River Valley Cycling

Supporting Cycling In and Around Fredericton

Monday Night Build Series

By

There’s a saying that is still prevalent within some parts of mountain bike culture: “No dig – no ride“. It’s used particularly in areas where riding clubs don’t necessarily exist to support trail building, and if you don’t pitch in, you aren’t invited to enjoy the fun. Thankfully RVC and other clubs around New Brunswick have evolved and can offer some really nice riding to people who either don’t have the time, muscle, or desire to swing picks, run saws, or do all of the planning work that comes ahead of the sweat. You can help keep trails in top shape just by joining RVC.

RVC has finally got some considerable funding to work on big projects in Woolastook this year and we’ll be using that to pay some professional builders to come in. However… at our core… we’ll always be a volunteer-run club supporting volunteer-driven events and volunteer trail builders. Be a part of that!

Here’s what the new shoreline build has looked like so far!

Norm and Bev are two of RVCs most committed volunteer trail builders with a pretty impressive dirt-movin’ resume behind them. Until further notice, they’re going to Woolastook every Monday evening to build. We’re looking for people to join them. The current project is the planned connection of Shoreline trail, which is a cruiser singletrack running alongside Kelly’s creek.

RVC will provide the tools, Norm and Bev the leadership, and you’ll help shape the earth. You just need the essentials: water, work gloves, work boots, and eye protection. If you ever wanted to make a difference for the club or learn the craft of singletrack trail building this is your opportunity. Meet at the Parking lot at 6:30 each week starting August 8th.

If you’ve never built trail before trust us – it can be very fulfilling work. If you think riding flowy singletrack makes you feel good wait till to try riding flowy singletrack that you personally helped to build!

Another happy volunteer building trail. We guarantee that you’ll always enjoy a section of trail that you helped to shape!

Hope to see you there!

Winterbike Plans 2021 – Woolastook

By

More good news from RVC Winterbike. The snow is starting to fall and Woolastook is going to the focus of some serious grooming effort this winter. Get your membership now eh!

With almost 11 km of trail in the grooming plan for 2021 in a stacked-loop configuration there will be a lot of options for stitching together routes that will lead all the way up to the scenic lookout above Mountain Road. Beyond this guaranteed network there’s talk of some more distance being added in the park and beyond the lookout if snow conditions cooperate and everything comes together. We’ll see.

Woolastook mountain biking trails

Mike Hutchinson and Dave McFarlane have really put the sweat equity into getting Woolastook in shape for Winterbike and they plan to put in the grooming hours in the freezing cold so huge thanks to them!

There’s more good news coming with RVC Winterbike for 2021. Stay connected for more plans and announcements. Join RVC Winterbike and get pumped for smooth snowy flow.

Upgrades Coming at Woolastook

By

This weekend there’s some exciting work getting started at Woolastook. The popularity of this place took a big step up this year and it’s getting some new bells and whistles as a result.

We’re excited to say that RVC was recently awarded a $6,500 grant through the Province’s Trail Infrastructure Fund. That grant, coupled with some remarkable equipment and time donations from JIL Engineering ,Treecologic, and incredible local volunteer trail builders, are leading to some nice upgrades.

  • The parking lot beside the highway is getting expanded to create some more spots.
  • A short gravel approach to Shorline West (a.k.a. Turbowolf) is being installed (no gravel is being put on the trail).
  • A few holes are being dug for a proper trailhead kiosk which will be built over the winter and installed next spring .

This is going to make for a much nicer trailhead experience at Woolastook and should be appreciated by locals and travelling riders alike. We’ll be working on a map and signage over the winter.

That’s not all! There’s going to be some more exciting announcements coming up regarding the trails at Woolastook too. We’re working on a plan to make the start of the Woolastook loop a little more strait-forward and less reliant on trails that are shared with motorized vehicles – but more on that later.

Over the weekend please be prepared to plan your route around the construction. Remember – freshly built trails are extremely sensitive to freeze-and-thaw cycles this time of year. If you find something that is fresh and you haven’t heard that it’s been opened for riding you shouldn’t be on it.

Thanks for your cooperation!

Proud Members of: Velo New Brunswick

Canadian Cycling Association

International Mountain Biking Association