Trail Advocacy Program

For some time now, the US family-owned company Trek has been providing financial support to associations and initiatives for the implementation of their trail construction projects. The first trails have already been built thanks to this funding.

Saarbrücken, the Erzgebirge, the Upper Bavarian district of Miesbach and Mosbach in Baden-Württemberg have a lot of very committed mountain bikers who have made it their mission to improve the trail infrastructure in Germany. As part of the Trail Advocacy Program, they all received a cash injection from US bike manufacturer Trek in 2021 to implement their construction projects. The latest developments in the regions mentioned show that the money was and is being used in the right place in all four cases.trekbikes.com/trek-trail-advocacy

Pay Dirt

Santa Cruz isn't just about making bikes - the cult bike makers are also concerned with improving access to trails. In 2019, Santa Cruz committed to donating one million dollars to trail projects over three years with the "Pay Dirt" program.

The Santa Cruz makers say: "PayDirt is our effort to improve access to trails by supporting the work of people who make it possible. We are committing to donate one million dollars over the next three years to trail projects, local organizations, events and programs aimed at enabling and improving access to trails."
Santa Cruz is already known for its commitment to trail building, for example around the company's headquarters in its namesake Santa Cruz and beyond.

The latest project is being supported in the French ski resort of La Grave. This is known as one of the most extreme ski resorts in the world. The large glacier is home to some of the steepest slopes in the French Alps and the small town in the valley has an active mountain scene. However, La Grave is not a typical bike park. It is more of a wild area with various bike trails. These are rough and challenging, but should offer a truly epic experience for those who tackle them. Now the local L'Association de vélo alternatif de La Grave (AVAG) is in the process of completing a new descent that starts at 3,200 meters and ends 1800 meters lower down in La Grave.

santacruzbicycles.com/paydirt-la-grave

Soil Searching Program

Since 2018, "Specialized Soil Searching" has been supporting trails, parks and their hard-working hands worldwide with organizational, financial and personnel support. The programme provides ambassadors, organizes fundraising campaigns and community "Dig Days" to maintain and expand existing trails or build new ones. The program thus pursues the idea of promoting mountain bike infrastructures globally. However, the details of what is supported and in what form vary from country to country.

From Canada to the Netherlands to Tasmania, projects have already been implemented under Specialized's Soil Searching programme. In 2019 and 2020, the program supported more than 50 passionate trail builders and 200 Dig Days worldwide. The first official Specialized Soil Searching Shape Day in German-speaking countries took place at the Crankworx stop in Innsbruck in 2021. Under the guidance of Benedikt Purner, Head Shaper of the Arlzeralm Trail, 50 volunteers lent a hand to awaken the Arzleralm and Hungerburg trails from hibernation and prepare the trials at the foot of the Nordkette for the upcoming summer season. No projects have yet been supported in Switzerland, but this is set to change soon. The form this will take will be communicated at a later date.specialized.com/soil-searching