I want to thank Kris Hill for taking the time to bring forward the story of the mountain bikers and the landowner (Real Life Church) and how a real negative situation is evolving into some very positive for the community.

Part of the story that was not told was none of this would have happened if it was not for the folks at Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA).

In the spring of 2009 the church thinned about 60 acres of their property to improve the long term health of the forest. The collateral impact of the thinning was that about eight miles of cross county single track mountain bike trails were made unridable.

Up to this point the church did not realize the popularity of their trails. In June 2009 the church was contacted by EMBA and some local riders about rehabbing the eight miles of trails.

This is what started the ball rolling. There were close to a half dozen work parties over the next few months to re-establish the trail system.

The single track work parties is where the discussion about building the free ride park began. The landowner being a church did not understand the ins and outs of overseeing a free ride park but EMBA and some knowledgeable riders from around the community stepped in to help.

Currently, Summit Ridge Free Ride Park has a core group that oversees its development and meets monthly.

If you want to get involved make contact on our Facebook friends’ page (search for Summit Ridge Free Ride Park). In addition, to the park there is a core group being established to oversee the single track trails. If you want to get involved please make contact us on our GetSingleTrack.com and search on Summit Ridge XC Trails.

This story has just begun and has many more chapters. The best part of this is it is very organic and it is community focused. We are trying to be a model for other landowners and the mountain bike community where the two can work together with a common goal. Feel free to contact Rick Heinz through RealLifeChurch.com.

Rick Heinz

Real Life Church