From zero to 17 kilometres in one summer is an applaudable accomplishment of the dedicated volunteer workforce of Bike Cochrane.

Plenty of sweat was poured into this labour of love by volunteers to make these trails sanctioned, managed, legal and sustainable.

"It's been really impressive seeing the work, time, and effort that our volunteers have put into bringing those trails up to what we call an insurable standard so that it's something that our kids and our families can experience on bikes and walking and trail running to enjoy the beauty that is the nature in Cochrane," says Paul Perrault, director of operations for Bike Cochrane.

Just this week, they released a detailed map highlighting all of the trails.

Bike Cochrane Master Trail MapBike Cochrane has released a master trail map illustrating the opportunities they have created to enjoy the outdoors. 

Perrault says their trail crew volunteers numbered 76 people and there were eight trail crew leaders.

"One of the benefits we have is that so many people in Cochrane value and love the outdoors were in and are willing to take a few hours and help us," says Perrault, "whether it's trimming, pruning and taking down some of the trees that are blocking the sight lines and the views that make it safer for people to use the trails, but also people willing to pick up a shovel and dig, fix and make the trails as safe as they can be."

Following the signing of a formal trail stewardship agreement with the town in April, they decided to focus on the most popular trails first based on the data collected.

"We saw that the bulk of trails in the Ranche and Sunset were the most used, and also needed the most work," he explains.

Their work didn't end there. They continued to expand upon their Buffalo Bean network, which is exclusively for Bike Cochrane members, and earlier this month opened the first legal Mt. St. Francis trail on the privately owned land of the Franciscan Friars of Canada.

Perrault says they first contacted the Franciscan Friars two years ago to discuss the idea. How the area was being used illegally had been causing some pains and struggles for their silent retreats. 

They had considered fencing the area, but because connecting with nature is a core value, they opted to manage its use with the help of Bike Cochrane.

Perrault says people can use the trail but are asked to follow the rules outlined on the signage and not enter areas established for silent retreats. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

"That is something that has caused them quite a bit of pain and struggles as they've hosted retreats being disrupted by loud barking dogs."

Sunset Trail signA wealth of information is provided for trail users, including a map, rules, and even the location of the closest public washroom. (Photo/Bike Cochrane)

Bike Cochrane is using a combination of long-term public and private land partnerships to expand upon the trail system. 

Those cooperation and respectful relationships are key to providing more outdoor recreational opportunities, and Bike Cochrane applauds the private landowners who have helped to share this vision.

"We know there is a desire and a demand for areas for people to recreate in, and it's simply a case of finding a way to define a future together that's going to work for everybody, and wind up with a trail system that's going to be better than it was before."

"We believe that is the right way to build trails. We've definitely seen some rogue trail-building activities. We've had to dismantle some jumps that have been built in Sunset this year. As much as that may seem like, I want a place to ride my bike and jump with it, that's great, but if that's not in keeping with the landholder's desire for what they want on their land, it's never going to be sustainable," Perrault says.

"So when we put our volunteer effort into trails and into investing in our trails, we want it to be an area that is going to be sustainable, and it's going to allow my five-year-old to be able to ride his bike, or go for a walk, or go for a run on those trails, 5, 10, 20 years from now. That's really the ethic that drives all our trail development."

It was another partnership that allowed for the creation of what they call a "micro park" for youth ages 3 to 7 in the Riverfront Park.

"What we found is we've been able to make a space with volunteer-donated time, and volunteer-donated resources to make that park better for our youngest residents, and we're seeing upwards of 100 kids a day jumping around and riding on those little bumps and berms. It was practically a dead space that wasn't being used, and the town was willing to work with us to develop it."

Having worked to allow people in north Cochrane to access trails right from their doorstep, they now look to work with the town in 2023 to do the same in the southern part of the community. They also are looking at ways to expand its Buffalo Bean Trail and add some interesting features and cool downhill lines.

"We'll continue to work with private land owners, potentially offering ways to experience their lands in a safe and sustainable as well."

He says the work they do benefits everyone.

"Every trail that we make that's better for a mountain biker is also better for a trail runner, walker, and for somebody walking their dog, so we are helping a large portion of the population in Cochrane," he says.

"Our membership is now sitting at two per cent of the population of Cochrane, and we're helping everybody experience our town better."

Fall trail cyclistA mountain biker enjoying the trail in Sunset Ridge. (Photo/ Lost Coordinates)