Can You Dig It? Yes, You Can!

Henry Coe State Park Rangers share trail tips and demos on how to dig the earth in the most eco-friendly ways.

Photo Credits: Beth Welliver

Spell relief from the heat this summer and give back to your local trails this riding season. Last summer break a group of Riding for Focus Chaboya Middle School students from San Jose's Evergreen School District braved the heat to help give the local trails at Henry Coe State Park some TLC. Riding their brand new custom Specialized Foundation bikes, the students got a chance to grind up the trail they were going to improve, work the trail lopping, brushing, and improving drainage before bombing back down. Park Rangers shared their trail tips and expertise.

The Riding for Focus group was led by Fanie Kok, Specialized's Global Trail Advocate who heads up a project called Soil Searching, which aims to tell the story of the people behind the scenes who are out there building the trails we all love to ride. Fanie travels the world meeting trail builders and organizing dig days to encourage mountain bike communities to embrace trail repair and maintenance that can preserve trails forever.

Essential Trio of Trail Tools: A basic rake, Pulaski for breaking up dirt, the Macleod rake with a square-edge hoe and Sandvik brush axe for cutting.

Check out IMBA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association for trail events, resources and local chapters. Search for your local trail group to volunteer, ride and connect.

NICA, National Interscholastic Cycling Association develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student athletes across the USA and has a robust volunteer program to offer support.

Go local and check out your city’s Parks and Recreation Department for opportunities to get involved in trail days or park restorations.

Long May We Ride—and Save our Trails!

Riding the perfect rad trail after a hard days work--well worth it.

photo credit: Colin Belisle