MTB Trailcare

What a year of trailbuilding we have had in Nerang.  From no partnership with the land manager, to more support than we could have hoped-for.  The year is not quite done and nor are we.  

QPWS rangers were not able to inspect Pete's and Brett's this week due to the fires on North Stradbroke Island;  all available staff were over there assisting.  No matter, we had plans before Pete's opens.  One of these was ticked off the list this week - Casuarina Way Point 58.

This section of trail has been a sore point for a long time.  Water does not escape the trail, creating ruts across the riding lines, plus exposed and loose rocks make climbing difficult and descending daunting for the average rider on this beginner trail.  

The trail assessment recommended closing a section of up to 150m and re-routing it upslope.  It would be a simple and effective change toward sustainable trail and we have considered it many times.  However, with the new lower section of Pete's just a little farther uphill, making a new trail section within eyeshot would require nothing less than extraordinary and permanent trail to prevent shortcuts developing.

Saving and re-modelling this trail would also mean turning this disaster farther down the trail into something sustainable.

We also needed to allow ascending riders some line options, make sure there is a view ahead in both directions and that descending riders can safely exit onto this flat section of contour trail below the erosion.

Ashley had started work on this section on Monday.  He started about 50 m above any of the before pics above.  After consulting with Gillian Duncan, his plan for a series of rolling grade dips starting just below the new Pete's Trail entrance/exit was completed quick smart (he's a seasoned builder for sure).  So, before the section was finished this weekend, Ash had already made this

We called in the Blue Team on Saturday.  

Fletcher Williamson may not be big, but he's wirey.  If every adult trail user worked as hard and as often as him, we would have Nerang pumping in no time.  Like father, like son.  While we are on the subject of volunteer effort, Peter Hallinan has put in another huge week on the trail.  So, we have the young and the not so young helping regularly;  all we need are more of the in-betweens to come and help as well!

Here's how the lower part of Way Point 58 turned out.  We think it rides better than it looks and it was nice to hear hollers of pleasure on Csuarina again from some Sunday, heat-of-the-day riders.  These pics start from below the rollers Ash built and cover about 100m downtrail through the badly eroded bits and onto the flatter, contour section of trail.  Here we go starting before the long rock garden

We harvested massive amounts of stone from the edges of the original tread.  Some of it was 60cm above the riding line due to the effects of years of water flowing down the trail and wheels following the runnels.  After seeing an increase in user numbers and speed following the opening of lower Pete's Trail, the plan was to give good riders their own descending line, ascending riders the option of easy and rocky lines and to get as much water off the trail as possible at frequent intervals.  

This berm/jump combination started with a drain crossing the riding line at a point where riders could flow over it going up or downhill.  A rock berm was created after a bit of shaping of the upslope bank up-trail of it.

Steve learning from the master!

While you may see the berm as the feature here, there are 2 drains and a wider and managable line for climbing riders as well.

If you take this section slowly you can miss all the nasty stuff.  If you want some thrills, the end of this berm jumps you over the drain to the old trail line, skinny as it may seem.

We know how many riders like to challenge themselves with technical lines.  Even on green trail like Casuarina, there have to be more challenging lines and our goal is to leave them wherever possible, especially as we expect the Pete's to Brett's route to bring more good riders through this spot.

As you ride farther down, the trail sweeps left and then more steeply right and through another very eroded section before spilling out on the flatter, contour trail below Way Point 58.  The ruts here were up to knee deep.  Getting water off this bit meant getting it off the end of the turn above.  The reason why the long turn looks good in the before pics (and the reason we didn't change it) was the embedded blue metal which had hardened the tread after being pushed to the outside of the turn after countless rains and wheels found their way through the rocks.

Descending the new work allows better riders more speed with safety, but water still has to come off before the steeper drop to preserve the work done there into the future.  A couple of reverse grade dips reinforced with blue metal also alert descending riders to the steeper bit to follow.

If we hadn't been suffering heat exhaustion, this would have been the fun bit to build. It definitely will be fun for riders.  How plans can change though.  According to Peter, if he leaves us alone for 5 minutes we come up with another plan.  That's true, but it's the method we have consistently used to achieve the best outcomes.  If you don't rethink yourself, then you are not riding the trail, just building it.  To be honest, we start by trying to do as little as possible and end up trying to do what is best for the trail.  It may be a disease, but we just want the best for Our Precious.

We were going to run rocks down the middle of the erosion gully and keep the old climbing line, thinking riders could choose either a smoother and straighter line, or a rougher and steeper line on the upslope side.  However, the chances are we would be back doing it all over again in 6 months and we do not want that.  Nor do QPWS.

What we did was slightly widen the old climbing line by removing debris on the trail edge and subtly creating a new outsloped bench.  To make that possible, we cut down a 10cm diameter dead tree that was inside the line of live trees at the bottom.  Two small berms were made by sculpting the erosion gully.  Between the berms we shaped a water bar to prevent further erosion.  It is made of large rocks, smaller stones, some blue metal and granulated clay.  Imaginative riders will find at least 4 uphill and 5 downhill lines.  The water bar blends into the upper and lower berms to allow a smooth line down at speed, plus other options for beginners and riders developing new skills.

The bright Summer sun and shadows again make contours hard to see, so you are going to have to go ride it yourself.  Enjoy