Trails Update: May 08, 2020
Runaway train
This popular early season ride has looked more like a swim for the past few years. Rubber boots are a must for this experience featuring several deep creek crossings and a 100 metre “Venitian canal” (no dolphins though). The exit (canal) was re-routed to higher ground about 8 years ago… not high enough apparently.
“Let’s see what’s up there,” I exclaimed, while pointing at a glowing mound of moss. The exploration was fruitful for both dry feet and a continuation of the trainwreck technical XC experience. The riverside setting also has a rare aesthetic for Whistler. Spotted: Garter snake, hummingbirds, oyster mushrooms and river otter!
Thanks for the shades and band-aids!
We’ve stepped up our preventative workplace safety game this year and I was discussing Personal Protective Equipment with the crew at our morning meeting. I shared a story about a “poking” incident I had a few years ago, that could have been prevented if I were wearing my glasses…
2 hours later, out of the blue, my phone rings: “Hey Dan, this is Markus from Ryders Eyewear. We’d like to donate some glasses for your crew! Keep up the good work!” Whoa, serendipitous!
When I got home, I expected to find my OFA level 3 certification card (dropped off by Jamie of Whistler First Aid). The card was there… and so was a first aid kit bursting with emergency goodies for the crew! (not beer...) The timing could not have been better: I had just applied our last band-aid to the chainsaw, ...which wasn’t wearing it’s PPE.
Success: A case study in “What to DO!”
Last week, I asked keen volunteers to reach out to WORCA if you had a trailwork/redesign idea. Scott Veach of Dark Crystal fame, oops, no, this Dark Crystal ,was concerned about how the exit of ESP blindly spat riders into the Valley trail.
“Won’t somebody please think of the children!?!” -Helen Lovejoy (The Simpsons)
I joined Scott (also known as @dirtshifter) on site to discuss his proposed solution, work plan and bear patrol (no grizzly bear in sight).
The Veach family will be shifting dirt for a little while. Please respect any closed features while their project simmers. Because, SAFETY!
Props also go out to Colin, Ryan, Tony, Ken, Chris and Tim for keeping us in the loop about ongoing maintenance on their “babies”.
See you on the trails! (2m apart)
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
