To advance community and economic development in the Northern Forest, the Center will invest nearly $170,000 in mountain biking projects this year through the Bike Borderlands initiative.

Bike Borderlands is a collaborative of nine independent trail organizations working to strengthen and promote mountain biking as a tool for community and economic development. The Center has facilitated Bike Borderlands since 2017 and has raised funds for the member organizations to invest locally. 

Projects funded for this summer include: 

  • An improved pump track where kids and new riders can build their skills in Craftsbury, VT 
  • A 1-week youth mountain bike camp in Gorham, NH 
  • Equipment and training to establish a youth mountain biking program at the Town of Littleton (NH) Parks and Rec Department 
  • Strider bikes and helmets for a gear library in Bethlehem, NH 

The majority of the funds will be invested in new trail projects to improve access, mitigate environmental impact, and connect communities, including: 

  • In Bethlehem, NH: A 2-mile youth-designed trail loop connector and a 2.5-mile climbing trail; 
  • In Franconia, NH: The Crane Hill Road connector, a 0.65-mile adaptive trail connecting downtown to Ski Hearth Farm, making a 4.5-mile loop; 
  • In East Burke and East Haven, VT:  The final MooseHaven connection — a 0.86-trail fully connecting the two towns; 
  • In the Bethel, ME area: Rerouting 0.5 miles of trail and converting it to singletrack;  
  • In Gorham, NH: The Bear Springs Trail, a 1-mile connector; 
  • In Littleton: A 1.5 mile climbing trail and middle network improvements 

Funding for these projects is from You Have Our Trust Fund and by an anonymous foundation. 

Borderlands members include Craftsbury Outdoor Center and Kingdom Trail Association in Vermont; PRKR MTN Trails, Franconia Area NEMBA, Bethlehem Trails Association, and Coos Cycling Club in New Hampshire; Circuits Frontieres in Quebec; and Inland Woods + Trails and Carrabassett Valley Trails in Maine. 

You can see photos and stories of the work as it progresses by following Bike Borderlands on Facebook @bikeborderlands.