For the past year SORBA and GainesvilleSORBA have been working to fulfill the conditions of an RTP Grant for new trail construction at Chicopee Woods. This grant was to provide matching or additional funding to the approximately $90k already slated for use on the trail system given by the Hall Country School System to the Chicopee Park Commission.

To this end, SORBA’s Pro Trails company has been contracted to do the layout and machine cutting of the new trail as well as renovations to existing trail where needed, such as the Zig-Zag Trail. GainesvilleSORBA’s responsibilities include input on the layout and completion of the finishing work on the trail for which they will receive a reimbursement of funds at $500 per mile finished.

In addition to construction of a beginner trail and renovations of the Zig-Zag Trail, a new, advanced trail was to be constructed to provide much-desired advanced level riding for the park.

In a recent meeting between SORBA, Pro Trails, and GainesvilleSORBA issues regarding the new trail’s construction were brought out and discussed. It is the position of GainesvilleSORBA’s officers, the chapter, and many of the trail users that this new trail was not built as an advanced trail. Further, discussions were made about the level of input that the chapter officers have had with SORBA and Pro Trails and extent to which that input had been able to influence the trail construction as well as what that input would be going forward.

The results of this meeting were very positive. SORBA and Pro Trails agree that this new trail should have been crafted as an advanced trail and that in its current form is not advanced. Additionally, SORBA and Pro Trails reiterated a desire to work closely with GainesvilleSORBA in an effort to satisfy the chapter and the interest of the riders of the trail system.

From these discussions two things were decided:

1.    The current new trail will be completed by Pro Trails and the chapter will assist in any way it can to facilitate the completion of the trail and building of the final bridge. This trail will be seen not as a new advanced trail but rather as a new intermediate trail with optional advanced features. Upon completion, the chapter will be free to add additional routes around the trail providing optional technical features to the trail such as log crossings, rock gardens and elevated structures in an effort to allow intermediate riders to test and enhance their skills.

2.    Zig-Zag will be renovated to become the new “advanced trail.” While unsustainable areas will be rerouted to fulfill the conditions of the grant and to satisfy our commitments to the Park Commission, the reroutes will be re-flagged where necessary to take advantage of natural features and to ensure that advanced, technical riding makes up the bulk of the distance of this section of trail.

This decision has some very good advantages for all concerned. It ensures that completion of the trail system moves forward and that the grant stipulations are met in a timely fashion. It also leaves the current route of the new trail in tact. Having to retro-fit advanced features into the new trail would have been time consuming, though not impossible. Zig-Zag, however, already has a rooty, challenging trail bed throughout most of its surface. Adding reroutes that build upon this base means that we can “build in” advanced textures from the outset. The final mileage for the Zig-Zag reconstruction will be pretty much the same as the new trail so we’re not losing mileage by going this direction either.

We hope that this will satisfy both chapter members and the public as we move forward with the final phase of construction. The new trail, while not advanced, is a very fast and flowing trail and many have commented positively on this. Also, there is considerable distance and some great scenery along the route. Adding this mileage alone will add to the challenge of riding Chicopee. Using Zig-Zag as a base for the new advanced trail will help us preserve the character of Zig-Zag but build more challenge into it. Zig-Zag, when considered carefully, is the logical choice for this new construction.

The GainesvilleSOSRBA officers look forward to continued cooperation with SORBA and Pro Trails.  We appreciate the work they have done so far and hope that this new direction will mean we can all be on the same page with what the riding public has been demanding. We have been given this commitment from them and as GainesvilleSORBA officers we intend to hold them to this commitment. This is posted here on webpage so that you, the members and the riding public, can hold us accountable to this end. We ask your commitment to assisting us with work parties and other assistance as we launch into this new direction. There is a lot of work to do and we need your help.

We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

GainesvilleSORBA Officers:
President – Joe Polk
Vice-President – Don Bolt
Secretary – Steve Johnston
Treasurer – Joy Garmon
Ride Coordinator – Barry Underwood

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