Background Statement
MedWheel was formed in 1991 as a way to provide a positive voice for the emerging sport of mountain biking. Our founders valued the natural experiences that trail riding provided - a connection to nature in a technically-dominated world. They saw mountain biking and trails as a way to heal themselves - and they recognized both the opportunities and responsibilities that mountain bikers had to heal the trails.
They began by building relationships with land managers and other users, and launched a trail maintenance program to support this concept.
Today this vision is more relevant than ever, and MedWheel has been building, sharing and protecting trails ever since.
In 2024 our Trail Love program (despite weather challenges!) successfully completed 33 volunteer dig dates, on 13 unique locations on properties owned by different land managers - including 7 locations on Colorado Springs Parks properties, plus work on USFS, county, and private properties that are open to the public.
In partnership with Fountain Valley School we completed the Front Range's first race course for the Colorado High School MTB Race league. FVS hosted this race over a weekend in September to great accolades - and are on the schedule for another race in 2025.
We have expanded our professional trail services substantially, to include trail system planning and design, and have performed mechanical construction of trails in addition to volunteer/handwork on multiple properties.
MedWheel received its 501(c)3 nonprofit status in 2008, and joined IMBA as a Local Chapter in 2013.
We were a forming member of the Colorado MTB Coalition in 2020, a statewide coalition that works on MTB access issues at the state level, and helped to create 3 new trail advocacy groups in southern Colorado, in locations where a MTB and trails voice was absent.
MedWheel is deeply involved with all public land use discussions in our region, and provides detailed feedback and talking points on all trails discussions in our region, including properties like Blodgett Open Space, Jones Park, Fishers Canyon, and others.
Mountain biking is our DNA, but our strategies to fulfil our mission always include building cooperation and respect between diverse user groups, and promoting positive trail etiquette.
We create safe and inspiring trail experiences that are available to all.