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Radek Masner knows there’s no shortage of work to be done on New Hampshire’s mountain biking trails.
On calmer days, he rakes leaves, and throughout the summer, he works alongside the New England Mountain Bike Association building large features that make trails more enjoyable for experienced, thrill-seeking riders.
When he enters the woods of east Concord, Masner draws on his professional instincts to care for the Broken Ground trail system along Portsmouth Street and I-93. Masner retired as an internal medicine physician during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he’s affectionately known to local mountain bikers and hikers as the “dirt doctor.”
“I like making the right diagnosis as fast as possible with the best treatment possible. If you can do that, you can feel good about it. Now, I know this is dirt and rocks, but you know, it’s still kind of the same approach,” he said.
For bikers, central New Hampshire’s mountains offer challenging terrains, chairlifts and other amenities that draw in riders. Volunteers like Masner, of Concord, maintain the region’s numerous trail systems, helping to keep them fun, safe and accessible for walkers, bikers and runners alike.
The nonprofit New England Mountain Bike Association oversees the creation and maintenance of trail systems across the region. Although not a member himself, Masner considers his efforts complementary to that of the organization.
“You could be out there between eight and 12 hours straight while working pretty hard,” he said.
He treats trail maintenance as both a precision craft and an art form.
Choosing the right layer of soil creates the foundation for most of his projects. Each layer possesses distinct qualities, and mixing different types of soil together can affect a jump’s ability to withstand the elements over time.
“Where are the most likely places you could find the type of dirt you’re looking for? If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll spend all day looking. That’s where somebody who does landscaping or works on stuff around the house learns how to work with the soil,” he said.
Keeping riders safe is the most important element of design, although the visual appeal and “fun-factor” are what make a trail feature complete by his standards.
He thinks of the safety components of a new car: It passes crash testing criteria, has seatbelts and airbags and is, presumably, enjoyable to drive. “It’s got everything, right? You’re designing something that works well, but is safe and is pretty as well,” he said.
NEMBA designates trails throughout the Broken Ground system for disciplines including hiking, running or downhill biking. Although Ry’s Way and Ghost Pipe are considered biking trails, Masner has met many people who pass by on foot as he works.
For those who hike the trails as a part of their daily routine, Masner has become a familiar face.
“There’s a lot of people that routinely walk their dogs there. It’s a nice walk for most people. They seem to like it. We all like it. But when people stop you and say, ‘Hey, thank you for all that you do,’ you can tell they really appreciate that,” he said.
Respecting the right-of-way for the designated discipline along a trail is an unspoken rule among outdoor enthusiasts who navigate multi-use trails. Following this rule helps ensure the safety of all parties involved.
“When I’m on a bike trail, I have to understand that it’s bikes first, walkers second. And on the walking trails, it’s hikers first and bikes second,” he said. “And that’s how everybody can get along in the same place, so everybody’s having a good time.”
Masner love for the sport extends beyond the thrill of traversing steep trails or the adrenaline rush after hitting a challenging side feature.
A lifelong biker himself, he has needed to slow down and consider his physical limitations with age. Maintaining the trails that riders love allows him to share in the joy of the sport.
“When they ride these trails, it’s not some half-ass yahoo just made some junk — it’s like, that’s a cut above,” he said with a laugh. “As a rider, I appreciate anything trail-related. But at this point, it’s like 90% of my time is spent making the stuff. 10% is riding it.”
