News and Info
BIKE TRAILS TEAM
- BIKE TRAILS TEAM -
Have you ever wondered about the remarkable maintenance work behind the Swiss trails? In this article, we delve into the world of the Val de Bagnes Trails Team, a dedicated group that maintains Verbier and Val de Bagnes' exceptional trails.
In recent years, advancements in bike technology and the surge of e-bikes have enabled bikers to access once-exclusive hiking trails. However, this brought a challenge, as the repeated passage of wheels inflicted considerably more wear and erosion on these trails than traditional foot traffic ever could. This, coupled with Sylvain's vision of expanding mountain biking possibilities, led to the birth of the Val de Bagnes Bike Trails Team. Sylvain Haederli - head of the team - works for Promobike in collaboration with the Commune of Val de Bagnes, the Tourist Office and Televerbier. He dedicates part of his time to administrative work driving the community dossier for the trail network's official approval at the cantonal level. These authorizations are essential for erecting signs, revamping challenging segments to be more bike-friendly, and effectively promoting our trails.
We meet with Olivier, Phil, Cuba, and Robin at the summit of the "Torrent de Versegères trail”, to gain insights into their work. Their mission: guarantee trail experiences that are FUN, SAFE, and RESPECTFUL WITH NATURE. They skillfully adjust the trails by adding/removing stones to enhance stability, reconfigure the trails with added curves and features for a more enjoyable and fluid experience, and strategically introduce obstacles to deter bikers from eroding the natural landscape. While these actions are vital, environmental preservation and reducing ecological impact are the top priorities. They even take measures to restore areas where plant life was fading, by replanting cuttings of nearby vegetation. One could say they practise mountain gardening!
Our trails are prized as some of the best in the world, and we have Sylvain and the people he works with to thank for the amazing biking experiences on offer to us all summer. They also invest time not only in trail restoration but also in assisting local farmers with gates, fences, and deterring shortcuts.
As we inquire of both Sylvain and his team about the essential trail guidelines every biker should internalise, their answers align perfectly:
ALL TRAILS ARE SHARED; CONTROL YOUR SPEED AND RESPECT HIKERS.
SHOW RESPECT FOR FARMERS, PASTURES, AND ANIMALS. CLOSE GATES WHEN CROSSING.
HONOUR NATURE BY STAYING ON THE TRAIL AND LEAVING NO LITTER.
Now, every time you're out there on the trails, perhaps you'll take a closer look at all the work that lies behind it. Remember, the journey you embark upon is made possible by the meticulous work and passion that this team invests day after day. So, ride on and relish every moment, knowing that there's a team behind the scenes ensuring your enjoyment, safety, and the preservation of the natural beauty that surrounds you.
