Mountain bikers fixing bridges
The Merritt Mountain Bike Association is on a mission to replace nine broken bridges along Godey Trail on Saturday.
The structures are either completely broken or tiring, MMBA member Sean O’Flaherty said.
“Godey Trail is part of our management area,” he said, noting the MMBA has an agreement with the B.C. government to keep the trails safe. “We are the custodians of the trail but it isn’t exclusively a mountain bike trail.”
He said the area is popular among hikers.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, the group aims to organize a group of about 40 volunteers.
The majority of materials and labour will be in-kind, O’Flaherty said.
Tolko Industries Ltd. donated the amount of lumber that is needed to fix the bridges.
Each of the nine bridges has a leader who is responsible for recruiting the people needed to make the repairs.
“The bridges protect the environment from the high traffic of bikers and hikers that would otherwise be crossing the creek beds,” O’Flaherty said.
People who can volunteer are asked to wear work gloves and footwear appropriate for the weather and backcountry. A small hatchet, mallet or pulaski will also be handy.
Volunteers can park at the gravel parking lot west of the Coquihalla Highway and walk through the culvert under the roadway. Alternatively, travel up the gravel part of Fox Farm Road until you see the signs.
For more precise directions and other information, or to volunteer, email merrittbiking@yahoo.ca.
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