Local mountain bike riders
come together for work, play
PRESQUE ISLE — Aroostook County has a long history of off-road recreation, but in recent years the off-road recreation in the Presque Isle area has taken a new spin – one with two wheels and two pedals. Off-road cycling, or “mountain” biking in northern Maine has been building in support and enthusiasm with each passing summer season, and no place is that more apparent than with the riders of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club.
HARD AT WORK
Contributed photo
Club President Tom Chasse works on building a new feature in the park.
Each spring since 2005, when the trails of the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle thaw from a busy winter of on-snow recreation, the same members of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club that ski, snowshoe, and volunteer for world-class competitions, grab their bikes and move to the winding 20-plus miles of single-track trails that accompany the ski trails at the Nordic Heritage Center. Gathering for weekly group rides, running community bike programs, and maintaining the beautiful wooded space provided by the club’s parent organization, the Maine Winter Sports Center, the individuals that make up the Nordic Heritage Sport Club are breathing new and energetic life into the warmer months of Aroostook’s outdoor recreation.
On a Saturday earlier this month, club members once again gathered their efforts to put in a day’s work at the Nordic Heritage Center. This time the focus was to improve the venue’s mountain bike terrain park for the annual bike festival happening this weekend. The Fat Tire Festival, which features two days of games, races, and social events, is a one-of-a-kind event in Northern Maine, geared towards celebrating the sport of off-road cycling.
The club’s terrain park is a key feature of the festival, providing countless hours of enjoyment for riders of all ages wanting to try their hand at pedaling a bike over wooden teeter-totters, log-rides, stair-steps, dirt jumps and more. With donated building materials, volunteers were able to put in a full day’s work building new park features, manicuring existing terrain, and cleaning away debris from the winter months.
“Our bike terrain park is the perfect place for riders to get comfortable with new skills,” said Chad McPherson, avid club rider and chief organizer of the work day. “We have features to play on for every level of rider. All you need to improve is an open mind and willingness to try new things.”
Club president Tom Chasse commented that the work day was a huge success, “with lots of fun and great company helping to build new park features.” On behalf of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club, he thanked all the volunteers who came out to lend a hand, especially those willing to do the chainsaw work, as well as to the SW Collins Company for donating building materials.
Contributed photo
WORK DAY ORGANIZER Chad McPherson rides a new elevated log-ride in the park.
