Why I Build and Maintain trails
By Martín Fernández
I have been involved with the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) since virtually its inception. My mountain biking started in earnest at the end of the 80’s and progressed into the 90s. When the Army stationed me in Arlington, VA, one of the first things I did was start to look for places to ride. The most popular location at the time was Wakefield Park in Springfield, VA. Back then, the trails were considerably different, consisting of multiple fall line alignments and other unsustainable sections.
It's while riding there in mid/late 1991 that I connected with the group of people that would eventually make MORE a formal non-profit entity in 1992.
As we planned our weekend rides, we could count the places we could ride with one hand, and there was often a considerable amount of travel to get to the chosen trail head. Wakefield was our weekday go-to trail of choice, primarily because we could get to it quickly (despite Northern Virginia (NoVA) traffic). But on weekends, we would venture out to farther locations, including the George Washington National Forest (VA), Canaan Valley (WV), Gambrill State Park and the Frederick Watershed (MD). The lack of nearby local riding locations forced our band of riders to shift the focus of the organization. Instead of just being a social riding club, our efforts ventured more towards advocacy and working with local land managers to allow us to ride in many of their existing trail systems.
Back then, resistance to mountain biking on local trails was pretty heavy. Hiker and equestrian groups in Patapsco Valley State Park, Montgomery County’s vast park system, Baltimore County and NoVA fought hard to keep mountain bikers out. The battles to gain access to even a few miles of trail were often frustrating, fervent, and arduous.
Little by little we helped shift attitudes to gain access to existing trails. And, little by little we were granted permission to build new trails, some of the first we did were at Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax County, VA, and what is mostly the White Loop at Schaefer Farms in Montgomery County, MD. With the success of both of these trails and the volunteer maintenance efforts of our local community, local land managers began to shift their views, and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.
Today, MORE has built and continues to maintain trails in over 60 county, federal, and city parks in the region. That amounts to over 800 miles of natural-surface trails. Regional DC/MD/VA riders have a myriad of riding destinations to choose from as a result of the club’s efforts. Because of that, the “social” nature of Mountain biking has flourished. In many cases, some of us can ride out of our homes and be on a local trailhead within a few miles.
I remember distinctly the day that local advocacy legend Dave Scull, myself, and a representative from Montgomery County, met at what is now the Schaefer Farms parking lot to review a topographic map of the parcel. On the hood of a truck we scoped out a plan to establish the corridor that would later become the white trail. That same day we set out into the woods, armed with flags and tape, to mark and plan the new corridor.
We debated lines, came to consensus on choices, and in time, the corridor was cleared and a new trail was built. Riding that first ribbon, knowing I had had a hand in making it happen, was something I will never forget. I was always looking for the opportunity to repeat that effort somewhere close to home.
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Hiking and assessing what would eventually become the long bench cut along the Col Du Shade at Locust Shade Park.
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Doing the initial corridor clearing on portions of the Col Du Shade at Locust Shade Park before the builder came in to shape and cut the trail
It wasn’t until 2016 when a new opportunity developed, and I was able to lead an effort to build a system of trails from the ground up only a few miles from home. That effort culminated in 2022 with the grand opening of the new trails at Locust Shade Park in Dumfries, VA. With much help, and financial support from MORE other regional agencies and the generous donations from our local community of riders, we transformed an unknown mountain biking destination into a regional favorite.
If you asked me “why I did it” when I first started this project, I would have told you that it was for primarily selfish reasons. Prince William County (PWC), where I live, still had no quality natural surface trails to ride my bike. I wanted somewhere I could reach in a few minutes by car, or where I could ride from home. So, when then PWC trails guy Ryan Delany reached out to me to see if I was interested in leading the plan to revitalize the existing trail system, I didn’t hesitate.
The opportunity gave me a chance to flag and build a trail that reflected the places I liked to ride. My goal was an “old-school” sustainable trail corridor. Narrow, twisty, technical, and challenging in places. I also wanted to include at least one flow section with fun technical features and another with progressive features so that riders could session and improve their skills in a low risk, high reward environment.
While I did most of the initial flagging and layout, I solicited the input of multiple people, including a professional trail builder, to ensure my alignments were feasible, sustainable, and fun to ride. In one case we raked and rode a section of trail to dial it in “before” the machine build took place. This collaborative effort has yielded a super fun and challenging system that reflects my riding personality. Additional input from local riders helped to improve my initial vision with many features, including a jump line.
I am grateful for all the positive feedback/comments from our riding community. Many locals have stepped up to not only help maintain the trails, but to also contribute the funds needed to keep our efforts at Locust Shade going. While my initial reasons were purely selfish, I’ve come to realize that during the process of building this trail system, we also managed to build a tight-knit community of volunteers who also whole heartedly make a positive impact in our community.
It always gives me great pride to see someone who is experiencing the trails for the first time. I’m proud that my vision of an area that riders could session over and over actually became that. Seeing riders, including kids, progress their balance and drop skills in a day, brings a great deal of satisfaction. Helping to improve an underused resource in our community by making it better for thousands of users, fuels my desire to continue to maintain and improve this resource.
With the trail now completed, all my efforts now go into maintaining the corridors. That said, I don’t do it alone. There is a core and extended list of people who always step up to aid in those efforts.
Having a little fun on one of the berms at the Col Du Shade at Locust Shade Park during a maintenance outing…
As I thought about writing this article, I became curious about what other regional volunteers – mainly MORE’s army of trail liaisons – might say their main reason for building and maintaining trails was. Below are their own words.
Jason Irla: Hashawa
When I first moved north to Westminster from Baltimore with my family I began heading out to Hashawha to hike, birdwatch, and ride. I began working as a liaison in the park out of my own selfish desire to have the trails maintained better.
Hashawha is very understaffed and the trails desperately needed some love at the time. I reached out to MORE and Dave Magill roped me in as a liaison. It was a difficult start, the park and county didn’t trust MORE or our intent, but we slowly proved to them that we could be trusted. Our relationship has blossomed and we’ve become valued partners. Now the liaison job is less selfish and more for the smiles I see on other trail user's faces when they see us out there working, or thank us for a fallen tree we’ve removed. It’s that sense of community that keeps me pushing for better trails in Hashawha, safer trails for all users. These days I’m in it for the smiles.
Most of the MTBMD crew, from left to right: Tim Nickels, Ken Harris, Sue Hughes, Me (crouching) and Robert Scott. Taking a coffee break while digging out a relatively newish trail - Rogue One - on a pretty cold February morning last year.
Tony Watkins: Lake Fairfax
“We should do this” said by someone when it comes to volunteer work usually means “you should do this for me because I don’t plan to help you actually do the work. If I don’t do it, no one else will…
Allen Wagner: James Long Park
Because if I don't, no one else will.
I moved to Virginia 18 years ago and fell in love with the many outdoors opportunities the region had; but with work, family, schedules, etc. you can't always find the time for the 60 min+ it takes to drive where most of those parks/systems are.
Our local area had a few parks with potential, but it quickly became clear the local entities lacked either the interest, budget, knowledge, or bandwidth to build/expand trails properly. So I took up the mantle to lead, but was quickly surrounded by an amazing community of volunteers who all want the same thing: an enjoyable and sustainable trail system we can share with our families and the community, one we can go ride on without having to spend hours in a car driving to/back from.
Jason Williams: Andrew Leitch Park, Occoquan Greenway, Neabsco Greenway
Eight years ago if you asked me if I wanted to stay in Prince William County, VA, I would have said, “No way, I can’t wait to leave”. In 2020 I was on a military mission away from home. While there, I had to drive everywhere to get to a park or trail. I hated that. After returning, I realized how awesome it was to be close to multiple trails within one mile from my house. I got involved with some local organizations to help advocate for our parks and recreation. Along the way I have met some amazing people. Being out on the trail, whether working or enjoying it, clears my mind of all the daily stressors we have in life.
Trails are also a great way to connect with friends and family. One of the best decisions I’ve made was getting involved in my community with MORE, the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition, Greater Prince William Trails Coalition, and the Prince William Department of Parks and Recreation.
Paul Haag: Quantico/Locust Shade
Trail volunteers become trail stewards. When I first started riding in the DMV around 2010, I was immediately impressed by the quality and quantity of trails. I didn't think about how or by whom they were maintained until one day I was riding and ran into a trail work crew. The crew "invited" us to help, which we politely declined. I soon realized that it was volunteers who maintained the trails. Soon after, I saw “trail work days” sign at my local (Quantico) trails. I attended the work day and began to understand how much work was involved in maintaining the trails. I continued to volunteer over the years, increasing my understanding of trail building and maintenance. I built bridges, trimmed branches, blew leaves, and helped build new trails.
Later, I saw how many trails were impacted by downed trees. Often, riders and walkers make their own paths around the trees, creating bigger challenges for trail maintenance. I became a licensed sawyer for Quantico and started cutting. There was never a shortage of trees to clear. A few years later I learned about the U.S. Forest Service Sawyer course. Many counties in the DMV require this course to do any sort of chainsaw work on county owned land. The two-day course provided expert training and significantly improved my sawyer skills. Since then, I have cleared hundreds of downed trees. I now look at the trails I ride with a different eye-asking myself: what needs to be done to maintain the trail or improve the traiIs for sustainability and user enjoyment.
My best riding buddies are also my best trail volunteer buddies. I have found involving riders in trail maintenance helps them to understand the impact of riding wet trails and creating “b” lines. It gives them a sense of ownership of the trails as they appreciate the amount of work involved in building and maintaining the trails they love.
Carlo Alfano: Rivers Edge: Brunswick, MD
To fill the trail void that existed in this section of the county. To fulfill the statement I made to the city when I pitched this idea, "we build it, they will come, not only to use our trails, but we can hold races and people will spend money in town". To create recreational space for locals to enjoy.
Photo: Jaime Turner, Turner Photography Studio
Ernest Rodriguez: Wakefield Park
Why do I build trails, maintain them, and lead rides? I often wonder why myself. However I am confident I do it to build our mountain biking community while addressing the basic human need to share a good experience.
Mick Short: Gunpowder Falls, MD
I do it for several reasons but mainly because I love being outdoors and playing in the dirt. I also want to make sure I have cool trails to ride close to home. The work we do provides a sense of accomplishment that we’ve built something lasting, to take pride in. FInally, there is a great sense of enjoyment in the community that’s flourished between myself and other regular volunteers.
Cathy Riedel: Wakefield Park, Springfield, VA
I echo Mick’s reasons and add that I love to encourage the next generation of trail stewards to become involved in order to help keep the trails for all to enjoy.
Pete Johnson: Cabin John: Bethesda, MD
The trails of Cabin John Park in Montgomery County, MD, literally depart from my backyard. I work on the trails as an expression of my appreciation for trails everywhere. I do it to feel the satisfaction of contributing to the community where my family lives, and I do it to have a hand in crafting a bit of adventure for us all.
Anonymous
Honestly, because if I don’t, no one will. I just like having a well maintained place to ride…
Becky Hunt Barkett, Quantico/Locust Shade
Why do I do it? I like dirt! All kidding aside, I have always enjoyed the outdoors and when I discovered mountain biking 10 years ago, it was a year later that I discovered that the trails don't "heal themselves". I joined a mountain bike club and one of the first events I participated in outside of the club rides was a trail work day. It was then that I was introduced to the idea that the trails needed to be maintained and in some cases nursed back to health. I also became aware that we shouldn't ride the trails when wet/muddy. I later attended a MORE trail building class where I learned so much about trail planning and building processes and sustainability. I have been a "quiet" trail worker by clearing deadfall and trimming small trees and large branches during my rides (I carry a folding hand saw in my pack and if I never see another beech tree again, I will be very happy!) Oh, and somewhere along the way I also discovered the amazing world of mushrooms, but that is another story....
Tom Newton: Patuxent River State Park: Howard/Montgomery County, MD
We pitched the Patuxent trail system concept because we saw the potential of the area and the natural beauty of the land and river. I had ridden there in the 90’s but the trails were muddy and unsustainable. So we set out to build an entirely new trail system. Our awesome team and community has raised over $150k and completed more than 2000 hours of volunteer work since we got approval in 2019. We have 7 miles built so far with another $100k grant in hand for the next 3 miles.
We are well on our way to 25 miles of modern, sustainable, multi/use trails for future generations to enjoy. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Sean Johnson: South Germantown Bike Park: Germantown, MD
It was how I was raised. “No dig, no ride.” If something brings you joy and you can give back to it, you do it.
William Mattson: Gunpowder Falls, MD
So I can tell other people that decisions are made by those who show up? It encourages others to be present when we plan and work.
Tim O’Donnell: Emmitsburg, MD
If you know me, you know it would take paragraphs for me to explain the social, economic and political reasons why I built trails in Emmitsburg. Let's just settle for "the mountains called to me and I answered."
Mark Brzezinski: Seneca Greenway Trail: Germantown, MD.
I was a trail volunteer before I moved here from Cincinnati 5 years ago and at that time, I donated all of my trail tools to my local IMBA chapter, figuring I would not have a lot of places to ride here. Little did I know how awesome the trails here are and 5 years later, I am a trail liaison with a set of tools again. Can't get it out of the blood.
Anonymous in NoVA
I’ve been doing it for so long I honestly don’t remember why I still do it. But recently I’ve become so discouraged with the effort because no matter what we do there is a large contingent of riders who said it should have been done differently.
Unfortunately, many of these riders never show up to provide their input “during” the process. It’s discouraging. I’ll probably keep doing it - mostly for selfish reasons - because I want a well maintained place to ride and if I don’t do it, it’s obvious no one else will.
Dave Magill: Montgomery County, MD
I started doing this because there weren’t many places to ride.
Then I got hooked on the feeling of pride and accomplishment of actually getting a trail opened or a new trail built.
Now another factor that gets me out to trim back vegetation or clear mud puddles is all the thank you’s we get from trail users.
I truly enjoy the sight, smell, sound and overall experience of our Mid-Atlantic woods. Being in the outdoors doing pleasant and also strenuous physical work which makes a better experience for fellow trail users just plain makes me happy. I feel that way both when I am in a group of other trail workers or all by myself.
