Work before play

To ride or walk on trails in the Triangle, you have to build them first. Build them yourself, that is, because about the only trails hereabouts not built by users are paved greenways (and when local parks departments figure out a way for us to lay hot asphalt, you can bet we'll be building those, too).

ATT volunteers won't be putting the deck on these bridge footings over Northeast Creek, but they will be doing some serious trail maintenance.

Two opportunities this weekend:

Mountain bikers: TORC continues to build at Briar Chapel south of Chapel Hill. Though no trail is open at the soon-to-be-gargantuan development, the network has the potential to be the biggest in the Triangle, possibly in the neighborhood of 30 miles. Help make that happen beginning at 9 am. Saturday at the monthly BC workday. Meet at the Exxon at the corner of US 15/501 and Andrews Store Road, between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. Bring water, gloves and wear real shoes. If you oversleep, call 619-1335 for directions.

Walkers, hikers, runners, bikers, strollers: The 22-mile work-in-progress American Tobacco Trail has workdays most every Saturday, addressing different sections of the trail. Be apprised of where volunteers will be working by getting on the ATT's volunteer e-mail list, by contacting Bill Bussey at billbus@gte.net or at 545-9104.

So, work Saturday morning, play Saturday afternoon.