Kinnikinnick Off-Road Cyclists have established enviable trail system in Whitetail Ridge park

By Teresa Pollock

In early 2007, a group of mountain bike enthusiasts formed the group Kinnikinnick Off Road Cyclists (KORC), www.kinnioffroad.com, for the St. Croix Valley.

Nick Caliva initially had the idea to start a club in late 2006 to promote biking and fitness in the area, as well as for people to hang out. In early 2007 he got together with a few friends and KORC was formed as a chapter of Wisconsin Off Road Bicycling Association, www.worba.org.

Caliva is the president of the organization. The group also governed by three other board members and three members at-large. The group has doubled in size since last year with current membership at about 40.

KORC is a registered non-profit organization and is in the process of achieving 501©3 status.

KORC holds bike races each Thursday evening at the Whitetail Ridge Trail located on the west side of the City’s north end business park off Hwy. 35. Fee to race is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Bikers can choose to ride in varied classes of 4-, 8- or 12 miles. Caliva said a variety of people who show up for the races, with some bikers as young as age 13.

The group

Club membership is $20 for basic membership and $30 for families. Businesses can also become corporate sponsors for $100 per year.

KORC also sells t-shirts on its Web site to generate money for the group.

All money attained through membership fees and donations goes into maintaining the Whitetail Ridge Trail. No one in the club is paid and members volunteer to maintain the trails.

The club has a spoken agreement with the city of River Falls to use and maintain the trail, Caliva said. Rick Clearly, former River Falls High School cross-country coach, is credited with mapping out the original trails.

KORC has consistently added new areas to the trail.

Caliva said that most of the people who maintain the trails are trained in sustainable trail building. KORC’s commitment to trail maintenance has won lots of compliments from regular users and visitors.

“A lot of people compliment the trail. People say ‘this is my favorite trail,’” Caliva said.

KORC will host the first annual Whitetail Ridge Trail run on Aug. 16. This trail run is being put on in affiliation with Muddy Paws Racing. This will be a 5k and 10k race for bikers of all ages and skill level.

Visit KORC’s web site for more information about the club, upcoming events and membership.