They call themselves “SteilKurvenFreunde”. Her passion is mountain biking and cycling. Pump tracks with jumps, tables and of course steep curves are their home. The 60 or so members of the young club, who describe themselves as a colorful group of bike enthusiasts, trail lovers and outdoor fans, have a big plan.
Bad Fredeburg – They want to build a pump track on the existing site of the Bad Fredeburg bike course – an undulating bike circuit for bikes with fun and action for all age groups.
Anyone who uses the cycle path from Bad Fredeburg towards Ebbinghof can already see the changes. Where there was an overgrown area and an abandoned seating area for a long time, a route with new steep curves and spiced up table jumps has been growing for weeks. On the site of the Bad Fredeburg bike course, which was made available to the club by the city of Schmallenberg, in addition to the pump track project, the existing routes are also to be brought back into shape so that Bad Fredeburg can soon be proud of a “fully fit bike course 2.0” again.
It is important to us that everyone can drive safely and have fun. Access should remain low-threshold – without expensive equipment or special requirements.
But what actually motivates a handful of committed fathers to invest their free time and manual energy into renovating the bike course? “It is important to us to offer children and young people in our region an attractive, safe cycling route – and of course we also want to be out and about on mountain bikes ourselves,” says Thomas Hachmann, member of the club’s board.
New club, big goals
As a young club that was founded exactly a year ago, we are committed to promoting MTB and cycling. The group is not just about action on the trail – but also about creating and maintaining routes, sharing knowledge and bringing young and old bike fans together. It’s about community, a symbol of responsibility, environmental awareness and nature conservation – and about reviving a dilapidated meeting place for cycling enthusiasts. The aim is to create offers for young people, families and beginners so that “everyone can get on a bike”. In addition, “events, tours and joint rides are simply more fun together,” say the members of the club, which emerged from a casual Whatsapp group in which bike fans arranged to meet up for weekly mountain bike rides. However, it quickly became clear: a permanent space was needed. In order to be able to use and structurally modify the area made available to them by the city of Schmallenberg, a registered association was required. “This was an important step for us; we wanted to take responsibility and act – for the kids and our region,” explains club board member Ralf Segref.
When the club was founded, the intensive planning phase began. A small group of active fathers formed a collective that brought together supporters from all over the area. “We want to show how much is possible with commitment and team spirit. Of course we are dependent on supporters and sponsors, but we bear the main burden with our own efforts,” says Segref, emphasizing the importance of volunteering.
This will be built on the site of the bike course
But what exactly should happen on the site along the cycle path? Two new pump tracks are to be created in the future. “We started work on the existing part of the route in the summer,” says Segref. On the new part of the site, the members wait for the bulldozer to roll in. The first pump track is scheduled to be built in the spring. The first construction phase includes a medium-sized circuit with waves, steep curves and small jumps. All routes are intended for all age groups – from balance bikes for the little ones to mountain bikes for teenagers and adults. “It’s important to us that everyone can ride safely and with fun. Access should remain low-threshold – without expensive equipment or special requirements,” says Hachmann. In the next construction phases, there will be two larger, more demanding pump tracks on two levels directly on the bike path. The routes will be connected so that athletes can find new challenges. The cost for both sections is around 50,000 euros, supplemented by around 1,300 hours of volunteer work. The first parts such as a steep curve have been completed – with the support of construction companies. The response was great: “On one of the first days of construction, around 40 helpers came, many for the first time. Even the little ones got involved.”
Financial support
The project thrives on the commitment of the region. “Without the support of local companies like Sparkasse Mitten im Sauerland and the help of the community, this would not be possible,” emphasizes Segref. The Sparkasse recently supported the project with 1,000 euros. In addition to donations, every helping hand counts. The association is particularly proud of the young people who are actively involved in the “Mach Hinne” project of the Schmallenberg city youth group and also appeals to others: “Anyone who would like to become part of this project – whether with muscle power, know-how or financial support – can contact us. Join in – for more flow in Fredeburg!” And of course one or two new steep curves…
Further information about the association and the project can be found here
