Sault Cycling Club wants to inspire a new generation of cycling enthusiasts with a new, two-kilometre mountain bike trail in the Sault.
The non-for-profit corporation celebrated the grand opening of the Finn Hill Mountain Bike Trail Saturday morning, bringing members of the city’s cycling community out to ride the first-ever mountain bike trail established on municipally-owned land in collaboration with the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
Taking about five years to complete, the new mountain bike trail was built with the goal of getting more young people geared up for cycling.
“In order to encourage children to ride bikes, we wanted to create a network of short mountain bike trails — accessible trails — for the neighbourhood kids, so they have a place to ride and learn, but also to learn to like bike riding,” said Andre Riopel, advocacy director for Sault Cycling Club. “We figured that in order to create a generation of cyclists, we wanted to aim our efforts at young riders.”
Riopel says the new trail on the side of Finn Hill increases accessibility for cyclists, while adding to the existing trail infrastructure at Hiawatha Highlands.
“The challenge at Hiawatha is they have some amazing trails up there, but it’s far away. This is the access, being close to the Hub Trail,” he said.
The cycling club’s ultimate goal is to establish mountain bike trails near every school in Sault Ste. Marie in order to get more children and youth pedalling regularly.
“We expect this to be a catalyst for future growth,” Riopel said. “This is just a small part of a bigger picture, and we’re really excited.”
Sault Cycling Club raised $150,000 for the trail project, with the remaining costs being covered through donations, corporate sponsors and in-kind donations.