It’s time to recognize some unsung heroes in our midst. I’m talking about the countless men and women who have generously volunteered to endure blisters and backaches in order to repair and rebuild our local trails.

The rains had barely stopped, and restoration work had already begun.  Volunteer groups from SHARE, Warriors Society, STR, Saddleback Cycling Ministry and others have organized and conducted trail work projects these past few weeks.  Trails that were once dangerously rutted and washed out are now smooth and flowy singletracks once again.

On behalf of our entire Rwanda Ride team, we say “THANK YOU” to each of you who worked (and who continue to work on) our trails.  You are true heroes.  In the words of Helen Keller (admittedly not a mountain biker, but an inspirational person nonetheless):  “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.  The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” So to all you trail-builders – a hugh thank you for all the pushes and shoves of those trail tools you worked so masterfully on our behalf.

Roger Toubeaux and Ken Rands are two guys on our Rwanda Ride team who’ve helped organize trail projects.  We will certainly have more trail work that is needed before our event on April 30.  Stay tuned for invitations to join some trail parties.  Please join us, you’ll have fun and the reward and satisfaction of a job well done is worth it.