A Busy Winter in Aldergrove

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Saturday, 04 February 2012 05:11

trail 005 By Sheila Sowerby

Sometime last year, Larry Squire and I grudgingly became the representatives for BCHBC, Aldergrove Chapter (grudgingly, because we’re lazy) and went for coffee with Anne Patterson and Dave Eddleston from the Langley Horse Federation. They wanted to talk to us about a trail I knew as the Park to Park Connector.

This multi-use trail is officially known as The South Langley Regional Trail and was built in 1995 to connect the parks. It extends east from Campbell Valley Park along quiet country roads and pastoral farm fields, o’er hill and dale until it screeches to a halt at 256th and 8th Ave….3 1/2 km short of it’s destination, Aldergrove Park.

Fast forward 6 months, and we are at the Langley Township Hall, January 16th 2012, to ask the newly elected Mayor Froese and his council for a bunch of money to finish the trail. Although this began as a LHF initiative, it became clear it was a perfect fit for the Back Country Horsemen (trails r us). In the stands, despite a dump of snow, are many of our chapter members as well as Vintage Riders and Horse Fed reps, who worked along side us on this, members of the Langley Mountain Bike Association and the Peninsula Runners, amongst other trail enthusiasts. This ain’t just a horse trail.

At the podium is our Vice Chair, Peter Thiessen, being his usual charming self. He’s pretty good behind a mic. On the screen is a fabulous power point created by Frances Rach (a Vintage Rider) with help from Anne (the Langley Times’ Accidental Rider). The Mayor and councilors seem impressed and indeed, after a few questions, at the end of the night they move to report back on the next steps to complete the trail!

Yay! Hopefully another trail to ride… soon. But there’s work ahead so stay tuned. New developments are posted on “Friends of the South Langley Regional Trail” on Facebook.

Meanwhile Mary the Magnificent (Huntington) has created a new series of Winter Warmer events. They kicked off in front of the fire at the Ed Centre Sunday January 15th with an enthusiastic group of instructors and students happy to be out of the snow. The topics were “what to take on a day ride”, by Rose Schroeder from Yarrow with her bottomless saddlebags, putting together an equine first aid kit and knots with Gail Robinson and Cindy Corney.

On January 28th after a tack cleaning demo, the "can't fail" method of compass navigation was taught by Capilano University instructor, Rick Davies. I attended (along with many others, it was a full house!) and I am now brilliant with a compass. I cannot wait to point out Polaris (the North Star) to all and sundry and nonchalantly wear my compass around my neck. Well worth the $20 fee.
Soon (oh please…) the weather will improve and we will have trails to ride, new and old, and opportunities to try out our compass skills! Until then, hope to see you at the Valentines Ride & Dance, Dr Paton’s colic clinic, Jay O’Jay’s riding lessons, Camping 101 or one of our many winter events.