What we expect out of this main section of trail:
-~5 miles of single track
-Rock features
-1 or more bridges (the first location and initial planning is at hand - Mike and I found it y'day)
-Lot's of elevation changes
What else:
-After this 5 miler is in we can start on a section that runs parallel to the open field, right along the creek
-Trail 3 will be a slinky trail in a small area on the opposite side of our main trail - short, but fun, tight, twisty trail in the cedars - no open riding there.
General Principles for the trail (so we're on the same page):
- Sustainability is key
-Bench and contour the trail when there is camber
- FULL bench, don’t use cut material on the downslope it will erode
-Climbing turns are preferable to tight switch back
-Rolling contoured trail, lots of grade reversals to keep it flowy/pumpable, fun and drained
-“Brakeless” downhills with smooth transitions
-Avoid long “easy climbs” straight (read: boring), use the terrain
-Consider the trail flow in BOTH directions all the time (Run the proposed sections in both directions and adjust accordingly)
-Whenever possible have a small downhill before and after a climbing turn (drainage and ride flow)
Features to consider (make the trail unique and interesting):
-Small natural looking rollers (can be jumped)
-Small natural berms
-Natural looking wood features - ex: rough cut cedar slats on ladders and bridges
-Bridges over water -Small gaps as alternate routes over water areas
Until this blog is "established" as the medium for communication I will send updates via email.
Next "Trail Work Day", Sunday May 6th, 8am-?
I will be there at 8ish to work for several hours. Mike and I scouted and flagged back up to the "top" and then most of the way back down to the small dyr creek crossing. Friday or Saturday I will get out there and make sure it's flagged adequately down to the creek so we can knock out the cutting and treading on Sunday. I'd estimate the trail to be about 1.5 miles once we get to the dry creek on the current section.
PLEASE RSVP my email or text me if you can make it.
My rough of the current section...
At some point I'm going to cut an opening to the "Trunk" (East Entrance) that is higher up near the cul de sac. It won't be very visible at all, and it will provide an easier entrance to riding the trail than riding through the face slapping/arm scratching stuff down at the current "entrance". We already have a Y right there in that spot (one arm exits down low - the one I currently use when riding, and one arm exits up high). We have yet to use that part, but I will bench and clear it of loose rocks the first chance I get. This way the best way to get into the trail to ride what we have so far will be to climb up that rocky piece by the cul de sac a ways and enter to the right about 3/4 up the hill. If you are entering from the street level, it will be on the left about 1/4 way down. There is some orange construction netting right where I'm going to open it up. I'll open it to be ridable but not overly visible....with trimming upon trail completion.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Mike, you know I like that idea. We could staggered either entrance as is, making then ride-able without the slappers, yet still somewhat hidden. Next time I'm out I will do that too. The upper entrance would need little work.
DeleteWhat's starting location?
DeleteI plan on being out there around 8 to work a couple hours before Church.
Brian
Brian,
DeleteStarting location is the far right hand side of the top photo, otherwise known as "the trunk"...at that spot there is a rocky little hill and the entrance we are using now is at the bottom of it. It's a pain, literally, because there are tons of those tall, sharp weeds, and there are also some limbs in the way. There is going to be another entrance up that hill I mentioned that will be free of those spiky weeds...and limbs once it is created.
Mike
Mike,
DeleteBrian was referring to the trail work location. He's been out there before and helped me and David.
I did not get out there Sunday morning due to the overnight rain.
If I get to the gym during lunch, then I plan to get to the trail after work today, probably around 4 or so, I am definitely going to be there for a couple of hours Tues evening at 4:30 or 5.
Try again on Sunday?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteForgot to put what times.
ReplyDeleteOriginal Post: I'll be out there Thursday rain or shine, as long as it is not storming. Rainy days are great for cutting corridor especially. I'm curious to see how certain areas have held up to some rain as well.
Edit: I'll be out there from 2:30pm (maybe a bit earlier) until about 5:30pm. Hoping for 3 good hours.
Where is the current work location? Are there flags showing the location of the trail?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try and make it out this weekend.
Thanks,
Brian
Brian,
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, anyone should be able to ride the trail from the beginning and find the next working section and tool stash. The rule is the flags are placed to the RIGHT EDGE of the proposed trail - so always cut trail to the left. Keep the tread relatively narrow, except when creating a fast turn, climbing turn, etc. With that said, I will be getting out there today to make sure tools are all in one place and the trail is flagged sufficiently. I'll try to cut some trail today as well, but not sure how wet the ground will be out there, my guess is it's not too bad.
I plan to be out there this Sunday morning by 8am an will probably put in 3 hours of work.
Next week and the week after I plan to work a little earlier (day job) and try to get away during the afternoon on a few occasions to do some trail work during the week. Memorial Weekend, my boys will be out RVing with my parents so I expect to be able to commit 15+ hours during that weekend.
I should be able to put in a pretty good amount of time on Memorial Day weekend as well.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to progressing this thing.
David and I put in a couple of solid hours Sunday morning. There was a note in the stash bucket - guy wanting to help out, says we're doing an awesome job. I will call him and feel him out, make sure he's not the law or a douche bag.
ReplyDeleteThe trail is well flagged all the way to the creek (proposed bridge crossing). Corridor is cut all the way there with one small exception just before the creek crossing. David cleared a significant amount of tread as well. Another 2-4 man hours and we will have the trail "wheels-ready" down to this creek crossing - I estimate the total mileage at that point to be near 2 miles. The tool stash remains near the top of the hill turn around, but we should move it next time.
There is a REMOTE possibility that I can get out there today. Otherwise I will be out there A LOT this Memorial Weekend. It would be ideal if we can coordinate our efforts this weekend to make the most progress possible.
I can be there anytime on Saturday between 8 and 6, Sunday 8 and 2, Monday 8 and 12.
Post up your availability and let's make this a big weekend.
I'll get with the wife and figure out best times for me this weekend. From what I KNOW, we don't have much going on. It would be great to get some early morning hours in.
ReplyDeleteDid some cactus bitching today...I kind of like it in some weird way...rewarding to punch a trail through all that crap. Although, I have spots on my inner ankle bones where cactus hit me directly with the large thorns...those spots STILL are sore. Nuts.
Anyways, the trail is looking great, and I'm gonna get out there tomorrow PM and/or Thursday PM as well.
Cheers.
Guy that left the note offering to help seems kosher and cool. I found him on Strava and stalked his rides. He rides some of the same bandit trails at 360/2222 that I do, so I called and chatted with him today. "Chel", pronounced "shell" is his name. Expect to hear from him here or see him on the trail soon. He's out of town this weekend though.
ReplyDeleteIt occurred to me today that I have never met Kevin and Mike has never met Brian, David or Joe... We should have a Happy Hour. Yay or nay?
Yay.
DeleteRide to Waterloo?
Sounds good. We just need to figure out the best day/time for the most attendance.
DeleteI'm available most evenings and most of the day Saturday
ReplyDeleteAlright, this past Tues and Thurs I was able to get a significant amount done. I emailed pics to Rugger since I'm unable to officially post on the blog for now.
ReplyDeleteI ALMOST got us rideable to the spot where we need the bridge. Corridor is cut, cactus is bitched. It just needs to be McLeoded from the point where I left one of the McLeods to Beau Bridges.
Admittedly, the tools are not all together, as yesterday I was just plain exhausted after I was done. I literally had to sit and rest for 5 min because I was getting dizzy and feeling faint (read: old).
Anyway, still very happy with how the trail is going, and the more I learn it on the bike the more fun it becomes. Places where you need to keep some speed are revealing themselves.
Once completed, this trail is going to be excellent for increasing fitness, as it will handle whatever speed you wanna throw at it pretty much.
I plan on GoPro'ing the trail Sat AM. I can either do helmet view or Chesty, but with the Chesty it seems like I have to run it upside down to get the proper angle. Anyone else have experience similar to this?
Add an extra swivel mount and you will have the clearance to get the angle right.
DeleteIs that something I have to purchase separately?
DeleteIf so, I'll prob. just use software to flip the vid...assuming that is possible. I have to imagine it is.
Since you have the go pro (presumably with its standard mounts) plus you got the chesty you should have an extra swivel. I have my GP with me now, I will put it on my Chesty and text you a pic of the setup.
DeleteCan you email me a pic (so I can see it bigger)...and I'll play with my setup tonight and get it where it needs to be. I have all the stock mounts that came with it, so if that's all I need, I should be able to make it work. I'd prefer chest view over helmet view for angle and stability.
DeleteThanks, got the camera dialed in perfectly.
DeleteAlso discovered you can do a final snugging with a phillips screwdriver. I obviously use this camera ALL the time.
See you guys tomorrow.
Eric,
DeleteDo you have or can you put a rough sketch of the current trail?
Brian
Eric,
DeleteDo you have or can you put a rough sketch of the current trail?
Brian
Has the trail corridor been flagged ahead of where we're cutting/bitchin'?
DeleteGonna try and head out there Tues/Wed PM for an hour or so since we're out of town this coming weekend.
Brian
Hey Brian,
ReplyDeleteCan you not see the newer posts? I have posted a map.
As for flagging, when I left today Kevin was working and I had maybe another 80-100 yards flagged. I doubt he made it to the end, but not sure. It's very probable that there is enough flagged to keep you busy for a couple of hours.
I can possibly make it out tomorrow. I was planning a ride, but I could make it a trail work day. If you can give me a solid time frame I am willing to meet you to make sure there is plenty. I have already scouted and have planned in my head the next 100 yards after where I left off today, so I can quickly lay out flags for that section and cut corridor.
Yep, see the newer posts now.
DeleteI will need to get out there on Wed. After the holiday, work may be a lite crazy.
Go ride tomorrow.
Brian
I'll be out there today (Tues) from about 4pm to 5:45pm.
ReplyDeleteI'm just gonna drive out there to maximize work time.
Had a blast riding it yesterday; there are a couple of turns I will most likely refine SLIGHTLY (like one of the ones just West of Beau Bridges through the weeds)...but all in all, it flows very well.
I'm also going to add a rock at one of the rock features to close a gap. I cleared it when I rode it, but my cranks were scared the whole time. It'll still be challenging, just not a crank chunker.
I'll see you there! I will make sure to get Snake Ridge flagged and scout out where to go from there and hopefully flag a long section to have plenty of build out ready for anyone to show up.
Delete