Carving Dreams: The Rise and Fall of Kashmir Kunnu MTB Trail
A story of Building a Mountain biking Trail
There’s an old saying: “No dig, no ride!”—and we live by it.
My friend and I are passionate about mountain biking; we love riding just as much as watching epic MTB videos. Unfortunately, our hometown lacks proper trails. We’ve always dreamed of moving to Pune to explore its trails and Ride with some of India’s OG Riders but our studies and careers have kept us grounded.
That hasn’t stopped us, though. Instead of waiting for the perfect spot, we decided to build our own trail!
Alright…
phase 1:
To find the best spot for trail building, we decided to explore nearby hilly areas. From our list, we chose “Kashmir Kunnu,” located about 10 km from Calicut city. This place is well-known among Calicut locals and a few others, making it a great option for an early morning ride.
Phase 2:
The second step in our journey was to clean the trail. We cleared out plastic waste, including bottles and food wrappers, left behind by others.
One thing that really frustrates me is how some people claim to be nature lovers and adventure seekers, yet they litter carelessly. It’s disappointing to see them enjoy the beauty of nature while disrespecting it at the same time. I honestly don’t know what to call those who can’t take the simple step of keeping the environment clean and tidy.
Phase 3:
After successfully finding the perfect spot, the next step was to test the trail. We did countless test rides to determine what features to build, where to place the berms, and how to shape the flow. Every ride was an adventure—crashing almost every session, eating dirt, and eagerly ordering bike parts online.
As we dig deeper into the trail, we realized it was on private property. So, with hopeful smiles, we approached the property owner and said, “Hello! We’re here practicing for cycling workout sessions, and we’ve been clearing the way. Would you kindly grant us permission to build and ride here? We’re responsible, we keep the place clean, and we don’t do anything sketchy.”
Thankfully, the owner gave us the green light, and with that, we got back to building—excited to bring our dream trail to life.
Tools we used to build the trail:
- Shovel
- Grass cutter
- Picaxe
- Garden rake
- Bannana (Fuel)
Who knows maybe we were the first to build downhill MTB trails in Calicut.
Among all our mountain biking experiences, building the Kashmir Kunnu Black Berm 1 trail was the most memorable. It was a journey filled with learning and fun. The trail taught us valuable lessons about line choice, body position, and, most importantly, confidence—both in riding and in everyday life.
Trail building requires a diverse set of skills—designing and planning, environmental awareness, and strong social skills. Each build brings new lessons. At times, we wondered if trail building was really for us, but “No Dig, No Ride!” kept us going. The truth is, we often spend more time building and maintaining trails than actually riding them, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The best reward comes after all the hard work—finally riding the trail we built. By then, we’re usually exhausted, but that one final ride refuels us, making the journey back home completely worth it.
The End of Kashmir Kunnu
Date 2025 February
The entire area now belongs to private property, and entry is restricted. Still, we’re honored to have carved through the dirt during its golden days. We miss the trail dearly, and perhaps the trees are still waiting to watch us shred once more.
It’s not the End its Just a beginning:
Thank you for teaching us valuable lessons, shaping our minds, and encouraging us to dream big without settling. You’ve reminded us that nothing is permanent, so we should always be prepared. Enjoy every second of life—you never know what the future holds!
