After the St. James City Council approved plans for volunteers to construct a mountain bike trail, a path has steadily grown through wooded city property.
Dan Fuhrmann, owner of Route 66 Bicycles in Rolla, has been organizing the trail project, which stems from the existing St. James biking and hiking trail off Highway KK.
“Residents of St. James, Sullivan, Rolla, Edgar Springs and students in the MS&T and St. James school systems have done a lot of work,” Fuhrmann said. “I've been doing the markings and we have been doing work to move ground as well as have small work days.”
Fuhrmann noted the volunteers have been working almost every week.
“We are all people who like to ride on the nice days and use the others to work.”
He described the dirt trail that had been formed.
“The path is clear of brush, leaves, sticks and is basically a natural path through the woods,” Fuhrmann said. “About two miles are rideable and walkable and 5.1 miles is marked off for the basic loop, which we will make as gentle and easy as possible.”
In the future he noted the Osage Region Trails Association, which serves Jefferson City and Columbia, would be bringing bigger equipment out to help with the project.
To clear the path the group uses tools such as rakes, chain saws, leaf blowers and other portable hand equipment.
Fuhrmann described the marked five-mile loop.
“It takes you through beautiful groves of pine trees and you can see a small waterfall, rocky cliffs and rock formations. So far it has a lot of natural beauty to it.”
He noted the five-mile loop, which would eventually connect to the current bike path, is expected to be completed this summer.
“We have no plans for events yet but it would be nice to have a grand opening once we feel an average rider could go all the way around with no trouble.”
Fuhrmann said the biggest challenge was finding blocks of time to make an impact on the trail.
“We have had help with Utilities donating pin flags to help mark the trail but some are disappearing so if anyone goes out there, please leave the flags where they are because they will eventually be removed.”
He said the volunteers are in need of a few short footbridges and material to help carry the path across small creeks.
Overall the mountain bike path has shown a great deal of progress, Fuhrmann noted.
“It's an opportunity for any community to have something like this and also a great recreational opportunity which brings a constant trickle of tourism dollars in and has potential to support one or two yearly events such as trail run competitions,” Fuhrmann said. “Thanks to City Council for having the vision to give this the green light. I think they'll be pleasantly surprised when the trail gets established.”
If interested in volunteering for trail construction email Fuhrmann at his shop at kicks@route66bicycles.com or call 573-368-3001.
The marked path may be viewed at mapmyride.com and by searching for St. James.
St. James, Mo. —
