Margaret River mountain bike community comes out in force for trail weekend ahead of busy summer

More than 50 keen mountain bike enthusiasts turned out on Sunday to help with upgrade works for their beloved Stumpel Stiltskin track in the Pines north of Margaret River.

The event was co-ordinated by Humble Bicycle Co. in Vasse to celebrate the redevelopment of the trail in collaboration with local businesses and Margaret River Off Road Cycling Association.

Sunday’s busy bee saw volunteers from toddlers on balance bikes to State champion riders take to the new trail after a day of hard work.

Funds for heavy machinery came after organiser Rex Dubois got in touch with local trail builder Dave Du Plessis from Woodland Trails and Landscapes.

A fundraising T-shirt drive sold more than 100 tops, allowing the contractors to support volunteers working with hand tools.

Additional funds came from Margaret River Brewhouse — MRORCA’s unofficial clubhouse — after the brewery donated $1 from each of its MTB-themed ales In The Pines.

Dubois told the Times he tried to organise similar events annually to give back to the community and improve the trails everyone enjoyed.

“This year’s project began when we teamed up with Specialised’s soil searching program to run a volunteer day in Margaret River,” he said.

“We worked with MRORCA and decided to work on the trail Stumpel Stiltskin as the club’s maintenance budget didn’t extend to this trail.”

MRORCA president Damien Barts said it was good to get the work in ahead of the expected upshoot in visitor traffic on the popular local trails.

“This refreshed trail is a fantastic addition to the Wooditjup trail network ahead of a busy summer of visitor traffic,” he said.

“This is the first time we have seen a project like this occur, where local businesses and volunteers have come together to deliver the community a fantastic trail that would have a real-world value of over $10,000.”

The work culminated in a barbecue for the hungry hordes and prizes awarded to participants.