Dr. Adam Wade – a chiropractor for Canada Skateboard’s Fay de Fazio Ebert at the 2024 Paris Olympics – is leading an introduction to women’s mountain bike clinic at Glebe Park Aug. 16.
Wade has a family place on Haliburton Lake and is a member of the Haliburton Mountain Bike Club, which is hosting the clinic this Saturday.
Club president Jason Bradley said Wade volunteered to offer the workshop to area women.
He added it is open to anyone, members or non-members. “They’re going to learn introductory mountain bike techniques, skills, safety, and riding practices,” Bradley said. He added, “you can never have been on a mountain bike before and you can show up Saturday.”
The clinic starts at 9 a.m. and people are encouraged to reserve a spot by emailing haliburtonmtb@gmail.com .
It’s been a big season for the club, which hosted its firstever annual general meeting in the spring. It now has a constitution, and elected Bradley as president along with three directors: Owen Flood, Luke Lester and Graham Borgdorff. The club has about 70 members.
The Glebe Park Committee looks after the park on behalf of Dysart et al. The mountain bike club, cross-country ski club, and snowmobile association all have a hand in maintaining trails.
So far, the mountain bike club has had four volunteer sessions for trail work.
Bradley said, “part of the club’s mandate for this year was to increase accessibility; so, beginners and kids and youth can access the trail network.”
The trails are marked one through 10. One to four are now for beginners, and marked green. They also have intermediate trails, marked blue, and expert, marked black.
“We’ve brought in a bunch of fill and just made them more accessible to beginners. That was our whole idea, so people could have a 30-minute loop to build their confidence and then progress.”
He said they’ve also built a kids loop behind the Haliburton Highlands Museum.
New signage was expected this week for the mountain bike trails sections.
Bradley said they’ve also lucked out with some corporate sponsors, so “good community involvement.” He added that Sir Sam’s Ski/Bike had given club members a discounted rate.
Bradley said the other key thing is group rides every Wednesday night at 6 p.m., for both a beginner’s easy ride and an intermediate ride. “We’d love to have more people show up. Anyone can show up on the Wednesday and people help you, and your ride will be according to your skill level. You will be accommodated.
“You’re in the woods. Membership is $25, which is super affordable. You don’t have to have a membership to ride in Glebe, but you would be contributing to trail maintenance and insurance, which is expensive.
“It’s a fantastic resource we have within Glebe Park. It’s beautiful and we’re lucky to have it and there’s a club that wants to embrace it and have fun together.” For more information, go to haliburtonmtb.ca
