Twenty-five years ago, the 麻豆社国产Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA) began life as mountain-bike enthusiasts gathering to have coffee and to build some trails.
Over the years, it has spearheaded the development of the trail system in the 麻豆社国产area, as well as become a major integral part of the planning process in the community.聽
鈥淢ore land developers took notice of 麻豆社国产and their proposals began to impact the ever growing trail network. Several of us on the SORCA executive began to spend more and more of our free time in meetings with developers,鈥� former president Cliff Miller wrote in a history of the group on its website.
SORCA got together on Jan. 12 for its annual general meeting to update members on the work that has happened this past year as well as plans for the coming year, including celebrations to mark its anniversary.
鈥淲e did a recap of what we鈥檝e been able to accomplish in 2016,鈥� president Jeff Cooke said.
The extension of Stl鈥檒halem Sintl鈥�, he says, in the Diamond Head area will be the longest and most significant piece of infrastructure in a trail network of 173 kilometres of single-track. They have added five-and-a-half kilometres of ascent to the roughly seven kilometres, as well as four kilometres of descent. The section should be open in spring.
鈥淲e鈥檙e still on track to get our largest and most ambitious project completed,鈥� he said.
SORCA has enlisted the services of a couple of local builders, Rob Coquet of Gravity Logic and Paddy Kaye of Joyride Bike Tracks, to work on the sections.
鈥淭hey donate a lot of their time to this project,鈥� Cooke said.聽
鈥淭hey鈥檙e working at a fraction of what a normal rate would be鈥�. We got a super sweet deal.鈥�
The project, for which SORCA raised money, should come in around $130,000 compared with around $250,000 for a similar trail in the Whistler area that only covers an uphill climb portion.
As well, a SORCA member, Rob Phoenix, has been working on another trail in the Edith Lake area, which will add to the network this year.
Cooke said that while SORCA started by building trails on a strictly volunteer basis, the system has become larger and more complex over the last five years.聽
At the same time, mountain biking and the trails have become an industry. Add to this estimated per kilometre costs for building bike parks, and the community has on its hand a valuable attraction.
鈥淲e鈥檙e sitting on an asset somewhere in the area of $12.9 million of single-track trail,鈥� he said.聽
鈥淲e know now how many visitors come to 麻豆社国产just to ride our trails.鈥�
SORCA also received more money from the District of 麻豆社国产for maintenance work on trails around the community, with the amount increasing to $75,000 from $65,000.
This will mean SORCA can keep crews out in the field for longer.聽
As well, it has been able to put more of its own money into trail development, which will also add to the time that crews can work. SORCA has been raising money through crowdfunding, which has helped with projects like the Stl鈥檒halem Sintl鈥�.
Of course, at the heart of SORCA is mountain biking. SORCA鈥檚 toonie rides and social rides, held on alternating Wednesdays, also remain an important part of the group鈥檚 mandate.聽
Cooke said they have continued to attract riders as well as sponsors, even for the more low-key social rides, which help introduce new riders to the sport.
鈥淲e have a range of different rides for different skill levels, and it鈥檚 a great way to meet people,鈥� he said.
SORCA membership continues to grow, increasing by 14 per cent this past year. It now has 818 members.
As far as the anniversary celebrations are concerned, Cooke said planning is still underway, but SORCA should be releasing more details in time for the main event. This is slated for mid-April and should be timed with the opening of the Stl鈥檒halem Sintl鈥� trail extension.
