Rahm honored for Sisters trails project

John Rahm, of Sisters, has earned the Peter Hanson Memorial Award from the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee.

The award is part of the annual Big Chainring award, which honors those who have made a significant contribution toward improving bicycling and walking conditions in Deschutes County; encouraging children or adults to walk and ride their bikes; and making Deschutes County communities healthier and happier.

Rahm was honored for his volunteer efforts in improving the Peterson Ridge Trail just south of Sisters.

The Sisters City Council nominated Rahm for the award. In a letter of support, Jeff Sims, vice chair of the Sisters Trails Committee, said, "as soon as John joined the Trails Committee he began lobbying for this project to be a high-priority project because of the benefits to the community of having a destination mountain bike trail system. This trail would not only benefit the locals but also bring in tourists and even mountain bike races."

Rahm is an avid cyclist and he told The Nugget last year that he started the effort "for purely selfish reasons" - he wanted to improve his mountain biking playground.

But Rahm's project became a major civic undertaking that required a Forest Service environmental analysis, negotiation and compromise with equestrian users of the trails and the mobilization of dozens of volunteers.

Sims noted that Rahm "coordinated almost 1,000 hours of volunteer work, including an International Mountain Bike Association Workshop, horse users and local volunteers. The final result at the end of this year (2008) was 20 miles of new mountain bike and hiking trail and eight miles of horse trail constructed and designated."

"I was really surprised by it," Rahm told The Nugget. "I know a lot of guys who do a lot for cycling and trails, so I guess I'm humbled by it. It speaks well for the organization (Sisters Trails Committee) I think."

Rahm is not resting on his laurels. There's about 3.5 miles left to build on the proposed 30-mile system. A local Scout is taking on one mile as a project and work teams are being assembled for the weekend of June 6-7 to tackle another mile or so of building.

For information on joining a work team, contact Rahm at 549-8049.

The Peter Hanson Memorial Award is named for a Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee member who lost his battle with cancer in 2005. While only a resident since 2003, his presence was felt (and is still missed) in many volunteer efforts in Central Oregon.