Seven female mountain bikers from the Thurgau municipality of Fischingen have spent five years picking and drilling thick planks to get to this point, where the shoveling and shaping of their trails has only just begun. Association president Dani Schoch already explained in the last report on the project that this work was exhausting in a canton that is not exactly known for being bike-friendly. Today, he simply says: "We are glad that we made it."

The dedicated bikers managed to ensure that no objections were lodged against the final construction decision within the deadline. They now have two years to realize their trails. Ten sections are planned, which can be connected in different ways via existing forest paths and roads. There are classic single trails, a flow trail and an enduro trail, a jumpline, plus four uphill trails where even riding uphill should be fun. However, some are also about not having to pedal up the up to 22 percent steep forest road, the project documentation reveals.

Dani Schoch explains to Ride that the association's board is already working with a trail construction company on the planning, and two others have submitted their bids as part of the tender process. "But we can't award a contract until we have the funding in place," he adds. It goes without saying that it is easier to raise funds once the building permit has been granted. Nevertheless, they already have well over half of the targeted CHF 250,000 in the bag. 

So far, it has mainly been public bodies such as the Canton of Thurgau's sports fund and the municipality of Fischingen that have donated money. But companies and private individuals have also pledged contributions. "We are trying to find sponsors who can make large contributions and are also looking for individuals who would like to donate an amount of their choice to our project. Every franc counts," announces Schoch.

What is still missing will come from the community. "We will be crowdfunding on one of the well-known platforms. You can already donate via Twint on our website." Schoch gives the impression that the hardest part is over, that the project will not fail due to a lack of money.

In addition, the Toptrail Tannzapfenland association is now opening up to other members. "We have done the work up to this point on a small scale. Now it's time to bring in more people to build and maintain the trail," explains Schoch.

More about the TopTrail Tannzapfenland project

Thurgau MTB concept and route network still in the works

Meanwhile, the canton of Thurgau continues to work on its mountain bike concept. In summer 2024, the civil engineering office announced that it was working on a route network. "Draft routes with a total length of several hundred kilometers and around a third of trails are already available," according to the office's website. It remains to be seen whether the concept and the route network will result in restrictions on other single trails. Ride will report on this in due course.