The Northumberland Trail Riders MC

By: Warren Thaxter

Back in the early 90’s life as a dirt biker in Northumberland County was pretty great. Motorcyclists had just created a single-track trail system in the Ganaraska Forest under the guidance of the Ganaraska Regional Conservation Authority. A provincial trail riding organization had been formed, Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR). The new concept of organized trail riding was being embraced by Ontario motorcycle clubs and Ontario riders were welcoming the new non-competitive activity.

Some enthusiasts who had been instrumental in building the 70 kilometers of single-track trail in the Ganaraska Forest thought a similar project could be created in the Northumberland Forest. These individuals under the blessing of the OFTR, approached the Northumberland County with a written proposal which was accepted by council on September 22, 1997. (Bylaw 563:97) As exploratory trail marking began it was believed that an area-specific non-competitive motorcycle club should be formed to guide, govern, and build this new trail system. This was headed up by a Grafton character named Brad Bell who was a very active member of the Northumberland Forest Users Committee. Brad spent considerable time at the registry office learning all the forest boundaries. Though Brad was colour-blind and had a poor sense of direction he was half of the vital crew who found and ribboned what would eventually become a single-track system about 80 kilometers in length. The incorporation date for the Northumberland Trail Riders was July 02, 1998 and the signatories were Brad Bell, Jenifer (Grey) Denis and Julian Denis.

The actual creation of trail in the Northumberland Forest was a slow slog due to a small local base of riders (21 members in 1998) to draw from and riders/workers originating from the GTA were drawn to

the closer Ganaraska Forest as a riding destination. Trail however did get created bit by bit and was used by the Oshawa Competition Motorcycle Club for the Mini Pine Enduro for a few years.

The NTR began in 1998 hosting a yearly organized trail ride as a revenue source. In 2004 a parcel of land adjacent to the Northumberland Forest came up for sale. At a special NTR club meeting on November 17, 2004 three motions were passed, one; to attempt to purchase the property,

two; set a maximum amount to spend, three; secure a mortgage.

The land purchase is history, and the property is now mortgage-free. The ‘club property’ boasts 12 kilometers of single-track trail, a newly added ‘kids course’, a picnic area, a change area, a gazebo shelter with tables, a sea-can container with barbecue and riding lawnmower.

The NTR held a very successful spring trail ride for a dozen years and in 1998 debuted a NEW IDEA of a trail ride exclusively for the female portion of the riding community. This was a charity event, named for

a female rider Meg Thorburn who was battling cancer. Proceeds from four years hosting ‘Meg’s Ride’, totaling just over $35,000 was donated to the Northumberland Chemo Cancer Clinic of the Northumberland Hills Hospital.