Professional Builder Profile Interview: Manu Alvarez of MTB Basaburua in Spain
These professional builder profile interview series have been a blast! We get to hear from trail builders from all over the world who are making a go of it as professionals doing this for a living. Seemingly all professional trail builders start as volunteers. Along the way, they begin wrestling with questions like … “Can I do this full-time and make a career of it?” This series is to inspire you and share their stories. Hopefully, some of you will realize this may be the nudge you need to turn your dream into a reality.
At the same time, we know it takes grit, resiliency, and determination to make this happen. Nothing worthy in life comes without sacrifice and hard work. Everyone’s path to becoming a professional trail builder is different. Some come from a lengthy background of building trails for years. Others more or less stumble into it. Regardless, everyone has a story to tell. I’m excited to share our next interview with you. This time, let’s journey together to Spain and meet with Manu Alvarez of MTB Basaburua. This is his story …
Sean: What are you currently doing?
Manu: Currently, I am the designer, builder, and maintainer of the trail network of the MTB Basaburua cycling destination (Navarra, Spain).
I started with this project in 2019, cleaning natural trails around my town during my spare time. In 2020, with the Covid-19 pandemic, I had more time to dedicate to maintaining the trails. In 2021 and 2022, I started to advertise the routes and present several trail construction projects in my town hall, which were accepted and carried out. Besides, in 2022 I built a trail for Hirumuga Park, a bike park that can be found around this area. Thanks to the sponsorship of several companies and the valley's town hall, I can dedicate myself 100% to this project for 2023.
Sean: What prompted you to take the plunge in launching out and starting your own trail building company?
Manu: As far as I am concerned, I think it was the Covid-19 pandemic since 2020 had been the year that marked me. At that time, we were completely isolated, meaning we had to stay home. Fortunately, I live surrounded by mountains; therefore, I had no problems going to the forest. In this way, I spent the whole day outside, building and maintaining trails. For most people, that time was considered hell, but for me, being confined was a before and after in my life. That's when I realized that this was my true passion, and I wanted to make a living from it.
Sean: What’s been the craziest story or a-ha moment so far?
Manu: Mmm ... the truth is that there are many moments; I couldn't define just one. But if I had to choose a specific moment, I would remark on the moments when I see wild animals. At this moment, we are building a path, and it is located in a forest of beech and holly trees, where a European robin (Erithacus rubecula) lives. When I dig, the robin comes from behind eating the insects and worms that appear. It is very comforting to feel that symbiosis with the animals, since in the middle of winter, in a season in which they may have more difficulties when it comes to feeding, you are helping them survive.
Sean: What was the biggest obstacle you faced when starting?
Manu: When I started, I had two main concerns: On the one hand, the issue of obtaining legal permits to build, and on the other hand, the economic issue. Luckily, we have a very good relationship with the valley council and the forest guards. We work together to decide the area in which to build and obtain the respective permits with the Environmental Government.
Furthermore, the economic issue has also been easier than I thought. It must be considered that in Spain, apart from a couple of cases, there are no trail building companies and no mountain bike culture as there can be in other countries such as the USA, Canada, etc. I have been working altruistically since 2019, combining it with my work, but seeing the impact that the area has had both on social networks and on the influx of cyclists, I decided to start looking for sponsors for 2023. I have been fortunate since the town hall has bet on this project. Also, a large company in the area of bicycles, such as Orbea, has financed the project. I can dedicate myself to building and maintaining trails in the area. I am also supported by other companies like Biraka Bikes, Much More Trails…etc.
Sean: What is one thing you wish you knew when you started?
Manu: I would have liked to receive proper training before starting to build trails. In the beginning, when I began building trails, there were several important aspects that I didn't pay much attention to, mainly how water acts and influences trails.
With experience, I have been learning to build more efficiently and better in less time. I have learned to build more sustainably, build better structures and paths where water evacuates correctly, etc. I have been learning all these thanks to self-teaching and with a lot of practice. If I had received proper training, I would have been more efficient from the start.
Sean: What advice would you give to someone thinking of venturing out to start their own trail building company?
Manu: First of all, don't be afraid. If this is your dream, try it, no matter how difficult. Go ahead. Afterward, find out the type of property in the areas where you intend to work: whether they are public land, private land, etc. Establishing a good relationship with the authorities is also very important to obtain the respective permits. Finally, and to sum up, before starting to build, read, watch videos, and visit places where construction has been carried out because you will learn a lot.
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That concludes our interview. If you have a story to tell, click the button below and drop me an email.
Interview by: Sean Benesh Photos: Supplied by Manu Alvarez
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.
