Mountain Bikers Excited About New Trail System

[Evil Sylvain]

Mountain Bikers Excited About New Trail System

par Evil Sylvain » Mar Juin 09, 2009 6:30 am

http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S ... =menu660_1

Brandon Hudson
Mountain Bikers Excited About New Trail System

Posted: June 7, 2009 08:42 PM

Updated: June 8, 2009 10:10 AM

A group of mountain bikers in Stowe, VT think they have a way to improve biking and business at the same time.

The Vermont Mountain Bike Association and Stowe Mountain Bike Club are trying to build a ride center, which is a network of connected bike trails.

Stowe Mountain Club president Rick Sokoloff said the concept is similar to a ski mountain. Sokoloff said he wanted to put more trails on public property. He added this center would stretch from Little River State Park in Waterbury to Mt. Mansfield.

"This is a pretty big undertaking," Sokoloff said.

The town of Stowe is on board to help. They approved $5,000 for the project. Project organizers hope to earn most of the funding through grants. The VMBA said the ride center will at least cost $500,000.

"The business owner, the hotels and restaurants, they all understand that this is good for the area," Sokoloff said.

One of the businesses that will benefit is Iride, a bike repair shop in Stowe. One of the trails from the ride center is across the street from the shop.

Co-owner Ron Murray said it will help them branch out to a new customer base.

"It'll be neat to have people ride their bicycles on trails from one town to the next," Murray said.

Sokoloff said he is also thinking about expanding the center to Jeffersonville and Underhill.