The post by Claude Balsiger was recently published on Linkedin. In it, he briefly summarizes why he finds the discussion about flow trails embarrassing, why it divides the sport and could damage its image. Subliminally, he accuses the "MTB purists" of opposing the further development and diversity of the sport. By rejecting flow trails, they are more concerned with identity building and a distinguishing feature. For them, it is confirmation of their uniqueness. In short: the criticism of flow trails is based on personal profiling and not on facts.

Read the full article by Claude Balsiger on Linkedin: linkedin.com

There is enough room for all shapes and preferences in mountain biking, says Balsiger. That's true, as the sport thrives on its versatility. However, versatility is precisely the core of the flow trail criticism: when a new mountain bike trail is created somewhere, it is almost always one of these "marble runs". The problem is not the trails, which undoubtedly have a right to exist, but the mass and unreflective proliferation. In this way, the mountain bike offer is becoming interchangeable - from Sölden to Zermatt, a standardized infrastructure is being created.

Flow trails are the fast food of mountain biking

In addition, flow trails contradict the DNA of mountain biking: the sport thrives on the experience, the unexpected, the (micro) adventures. Flow trails, on the other hand, stand for trail consumption. They make the MTB infrastructure "convenient". Like sandwiches from the service station. They fulfill their purpose, are even extremely successful and highly profitable, but they no longer have anything to do with food culture and culinary demands. Figuratively speaking: flow trails are the fast food of mountain biking.

Necessary, not embarrassing

According to Balsiger, blaspheming this trend leads to division and could damage the sport's image. I take a completely different view and don't see the critical debate as embarrassing, but as necessary. Rather, it is questionable to want to shut down this discourse with pseudo-scientific accusations such as self-profiling. Balsiger bypasses the discourse and casts the critics in a negative light: they are purists in a sports subculture who oppose the further development and diversity of the sport.

In a concluding "self-declaration", Balsiger shows that, as a mountain biker, he is at home in both worlds. But one important point is missing: Balsiger is the managing director of Allegra Trails, a successful trail building company that is also committed to building flow trails.

 

Giger's "self-declaration"

My name is Thomas Giger and my passion for mountain biking began in 1990. Back then, there were no flow trails. Today they exist and are part of my routes. But I get bored on them. But that doesn't mean that I deny flow trails their right to exist. As a critic, I'm not part of a nerdy subculture, as is often claimed. Rather, I believe that I speak from the soul of a large proportion of mountain bikers on this point.

More blog posts by Thomas Giger

ride.ch/blog/giger