Graeme Simpson: Mountain bike volunteers are priceless

Photo/Mark West

Volunteers aren't paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.

I came across that description on the Internet last week. It's a bit twee, even cheesy. It's also true. Take away the unpaid volunteer component of our trails and event organisation over the last 28 years and the story and big picture might look quite different. Remove the input of the Department of Corrections community service crews and it definitely would (but that's another story).

None of the nearly 200km of trail happened by magic.

While trails building and event management has become more 'professionalised', this potent thread of volunteerism still underpins a lot of the work being done. And 'professional' doesn't necessarily mean better. Most of my favourite trails are still those lovingly chipped out by hand, often over months, by people working in their own time.

The members of the Rotorua Trails Trust also work in their own time to manage and oversee the maintenance and development of the trail network and liaise with other stakeholders (land owner, forest managers, Rotorua Lakes Council). It can be unexciting with a lot of meetings and paperwork. However, it's absolutely essential to sound management and practise. It's also for the benefit of all recreational users of the trails – mountain bikers, walkers, runners and equestrians.

While doing this sort of hands on work isn't compulsory, you can show your support by joining and donating to the Trust: rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz/join.

Committed volunteers are also the driving force behind the various clubs – Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, Descend Rotorua, Singlespeed Society and Revolve Rotorua are major contributors to what makes our town tick and what put it in the international mountain bike map.

A turning point in this was the 2006 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships. The Mountain Bike Club committee did a lot of the work getting the event to Rotorua. Some of them were heads of departments for the event and then went on to build Old Chevy and organise the Singlespeed World Championships in 2010.

I've been writing these columns for 15 years (with a couple of breaks when work got too hectic or while travelling). The changes and growth in mountain biking have been massive over that time. One thing that has stayed consistent is the commitment of volunteers.

Which brings me to the first trail working bee of 2018. It's next Saturday, February 3, meeting at the Redwoods i-Site on Long Mile Rd at 9am. Tank to Town will be the trail to get some love. There's transport to the site and tools are provided or BYO favourite weapon. Snacks and drinks thanks to Holiday Inn, electric wheelbarrows thanks to Chapman's Restaurant and www.riderotorua.com and you will be in the draw for a 30-day geothermal pools pass from QE Health Wellness and Spa. And there'll be cake.

The second February bee is on Sunday 18, same meeting place, same time…and cake (not the same cake).

Check out Rotorua Trails Trust on Facebook for more information.