Loh Keng Fatt, Straits Times 7 Sep 08;
He always leaves behind a trail of evidence. To appreciate what Mr Max Mager does for work, turn up for a ride at any of the three biking trails he and his team at DirTraction have designed since 2006.
One of the tracks - Kent Ridge Park Mountain Bike Trail - hosted an event last Sunday and drew about 200 riders. That circuit is deemed the most technically demanding here.
At Tampines Mountain Bike Park, which was revamped this year, the adrenaline comes from tackling 40m-high hills made from recycled construction materials.
But DirTraction does not dish out the dirt only to hardcore cyclists. Take the Ketam Mountain Bike Park in Pulau Ubin. While it does pose challenges for experts, it is also easily enjoyed by beginners, said Mr Mager, 43, a Singaporean who is married to a lawyer.
DirTraction works with the National Parks Board to create trails which do not harm the environment, said Mr Mager, a former general manager of the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association.
He estimates that there are more than 1,000 avid mountain bikers here. They will be kept busy - for coming up is a 100km mountain biking marathon in Tampines early next year.
