Although this winter — or perhaps rather lack thereof — has to date not exactly left us buried in snow, the Sundre Bike ’n Ski Club has been making the best of the situation.
“We definitely got a lot more snow last year,” said Troy Fee, who with fellow member Paul Shippy co-presides over the ensemble of recreational fitness enthusiasts who are passionate about maintaining and developing the local trail network in collaboration with the municipality.
Despite how little snow has fallen in comparison with past years, there nevertheless has been just enough to set tracks for fat biking — specialized winter bicycles that boast big tires which offer great traction in slippery conditions.
“We do have a new fat bike track setter,” said Fee. The SnowDog is described as a versatile machine designed for outdoor aficionados as a more affordable alternative to snowmobiles or off-highway vehicles.
Once conditions improve, the club plans to set more tracks on the natural paths along Snake Hill as well as the Red Deer River trails, he said.
Although group rides are tentatively set every Tuesday evening, the club confirms through its social media page whether some members plan to hit the trails, he said. Outings are sometimes postponed if the cold becomes too extreme.
Volunteers also have a keen interest in playing a role in maintaining as well as enhancing the local trail network, he said. The club attempts to coordinate efforts in tandem with the municipality, which adopted last year a new parks, open spaces and trails plan.
The Town of Sundre also made a $1,700 recreation and culture grant available to help the club cover its operational costs, he said.
“We’re quite thankful of that.”
When Fee spoke with the Round Up last week, he said the club was, among a few others, working with Jon Allan, the municipality’s economic development officer, to build upon and improve the local trail map.
“We’re getting close to having a map that’s going to be available…for residents who aren’t familiar with our trails and people from out of town,” he said, adding once finished, the map will be available at the town office as well as the Visitor Information Centre.
Additionally, he said the municipality has asked the club about the possibility of hosting, for example, a regional fat bike competition that would entice riders from the wider region to visit Sundre, along the way spurring spinoff economic activity that would benefit the whole community.
However, he said for now the club is holding off on pursuing such plans because the town does not yet have an adequate reputation as a potential destination for fat biking or mountain biking and the trail network’s connectivity still needs improvements.
What is under discussion though, is holding an informal, lower key event later in February that would serve as an opportunity to showcase the trails Sundre does have. He said the hope is to build up interest that could potentially open the doors for a more major event in the future once visitors have had a chance to experience what’s available and from there spread the word to others.
“We want to show people where the trails are and get ourselves on the map more,” he said.
“Then, next year, we could work with the town to host a bigger event.”
Fee said at this point, the club wants to avoid promising a major affair that fails to materialize or live up to expectations. But the group remains committed to helping develop an appealing trail network, he said.
“We are an advocacy group,” he said.
Over the span of some 10 years the municipality conducted numerous recreational studies that have generated good information, he said, adding the time has come to take action on those planning documents, which cumulatively cost tens of thousands of dollars.
“We’re working with the town to push projects forward,” he said.
“We really want to see results this time.”
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the club is encouraged to do so, and donations are always welcome, he said.
“We do have equipment that we have to pay for,” he said, adding the club hopes over the coming years to repay the member who bought the SnowDog.
“We needed it but didn’t have the cash.”
Another plan the club is pursuing is the possibility of establishing in partnership with the municipality a new trail on land owned by Alberta Environment and Parks that is leased by the Town of Sundre, located on the east side of the Red Deer River south of Highway 27 heading towards Bergen, he said.
Follow the club’s social media page for updates on events and plans as well as to submit inquiries or possibly even get involved.
