and trail users!   Please don't ride when conditions are unfavorable. 

Thank you!!

Spring Cleaning

Work Bees

With the warm spring weather quickly drying up our biking playgrounds, a few work bees have been put in motion starting this Tuesday April 12th, from 5:30pm until dusk.  The work bee will continue on Wednesday and Thursday as well.   So if you have some time to spare this week, come on out to the Hinton Bike Park, pick up a broom or a rake and lend a hand!  There will be lots of different tasks.

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No matter how small...

Tree Falling

On Tuesday, April 12, Wade Forester will be falling dangerous trees at the Hinton Bike Park. Please either avoid the Park or give a lot of distance for Wade to work. Big thanks in advance to Wade and his skilled labour volunteer hours!

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Flagged tree for falling.

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Photo credit: S.Pelley, HMBA facebook group.   Local member contributing many volly hours on our trails!

Spring Vollies

THANKS!!! to all the volunteers who have worked hard this past week picking garbage off trails, clearing deadfall and getting the other Hinton area trails ready for riding.

HMBA Trails 101

In an effort to manage an inventory of sustainable trails in our area, HMBA has outlined some key steps that are needed before new trails, or re-routes to existing trails, are built.  There is also concern that, although more trails would be super cool to add to our existing trail systems, they do increase the amount of trails HMBA's volunteers have to maintain!!

If enthusiastic trail builders would like to build an authorized trail:

1. The idea needs to be presented at an HMBA board meeting.  Contact us at info@bikehinton.com to find out when the next meeting will occur.   Trail suggestions/ideas are compared against the existing Trail Master Plan and approved by the HMBA Board.
2. If accepted, HMBA will help the builders apply for a TFA (Temporary Field Authorization) with the Alberta Government on the condition that the builders agree to provide maintenance on the trail in the future. 
3. Any trail within the Town of Hinton town boundary also requires approval.
4. For re-routes, previous areas have to be reclaimed, blocked off and returned to it's natural state.
5. HMBA has various tools that can be loaned out to members for approved trail building initiatives.

These steps ensure that renegade building does not become a liability for HMBA and that the responsibility for maintenance does not fall back on HMBA to expend resources and energy on a potentially poorly built trail. We are aware that certain illegal trails have been grandfathered in the HMBA systems but moving forward, there is a process in place that will be followed.  In extreme cases, renegade building may be reported to the ESRD and the Town of Hinton.

Update on Jack's

Last November, students and instructors from the NAIT Forest Technology Program began a harvest project around the Jack’s Trail System, specifically Christine’s Cutline Cruise and Dan’s Deadly Downhill. They had contacted HMBA as part of the formal notification process for groups/interests in the area, a process managed by the Province to minimize conflicts on the land base.

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The NAIT project is clearly visible from .Christine's Cutline Cruise".  They did a great job of removing debris from the trail. It's a little wet but good overall (see header photo)

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Note the harvest block (yellow) indicated on the above map. Even though the project occured over winter, trails were buffered up to 30 meters and caution signage was placed. NAIT will also inspect trails for any unlikely debris.

Did you know that the NAIT Forestry Program performs a “Cache Percott–Give Back”? Upon completion of their field camps, 30 students cleaned-up around the Cache Percott Forest, removing general garbage i.e. dumped couches, washing machines, garden detritus, household garbage etc.   AWESOME!!, thanks NAIT!

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BIG THANKS! to whoever cut all the downed trees over winter. There's a few new ones down but overall Jack's is riding great and surprisingly dry.

Great winter riding conditions!

The groomed winter trails continue to be in great riding condition! Get out and get active! 

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Winter signage has been posted up on our winter trails.  There are even a few extra trails that have been broken-in with fat bikes to create fun alternatives until the next big snowfall!  Vigilante and Happy Creek can be included in your fun winter adventures.

Check out our Winter Trails page for more information about winter trail grooming and a winter trail map.

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Year round biking and recreation

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) will be grooming select trails in the Hinton area (West of Happy Creek) for non-motorized activities such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, bicycling, hiking, dog walking and trail running.

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A specialized groomer, the same type used by nordic centres, is towed behind a small snowmobile .  The groomer is 30 inches (76 cm) wide, ideal for creating winter trails for our non-motorized recreationalists.  

Grooming is a slow process, the snowmobile runs approximately 5 kms/hr towing the groomer as it rolls and packs the trail down.  

Once groomed, it will take a few hours to harden before it is ready for use.  Grooming will be done mostly at night when there are less trail users.  This will give a better chance for the snow on the trail to set.

Visit our Winter Trails page for more info and the latest groomer report!

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Winter Grooming is 100% run by HMBA Volunteers!!

SUPPORT HMBA - BECOME A MEMBER!

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LIST OF TRAILS THAT WILL BE GROOMED

• Just Get There

• The J

• EZ

• Ranger

• GS

• Halloween

• Halloween Connector

• Cleo's

 

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Signage that will be posted on the winter trails. Click to enlarge.

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Map showing trails that will be groomed over the winter. Click on image to enlarge

Happy Creek Project Completed!

A year ago in September, the Hinton Mountain Bike Association was awarded $30,000 from Hinton's 2014 Participatory Budget.  The grant was used to revitalize Hinton's amazing signature trail, Happy Creek, which needed some major work done on two large sections of boardwalks.  This project not only benefited mountain bikers, but runners, walkers, hikers, and visitors alike! 

Hoots Inc. was contracted for this project.  Crews were onsite by mid-August and by early September, the work was done!  The construction was done with sustainability in mind with the goal of durability and longer lifespan.

For those familiar with Happy Creek Trail - this new upgrade will be well received! 

Thank you to all trail users in the weeks during construction.  Your patience and understanding were appreciated!

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Before...

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Rebuilding, 1st phase

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Rebuilding, 2nd phase

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After!  Boardwalk 1 

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After!  Boardwalk 2

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Boardwalk repair area indicated in green.  (2011 map)

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This project supported by:

Happy Creek Trail Project: September 1st

Happy Creek Project update: boardwalks should be done by the end of Tuesday or Wednesday this week (September 1st or 2nd). The load of lumber in the photo shows you just how much was needed!

Happy Creek Trail Project - August 26th

Happy Creek Trail Project progress.  Posted by Jay Hoots on facebook, August 26, 2015.

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August 26, 2015

Pictures from earlier dates:

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May 18, 2015

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August 19, 2015

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August 25, 2015

Happy Creek Trail Project - August 25th

Happy Creek Trail Project progress.  Posted by Jay Hoots on facebook, August 25, 2015.

NOTICE: Happy Creek Boardwalk Repair Underway

Notice to All Trail Users in the Happy Creek Trail System

Please be advised that a section on the East side of the Happy Creek Trail is undergoing trail construction until approximately September 4th, 2015.   Progress reports will be posted on our website (www.bikehinton.com) and on facebook.  During this time, we ask that all trail users enjoy alternate routes on our trail systems and avoid passing through the construction zone, as that may cause more harm (i.e. trail widening and/or work interruptions).  Thank you for your understanding and patience!!

Trail Under Construction

Jay Hoots and crew are working on the Happy Creek Trail boardwalk repair - a 2014 Hinton Participatory Budget project.  See green markings on the map below for area affected by this work.  The trail section is found on Happy Creek Trail - East side, just past the Fast Trax intersection when going South.  There are two long sections of boardwalk that have deteriorated beyond repair over the years and will be replaced with a new structure.  The crew will be accessing the site via motorized quad/bike - but have taken precautions to minimize their impact.  A lot of lumber and materials need to go in and out of the site.

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Boardwalk repair area indicated in green.  (2011 map)

Background

Last September, the Hinton Mountain Bike Association had submitted a proposal for Hinton's Participatory Budget.  Hinton's amazing signature trail, Happy Creek, needed some major work done on all the bridges and wood features. This is not just a project that will benefit the mountain bikers, but it will benefit runners, walkers, hikers, and visitors who enjoy using this great trail!  In October, Hinton residents decided to award $30,000 towards the Happy Creek project!  

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This caution sign was posted at both ends of the boardwalks to advise all recreational users during the summer of 2015.

Photo credit: Sarah Burns taken in Fall 2014.

Feedback

If you have any questions, comments or even great feedback about this project, please contact us via email at info@bikehinton.com

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This project supported by:

Bike Park Prep and More

This week, work is being done by Jay Hoots & crew at the Hinton Bike Park and on Happy Creek Trail East (boardwalk sections).  As work progresses throughout the week, you may see piles of dirt or flagging tape in some areas.  These sites will be temporarily closed until maintenance is complete - so we thank you for your continued patience throughout this important work!

If venturing out on or near Happy Creek Trail, you may hear a moto bike nearby.  Please rest assured that this moto bike is setup to leave as minimal a disturbance as possible and is used to help transport material in and out of the area.  As you can imagine, the two boardwalks add up to a lot of lumber!  This particular project is funded by the Hinton Participatory Budget in the amount of $30,000 which HMBA was awarded in Fall of 2014.   Thank you Hinton!!!

New Re-route on Gulley Trail

On August 8, 2015, the IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew (aka Justin Truelove) came out to teach us trail building techniques on how to build and maintain our trails.  The first day consisted of a 3-hour classroom session followed by an afternoon of putting our skills to work!  The builders-in-training tackled a trail re-route on Gully Trail where it joins with the North access to Stinger, within the Hinton Bike Park.  The re-route allows better flow and easier access to Stinger.

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Justin and Kevin selected a site for the re-route and flagged the new proposed trail.

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14 HMBA members attended the full day of training.

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New trail built and old trail section reclaimed!

IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew Coming to Hinton August 8th

The IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew is coming to Hinton on August 8th and 9th!!   This is a great opportunity for ALL trail users to contribute to our awesome local trails. Learn about trail building and maintenance techniques to help sustain our trails for all to enjoy for years to come! 

Directed by the Canadian office of the international Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and sponsored by Parks Canada, the IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew travels across the country in a Subaru Outback, giving workshops to IMBA-affiliate clubs, Parks Canada sites, and other land managers. The two-person team of professional trail builders educates Canadians on how to build and maintain sustainable trails, manage volunteers, and develop trails as community resources.

The IMBA Trail Building School is a half-day of classroom education followed by several hours of building new trail, rerouting and reclaiming old trail or adding new features to an existing trail. The goal of a TCC visit is education, not to build as much trail as possible. And remember: Sustainable trails don't mean sanitized trails!

Is the Trail Care Crew program only for mountain bikers and cycling clubs? No! The principals of sustainable trail design apply to all trails and all trail users, no matter if you are a hiker, a trail runner, or a mountain biker. We invite all members of the community to our events to learn something new, and meet fellow members of the trail
community!

Half-day classroom session on August 8th, 9:00 am to 12:00pm at the People's Center at the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre.

Other locations and times to be determined - stay tuned!!

You must pre-register for this training:

Inventory of Directional Trail Maps

HMBA needs your assistance!!

Our 1ft x 1ft directional trail signs (see images below) are out of date and need to be updated/replaced.  However, we need to know how many are out there, or need to be out there - and WHERE they are.  YOU can help by participating in a member-sourced inventory.  Using your smartphones and linking to this form via your web browser (with GPS enabled), enter the info at the location of existing directional signs - or at locations where you think there should really be one! Unfortunately, we cannot put them everywhere ($$), so select the most optimal locations. THANK YOU!!

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Bike Park and Happy Creek Trails are priorities at this time.

About the form

Note: please click on the 'get GPS location' button a few times until the accuracy is within 5-10m.  Thanks!!

Alberta Junior Forest Rangers Helped With Repairs on Happy Creek Trail

On a Saturday, May 30th, HMBA once again welcomed the Alberta Junior Forest Rangers!  Together, we replaced a section of boardwalk on Happy Creek East. Check out the before and after photos. Thanks to Christopher Reid and the Town of Hinton for transporting lumber and supplies to the site!

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BEFORE...

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AFTER...

JFR leaders worked with the Hinton Mountain Bike Association to learn about trail building.  To find out more about the Alberta Junior Forest Rangers, visit their website!

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A hard working crew for a job well done!!!  Thank you JFRs!!