The story begins with a serious bike accident that bans Patrick Schärer from the trails for six months. He was also unable to pursue his work as a baker-pastry chef during this time. He had been a Swiss Cycling Guide for a year at the time. During the forced break, wishes and ideas come together: "I already knew the filled-in quarry in Holderbank as a training ground. I started drawing plans, wrote an application to the municipality - and as incredible as it sounds, two days later I had permission to build and run a trail center." Schärer is also successful in his search for sponsors. It's as if the region had been waiting for the project.

Bikepark Stonepit is the name of the game. Schärer starts building with two colleagues. They pile up hills by hand, build wooden walkways, small jump ramps, seesaws and the like. "My idea right from the start was to appeal to beginners. The trail center is actually a Vita Parcours for mountain bikers," he explains. Even when he drew up the first plans, his goal was to offer riding technique courses at the facility.

To begin with, he only introduces adults to the basics of mountain biking: "People who want to ride a mountain bike but don't really feel confident because they feel unsure." At the same time, the trail center is open to everyone. Children roll over the obstacles they can manage, while their younger siblings run around in the playground next door. At some point, the organization behind the vacation pass asks if Schärer would also offer children's courses.

Is the mini trail center too small for Ride?

The training sessions for the kids are an even bigger success. They now take place every week. "But it's not about preparing the children for races," emphasizes the trainer, "we have children come with normal everyday bikes and in trainer shorts to have fun. Of course, we also have ambitious kids with clipless pedals and racing gear." Eight mountain bike guides are now needed to meet the demand for courses for young and old alike.

Despite all the success, Patrick Schärer continues to work full-time as a group leader in a large bakery. Together with a few colleagues, he is constantly developing the trail center a little further, patching up obstacles and making changes. The trails are still easy to ride and construction and maintenance remain simple. He doesn't want the whole thing to become a business, which is why he doesn't invest large sums in advertising.

Six months after celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Stonepit bike park, Patrick Schärer reads about the "flattest trail center in Switzerland" on ride.ch and thinks to himself: "Wait a minute, they have hills of up to three metres. Ours is definitely flatter!" He writes an email to the editors, complaining that he doesn't have the small change to appear on ride.ch and reminds them that he drew their attention to his bike park years ago. Without receiving a reply.

I apologize for this on behalf of the editorial team. This should not happen, but it cannot be completely prevented. I would also like to clarify: Ride does not report for money, but about the big and small stories that move the bike world. Tips are always welcome. For example, if there is an even flatter trail center than the Stonepit in Holderbank.

Find out more about Patrick Schärer's bike courses