"Are you ze Canadians, who built zis trail?" asks an excited mountain biker in bumpy English at the entrance to the bend paradise. Kris and Kevin nod and smile sheepishly. They are the quiet stars of the Freiburg scene. After all, the bikers can look forward to built descents because of them. Letting hard-won metres of altitude fizzle out on dull forest roads? That was yesterday.
The fact that Canadians of all people are building a trail in Freiburg is based on a chain of coincidences. In 2012, Ansgar, the chairman of the MTB club in Freiburg, met Kris and his friends while travelling in Canada. When he found out that the boys worked as trail builders, Ansgar joked that they should come to Freiburg to dig a few fun trails in the forest. And indeed, with the help of Specialized engineer Peter Denk, who lives in Freiburg, Ansgar struck a deal with the city.
"At the time, I didn't believe that the idea would actually become a reality," Ansgar recalls. But it did. In 2015, four Canadians from Nelson BC came to Badner Land and built an official trail in the middle of the land of the 2-metre rule. The city had approved the trails and was pleased that the flow of bikers was being channelled. However, they didn't want to spend any money on it. Peter Denk therefore donated the flight, accommodation and catering. The trail was christened "The Canadian" and attracted bikers from all over the region to Freiburg. Due to its great success, head builder Kris and three other friends have now returned to Freiburg. Their 2016 project: a trail that differs from the downhill-heavy Canadian. "The Badish Moon Rising is more of a cross-country trail," Kris calls out as we turn into the trail.
Then it starts. But not downhill. The bench-width trail initially undulates rather tamely through the forest and throws its riders ponderously from one berm to the next. Short uphill sections make it clear what Kris meant by cross-country character. The trail covers just 130 metres in altitude over a length of 4.2 kilometres. Nevertheless, the trail is not boring. It took the four Canadians and helpers eight weeks to build the trail. The type of route guidance is also new for the experienced trail builder from Canada. Until now, he has tended to build downhill routes. Kris knows from years of experience that the most important thing a trail needs has little to do with the question of uphill or downhill:
"A trail has to flow like a stream," he grins. His mate Kevin has a similar view:
"The trail has to guide you and set the speed," he shouts into the wind. The Canadians seem to have succeeded for the most part with their new project, even if the many uphill sections cause the flow to stutter a little. The last section of the trail proves that the two Canadians know exactly what they are talking about. While they wait at the end of the trail on the plateau at Sohlacker, they can hear the cheers of other bikers echoing through the forest. The enthusiasm is balm for their souls. "And the best thing is: now it's up to Kybfelsen and from there it's straight to the start of the Canadian," says Kris - "ze Canadian," he imitates and grins mischievously.
Kris McMechan: Kris started building trails at the age of twelve - which later turned into a job. However, the Canadian from Nelson BC mainly earns his money as a lumberjack.
Kevin Weinerth: Inspired by his buddy Kris, Kevin travelled to Freiburg for the first time in 2016. He also has years of trail-building experience.
The tour
The entire loop has an elevation gain of 858 metres, 20 kilometres. From the kiosk in Freiburg-Waldsee, the route follows a forest road to the trail entrance (approx. 1:10 hours). The trail then winds its way over 4.8 kilometres and 130 metres in altitude towards Kybfelsen. The start of the Canadian trail is already waiting there, which leads back to Freiburg-Waldsee in a very fun but challenging 450 metres of descent.
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 1/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Laurin Lehner
Editor
