Information on Authorizing the Pidherny Trails
In 2006, the Prince George Cycling Club undertook a project to legalize the mountain bike trails in the Pidherny and Nechako Ridge area of Prince George. The PGCC has spent the last couple years working closely with the Ministry of Tourism Culture and the Arts (MTCA) City of Prince George, the Prince George Golf and Curling Club (PGGCC), and other stakeholders; in the development of a sustainable, safe and well maintained bike park for the Prince George area. Over the last few years this project has changed shape many times, but the club is finally starting to get close to achieving our goal.
This initiative started back in 2006 as a result of the PGGCC starting their process to purchase some land in the Pidherny area for their new golf course. The local mountain bikers became concerned as some of the best trails in PG became at risk. Although it was not possible, nor was it ever the intent of the PGCC to stop the PGGCC from purchasing that land, the PGCC wanted to ensure that as many trails as possible in the area could be saved and protected.
The PGCC worked closely with the PGGCC in saving several of the trails that fell within the PGGC proposed golf course area. the PGGCC has supported the PGCC's efforts to save the trails and they have worked hard to make boundary adjustments wherever possible.
As a result of this sudden risk to the Pidherny Trails, the PGCC started a process with the MTCA (formerly the Ministry of Tourism Sport and the Arts) to legalize the trails in the Pidherny area, along with the trails in the Nechako Ridge area.
In order to sign an agreement, the PGCC had to develop a Site and Trails Management Plan which included an exhaustive amount of researching government regulations. In the end, we are proud of our progress and our Vision Statement: "Better trails for all riders in a sustainable, progressive, mountain bike destination."
The Goals and Objectives for the project are:
- The Prince George Cycling Club (PGCC) would like to authorize a 20 year old existing mountain bike trail network through an agreement with the MTCA to establish a recreational site/trail area on Crown land. The mountain biking network consists of single track cross country trails and trails with man-made or natural "Technical Trail Features" (TTF's) suitable for free-ride and downhill mountain biking.
- Develop a Master Plan (Site/trails Management Plan) for the Nechako Ridge Mountain Biking Pilot Project.
- Sign a Mountain Bike Site/trails Management Agreement with the Province of British Columbia - Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts that will authorize mountain biking in the Nechako Ridge area.
- Secure a sustainable recreation site/trail network for multi-recreational users in accordance with Section 56 of the Forest and Range Practices Act.
- Secure land agreement with the Prince George Golf and Curling Club for proposed border adjustment along the west border of the course (adjacent forestry road at the end of Pidherny Road).
- Understand and include Woodlot License 1548 Plan into our Site/trails Management Plan.
- Promote recreation and active lifestyles for youth and adults.
- Put Prince George on the map in the mountain bike world with a site that hosts a challenging network of single track trails, a bike park and a skills development area that will attract local riders of all levels, tourists, and create opportunities to host events such as BC Cup races.
If the PGCC is successful in legalizing these trails, the trails will be "rehabilitated" to meet specific standards (Whistler Trail Standards and IMBA Trail Standards) in order to ensure that the trails are safe and have as little impact on the environment as possible.
The end result, of the project, will provide a managed and authorized site/trails system, suitable for all levels and types of mountain bikers. Well placed maps and signage of the site/trails network, difficulty levels, and hazards will keep riders on the trail within the recreation site. The park will include a skills development area where riders can hone their skills in a progressive environment where rider education and communications will be instrumental. The site/trails network and skills park would be considered a destination for tourists and recreational enthusiasts. The high level, long-term outlook has the potential to include some of the infrastructure one might expect to see in a Provincial Park.
If you are interested in riding the Pidherny or Nechako Ridge Trails, click here for more trail information. Please remember that if the PGCC's Pidherny Project is successful, all of the trails in the Pidherny and Nechako Ridge areas will have to be authorized and build according to Whistler Trail Standards and IMBA Trail Standards. If you are interested in building trails, or for more information on the "Adopt a Trail" program, please contact us.
For more information on trail building standards, please check out the Whistler Trail Building Standards or the IMBA web site.
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