I have decided that trail building is a sport, and this was an easy decision to stumble across.
Ian (of GPS fame with Tracks.org.nz and his work on the North Face) observed that the trail building “was a winter sport” and this seemed to make sense (if only to avoid the overheating of summer), however I have just come to realise the sporting aspect after the North Face trail has been made ridable.
We are going back to make it better, for sure, however the time spent actually digging is great fun, sociable, hard work, and I reckon that should most definitely be seen as a sport.
And not only is it a sport that can be played at any pace next to others, people can encourage, learn, teach, pioneer and specialise, and test themselves. It is a sport that leaves a tremendous thing as it’s legacy: a recreational trail that can be used and shared for years if not decades to come.
It can also be seen as a group sport, where this gathering tackles what they happen upon cooperatively, much as the hunter-gatherers did and still do.
Men and women have been making trails ever since they knew they would return. The effort is not limited to a contest between combatants, but an endeavour undertaken because the process is worthwhile, and the result is felt to be a Good Thing. Trail building, as primal therapy.
So build on, Ladies and gentlemen, you will be better for it. And so will the trails!