While some kids may be glued to their tablets or smartphones this spring break, a group in Colwood is doing the exact opposite.
For the past six months, teenagers Morgan Lessard, Parker Gale, Myles Moshuk and nine-year-old Ty Skaalrud have been building a mountain bike track next to the Galloping Goose off Aldeane Avenue.
Using nothing but a few shovels, rakes, and a mini pick axe, the boys have carefully carved out technical trails with drops, berms, a skinny line with a two by four piece of wood (which they could ride over), and a rock garden.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of work,B次元官网网址� said Morgan, 13. B次元官网网址淵ou get an adrenaline rush when youB次元官网网址檙e doing it [riding]. YouB次元官网网址檙e having fun and you get to try new things.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 a project that started when Morgan became interested in BMX racing and doing dirt jumps, which often goes hand in hand with mountain biking. But after getting a new mountain bike, he realized there wasnB次元官网网址檛 any place to ride.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 when Morgan, Parker, Myles and Ty decided to take action and build their own track just metres from their homes.
The track has since become a labour of love with the boys spending countless hours working it. Morgan and Parker, who both attend Spencer Middle school, would meet up before school to do a couple of jumps, before riding over before the bell rang.
B次元官网网址淲e just love riding, itB次元官网网址檚 our passion,B次元官网网址� said 13-year-old Parker, adding heB次元官网网址檚 seen other kids use the trail. B次元官网网址淲e just wanted something to do.B次元官网网址�
Sandra, MorganB次元官网网址檚 mother, said itB次元官网网址檚 keeping them out of trouble and theyB次元官网网址檙e very courteous of others walking along the Goose.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 great. TheyB次元官网网址檙e outside, theyB次元官网网址檙e being boys, theyB次元官网网址檙e not inside in front of video games all day,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淭his is what kids used to do, this is what we used to do as kids.B次元官网网址�
The group, as well as other youth mountain bikers, have enjoyed the track B次元官网网址� that is, until last week. On Tuesday, March 20, workers with the Capital Regional District taped off the area, dismantled the trails and placed debris across to prevent people from re-building them.
According to the CRD, it has received reports over the last month of people jumping off the trails onto the Goose, creating a potential safety hazard for trail users.
There was also significant impact to the ground and vegetation off the side of the trail and in the adjacent forested area.
B次元官网网址淭he CRD asks all park and trail users to stay on designated trails,B次元官网网址� said spokesperson Andy Orr in an email. B次元官网网址淯nauthorized building and use damages the environment and can create safety hazards for visitors.B次元官网网址�
Orr added there are other designated trails for mountain biking throughout the region, such as the Hartland area of Mount Work Regional Park. But the boysB次元官网网址� parents say itB次元官网网址檚 too far for them to ride alone.
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