IMPACT AREAS

2023 Member & Donor Impact

Thanks to our members and generous gifts from donors and trail riders, we can keep the Mohican mountain bike trail in gnarly order. Our number one goal is to keep the trail safe and minimize closure from rain - which contributes to erosion, compaction, and soil displacement. Trail design, construction, and maintenance are key factors we consider to maintain our sustainable trail. Here’s a glimpse at some of the larger projects MMBC volunteers assisted with in 2023.

Drainage work

With more riders hitting the trail every year, we strive to keep the trail open as many days as possible. We recognize there are areas of the trail that require more attention to drainage. MMBC purchased 22 tons of stone in order to divert water or stabilize the tread throughout the trail. Drainage is addressed every year, but in 2024 we plan to concentrate on the area between mile markers 2 and 3.

Addressing drainage at Mile 21.

Trail signage

In 2023, MMBC was able to purchase materials for signage. MMBC volunteers dedicated work days during the summer to construct a new trailhead sign at the 30-06 trailhead. In October, volunteers dedicated several trail work days to install 25 carsonite signs at various points along the trail to improve routes and directions.

New trailhead sign construction at 30-06 route.

Volunteer time

More than 500 volunteer hours were spent on the trail in 2023. Volunteers assisted with everything trail related from clearing down trees and cutting back overgrowth in the spring to blowing leaves off the trail in fall. Additionally, club members participated in monthly trail work days where efforts were coordinated on parts of the trail needing a little more attention. In 2023, trail work days addressed drainage, installing signs, building re-routes, and repairing bridges.

Volunteers build a re-route at mile marker 7.

Trail repair

The last trail work day of the year focused on repairs along the descent to the covered bridge. Erosion has been prevalent this past year on this stretch. Shortly after mile marker 10, volunteers constructed a speed hump and three reverse grades in four hours to redirect water off the trail to reduce erosion.

Reverse grade build between Mile Marker 10 and covered bridge.