Trash Free Trails #springtrailcleans

This April you can do something simple that makes a difference to the environment, the people around you and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling that comes from doing something for the greater good.

We’re supporting Trash Free Trails Spring Trail Clean and you can too.

Throughout April, riders, runners and roamers from the Highlands to the Himalaya will be working together, but apart, to give something back to those places that have done so much for us over the last few months.

Why?

It’s not just the state of our trails, berms and jumps that have suffered from the increase in users. It’s fair to say not everyone treats the trails with the care they deserve. That’s resulted in more litter on the trails and surrounding woodlands.
We can all make a difference by helping to clear up the mess. Giving something back is good for your wellbeing, so at the very least you’ll feel good about it. But beyond that people who see you doing it will appreciate it and probably tell you as much. They may even start to think they could do it too. So you could start a chain reaction.

Where do we come in?

RideBristol is committed to helping as many people as possible access and benefit from off-road cycling in the Bristol area. We are focusing on maintaining the trails in Ashton Court at the moment, so they continue to be rideable and fun. A lot of local mountain bikers use these trails as a starting point for two-wheeled adventures that take in other trails in the local area. We would like to share some inspiring stories and photos of local mountain bikers taking to the trails, enjoying the green spaces and nature that we are so lucky to have just on our city edges.

How?

Trash Free Trails have put together an awesome toolkit to help you plan your route, share it online, record what you find and then recycle it. If you can spare the time then this is the way to go, because it helps spread the word and contributes to the research project TFT are running.

But if that sounds like a bit too much time or effort, don’t let that stop you. We’ve got three simpler ways to get involved…

1. Start small – Tiny habits

Make it part of your ride routine. Pack a small bag in your pocket, or back pack, some hand sanitiser and maybe a trash glove. Start by picking up one or two pieces of rubbish. It’s a small but easy thing we can do on each and every ride.

2. Get the family involved

Take the kids out with you and educate them about the importance of cleaning up the places where they live. Take a picture and get them to share it on Instagram and watch the likes roll in or whatever it takes to get them motivated! TFT has lots of great advice on their sire on how to do this safely.

3. Group ride – get your mates onboard

When you go for a group ride after the 29th of March, celebrate getting the band back together by spending 10 minutes at the end of the ride picking up some litter. Elbows all round!

Whatever you do share your trash haul with us and Trashfree Trails (@trashfreetrails) on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag. #sprintrailclean