In the last few days I had the opportunity to have an interesting chat with Markus, a historical figure of trail building at Plan de Corones. After the interview with Edo Melchiori, I wanted to delve deeper into trail management with those who work in one of the fastest growing locations in our industry.
What are the main problems and how are they addressed? We met him while he was on a reconnaissance tour to clear the trails of vegetation.
Hi Markus, tell us a little about your story: where does this passion come from?
I started in 2010 as a trail maintainer for the forestry department. At the time I was involved in high mountain trails, both for pedestrians and mountain bikes, even though the MTB sector was not as developed as it is today. My passion for cycling led me to want to delve deeper into these topics, pushing me to attend courses IMBALANCE both in Canada and the United States.
You mentioned the two different types of trails: those for pedestrians and those for bikers. What are the differences in management?
They are two completely different worlds. On walking trails, the slope is not such a determining factor; sharp curves, steps or steep sections do not pose major problems. If there is a risk of erosion, just placing a few rocks can reduce the damage of the rain.
On MTB trails, however, everything changes: you have to pay attention to the slopes, the positioning of rocks, the curve radius, and take care of every detail to avoid that bikers are forced to brake too much. Excessive braking digs into the ground, causing rapid erosion. Drains must also be designed differently: a drainage placed like on a trekking trail can cause problems, such as cuts to the coverings and therefore angry bikers.
You were talking about your experience with IMBA: how do you manage to combine the theories you learned with the characteristics of your territory?
When I was in Canada, I noticed that the slopes were gentler and there was much more space available: it was easier to apply the “10%” maximum slope rules or create very long lines. Here, however, we have steep slopes, limited space and fragmented land ownership: we can't build trails wherever we want.
We had to adapt the IMBA guidelines to our territory: calculate drainage differently, contain the soil even in steep areas with rock gardens that stabilize the bottom and help the water flow, or leave strategic roots to improve the grip. Of course, our lines are often more technical and less “flowy” than the Canadian ones, but it is the only viable solution without having to dig out an entire mountain.
From 2010 to today: how has the world of trail changed in these 15 years?
It has changed a lot. The means have changed: now bikes and suspensions allow you to tackle trails that were previously the preserve of expert riders only. Bikers go faster and the numbers have increased enormously. Today I see 10-12 year old kids going down complex trails with great confidence.
The demand for structures such as jumps and more technical passages has grown: there is a segment of riders who are looking for increasingly challenging trails. At the same time, with the arrival of e-bikes, a much wider audience has opened up that is asking for fluid, easy and fun trails.
The result? The demands have exploded and there is much more work for us trail builders, both in the design and maintenance phases.
Speaking of maintenance: how do you design a trail to reduce future maintenance work?
This is a crucial aspect and one of the main differences between a professional trail builder and a volunteer. When you design a trail, you have to imagine how it will transform with hundreds or thousands of passes. If the line forces bikers to brake often, potholes and ruts will form in a very short time.
To reduce maintenance, it is essential to design curves, slopes and drainages so that the bike flows with less braking. The smoother the biker, the less impact there is on the ground. In addition to this, you need to manage water in the right way, because water erosion is one of the main enemies of trails.
I imagine you started out as a volunteer too. How does your approach change when you go from volunteer to professional?
Exactly: like many, I started out of passion, but when this passion becomes a job, everything changes. As a volunteer, you clean and fix a trail for yourself or your friends, following your feelings.
As a professional, however, you must consider water management to reduce erosion, design lines that allow maximum flow, think in terms of safety (trees, branches, rocks in the trajectory) and deal with the tourist strategy of the location: understand if a trail should be aimed at beginners, families or experts. The key is to optimize the construction to ensure sustainability and safety, minimizing the maintenance required.
Speaking of land management: what is the relationship with landowners and authorities?
For us it was essential to build a great relationship from the beginning. I always wanted to meet the owners in person to explain what I would do and ask for their consent. Many of them work in the tourism sector, so they immediately understood the potential of the project.
Today we see their hotels, B&Bs or businesses frequented by bikers attracted by our trails. This has created an involved and supportive community. In addition, some owners or their children have become bikers or have participated in our courses: an aspect that has strengthened the collaboration and created a positive climate, essential for continuing.
In conclusion
The responsibilities of a trail builder are many and often underestimated: the design and maintenance of the trails have a direct impact on the safety, sustainability and tourist success of the location. But there is another equally fundamental aspect: the work of social weaving with the community. Markus has provided us with valuable insights that deserve future exploration, because behind every successful trail there is a professional capable not only of digging, but of building relationships.
