Resident Profile - Kurt Adams

Kurt Adams is a name you probably know if you’re a keen biker in Fernie. He’s been involved in the Fernie Mountain Bike club over the years and has been el presidente for the last two to three. While you may realize this, you may not realize the amount of time and effort Kurt and others involved dedicate to the mountain bike community.

Putting together the Fernie Mountain Bike Guide made it very apparent to us this spring. Not only has our trail network grown, it has become higher quality. The trails are longer, ride flawlessly, are well signed and attractive to many levels of riders. On top of an enhanced trail network, we have organizations working to legitimize our trails, obtain insurance and much needed funding, and spearhead projects such as the Bike Park, Two Knee Races, Trail Maintenance Night, the paid trail crew, and so much more. A business with this agenda would have numerous paid employees. The Fernie Mountain Bike Club is lucky to have two – Henry and Luke, maintaining trails.

Kurt makes time for his intricate involvement with FMBC on top of a full time construction job with Larsen and Whelan. “Fortunately they are really understanding when I have to leave the job site to attend a meeting or respond to an email for FMBC,” Kurt says. And an additional project he’s taken on is a new Mountain Biking Exhibit for the Fernie Museum… to be up in time for the TransRockies.

While Kurt shakes his head thinking of how much there is to do, you see the fire in his eye. This is the guy that submitted a video to the Santa Cruz Hell Ride in 2008, made the cut down to the last 16 people in North America, was voted in to compete and won the race (65 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing). How did he train? “I biked a lot. Woke up early. Went to bed late. Ate a lot. Slept a lot.” You can see that when Kurt puts his mind to something, he’ll accomplish it.

Kurt admits that he’s always been involved in politics, even at a young age. “I figure you might as well go for what you’re passionate about,” he adds. And what exactly are the politics lately with FMBC? “We’re trying to sway from the idea of trail ‘quantity’ towards ‘quality’. It makes more sense to focus money and energy on making trails better, and apply for funding for legitimate trail building, than to spread across the valley and get shut down.”

Kurt’s role with FMBC is “challenging but not crazy” and he says it’s all worth it to get people on their bikes and having fun. “So many people have been along on this ride, not just me. It’s been fun working with a core group of people and to see the progression. Big Money, Hyper Vent, Slunt, Swine Flu… a lot has changed in the valley.”

It sure has. Thank you Kurt! Your hard work is appreciated.

1. When did you arrive in Fernie and what brought you here? I came to Fernie in July, 2001 for the mountains.

2. Where did you first live in Fernie? I lived above Carosella’s in Apartment #2.

3. What was your first impression? Fernie was a quiet small town with tons of potential to explore the mountains.

4. What keeps you in Fernie? The great sense of community that Fernie has, people contributing all the time to make our daily lives here better.

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie memory? My first winter in Fernie riding waist deep pow for the first time. I had no idea what to do, I felt pretty useless

6. What is your favourite time of the year in Fernie and why? Summer! There are so many amazing outdoor adventures to get into and riding bikes is fun too.

7. Where do you see Fernie in 5 to 10 years? Healthy, happy and BP free.

8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals? With a Bodum of coffee, black. I get up pretty early most days, well before work starts, drink a few cups of coffee while catching up on my e-mail correspondence that I never make time for.

9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you. I've seen a Sasquatch, twice.

Quote to live by: Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~ Albert Einstein.