By Michelle Bogacki

Who is behind this movement? Where did the idea come from? Who are the Triple D’s?

The Triple Ds are the dreamers, the drivers, and “the Dave’s”.  The dream began with Dave Whitney, not only an attorney in Ridgway, but also a bike enthusiast.  Dave W held bike races along the Laurel Mill Spring Creek area.  Several bicyclists have been inspired by his determination to create bike races within the Elk County area. Dave lost his life in an auto accident.   Dave Love soon came along with his dream to have Love’s Canoe and Cross-Country Ski Rentals in downtown Ridgway.  Dave L was the driver behind the Laurel Mill Cross Country Ski trails in the ANF.  Along the sides of the foresters of the Allegheny National Forest, Dave L and several volunteers worked tirelessly to create the trail systems.  Dave L retired and shortly passed. Today, Dave Leske is the dreamer to create, maintain and grow these such trails.  Dave Leske, a member of the Allegheny Hike Bike and Ski Club (AHBSA) is taking the legacy of Dave’s to the next level, as the AHBSA came to be the nonprofit to tie it all together.  Currently the AHBSA is maintaining the Laurel Mill Hiking and Skiing Trail systems through a partnership with the (ANF). The new extension and partnership are also with the Ridgway Township Sandy Beach Park Recreation Board of Directors, and Lumber Heritage Region (LHR).

With Drive, Determination, and a Dream, the new 3 D’s, movement is creating a mountain bike trail within the hills of Laurel Mill, which was once a Sawmill, and Civilian Conservation Corp / Camp.

Stay tuned as the mountain bike trail system develops.  It will showcase the history and heritage of the rich lumber history of Ridgway, PA.