Bicyclists flock to trails

During a cool Saturday morning, groups of bicyclists converged at Scotts Bottom Nature Area for an early summer ride through the Wilkins Peak Trail System.

Most came from the Rock Springs and Green River area, while others came from Colorado and Utah for a chance to hit the trails.

Sweetwater Mountain Biking Association President Brent Skorcz and his wife Brenda were busy providing pancakes and bug repellent to the riders prior to their ride.

According to Rebecca Eusek, director of the Green River Chamber of Commerce, the pancake breakfast is something the two donated as part of the event.

For Skorcz, riding the trails is a form of therapy and is an activity he wants to share with others.

"When you have all the stress of life, you can just ride it away," Skorcz said.

Skorcz said the solitude, wildlife and natural beauty are some of the best aspects of the Wilkins Peak Trail System, as well as the fact the trails are still relatively close to Green River. Skorcz said he enjoys down-hilling on all of the trails offered in the system, but has a particular fondness for "Brent and Mikes," a trail he helped build.

During his past seven years as the SMBA's president, Skorcz and other members of the biking association have worked hard to build and promote mountain biking in Green River. One of the first accomplishments they've made was the construction of the Green River Bike Park, along with the development of the Wilkins Peak Trail System. Skorcz said he would like to expand the trails system and get more support from the city and county, as the system utilizes land both publicly and privately owned. Skorcz said a number of two-track trails exist in the area, but many mountain bikers prefer single-track trails.

Popularity for the trail system has increased during the past few years and has become recognized as the best mountain biking trails in Wyoming by users of the Singletracks.com website for the past two years. Skorcz said the trails have attracted visitors, especially mountain bikers from Rock Springs. The more bicyclists on the trails, the better the trails are as Skorcz said bikes traveling along the trails help prevent plants from growing along the single-track routes. 

"We just need people to ride it," he said.

 

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