MORE Volunteers Give Locust Shade Mountain Bikers a New Place to Fix a Flat

Mountain bikers at Locust Shade Park now have a new place to make quick repairs before—and potentially during—their rides, thanks to the time, labor and donations of volunteers with the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE). A new concrete pad and refurbished bike repair stand are now in place at the park’s main trailhead, giving riders access to basic tools and an air pump.

For a mountain biker, a loose bolt, soft tire or minor mechanical problem can be the difference between a day on the trails and a ride home.

The repair stand was originally donated by a MORE member shortly after the completion of 95th St., one of Locust Shade's mountain-bike-dedicated trails. In July 2022, MORE volunteers installed a concrete footing and paver base at the main trailhead, giving riders a place to make basic repairs and inflate their tires before heading out. The stand proved popular.

After several years, however, the original paver installation began to present another problem. Rain and runoff were carrying silt onto the base, potentially creating problems for the repair stand itself.

Rather than allow the equipment to deteriorate, MORE volunteers removed the stand, cleaned and serviced it, and began looking for a more permanent solution. They found one in a new concrete pad.

MORE worked with Locust Shade Park Manager Chris Kelly and got permission to install the pad after showing him the existing setup. The new design would raise the stand above the surrounding runoff while giving riders a more stable, cleaner surface on which to work.

The project was paid for entirely through donations from MORE volunteers.

This past August, MORE volunteers John Errico, Mike Jones and Carl Whaley spent a morning installing the concrete pad. The group then waited several weeks for the concrete to cure before Errico returned Aug. 31 to reinstall the repair stand.

For the volunteers, the work is part of a larger effort to improve the experience at Locust Shade and strengthen the relationship between the mountain biking community and the county.

MORE is considering additional improvements around the repair stand, including informational signs covering basic bike repairs and upcoming events. The new information could supplement the park's existing kiosk and give riders another source of information when they arrive.

For now, though, the new repair stand offers a simple benefit.

A rider with a flat tire can reach for the pump. Someone with a loose component can grab a tool. A minor problem that might once have ended a ride can, in some cases, become nothing more than a brief stop along the way.

It also serves as a visible reminder of the work volunteers are willing to put into the places they ride. The stand itself was donated. The new pad was funded by MORE volunteers. The installation was completed by volunteers giving up their time and expertise.

For Locust Shade's mountain bikers, that's one more reason to stop, make a quick repair if needed—and get back out on the trail.