After 10 years of pining, planning and prep work, the local mountain-bike community is about to break ground on a long sought-after dream: a trail system for riders right here in Idaho Falls.
Saturday at 10 a.m., volunteers will start digging in their shovels to pave way for a trail system on the southern end of Ryder Park (just off Sunnyside Road). According to the project's preliminary specs, over a half-dozen trail options will be available, ranging from flat-track beginner loops up to alternate routes with obastacles, high turns, table-top jumps and more.
Completion of Phase 1 of the three-phase project is set for mid May. Longer-term plans include a BMX track/bike park, which could see completion in 2020.
The trail-system project is being spearheaded by the Snake River Mountain Bike Club, Bill's Bike and Run, Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation, and Idaho Mountain Trading. Interested volunteers are encouraged to bring rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows.