Why Trails Matter:
the case for more than just fun
Let's Consider the Future
A
s an officer of Gallup Trails, our local non-profit trail advocacy association, I am directly making the case to you, the Gallup Journey reader, for the immediate investment and development of trails in Gallup. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s what’s essential. The explosion of outdoor activity and the subsequent run on all things outdoors (try to buy a bike right now, I dare you) simply hits home the essential nature of... nature. And boy, are we lucky to have the nature we do. I moved to Gallup almost 20 years ago and much like everyone else’s story, fell in love with the people and the terrain, finding friends immediately in a group of guys that ride their bikes in the dirt and go up hills...on purpose! Any trip to McGaffey though is not only for the most dedicated of riders, but the forest is full of all manner of riders now, from young to old, beginner to expert. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, there are names that likely resonate: Moab, Sedona, Whistler, etc… These are places you go, the
14 June 2021
“Meccas” of their respective genre. It’s natural to assume, however, they weren’t always that way. Frankly, Sedona is so popular now with mountain bikers (and hikers) that I suspect people would call me crazy if I told them of how I went there in 2003 to ride, and couldn’t find a good trail to even warrant the trip and all the restaurants closed by like 9pm….but that was a different issue! But there are other names too, Bentonville, Arkansas, Ashville, North Carolina and Crosby, Minnesota. What’s the common thread here? These are the places that didn’t simply view trails as fun, or as a health asset, but as full-blown economic initiatives with a significant ROI! (that’s right, I’m speaking your language on purpose, money people). Bentonville, Arkansas, with stout investment from the Walton family, turned $70 million into an annual return of $120 million! And, most importantly, have declared themselves the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World!” A quick google search is all it takes to find countless articles and
