Dirt bikers in Glen Valley rejoice: Man builds track for local kids

The sound of dirt bikes fills the air in a back field inGlen Valley, P.E.I. There, you travel down a dirt path to get to what can only be described as a rider's dream.

About 10 kilometres of groomed trail with twists and turns, jumps and backwoods sections that get really sloppy when it rains, and that's just the way the three riders on the track like it.

"The muddier it gets, the better it is," saidBrandonMacLeod.

He and Tyson Gillisrecentlyknocked on Jerry MacLean's doorand asked to ride on what they thought was his land. It wasn't, but it got MacLean thinking.

"I just kind of appreciate how they came to the door, you know. There's not too many young fellowswould do that, and they were showing a lot of maturity I thought," he said.

"I had built a track for [my grandson]Ethan here behind our house and then I thought well, God, maybe I can do more."

MacLean decided to give new life to the track he had built for his youngest son many years ago, following basically the same route. When the boys got the call to come help out, they couldn't believe it.

"It felt pretty good that people actually care and want to help us have fun," said MacLeod.

Nowhere to ride

It had been frustrating for the riders,because they saidthere weren't many places dirt bikes and quads were allowed.

"You're not really supposed to drive anywhere else. Farmers won't let you in their fields and you can't really drive Confederation Trail. Roadside you can't do" said Gillis.

"As dirt bikers, we're labelled, so people think right away once they see dirt biker, they're just trouble, right?But the freedom is just we love getting away from reality."

All the boys agree with that statement, that dirt biking makes them forget the stresses of their world,and they get to try some new skills, said Breckum Weeks.

"I just like the freedom it gives, I get like an adrenaline rush and I can do a lot of cool stuff whenever I do that," he said.

Now they've started building their own jumps and trick areas along the trail system.

Parents are breathing easier

Parents are happy to have the kids off the road too. Brandon's mom Rebecca MacLeod couldn't believe what Jerry did.

"I thought it was fantastic, it's great to have them off the roads. I thought it was just a wonderful gesture for somebody to do," she said

"It's definitelya relief to know that they're in a safe spot and they can group together here and be away from vehicles and safe together and having fun."

Not all fun and games

But there are rules. First, the boys have to help out digging and moving trees to create barriers. MacLean said they have no problem working, always happy to pitch in. He also has rules to follow to keep everyone safe.

"They only go one way on the trail there's no racing shoulder to shoulder if they want to race they go one at a time," he said.

He also built the track in a way to keep speed down.

"I made a lot of tight turns so that no one is doing 70 kilometres an hour anywhere. If they're doing 30 kilometres an hour or 20 kilometres an hour, they're going fairly fast and no one's going to get hurt, I hope," he added.

MacLean saidhe likes to drive the track a bit too, but what he really enjoys is the company of the young men he's gotten to know.

"I got three young fellows over there that I can pretty near say are my friends or my buddies, and there's not too many guys that are 63 years old that they can say they've got buddies that are 16, and that's a big plus."

The boys say many other kids at school are asking about coming out and trying the track.MacLean said he is happy to have them, but he would like to be called first. The parents will have to send a consent letter,and he hasTyson and Brandon acting as police of the track to keep everyone safe and having fun in the dirt.

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