I have a nice pile of bits saved for this build. Frame is a 54 or 55 Schwinn Panther, drum brakes front and back, Suntour cyclone derailleurs, TA Specialties crankset, truss bar forks. Everything I'm hanging on the bike will be made in 1978 or before, except tires and maybe cables and housing.
I have seen similar situations in other areas. The guy that took me snow skiing for the first time quit show skiing when they started having kids. When it was over $1000 per day for lift tickets and rentals, they stopped. Another buddy raced dirt bikes (hare scrambles & enduros) for many years with his two kids. He also stopped when it became too expensive to maintain three bikes and pay three entrance fees and travel costs, etc.
I am not saying anyone chose poorly or did it wrong. It is their decision as to what they want to do and if it is worth the cost to them.
I have used that with the city.. I never use the term "build trails". Instead I use rehabilitate trails. We never cut down trees, we limb them, which also happens to be good for fire safety.
We dont open up the tree canopy because we like the shade.
Ouch. $50 is going to be a tough sell for me to ride a lift up for 4-5 trails. I was hoping it would be $30 +/- 5.
I’d never pay that alone, but if friends come in from out of state to ride maybe it would be worth it.