[ Story by Dave Fitzpatrick / Photos by Joe Rykowski ]
Nobody ever sees a trailbuilder, at least not if they’re doing it right. Consider your favorite spot, be it DH, Freeride, XC, dirt jump, or skills-park. From the trailhead parking-lot to the trash-can you toss your post-ride beverage-container into, a dedicated trailbuilder—or more likely, numerous trailbuilders—had a hand in almost every aspect of your ride. Those perfect berms that flow from section to section? That surprising new rock-drop with the buttery landing? That flawless set of doubles with the rocket-launcher-lip? All thanks to trailbuilders.
And let’s not forget every log you didn’t find across the trail, those ruts that didn’t suck down your front wheel, that huge washout you didn’t have to portage around, the low-hanging limb that didn’t knock you ass-over-tea kettle, the visits to the emergency room you didn’t have to make…
