The mantra is as old as the sport itself: “No Dig, No Ride.” On the surface, it sounds like a fair call to arms—a way to ensure everyone contributes to the trails they enjoy. But when you look closer, this phrase is increasingly used as a tool for gatekeeping rather than community building.

I recently shared a post supporting the Lysterfield District Trail Riders (LDTR) and their Trail Adoption Programme. It took me back to my years spent as a volunteer with the “Lysty” crew, where I was on the tools and documenting build days. While my contribution looks different today, the commitment remains the same. However, the “No Dig” crowd often fails to see the bigger picture of how a modern trail network survives.

The Paradox of Participation

There is a specific image often associated with trail building: the tradie who finishes work mid-afternoon, lives a stone’s throw from the trailhead, and has the physical capacity to move dirt until sundown.

But the mountain bike community is diverse. We have healthcare workers, office professionals, and people balancing heavy family commitments. And, not everyone has the physical ability to spend hours on a shovel. Does a rider with physical limitations or a demanding schedule not deserve a place on the dirt? If we insist that physical labour is the only valid entry fee, we are essentially telling a huge portion of our community they aren’t welcome.

The Double-Edged Sword of Trail Building

The irony of the “No Dig, No Ride” mantra is that it is frequently championed by those building unsanctioned trails. This creates a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” scenario for the average rider.

On one hand, you are told you haven’t “earned” your turns unless you pick up a shovel. On the other hand, these same builders often don’t want “outsiders” touching their lines. This isn’t community building; it’s a closed-loop system of gatekeeping.

There is also a massive difference between accountable advocacy and private projects. Official clubs like LDTR operate with:

  • Permission: Respecting land managers and traditional owners.

  • Insurance: Protecting the volunteers and the club’s future.

  • Sustainability: Ensuring trails are built to last and don’t damage the environment.

When you build outside this system, you aren’t just bypassing the “red tape”—you’re bypassing the accountability that keeps our sport legal. Expecting the entire community to adhere to a “rule” set by people who aren’t operating within a sanctioned, insured framework is a logical dead end.

The “Dumbed-Down” Myth

Comments on my recent Warburton videos suggest the new, sanctioned trails are “boring” compared to the unsanctioned lines they replaced. This is a common grievance, but it misses the point of what a modern trail network is for.

Unsanctioned trails are often built by a few people, for a few people. They don’t have to worry about drainage, long-term erosion, emergency services access, or rider progression. A sanctioned trail network has a different mandate: it has to be sustainable, inclusive, and legal.

Calling a sanctioned trail “dumbed-down” is often just code for “I don’t like sharing.” A professional network is designed to be ridden by thousands, not dozens. It provides a pathway for new riders to grow, local businesses to thrive, and the sport to become a permanent fixture in the community rather than something hidden in the shadows.

The “Invisible” Labour of Advocacy

There’s also a common misconception that content creation is a lucrative hobby. In reality, it is a massive investment of both time and money. Beyond the tangible costs of travel, accommodation, and gear, there is the invisible workload that happens when the sun goes down:

  • The Edit: Hours spent at a desk cutting footage to make trails look their best.

  • The Strategy: Crafting thumbnails and writing SEO-optimised website text so videos get found.

  • The Engagement: Answering trail questions and navigating community criticism.

These late nights are my “build days.” This work puts eyes on the networks, driving the tourism and local interest that leads to the government grants and corporate sponsorships that official clubs desperately need to stay afloat.

A Thriving Ecosystem Needs More Than Just Shovels

A sustainable trail network isn’t built on shovels alone. It’s an ecosystem that requires:

  1. The Builders: The dedicated crew on the tools (sanctioned and insured!).

  2. The Donors: Those who contribute through club memberships and trail funds.

  3. The Advocates: Those who promote the trails, document the progress, and encourage the next generation of riders.

Advocacy takes many forms. Whether you’re joining a club like LDTR, donating to a trail fund, or spending your nights editing videos to put a local trail on the map, you are contributing. Let’s move past the gatekeeping and start celebrating every way our community keeps the dirt moving.