As we navigate this challenging time together, the Velo MSM board would like to update our valued members and partners about our plans for the upcoming MTB season.

First and foremost, we hope that you are staying healthy and observing measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 within our communities. This involves respecting physical distancing, limiting non-essential inter-provincial travel and staying out of parks, including the Velo MSM trails.

Presently, the most optimistic projections of our health authorities suggest that it will be early summer before parks and recreational facilities can safely re-open. Velo MSM will be keeping the trail network closed until the Quebec government allows provincial parks to re-open. In preparation for that much anticipated day, we have hired Terrasculpt to complete all opening trail maintenance so that the full network will be in top shape.

We will update the website as conditions change, both in regards to spring conditions and physical distancing guidelines.

Mountain Fest

Last week, the Quebec government announced the cancellation of all summer festivals. It is clear that physical distancing measures will need to be lifted slowly and in stages to prevent a second wave in COVID-19 cases. Large public gatherings and festivals in the early stages of pandemic recovery present a significant risk of viral resurgence. Therefore, in accordance with the government’s decision, we must regretfully cancel Mountain Fest 2020. This event is not only our biggest annual fundraiser, it is also our give-back to the MTB community for their support.

We would like to reassure you that we intend to continue our tradition of hosting Mountain Fest in future and will be directing our efforts toward ensuring a bigger and better event next year.

Trail Building Endeavours

Our top priority at the this season is to complete BoneShaker. This 2.5km expert-level descent is near completion with only a few weeks work remaining. Once this is complete we are hoping to build a new intermediate level decent to the south side of Vanier and the first stage of a beginner/intermediate loop also on the South Side.  The timing of the construction of these new trails is dependent upon  our membership program in 2020 due to the loss of Mountain Fest.

Membership

Our regular membership program is live. We understand that for a great deal of you, there may be other priorities at the current time. What we can promise is that all membership dollars collected at the current time will be used for an expanded and improved trail network when we get back to a more normal life situation.

Be Safe

Please remember that the best way to help Canada and the rest of the world beat the COVID-19 pandemic is to behave as though you are infected, as opposed to actively avoiding infection. Please be smart, be safe, and keep healthy. Better times are ahead.