Ambassadors Jon and Kate Strom are a huge part of their local trail building organization, the Bluegrass chapter of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association. Together, with their friends, they’ve put together a creative way to educate people about how to get a trail sanctioned in your area. I Could Be a Trail is an original song by Jon Strom and Sam James with artwork by Kate Strom. 

Ready to get a trail in your area? Heed their advice!

Intro:

As your body grows bigger;
Your mind must flower!
It’s great to learn!
Cause Knowledge is Power!!

 

Growing up in the 90s meant that Saturday mornings often involved sugary cereal with a side of spandex clad heroes, reptilian martial artists, verbose waterfowl and magical critters.  You’d post up on the couch with your siblings, fight over the remote and settle in for some mind-numbing animated adventures while your parents enjoyed a few quiet minutes.  Part of the deal, however, was that in between the red lasers and the blue lasers, the grownups at the networks would sprinkle in a few catchy jingles involving math, history, civics or grammar.  I’d be willing to bet that those of a certain age may still remember a few bars of “Conjunction Junction,” “I’m Just a Bill” or “The Three R’s.” 

While they covered a lot of ground, they missed at least one important topic.  So, we now interrupt your regularly scheduled bike-blog reading to bring you:  I Could Be a Trail!

Lyrics: 

Boy:  Wow!  You sure gotta climb a long way to get to the top of this mountain. What a view! But hey, what’s that over there?

I could be trail
Yes, I should be a trail
From the peak all the way down to the vale
But it’s an uphill journey until bikes ride on me and
It’s a tough conversation convincing the powers that be
But I know I’ll be a trail some day!
At least I hope and pray that I will
Cause I’m still just a hill

Boy: You sure have a lot of potential. What do we have to do?

Trail: Well, it starts with a few folks at home, just like you! They decide that they want a mountain bike trail in a certain area and they reach out to their local trail association or mountain bike club. The club takes a look and says “You’re right! There oughta be a trail here!” So they contact the landowner and start creating a plan.

I could be a trail
Yes, I should be a trail
From the peak all the way down to the vale
Now the club talks to the owner and they lay out their case
For why a mountain bike trail should be built on his place
And the benefits to one and all
Oh how I hope they prevail
Because I know I’d be a great trail

Boy: Listen to those club members, they sure are passionate about making your trail a reality…

Trail: Oh yeah! Your local trail organization is made up of dedicated folks who spend a lot of their free time trying to make mountain biking better in your area. Most aren’t paid and simply do it because they love the sport and want it to grow.

Boy: What happens if they convince the landowner to let them build?

Trail: The club will write up an agreement that talks about what areas can be used, how difficult the trails can be, who will pay for what and how the owner is protected in case someone gets hurt.

I could be a trail
Yes, I should be a trail
From the peak all the way down to the vale
With the owner’s blessing, we will go straight to work
Looking for builders or volunteers to start moving dirt
And apply for grants both large and small
Oh, please do not let us fail
Cause it looks like I’ll become a trail

Boy: Wait, so even after all of that, there is still more to do?

Trail: You can say that again– but we’re almost there. With permission and funding lined up, trail building and coordination starts. Along the way, we may have to engage contractors, create easements for the public, work with other user groups, structure insurance, sign agreements with the local authorities, not to mention work through challenges in actually building the trail itself!

Boy: Wow, I had no idea!
So… can we go for a ride now?

Trail: You bet, let’s go!

Now I’m a trail
Yes, Indeed, I’m a trail
From my peak all the way down to my vale
Come rip down all of my berms and send new jumps close to home
Plow through rock gardens and come shred some new loam.
My rocks and roots are really a treat.
Buy those volunteers each some beer
Because without them I would not be here.

Mountain biking can’t happen without trails and trails aren’t built on their own, so take this as a big, fat thank you to all of the trail organizations, bike clubs, advocates, builders and volunteers who make our sport possible. We couldn’t do this without you.

If you’re not already involved, please consider joining your local trail association or bike club, volunteering at an event or getting your hands dirty at the next trail work day in your area. We can always use more help!

See you on the Trails!

Recording and Mixing by Inside the Mood Studios, Lexington, KY