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MOUNTAINLIFE
SUMMER2016
“The forest comes first,”agreesNewmanwhowill often relocate displaced
fernswhenbuilding a trail.“When you spend somuch time in it, youbecome
a part of its evolution,which is a huge responsibility.”
A responsibility shoulderedmainly by volunteers.Working trail everyweekend
andwell into the darkmostweeknights,Newman is often alone in a tiny
bubble of light,withhuge intentions andnomonetary gain. Even after 35-plus
years, legendaryNorth Shore trail magicianTodd“Digger”Fiander is still out in
the forestmost days, slingingdirt andplantingmagic beans.What keeps these
trail builders comingback year after year?They are all bike nuts, sure, and love
the rushof riding fresh trail and features createdby their ownhand, but the
real payoff turns out tobe somethingmuchmore selfless.
“I love itwhenpeople are stoked,” saysTempany.“Especiallywhen I’mout
of sight and I hear riders hooting andhollering in the distance, that’s the big
victory forme.”A similar sense of selflessness also fuelsNewman andDeck.
“When I’mdigging and I hear bits of conversation and laughter floating
through the forest, it’smagic,”Deck says.“It’swhatmakes all the hardwork
worthwhile.”
ABOVE
Agoodold-fashioneddust up. Paul Stevens (front) andHailey Elise onMicroclimate inWhistler. MARKMACKAY.
BELOW
Wood anddirt, together in trail harmony. BRIANGOLDSTONE
“Asyou improve the trail,morepeople come to rideand
hikeand run, andyousee themenjoying it andyou feel like
youshoulddosomemorework, and thenyoudomorework
andmorepeople come.”
