MTB Trailcare

There was no Champagne, but it is always exciting to see a new trail re-route completed. We still have to build the Exit Trail to Three Hills Singletrack link, but today we did complete works on the velodrome end of Three Hills. If the weather is favourable we will soon be able to present riders an entirely new Three Hills Singletrack, top to bottom within weeks of Trailworx re-routing the first and third hills.

The last 50m of work took 2 hard days of digging. We started above the walled turn (now bermed turn) up to the current Three Hills Trail yesterday and today built the intersection where Three Hills and Exit Trail meet. The first task was to change the approach to the walled turn. After Trailworx removed a stump and bermed the turn, increased speed into the turn is needed. We chipped the upslope of the trail back about 30cm

We used trail diggings to build up the trail base where the new trail crosses the old. It is an important site with regard to drainage and while we would have loved a consistent 6.5m radius berm, that was never possible at this trail intersection. While the radius of the turn has not changed, there will be a few phases for riders using this turn, with some berm, some compression through a drain over the old line, some scrubbing over the old trail and some drifting below it. Here's how the bit below the old trail line changed

Part of yesterday's work was starting the new intersection with Exit Trail. That involved a new drain and raised sections where Exit merges with Three Hills

Today we continued with that intersection, including a new line just above the intersection to allow a better entrance line when descending Three Hills Singletrack. The priorities, apart from drainage were ease of access from Exit or Three Hills trails, rider safety, line of sight, plus the chance to stockpile as much organic matter, rock and soil for future trail closure. The old trail line looks pretty sad because of all the saved diggings lining it, but all will be used to help revegetation.  

Here's some pics of the top intersection taking shape. The first task was changing the line and drainage of the corner before the new trail

Then we dug a rolling line protecting large roots and providing drainage

before moving back to the big task of making the intersection drain and work well

It took shape slowly and looked good when done

Now we face the biggest issue of all:  when to open the new trail line? We'd love to open it now and in fact tomorrow morning, Sunday 4th January at 9AM, we will open it for a few hours to see how riders like it and also to get it bedded in a bit (unless there is a big storm tonight). Unfortunately after that we will close the line off again for a while to allow the wet areas and TTF constructions to stabilise and dry off. 

The trail is pretty cool so we hope to see you there tomorrow morning.