Every Trail Has an Origin Story
I love origin stories. Most of us do. Early on, when Marvel started cranking out movies, it was all of the origin stories of the different characters, from Iron Man to Captain America and so on. We were swept away learning how these ordinary everyday people became superheroes. It’s their backstories that are compelling. This past year, as I’ve met with innumerable trail builders, this idea of origin stories keeps framing what I am hearing for me.
Every trail and trail system has a unique origin story.
The origin stories of trails are fascinating. Some would be worthy of a Hollywood-produced movie. Why? Because they were born out of tension and adversity. How many times have we heard (or been a part of) the repeated story of trails hacked into place under cover of night or in secret … “illegally.” Over time, as relationships formed with state or federal entities and partnerships created, most of these “wildcat” trails became fully legit and legal. However, in the process there was a good bit of conflict.
Last week I was back in Arizona visiting Sedona. That sounds like the story is set up to be a great mountain biking trip to escape Portland’s overcast and damp world. Truth be told, I didn’t even ride, nor was I planning on it. It was a trip to see my Mom, who lives outside of Sedona. I also wanted to continue meeting with trail builders to work on an article I started last summer on trail building in the desert. What better place than Arizona since there are a wide variety of trails from Sedona to Tucson featuring different soil conditions and microclimates?
I met with Lars Romig, a firefighter and trail builder in Sedona. We had connected years ago when he used to order coffee from me back when I owned Loam Coffee. Like clockwork, he’d order a 5LB bag once a month. It was finally good to meet up in person. Over a cup of coffee at Firecreek Coffee in the Village of Oak Creek, we connected. Lars told stories. I listened. It was amazing.
Sedona, like any place, has an origin story regarding its trails. Those who ride there today probably are unaware of its history. There’s no shortage of tension, frustration, and then breakthrough. Lars offered a unique perspective, having lived in that area for so long and growing up close by in the mining town of Jerome. He had also served as president of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition. I discovered I missed out on a work party by a day that Verde Valley put on. It would’ve been a blast to show up, dig, and take photos.
The point of the trip was to connect and hear stories. While I should’ve, I didn’t take notes. I just listened. It was fascinating. It doesn’t matter where you live; most trails have similar origin stories. Again, most who ride these trails today are unaware of the history.
In many cases, when a trail first gets roughed in for the first time, it’s the culmination of 10-15-20 years of advocacy … meetings … more meetings … filling out grant requests … and more meetings. For many, it’s mind-numbing, especially for those who want to dig. It’s a reminder that when it comes to trail building, innumerable actors pull off the show. More than that, there are people behind the scenes who are never up on stage or want to. They do what they do for the love of their community and to create something for future generations to enjoy. It’s about leaving a legacy.
These are the kinds of stories I want to tell through Trail Builder Magazine, whether online articles or in print. That’s why I crafted this statement when I was building this website …
Mountain biking celebrates its top riders, influencers, and brands (and rightly so!). We believe that trail builders, the unsung heroes, are integral to mountain biking.
Trail builders are the heroes. If trails have origin stories, so do trail builders. Everyone’s entry point into building trails is unique and even unexpected. I am creating a platform in Trail Builder Magazine to celebrate who I call “everyday heroes.” Unlike the movies, trail builders are not endowed with superhuman abilities through the bite of a radioactive spider or exposure to gamma radiation, but, like Thor, wield a mighty weapon … a shovel, a rake, a McLeod. Thank you for what you do to make mountain biking possible. You are heroes, and I want this magazine to celebrate and tell your stories.
Words: Sean Benesh Photos: Sean Benesh
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Benesh
Sean is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Trail Builder Mag. He is also the Communications Director for the Northwest Trail Alliance in Portland, Oregon. While in grad school, he worked as a mountain biking guide in Southern Arizona. Sean also spends time in the classroom as a digital media instructor at Warner Pacific University.
