Some Stats on Trail Usage

The HMBA invested in some trail counters last Fall and 3 were installed on trails within the Happy Creek Trail System this winter. We were curious to see what trail usage was in winter months. The average air temperature is added to the graph, and we can see that the colder temperatures didn't sway some of our trail users! Data from our trail counters will help estimate trail usage, monitor growth in usage and also to compare usage between seasons. All this data will be valuable in any future grants - we can use these numbers to show how awesome our trails are, year-round!!

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Trail Usage Stats

HMBA Receives Donation

On December 12th, The HMBA received a $500 donation from Colin Hanington through his employer REPSOL Oil & Gas Canada's Investing in our Communities Program. In the photo, Jonathan Hayward (left) accepts the donation from Colin Hanington (right). Thank you Colin and REPSOL!

HMBA Awarded CFEP Grant

Exciting news! Tuesday, Mr. Eric Rosendahl, MLA for West Yellowhead, presented a cheque to HMBA's Treasurer, Julie Duval. HMBA has been awarded $6,683 for a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant - a grant that was applied for in March 2017.

This grant covers the work done this past summer to refurbish the skills areas and trails within the Hinton Bike Park. The work totaled over $14.6K. Matching funds for the grant included $5K from the Bike Park's Operational Funds (Town of Hinton) and $3.5K of donated services/labour from Hoots Inc.

October Winds = Downed Trees

There are many reports of trees down at the Hinton Bike Park and on our trail systems. Please ride with care!! Our trail guardians (aka volunteers) have been removing some of these trees, but it may be a while before it's all cleared up.

Rock Band: A new ending to a great ride

Rock Band was a trail added to the Happy Creek Trail system in Spring of 2016 in the form of a short but sweet 0.6 km technical downhill trail option (Difficulty rating: Advanced (black)).   Read about the initial build here.  The last 70m of this trail went through a low-lying area and the above-average accumulation of rain in the Summer of 2016 made it clear that we needed to find a solution for this wet section, dubbed "Shrek's Swamp".  

In the Spring of 2017, the Hinton Mountain Bike Association applied for the Hinton Community Grant and was awarded $2,035 to build a boardwalk for Rock Band.

Thanks to the contributions of many volunteers in the past few months, the donation of lumber from West Fraser Mills Ltd., and the Hinton Community Grant, a long, winding technical feature was added to Rock Band's song.

There is still a short section to complete to make it perfect, but it's definitely good to Rock'ON as is.  Many thanks to all the awesome volunteers who made this happen - over 75 hours of volunteer time was put into this project!

Lumber donated from West Fraser Mills Ltd.

Thank you West Fraser Mills Ltd, Hinton Divison and the Town of Hinton for your contributions and support!

First step: cutting all the slats

Overall, almost 400 slats needed to be cut

Putting the Rokon + trail to good use!

Some added excitement for the day!  Luckily, no one or thing got hurt in this kerfuffle.

Other modes of transportation.  And yes, this mode had it's own kurfuffles!

Good way to build up those riding arms!

Workin' on the line

View from the exit

View from the entry point

Talisman Logging Donation

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association would like to give a BIG thank you to Talisman Logging for their recent donation of $1,000!!! Talisman Logging is a local Hinton business who has contributed a total of $6,000 since 2015. THANK YOU Talisman Logging for seeing the value of investing your dollars in #bikehinton!!

Repsol Donates $1,000 to the Hinton Sprockids Program

REPSOL has generously donated $1,000 to the Hinton Sprockids Program.  A cheque was presented to the program's coordinator at the last Sprockids session of the season.   The kids were excited to ride in a warm Fall night and to eat the burgers and hot dogs provided for the kids.   Food items were donated by McDonalds, Safeway, Freson Bros - Hinton Hill and Freson Bros - Hinton Valley.

Jesse Kirillo, REPSOL, presents a cheque for $1,000 to Tim Trahan, Hinton Sprockids Coordinator.

Tim Trahan, Hinton Sprockids Coordinator, thanks Jesse Kirillo, representative of REPSOL, for donating the use of their mobile BBQ for the program's year-end session.

Let there be light!

The time of year when the lights go on! Part of the Hinton Community Grant received in April 2016, the solar panel and lighting setup (inside and outside of the main seacan) has been made fully operational this year. The lighting will be useful for visitors who ride a bit longer than anticipated and for those who enjoy night-riding. For those wishing to better plan their rides, this link can provide some information for the daily changes in sunrises and sunsets.http://www.sunrisesunset.com/canada/Alberta/Hinton.asp

Repsol Donates $5,000 to HMBA!

REPSOL has generously donated $5,000 to the Hinton Mountain Bike Association.   The company has made many contributions in the past 10 years and the Board of the HMBA sincerely thanks REPSOL for it's continued support!

Donations such as these help the association in their continuing efforts to maintain and build trails and features.   

Weekend Workshop for Women (update!)

For the ladies: Shred Sisters Ltd. has added a 3rd group for their weekend workshop in Hinton on August 12th and 13th.   Visit their webpage to register!!

New Membership Sponsor

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association would like to welcome Folding Mountain Brewing as their latest 2017 HMBA Membership sponsor! HMBA Members get 10% off food. This new brewery is just 10 minutes west of Hinton and also offers a kid-friendly menu (found on their website!). Not a member?? Go to our website to find out more and how to become a member! 

Not a biker? Play disc golf!

Going to the bike park with family and friends and looking for optional activities? Check out the disc golf course managed by the Hinton Disc Golf Association (they have a Facebook group). The course is only a minute walk away from the park's parking lot. Discs can be borrowed (with deposit) at the Travel Alberta Hinton Visitor Information Centre.

Give Feeback!

We'd love to hear your thoughts about the latest 2017 Trail Maps for Hinton! Only 500 pamphlets were printed recently and can be found at the Hinton Bike Park sign-in kiosk, Vicious Cycle (Hinton), The Hinton Voice, Travel Alberta Hinton Visitor Information Centre, Maximum Work Gear and Bike Boy.  

Please let us know what you think! We will take all suggestions and feedback into consideration for our next batch of maps.

Donation Received for Recent Bike Park Refurbishment

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) would like to thank Daniel Duval for donating $500 towards the Community Grant project at the Hinton Bike Park: Refurbishing Slope Wars, Fo'Shore and the Drop Zone. In the photo: Jay Hore, HMBA President (left) accepts the cheque from Daniel (right).

The HMBA was awarded two Community Grants from the Town of Hinton in April. The second grant will be used to build a ladder bridge over the 50-70 feet of wet/marsh at the end of Rock Band, a black diamond trail that was added to the Happy Creek Trail System last year.

Jay Hore, HMBA President receives cheque from Daniel Duval

Jack's Trail System Report

Trail highlighted in yellow.

"Dan's Deadly Downhill", part of the upper loop of Jack's Trail System, has many downed trees and debris across the trail. Pine beetle infected trees, pine beetle abatement work and strong winds have contributed to the debris. Please stay on the lower loops until the trail has been cleared up. Thanks!

Book Nook at the Bike Park

For those who enjoy reading a book while friends and family enjoy the Hinton Bike Park, a new "Take a Book - Leave a Book - Borrow a Book" box can be found behind the seacan.

Donated in 2016 by a visitor who loves reading and sharing!

Behind the Hinton Bike Park

Build it and they will come....but who will maintain it???

To help give Hinton Bike Park users and visitors an idea of what goes on behind the scenes, some information is provided below.   When the weather makes bike park conditions poor, there are many reasons why the HMBA reminds all users to stay out of the park, and the main one is the knowledge of all the hard work put into keeping the park in great shape for the enjoyment of all.

How it all started

When the Hinton Bike Park was in its first phase (2008), the goal was to build an outstanding mountain bike skills park that is fun, safe, free of charge, and accessible for all abilities and ages, thereby facilitating the promotion of skills development, active lifestyles and mountain culture.   It was the first of its kind in the Yellowhead region, a regional hub for activity.

Grand Opening of the Hinton Bike Park

Partnerships

The Hinton Bike Park was made possible by the Hinton Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) - all volunteers!!!, the Town of Hinton, and the many, MANY, supporters over the years.  Check out our list of growing supporters!

The Stats

• The Hinton Bike Park has 37 Acres of land with the possibility of future expansion.  
• The cost to build the first two phases (2008-2009) was over $400,000 in cash, material and time.
• Free of charge to users (donations are welcome!)
• Central location to access Hinton's trail network (over 30 km!)
• Visitors from all over Alberta, Canada, US, and many international countries have been to the park

Fast Forward to 2017

The Hinton Bike Park is almost 10 years old and was showing signs of aging and deterioration.  It was time to focus on refurbishing many areas within the park.  The HMBA applied for grants, made use of the annual maintenance fund provided by the Town of Hinton, and used funds accumulated from donations received from its wonderful sponsors.

The total value of the 2017 maintenance work was $25,500, and focused on these areas:

• Skills Area
• Mini Pump Track
• Dirt Jumps
• Drop Zone (part of the Hinton Community Grant)
• Fo'Shore (part of the Hinton Community Grant)
• Slope Wars (part of the Hinton Community Grant)
• Midway Pump Track
• Business Time
• Jodoin's Journey (erosion/drainage issues)

Dirt Jumps

Midway Pump Track

Business Time

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New Trail

Earlier in the Spring, a representative from Pembina Pipeline Corporation contacted the HMBA about the opportunity to donate towards something Sprockids-related.  The Board of the HMBA suggested building a trail that was suited for the younger Sprockids group (dubbed the run-bikers).   With Hoots Inc. and Crew lined up for all this work, the new trail became a reality in mid-June!  The total value of this trail is $20,800, which includes $3,295 of services donated by Hoots Inc.  and $15,000 donated by Pembina Pipeline Corporation.

New trail!

Thank you Pembina Pipeline Corporation!

How you can help

• Ride Dirt Not Mud.  If you are leaving visible ruts, it's too wet to ride!
• Become a member!  It helps with grant applications.
• Stay connected via the website, facebook or through our member emails.
• Volunteer when maintenance days are announced.
• Be a bike park and trail ambassador!  Educate others.

Hoots Inc. Crew with their biggest fan

New to our Trails? Here's what we recommend!

New to our trails? One of the loops that locals enjoy is highlighted in yellow, approximately 8.6 km. About 200 m elevation gain. Start on Just Get There and finish on Happy Creek (West side). The trail head is roughly 2 km from the Hinton Bike Park parking lot. This loop has bit of of everything: up and ups, rewarded with downs and flowy single track. And don't forget to stop at our favorite EZ lookout!