Trail behind my house evolves

[Jisch]

Xpost from MTBR:

As anyone who has been keeping track (gawd I hope no one has been keeping track), I have a short, mile long trail behind my house. My wife and I built it with permission on private property. We tried to buy the property, but developers have deeper pockets than we do. The property was developed last fall, they put in a road and 8 house lots. The town ordinances demand that the developer set aside some of the property as open space. Luckily about 75% of our trail is on the open space.

The weather this week (vacation week for me) has been BAD. Tons of rain. We got 3 months worth of rain in five days. Though the rain made a local waterfall pretty nice - it totally blew any chance of riding:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02712.jpg

My wife and I spent a few wet afternoons recreating the first part of our trail so we could access the part which was on open space (it was the first 25% that was not on it). Now that LRR has some skillz, we built up the new section with a few play areas:

First up a nice log pile:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02727.jpg

Which transitions quickly to a split log ramp down:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02730.jpg

Then the centerpiece - the log ride. I found a beautiful log that was laying perfectly about a meter up in the air. I cut down the stump so it was accessible then shaved the top down so it was flat on top. Prior to shaving I rode it, but a round log doesn't leave enough margin of error for me. It rides nice, but the exit stinks. I spent a considerable amount of time mitering in a split log as an exit, but I didn't have my bike with me while I was building. Turns out the angle is bad - you can't turn off the log and onto the exit ramp. I figured out a fix, I'll get out there tomorrow to finish it off. I rode it both directions and its very sweet:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02739.jpg

I tried riding up the exit ramp - this looks good, but again, its impossible to make the turn at the top:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02741.jpg

I did ride the whole thing backwards starting from a standstill though (cheater):
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02745.jpg

I'll post up more as I get the new sections completely done.
John

[SloMoJo]

That's cool John.

I was wondering how people shave the tops of logs to give a lil flat surface?
Axe or other tool?

[C.P.]

I've used a chainsaw, the results are okay. I know an Adze (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adze) works well too.

[9.8m/s/s]

Hatchet for me. Quick, light, and easy. Only gives you a surface about 3 inches wide, but that's enough for the big stuff. Basically all I'm trying to do is get the bark and dead/ rotten wood on the surface off so the tree weathers well and doesn't get eaten by beetles.

[DVRider]

I've used a chainsaw, the results are okay. I know an Adze (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adze) works well too.

Come on, There was snow on the ground when it was done and the results were great. Just this past saturday, Two years later, I heard some positive comments about it. and it's still rock solid.

[Jisch]

I've flattened logs two ways: the first way is with a chainsaw running lengthwise up the log. This gives a really nice smooth finish, but man is it work.

The second way (the way I did this one) is by making cuts with the chainsaw straight down, perpendicular to the log about 3 or 4" apart. Then I take an axe (or in this case a maul because I couldn't find the axe) and knock each little section out between the cuts. It leaves more texture on the log, which is nice when its wet. I did the whole log in about a half hour. My arms were very sore when I was done. That maul seemed like a good idea, but that's a lot of weight to swing around.

I figured out how I'm going to fix the log ride this morning. Its easy money... and will be a nice ride with some bumps along the way.

John

[C.P.]

Come on, There was snow on the ground when it was done and the results were great. Just this past saturday, Two years later, I heard some positive comments about it. and it's still rock solid.
I forgot about the snow part too...that one we did actually came out really nice...I pretty sure my comment had a LOT to do with the dulling chainsaw blade we had to deal with...

[Jisch]

...Basically all I'm trying to do is get the bark and dead/ rotten wood on the surface off so the tree weathers well and doesn't get eaten by beetles.

You absolutely must take the bark off as much of the log as you can. Without bark an oak log will last 10 years or longer, with bark its maybe 3 years. I remember back in the early days we came across a group of MTBers doing some renegade trail work - building a bridge across a muddy section. They were about 90% done when we saw them. It was a nice sturdy bridge - amazing amount of work. After we passed my brother commented that they hadn't taken any bark off. Sure enough in 2 years there was literally nothing left of the bridge.

As far as the width of the flat spot - I can ride a round log, I rode this one round before I flattened it. However I often ride behind my house on a whim, most times without pads or anything so I make the stunts interesting but safe (for me). A flat spot 4-5" wide is comfortable for me - I can ride it all day and likely not fall off - the likely part is what keeps me interested... :-)

John

[Slappy]

One thing I've never really been able to knack of is riding skinny stuff. I can get on and get rolling, then the show's over.

That waterfall is sweet - that's right behind your house too? Nice little spot.

[Jisch]

One thing I've never really been able to knack of is riding skinny stuff. I can get on and get rolling, then the show's over.

That waterfall is sweet - that's right behind your house too? Nice little spot.

I found the biggest obstacle to riding skinnies is my own tension. If I can tell myself to relax I can ride it. Just today at the Snip I blew a skinny twice, the third time I approached I reminded myself to relax and viola - right down it no problem.

The waterfall is not behind my house. Its actually right down the street from Case Mt. I've read about it many times, first time I've hiked out to it. I would bet its not nearly as impressive during summer when water levels go down.

John

[radair]

I found the biggest obstacle to riding skinnies is my own tension. If I can tell myself to relax I can ride it. Just today at the Snip I blew a skinny twice, the third time I approached I reminded myself to relax and viola - right down it no problem.
The key for me is to look at the far end. It's so easy to get myopic and stare at your front wheel. Look ahead and it's like you're on a slot car track. Try it.