Oregon’s Disciples of Dirt promote trailwork with a friendly challenge

Video courtesy of KMTR News

Cycling can be a competitive pastime, but trailwork days are one time when everyone can come together and unite to improve their experience. That doesn’t mean a little friendly competition can’t still have a role to play however, as the Disciples of Dirt in Oregon demonstrated.

Last month the club, based in Eugene, Oregon, hosted a work day with a twist: local bike shops brought employees and customers out to maintain and expand the Whypass trails, and each volunteer signed in with their respective shop name. After two days, the shop that brought along the most volunteer hours won bragging rights and the right to host a “victory” party at their store.

The key to a successful event isn’t a lot of rules or separating winners from losers, said Kraig Brockelman of the Disciples of Dirt. The point is getting folks out to help.

“I want more folks invested and involved in our mountain bike community,” Brockelman said. “The trails and therefore the community are the winners.”

Participating shops included Bicycle Way of Life, Hutch’s Bike shop, Life Cycle and Rolf Prima wheels, which is based in Eugene and it’s team squeaked out a close victory in the first Whypass Trail Work Challenge.

Has your club or trail network come up with creative ways to promote trail work? Let us know in the comments.