Terrace Offroad Cycling Association (TORCA) is building a new trail called Downtube on Terrace Mountain.
“The new trail adds a new intermediate level downhill route for riders on the Terrace Mountain trail network,” said Tyler Wilkes, TORCA trails director. “The majority of older trails are more geared to experts, and it is crucial for us to expand the beginner and intermediate level trails to help introduce newer riders to the sport.”
The 2.2 kilometre intermediate trail will open a new route from the northeast end of Flathead Loop to Kitselas Road, and adding to the 25-km trail network on the mountain.
Bikers will wind around berms, through trees, and over small bridges, rock sections, and a few mini-jumps.
“It follows a natural ridge down the north side of Terrace Mountain… it’s a part of the mountain that is shallow sloped enough, not steep, that we can make that beginner, intermediate trail,” Wilkes said. “It has been mentioned by locals [as a good spot for a trail] for quite a while.”
Wilkes says local contractors constructed 750 metres of the new trail starting in September. They are wrapping up their work due to weather and plan to finish the trail in 2016.
The $30,000 project is financed by government grants, the City of Terrace, Terrace Community Forest, TORCA and local clubs. This year’s costs are covered by Recreation Sites and Trails BC. TORCA volunteers and contractors also finished two other trails north of Kitselas Road this year, the Spring Creek trail and the Lichen.