Trailwork - It does the body good

Sat, July 29, 2006

Decided to spend part of my Saturday volunteering some hours to assist w/ the ongoing work out at Carvin's Cove. This is the site of our weekly Thursday night ride, or as I call it, the "ride w/ the boyz".. We're working on the final phases of completing the >2 mile loop which Connects Hi Dee Hoe to the 1000' climb, thus eliminating the need to ride the road to get to the trails from the Bennett Springs Parking Lot.

We started work on a "rolling crown" switchback near the middle part of the trail. Thankfully we were able to drive in for part of the way and then hiked close to mile in to the work site. This is the only switchback on this trail. It was lots of hard work..mostly digging and clearing small rocks to create a level platform on the turn of the switchback. We made good progress on this section of the trail but there's still a little more to go.

I think trail work is harder than racing mountain bikes. You use muscles you never knew you had but you get a great workout. It's even better when you have a fun group of folks you are working with like the group on Saturday. If you've never built trail, I recommend you try it at least once. It's a good way to "give back" to the mtb, equestrian, and hiking communities. You also learn not to take for granted the trails you ride. At one point in time, people put in backbreaking hours to make the trails what they are today. We are fortunate to have such great trails so close to us here in the Roanoke Valley. Next time you're out there & you see a work crew, take a minute to stop & thank them for their hard work & effort!

For more on trail building or to get involved check out this website: http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.com/trailworkdb/index.asp