One of Whistler's best examples of old school singletrack is now open once again, following three weeks of volunteer work around sections that were lost to the Rainbow development three years ago. The project has been under way all season with a mix of volunteer and paid labour, but the last section was just recently connected.
The trail, Shit Happens, starts in Emerald Estates (the route to One Duck Lake), and used to finish in Alpine Meadows. When the construction removed sections of trail it was effectively closed, although new sections of trail - specifically Rainbow Creampuff - were built to connect to White Knuckles and Highway 99 and to keep the trail in play.
The new trail sections are close to 100 per cent complete (still some bridging to come), and WORCA trail director Jerome David is inviting riders to check out the old trail and new sections, and help to work in loamy sections.
Overall the trail is considered a black diamond, although much of it is blue or "dark blue" and suited to intermediate riders that don't mind pushing their bikes occasionally. The new sections are also somewhat challenging, but should get easier once they've been packed in a little.
The hardest work went into a reroute on one section that involved going into a gully and piling rocks to build a trail that skirts the edges of the gully in a dramatic way and connects to an older climb on the trail.
The trail will more than likely be permanent, although some modifications may be made once again to accommodate the Alpine North development and First Nations Legacy Lands. For that reason the new sections of trail were kept deliberately rough.
WORCA hopes to announce other trail projects by the end of the season.
To everyone who assisted in trail maintenance this year WORCA has changed their volunteer appreciation night to Oct. 7 from Oct. 8. The party starts with a group ride in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, meeting at 4 p.m. at the Garbanzo Bike and Bean. The après is at the GLC at 7 p.m.
If you plan to take part in the Bike Park ride RSVP at info@worca.com.
WORCA's annual general meeting is Oct. 22, with more details to be announced in the coming weeks. The annual Halloween Toonie Ride is on Oct. 29.
It's been a big year for the club, which broke the 1,500-member mark for the first time a few weeks ago.
