iPhone 4S says it's 3.1 miles to where the tools (not buckets) were today. Pretty damn nice to have more than 6 miles out and back and it feels more like 8.
Check out the latest map with elevation - this trail is for REAL!
I put in about an hour and a half out there today. I ran into a guy named Marty. He's been riding the trail for months, twice a week and loves it. He said he occasionally cut some corridor and clear some tread when the flagging was out there and obvious to him. He said he loves what we are doing. Well, today, he officially became part of the team. He help out with some treading, together we probably cleared about 100 yards. I treaded, cactus bitched and cut a small bit of corridor.
Aside from the McLeods, the tools and flags are all together where the buckets were left. Here is the deal with the McLeods - one is back on an off camber that I did not have time to get to - there are 2 red flags on either end of this section. Please, if you are out there, bench this short section before continuing on with work further up the trail. The other McLeod is in a short span of trail that we didn't get to - I cleared up to the tool stash. Kind of odd, but the moving of the tools and meeting of Marty kind of tossed the order around a bit.
For the most part the new section is rideable to the tool stash - this happens to be the turn around point at the end of the fence line.
I would really like for us to get a full crew of 6-8 guys out there at one time on a couple of ocassions - we would be like a machine out there! We could literally have 2 flaggers, 2 cutters and 2-4 treaders going and blow throw some serious mileage. The 2 flaggers could back back and pick up the flags from areas that are done and continue flagging or pick up some tools and work from the flagged end back.
I can do this pretty much any Sunday morning thru early afternoon - except Oct 21 (24 Hrs at Rocky Hill Ranch). I could do 2-4 hours on a Sat morning too if we start at 7.
That's a good map too.
ReplyDeleteI'm out this Saturday, and possibly Sunday. After this weekend, I should be good to go Sat AM till ~11 (flag football games) and Sun AM until about 10. Anytime Saturday PM.
We all need to meet for a planning meeting.
Keep it up y'all.
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ReplyDeleteI might be able to get out Sunday at some point, but after that I'll be hemmed up tight with school stuff for a week. During that time, I might be able to get out for a couple of hours here and there at random times. I was really digging the 7am start time. You can get out there right at sunrise and people are so busy getting ready for school/work, etc, they aren't paying attention to the woods at all. There is a fair amount of foot traffic by the woods on that sidewalk, however.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I'll bench the stuff tomorrow and most likely OCD some rocks and limbs out of the way or something. I won't have a ton of time, and I'll probably focus on OCD'ing some rocks/limbs out of the way on the newest section.
This trail is more for real than I ever envisioned or imagined. I figured it'd be 100% rolling with very little technical variety. I'm glad I was way wrong!
Cut corridor to the end of the flags yesterday and McLeoded a little (benched that small piece).
ReplyDeleteHoping to get out there this weekend with Eric and flag some more. We'll easily get it all McLeoded and probably get some more corridor done.
Ran into the guy that left the "Thank U!" note written in limestone. He said to me that people around the bike shops are asking who's building the trail out there and that it's awesome etc, etc...so further proof that all of us are hammering out a sweet trail.
If I can get out there tomorrow at all I'm dedicating to cleaning up existing trail. It's gotten to the point that it needs to be trimmed back significantly in spots and some spots just simply have needed it all along.
In any event, we press on and those using it continue to love it. Nice work all.
Damn, good progress, I thought that 300 yards of flagging would last us a while.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool to hear. A couple guys I see riding the trail on Strava love the trail and have offered to help out.
Saturday: I am planning to ride Flat Creek Ranch, but it might rain out, we have a back up plan to ride Reimers. If all falls through I might try to get out for some wet trail work.
Sunday: Assuming it's not shitty wet I will be out there in the morning for a few hours.
Otherwise Tuesday will be my next outing - Tues afternoon/evening around 4 or 5.
Awesome work everyone.
THIS TUESDAY OCT 2nd Trail Work Day - Please be there if you can.
ReplyDeleteMike is planning to arrive around 2:30 and stay until ~5
I expect to be there no later than 4 and stay until dark.
Visited Home Depot and I picked up 50 flags and a new saw today. Flags are only $1.69 for 10 there as opposed to $2.10 at Lowes (IIRC)
I plan to scout and flag as much as possible and then work corridor the rest of the time.
Great progress. Im back in town and I should be out there Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun.
ReplyDeleteAlright. Spent three hours of intense cutting this morning, and the progress was good, but jeez that stuff is thick. I got to a part called "the grotto" but it will need to be thinned out to the right (as you're going east - the direction we're cutting right now) to make it visually awesome. The line itself into the grotto is sweet as hell, and maybe that's enough.
ReplyDeleteEric bought a new saw (which is sweet) and it has an orange handle. I seem to have "lost" it in the 40 yards preceding where I stopped today. Please look for it if you're out there. I simply forgot to look for it hardcore before I left the trail today because I was completely exhausted.
This section of trail, collectively called "The Hollows" is shaping up to be just as rolling and flowy as it seemed like it could be. Eric has flagged some stuff I didn't get a chance to check out today, but it sounds very interesting.
Rode the trail out-n-back a couple times last night. So awesome at night...totally different feel, and I got bucked out of the pedals 3 times (as usual at night).
This section will require a LOT OF WORK in the cutting department especially, so the more people we can get out there cutting the better. I enjoy cutting corridor, but it's a bit overwhelming. 3 solid hours today with no breaks and lots of "man-sized cuts", and it felt like I didn't get that far, but still, solid progress.
I'll MAYBE be out tomorrow (Thursday) for a couple hours around 2:30pm. 50/50 right now. Otherwise, I won't be out again until maybe Monday and for sure next Tuesday. I'll be out of town from Friday to late Sunday.
Cheers, and let's keep pushing as we can!
Ah, just saw George's comment. That's awesome, man. Get ready to cut like a surgeon on meth! Gloves will be a must (sure you know that) and sleeves if you don't wanna look like you got in a cat fight.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear George and Mike. I am going to try to get out in the late afternoons/evenings for the next few days, but cannot commit 100% until the weekend.
ReplyDeleteProgress continues to go great and the terrain is just awesome.
I ran into the owner of Orange Seal Cycling Products (local competitor of Stan's) and another racer and they were absolutely amazed with the trail, the progress and they were very appreciative. Both of these guys ride the Enchilada Buffet, Reveille Peak 100 and TMBRA races, so it means a lot coming from guys with their experience.
Just a heads up on some of the section I flagged and cut y'day. There is a tree right in the middle of the the trail in the section I call "The Cradle". It's a rock step up with an earth depression through it and the tree in the middle will need to go - but I did not want to cut it and have a stump there. I want to wait and pull it with help or with my come-along. Please don't cut the tree!
As Mike stated about The Hollows, the section I flagged (and OCD cut several pockets) continues to be rolling with a little tech, I ran the line through some tight trees and up/down some small step ups, but generally it will be a bit of a break from the mashing required in the previous mile. Where I left off it starts to go slightly down hill and will go just below the slick off-camber rock area before "Satellite".
We will continue going towards Jagger's Ravine (the big ravine drop in with the crazy up/downs and off camber stuff). I am confident there is much more land to be milked than we expected in this area. So, the intention is to run along the ridge below the current stuff (area with the off camber slick rock patches) all the way back to the ravine before doubling back.
Also, just below the turn around at The Hollows there is a relatively flat meadow with moderate tree cover. I plan to milk this are somewhat close to the trail. There should be little cutting and the tread can be ridden in for the most part. I am suggesting we milk this area between Jagger's and the next ravine coming up, we are basically right beside it at The Hollows turn around.
As for the grotto, I know what you are talking about Mike, we need a clear line of sight from the trail to the grotto and possibly, just to the left side of the trail to open the area up. Will make for a gorgeous spot.
Lastly, I eyeballed the are before "The Plunge" and I am definitely going to go back SOON and rework an extra 1/4 mile in and we will NOT lose any existing trail...well, maybe like 4 feet to create the new line. I originally want to use it because it has some really cool rocks, but it seems too close to the hood. We can make it work and there is enough land to make it worth the effort.
Great job, much appreciated.
Remember - keep it relatively tight, visually appealing and technically challenging!
Forgot - THANKS Marty!!! Marty has been helping as well. He does some great tread work. He is experienced with building trail as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks Marty. I have yet to meet you but your efforts are greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe this whole chunk of land (the East Butt Cheek) should be called The Hollows, then we can have subsections under that...like "The Cradle" and The Grotto. Obviously I'm a huge name dork, but it's nice to have for reference points.
I'm confused about where you're talking...the turnaround at The Hollows. Is that different than the tract of land under Snot Rock between the rock shelf and the Regional Trail? Is this meadow in that zone or somewhere else? Yeah, I know, I should have walked it today, but I was DONE.
I agree with names, sub names for reference, but we are dorks in that respect (we're going to need a map and legend ;). So should The Hollows begin at the ravine drop in or the area past that section which we (you and I) consider Snake Ridge 2. I move it is the area from ravine drop to what will eventually be "The Meadows" (once we hit the meadow proper).
ReplyDeleteThe turnaround is simply the turn just past the current tool stash, you know, where we have turned around heading back towards the east ;) before you reach the grotto.
The meadow is basically the area below the tool stash. You know that rock water bar that Marty install and I enhanced (on the Turnaround downhill) - if you walk straight down past that water bar you will quickly reach the meadow. And yes, this meadow transitions to the area between the BC trail and our trail - there is more room there than we anticipated.
Ok Ok. Got you now.
DeleteI was seeing The Hollows as the whole chunk of land we are working now from the point where it enters by the big oak just past satellite to The Grotto and beyond while we're still heavily wooded. Just with all the rock features, holes where things are living, and trees, it just gives the impression that things are watching you as you are in there. Especially at night.
I guess we stick to East Buttcheek and The Hollows is just a subset that includes the entrance by the big oak to wherever it stops being so heavily wooded and transitions to The Meadows...then in the Hollows, you can have features like The Cradle.
So general format (in my own mind anyways is):
General Chunk of Land (i.e. The Trunk)
Sections of Chunk (i.e. speeder bike - as you enter the trunk down that steep part into the Trunk headed East)
Features (i.e. Fallen Oak) where you have to duck your head to avoid being knocked out on that S turn in the trunk.
This can be considered a GSF format. hahaha...ok, I'll stop now.
At some point it could be worth riding it together and establishing zones for reference. At some point we'll need to point out zones that need maintenance, and if everyone is on the same page, anyone who has a link to the future map will know exactly where it is.
Mike and I put in 2 solid hours of tandem flagging/scouting/OCD pocket cutting. We uprooted the tree in "The Cradle" before picking up where I left off flagging. We flagged as far to the east as we felt comfortable considering the proximity of the Regional Trail. We consider most of what we flagged bonus as we didn't expect to use that land. We turned back towards the SW and started to work our way back up a nice easy incline heading back towards "Grotto". A lot of this area can just be ridden in, but the portions along the slope will need careful attention to quality benching. This area has some undulations and some heart racing little climbs.
ReplyDeleteMarty did his usual quality treading. THANKS!
Whoever is out next, there is a short pocket BEFORE the tool stash - there is a McLeod at the beginning of this pocket - please tread this pocket before continuing.
The tool stash is at "Grotto" - look to the left of the trail and you will see through the thicket why this is called "Grotto". The plan here is to thin that thicket so this becomes a visual oasis. We don't want to cut trees down, we want to cut the branches to thin the area. The idea is to create a line of sight so that the actual grotto is easily visible and to remove the dead fall from the ground/rocks. Not that it will ever hold much water, but I will probably damn the area to the right of the trail between the trail and grotto.
I will try to get out again Friday, but just can't commit. I am pre-riding Rocky Hill Ranch on Saturday, so I cannot make it Sat, but I plan to be out again Sunday morning.
The bonus section is going to be money when it's completed. It's great to have that extra bit we weren't counting on, and it will be a serious burn as well to the lungs and legs. The flagged stuff we have now is absolutely gorgeous in my opinion. And like Eric said, when in doubt, "Bench the Bonus"....it'll need a good bit of it.
ReplyDeleteScraping with the Mcleod is good, but it really needs to be benched like that whole section before this where the trail is flat and cut INTO the side of the hill. It's straight manual labor, but has to be done. It should be about 12 inches wide. When you cut into the side slope you will have to unearth a lot of rocks. Use them to put on the downhill side to armor the bench. I'm no expert on it, but that's what I did on the whole previous section, and it SEEMS like it will hold up well. Time will tell I guess.
Also, when working on the part close to the Regional Trail, try to be as quiet as possible, and if a flat area looks like it will just ride in and doesn't have to be scraped, then don't. That will cut down on noise and exposure. Once we are riding the part of the trail that is near the Regional Trail, exposure won't be an issue as we cruise through there.
Anyways, I'm most likely out until Sunday or Monday, possibly Tuesday, but I'll be back to cutting whenever I can.
Cheers.
Can the new stuff be seen from the regional trail?
ReplyDeleteNo, the trail itself will not be noticeable. It's probably 40 yds away. However, when we are working along this short section WE can be seen and certainly heard. We only have to cut the section closest to the trail, we don't have to bench, it will mainly ride in.
DeleteWe have been prudent to minimize exposure so far and that has always been the plan.
At this point with the popularity of our trail on Strava and word of mouth among riders and bike shops (AJs and BSS) people are riding it DAILY - day and night. TRAFFIC on the trail in various areas can be seen from the trail, but the trail itself is not at all obvious to people on the Regional Trail. Noise while working on the trail near the BC trail should be kept low.
I am not really concerned being noticed at this point as long as someone doesn't walk up on us sawing down a big oak tree ;)
Yeah, those that are using it rave about it, and as long as you keep communication really low it won't be an issue while building. LIke Eric said, not a lot of treadwork (if any) required at all on the section nearest the Regional Trail.
DeleteI personally plan on cutting out there at times when traffic on the Regional Trail will be minimal at most. You can also see if people are coming and going. The vast majority are wearing earbuds and paying attention to the trail ahead of them. Unless they are just out on a nature walk, they really could care less what is going on in the woods.
Hoping to get out Sunday and/or Monday, Tuesday. I'll just have to play it by ear, but I will be out there one or all of those days.
Anybody checked the new mileage?
ReplyDeleteSince the 3.1 mile map we've probably only added about 250 yards of rideable trail. Now to the end of the flags from there probably it probably totals 3.5 miles.
DeleteLooking forward to working out there with you again, Brian!
The Popo coming out to help again soon?
I mean 3.5 miles total.
DeleteNo popo this week.
ReplyDeleteI will try and make it out tomorrow PM to at least ride, but I should be able to get out Sun AM before church.
All of this is weather dependent though.
Anybody working on trail on the morning?
ReplyDeleteI am. David is a maybe. I'll probably get their around 9, probably riding from my house.
ReplyDeleteFirst thing I'll do is flag from where Mike and I left to the Grotto. Then I'll cut.
BTW, Lloyd Bridges is back. Don't know if that was us or not.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Rock feature in the trees above Lloyd, the big rock on the inside of the feature has been removed. It wasn't as smooth as a cart path, but was ridable both ways.
Watch out for the trail sanitizers.
Wasn't us, but I'm leaving it and will put it back and permanently anchor if need be. Everyone out there I have asked agrees its safer and more fun WITH Lloyd in place.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what you mean about rock feature above Lloyd...The Wart? I can't imagine why it would even need dumbing down.
There are definitely ppl already dumbing things down. Pisses me off.
I seriously think we should post signs to the affect of do not alter the trail to suite your skill, enjoy the trail and build your skill to suite it.
It's at the far eastern end of snake ridge. Once you top the hill and make a slight right. It's the rocky craggy ledge as you go through the cedar trees that we cut.
ReplyDeleteIs that the wart?
Sounds like Bird Stone - the first taste of Snake Ridge. Yea, it's been hacked on, so has the entrance to the ravine section you and I created.
DeleteIt's 8:50, I'm leaving the house in 5 mins and riding to the trail, taking the short way, so I should get there by 9:45.
I failed this morning. Cold gray weather sucks.
ReplyDeleteCan somebody istall a ramp at the entrance to the ravine section? I' m still scared to drop in there.
Yea, it was 48 when I headed out and a balmy 52 when I headed back home. I broke out my winter riding gloves and shirt. I didn't wear the face gator, I need one that allow hydration access.
DeleteHaha, you need hand rails too. Eh - you are kidding, right? I haven't hucked it yet, but I will next time out. I hucked Mooseknnucle, Dubstep and Huck Finn with aggression today - blew 2 berms away (they did me right, I did them wrong - sorry Mike).
Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteLearning/making my self ride these features only makes me stronger.
I saw a guy named Greg/Craig or something like that (said he met you on strava). He said that a lot of the trail features are not ridable. He was not complaining.
He and his buddy walked out along the fence by the stormwater pond past the ravine section.
In my opinion, the trail is not easy but is ridable.
I don't recall a Greg or Craig on Strava.
DeleteIt's all rideable, but I don't clean 100% on every ride. There should always be difficult features to challenge even the best riders IMO.
Personally, even if I did start cleaning everything I would start pushing my speed and taking harder lines. There are multiple lines available at almost every feature.
I see people out there that ate obviously in over their heads and know they'll be walking things or bailing out, but that's just the way it is. Trail needs to be interesting for all levels.