Mountain bikers, Greg and Rich, were kind enough to send us pictures and comments about our trails:

“We enjoyed riding the Orangeville-Owen Sound rail trail immensely and very much appreciate all the work you folks do to maintain it … We found the trail conditions to be excellent for mountain biking. In general, hard-packed gravel is perfect but of course, where the trail is freshly groomed the softer gravel or sand makes it tougher going. The Orangeville-Shelburne segment was mostly hard-packed I would say. The trail got a bit softer in sections north of Dundalk. In the vicinity of Holland Centre there were work crews actively grooming the trail. For a few kilometers the trail was being graded by an operator and then for several more kilometers north of that was freshly laid crushed limestone and another crew were working on spreading and packing it. From that point north to Owen Sound it was all crushed limestone and the trail was in excellent condition.”  Rich M.

“My friend Rich and I had an awesome mountain bike ride From Caledon to Owen Sound on Monday and returning on Tuesday, for a total of 300k. The best part was the 100k of Dufferin and Grey County rail trails. Thanks for having them so well maintained.”  Greg A-B.

While Dufferin Grey ATV Club membership is for riders of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs, 2-Ups, Side-by-sides), we do consider ourselves a custodian of the trails for other users as well.

In the summer the public trails are shared by walkers, hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. ATVs are permitted on the trails throughout the ATV season. Motorcycles are not permitted.

In the winter snowmobiles use much of the same trail (although not identical as they are subject to different landowner agreements). Walkers and cross-country skiers also enjoy the groomed trails.

Dufferin Grey ATV Club spends a significant sum of money from user fees and fundraising on trail maintenance every year. Funds and Volunteer hours go towards grass mowing; tree trimming; brush and trash cleanup; gravel for filling holes, smoothing slopes and preventing erosion; dust suppression; safety; signage; gate installation and maintenance; bridge building and maintenance.

When the trails are tended for ATV/snowmobile use, all users benefit.