A Canmore mountain biker who crashed on a sabotaged trail in Banff is counting himself lucky to be in one piece, though injured after a hospital visit.
On Saturday (Oct. 29), Patrick Delaney, a Yamnuska mountain guide, was on the Star Wars trail on Tunnel Mountain in Banff when he crashed into a stack of wood placed on a blind corner on the popular trail.
Delaney had chosen Star Wars as a warmup ride because it was snow free and in full sun. About a quarter of the way into the trail, he came across what he describes as a ‘trap.’
“Wood was stacked across the trail in a location that was unforeseeable and unavoidable,” he said, Monday (Oct. 31). “It was in one of the very few blind corners on the trail. My bike has about seven inches of suspension and my front wheel cleared it, but I was out of balance and had to abandon ship, so to speak.”
Delaney said he “augured into some moss”, then struck his neck and shoulder on a tree, likely ruining his helmet in the process.
“I was on the ground for about 10 minutes after,” he said. “I had cuts and abrasions and I’m currently in debilitating pain.”
After ensuring himself that he had no upper spine damage, he pushed his bike out to his vehicle and headed home. He called a friend with knowledge of head trauma, and a builder of the Star Wars trail, and called the Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance, of which he is not a member.
“That set the ball rolling,” he said. “I’m not a member, but they were very caring and interested in how I was doing.”
How Delaney was doing worsened over Saturday night – to the point he headed for the Canmore Hospital on Sunday after waking up in excruciating pain at 4 a.m.
“They had me in a neck collar and on a backboard,” he said, “they were very concerned.
“I’m not a stranger to injuries, I’m a mountain guide, but had I been killed, which is crazy to me, I can’t understand why a human being would try to hurt another human being with a trap. It was like a landmine in a war – just for my choice to enjoy the beauty of Tunnel Mountain on a mountain bike.
“I’m still shocked that this sort of action was done in any scenario.”
Star Wars trail is a sanctioned and established trail used by young and old, newcomers and experienced riders.
“This is the sort of thing you’d read about in a mountain bike magazine or an experience on the north shore of Vancouver Island from 15 years ago. It reminds when I was 13 or 14 in Ottawa and people used to put traps for skateboarders on sidewalks. The Bow Valley seems 10 years behind the times. It’s a shame.”
Delaney, an advocate of mountain biking as an outdoor vocation and something kids can be involved in, said he often talks to fellow trail users like hikers and equestrian riders about biking.
“I volunteer to clear trails, and not just mountain bike trails, and, as a guide, I try to put back into the community. And I think if this individual was attempting to discourage me to stop, he’s created a very motivated individual to work with the public to promote mountain biking and try to eliminate the chance of this every happening again.
“I have every intention of pressing every possible charge against this individual. It could have been the end of my career as a guide and it could cost me the early part of the season. I could have a hard time before Christmas and I’m trying to contain my disappointment this could happen.
“It was a violent hit and could have been a tragic event. I’m just happy this didn’t happen to a less experienced rider or a younger rider, or someone out for the first time.
“I also hope this becomes a catalyst for everyone to become a member of the Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance (BVMBA). I’m going to and I want to push for safety and signage for other trail users.”
Doug Topp, president of the BVMBA, said his group knows the trail was clear late Friday and early Saturday. After receiving a call about Delaney’s incident, Topp said club members ensured the trail was clear about three hours after.
“It seemed malicious,” he said. “Clearly, there are people who are attempting to hurt somebody. It’s an approved trail that anybody can use and this type of thing does happen across the valley.
“What would happen if this (crash) was worse, or it was a kid? There was no way you could see it; it’s ridiculous this is happening.”
From Parks’ point of view, the incident is a serious one.
“Parks Canada takes visitor safety seriously and is working closely with stakeholders to create safe and enjoyable mountain biking trails in Banff National Park,” said Warden Mike Henderson.
“We encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470. This information will assist Parks Canada wardens in their investigation.”
