2023-08-15 04:00:00
Due to the whims of Mother Nature, high winds and torrential rains, among other things, the volunteers of all quad clubs in Quebec have a lot more work this summer to maintain the network of trails.
“It is certain that the season is difficult for the maintenance of the trails with the conditions that Mother Nature offers us, explains the president of the Quebec Federation of quad clubs (FQCQ), Réjean Blouin, who lives in Gaspésie. With the deluges that we have experienced, the trails necessarily require more maintenance. »
“Volunteers do what they can. If we use subcontractors, they are not always available when we need them. But despite all that, I think we’re doing pretty well right now. »
AN INCIDENT HAPPENED QUICKLY
As for the situation in general throughout Quebec, the president explained that under the circumstances, it was not so bad.
“There are incidents. There are sections that are less beautiful. We have asked all clubs to pay special attention and indicate the dangers, if necessary. They repair as needed; but it must be understood that volunteers have their limits and that the lack of resources in some places can make the difference. »
“In the Gaspé, the trails are a bit muddy, there is water in some places, but for many quad riders, that’s part of the pleasure of practicing their favorite hobby. The traffic is there. We receive people from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and even Toronto. »
Before leaving us, the president said he deplored the latest deaths that have occurred, including one when the youngster was not wearing a helmet.
“He was too small to ride on a quad and also he was not wearing a helmet. People must understand that the practice of the quad is very pleasant, but that it also requires respecting certain inevitable safety rules such as wearing a helmet. »
MATAPEDIA, A GOOD EXAMPLE
“The bad weather broke a lot of forest roads, forcing us to work a lot more,” says André Blouin, president of the Matapédia mountain bike club. It all started last December 23 with the strong winds we had which, added to those of this spring, caused the fall of thousands of trees on our trails. We had to undertake a very large-scale cleaning operation to be able to offer beautiful trails. An army of 126 volunteers pitched in. We were able to get through. At the end of May, people might use our trails. »
Heavy storms also caused quite a bit of damage.
“We have a lot of mountains in our territory, which implies a lot of runoff water, which flows abundantly. We planned for this by installing many culverts, 764 in total, to counter the problem. »
“We were able to reduce the impact, but still, our tractors regularly go out on the trails to provide ATV riders with trails where they can travel easily and safely. The wind also destroyed many road signs, but there were fewer than expected. They have been replaced. The club’s group of volunteers takes care of the grain every day so that the situation remains stable, ”said the president.
He admits that this is the first year that so many damages have complicated the work of the volunteers.
“It’s not easy, that’s for sure. The installation of the numerous culverts paid off very well. We do water outlets every 100 feet to eliminate water coming down from the mountains. It makes a little more trails rock and roll, but people like it. This situation has not prevented quad riders from visiting the region. »
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