Thank you to those who were able to attend the 2022 HMBA AGM. We would like to give a big thank you to Deerhurst Resort for hosting the event this year. This was our highest membership season yet with 309 adults – 88 youth. 397 total.
Trail development moved quickly this year with the Grand Opening of the 3km blue rated trail and 1km green rated trail at Hidden Valley. The on-trail signage and parking lot trail maps were greatly improved this season and monthly maintenance work was done by volunteers on both trails. The HMBA estimates trail usage of 5000+ rides based on Strava/Trailforks.
At the Deerhurst Resort trails, the HMBA opened 3km of blue rated trail, a green rated loop, and an advanced rated trail for a total of 4km of trail opened at Deerhurst this season. Basic signage was also added and signage improvements including trail maps are planned for 2023. Another 2km of blue rated trail was started in the fall by HMBA builders to connect the full 5km intermediate rated loop, slated to open in 2023. In addition, 2 new advanced trails (1km total) were also started in the fall to complete the advanced loop (2km total) and slated to open in 2023. Stay tuned for a Grand Opening event at Deerhurst next summer.
Once the intermediate and advanced trails are completed, the focus will be on trail improvements on existing trails. If you are interested in joining our core group of trail builders who work on the trails almost weekly, please reach out on the HMBA Facebook or Instagram.
Our community grew significantly this year and as a result the HMBA hosted weekly events in the summer on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Tuesday nights was the alternating group ride between HV and Lance’s that frequently saw 20+ riders per week. The women’s ride also had a great turnout on Wednesday nights. The two women’s skills clinics where the HMBA brought in professional mountain bikes coaches were a huge success, look out for these to return next year. The Weekly Race Series at Lance’s on Thursday nights also attracted a great turnout especially from our youth riders. There are major improvements coming to the weekly race series that would make it much easier to come out and try racing, stay tuned for summer 2023.
The HMBA is very grateful for the trail building fund raiser last fall and was able to purchase new equipment including another backpack leaf blow, new chainsaw and 10 new “Mcleod” high quality trail building tools. An outhouse and other trail improvements were also implemented at Lance’s. At the end of the season, the HMBA was approved for a grant from the district of Muskoka for a powered wheelbarrow / loader to be purchased for the club.
This year’s AGM saw a change to the board with original HMBA founder Graham Henderson stepping down from the role of Vice President. We’d like to thank Graham for all his efforts over the years building and supporting the HMBA. Moving into the VP role is long time board member Luke Howell, which left an empty director role that was filled by Tom Litchfield. We’re excited to have Tom join the board.
The 2023 HMBA memberships are now live. Thank you for your continued support of the HMBA. See you on the trails.