TokaiMTB Volunteer Build Day 24 Sept, 2016

[(Deon)]

A bit of news in this post for the last "fortnight" TokaiMTB build day. Have a read..

 

If you recall before the fire, build days were set at one build per month. We would get a turnout of any number of people but usually not exceeding ten. That said, the turnout was never a problem, if I recall there was only ever one day that I can remember cancelling a build day due to poor turnout - which for people working hard in the heat or rain on a day they could rather be riding, or spending time with their families after a week in the office, always impressed me. There's always been a reason to continue the volunteer builds even with small numbers, because of a dedicated group who saw the value for everyone's benefit to keep this network of trails open for the last 20+ years.

 

So now after the fire and the first ever closure of Tokai, the thought of reopening the damaged and overgrown trails was quite daunting when we considered that most of the work would need to be done for free and in a tight timeframe too. Sure, as a committee and even before that, we identified the need to find a source of income to pay people to manage the trails if the sport in Tokai was ever to progress and remain sustainable, especially with the new conservation requirements coming into effect as the pines are removed but that self-sustaining income source continues to be an elusive one to say the least.. ; )

 

So what turnout could we expect with an introduction of a build day every two weeks if one per month was drawing the core group of only ten? We only had a few months available to us during ideal building weather and the list of work was way longer than ever set out before! Well, I can quite honestly tell you that we didn't expect almost 20 per day and on average almost 60 per month!

 

Not only did we meet our targets for open trails but we were able through the effort of these volunteers to allow the TokaiMTB appointed contractors enough time to craft a few sections of trail to give everyone a taste of what is still to come.. The PPA, seeing the value of trails in our city, didn't hesitate to approve the money we needed after the first trail was cleared.

 

Rain and heat certainly didn't matter to the volunteers, we even threw out a few warnings of high temperatures or freezing cold, windy and wet days only to have greater response and turnouts than the weeks before?! This defies all logic but then it is said that riding is a "spiritual thing" and yes, we were also offering Devil's Peak beer. 

 

Sadly, we have come to the start of the summer months and without tempting heat exhaustion, we made a choice from the start to revert back to one build day per month. We do still have a lot more work ahead of us and while the frequent volunteer builds are possibly the best way forward, we know that riding time is also going to be high on people's to-do lists certainly after Tokai is open (hint).

 

Build days will continue to be advertised on the TokaiMTB website, Twitter, Facebook & Bikehub but will revert back to one build day per month from the end of September.

 

Thanks again for everyone's commitment and patience, the reward is on the way  ..

 

The registration link, 24 September, 2016

[(Deon)]

Geez Luke, that was fast!

[(Deon)]

12 people registered so far..

 

bump.

[DJR]

12 people registered so far..

 

bump.

I guess that would make me lucky number 13 then!

[(Deon)]

I guess that would make me lucky number 13 then!

 

Hmm, not as lucky as Luke.

[marko35s]

And another bump, lots planned for this week.

[(Deon)]

15 volunteers for the day, your confirmation email should arrive shortly. 

 

See you in the morning.. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

And another bump, lots planned for this week.

So bummed I'm not gonna be able to make this one... 

[DJR]

Proof that when a few passionate people decide to put their effort together, a jump can come about in no time at all! These guys really worked hard!

[DJR]

Proof that if you put a guy with a broken leg on a little machine that looks like Obelix, it is almost as good as taking magic potion......and trails come about.

[Meezo]

Proof that if you put a guy with a broken leg on a little machine that looks like Obelix, it is almost as good as taking magic potion......and trails come about.

 

Duran are legend