windrock-closing

[dhbuilder]

this weekend (12/ 3-4 ) will more than likely be the last riding weekend of the year. weather patterns are slowly changing and the recent winds are dropping deadfall like mad. the time and $$ that it's been taking to keep everything open is getting to be not worth the effort at this time of year. we have three trail building projects to begin and some maintainence issues to deal with between now and when we open up again in early spring. and if we are going to have all of that done by then, we need to start getting after it. so we are going to start letting the trails lie idle for the winter. the bridges at the two road crossings will be demo'd and will be replaced. and the upper barricade will be bolted shut as will a new barricade at the top of the waterfall. please respect the closure, we've done this every winter that we've been here. and by staying off the trailbeds while they are enduring the daily freeze and thaw cycle makes them even more solid year after year. "POACHERS WILL NOT BE TREATED KINDLY" twice last winter people rode during the winter and it took two long days to "shave down" the ruts they left behind. this past year was the best we've had since we started this up here. more people from more different states rode here than ever before. and i'm looking forward to making this place better than ever for next year.

[motomike]

Get 'em Joey! You've really got you're sh!t together man. Looking forward to hitting the rock opening weekend. BTW, when do you usually open it back up? How early spring are we talking?

[BKQuill]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How the hell am I going to get through the winter without getting to ride at the Rock?

What am I going to do now?

Oh the humanity...

Joey, I am willing to come up for a weekend of building, just say when, hell it's the least that I can do.

[JeffD]

[QUOTE=BKQuill]NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How the hell am I going to get through the winter without getting to ride at the Rock?

What am I going to do now?

Ride your XC bike, butthole!

[BKQuill]

Ride your XC bike, butthole!

Spoken like a true "coach", I'm going tomorrow night.

By the way, thanks for all the "encouragement" the other weekend.

[JeffD]

Encouragement? You mean that pat on the ass right before hitting the doubles up top? No problem, Gary.

-Ace

[BKQuill]

Lmfao!!

[dhbuilder]

we usually open up again around the end of feb. or early march. it all depends on the weather.

[bizutch]

Encouragement? You mean that pat on the ass right before hitting the doubles up top? No problem, Gary.

-Ace
funny you should mention that. Last weekend at Bent Creek at the Five Points intersection, after a few directions for a new rider, the old man (wearing old, thin spandex).....proceeded to PAT Matt solidly on the ass and say "You guys are lookin' good out there...you're lookin' real good"....as we pedaled away from the intersection.:love: :love: :love:
I then forthwith ate ****e laughing my ass off when Matt told me....:p :p :p

[teamkranzelbike]

Anybody know the weather conditions for this weekend? Yea, I know I could look it up, but they are never correct!!!

[profro]

Its sunny and blue skies. We haven't had rain since Sunday night into Monday. They are calling for rain to more in tomorrow afternoon. I would plan to ride early Saturday morning.

[Tattooo]

Shutting that down for three months to let it harden up for the rainy season is a hell of an idea. I will make the commute once I am in VA to hit opening weekend.


Hey Profro: Are you going to do your web page with the race schedule again?

[bizutch]

Free Joey bobblehead doll to the frist 100 riders on opening day complete with sidearm

[Tattooo]

Wait, if I come strapped then I get a bobblehead? What if I come the most heavily armed? Is there a special prize? And can I ride in my thong?

[dhbuilder]

Free Joey bobblehead doll to the frist 100 riders on opening day complete with sidearm
hell, we were going to have t-shirts made this winter, but i think you might have hit on something there. now here's the question that will get you the prize. where do i carry it when i'm riding?

[GravityFreakTJ]

where do i carry it when i'm riding?



I don't think i wanna know:p

[dhbuilder]

naw, it's outside the armor.

[GravityFreakTJ]

Joey,i got ahold of Wyatt today by the way:thumb:

[dhbuilder]

good deal. i hope he was able to do your team right. i've never ridden tires as good as that company makes. the combo of traction and low rolling resistence and surprising durability even for soft rubber makes them hard to beat. you've seen em around here more than all others combined.(i'm seriously planning a shot at the masters worlds this coming year and am shamlessly schmoozing.)

[dhbuilder]

f.y.i. there already has been two complete new trailbeds layed out. and i think some of you that have been fussin about trails with more flow just might be pleasantly surprised.(flow with a little w.r. edge to em.)

[profro]

Got in a few runs this morning before the rain set it. I have never seen the trails in such ragged out shape. Ecspecially the commonly used trails like Snakerock and the upper section. First run down the Waterfall was interesting, there were logs and debris across the trail right before the creek. Suggesting a lot of water ran through there recently. The trails need to rest BIG time!

[dhbuilder]

yeah, it's amazing what the wind that we've had lately has done. you should have seen it before mark and i cleared out all the deadfall. you wouldn't have been able to ride any trail at all.few people know how much time it constantly takes to keep that place presentable. glad you got some runs in before the weather dumped on us. check your p.m.

[profro]

yeah, it's amazing what the wind that we've had lately has done. you should have seen it before mark and i cleared out all the deadfall. you wouldn't have been able to ride any trail at all.few people know how much time it constantly takes to keep that place presentable. glad you got some runs in before the weather dumped on us. check your p.m.

Sounds like you need some more helpers. :help: Maybe I should see if Bizutch wants to help.

[bizutch]

...you've seen em around here more than all others combined....maybe because they hand them out to every man, woman and child that even owns a bike....:love: :love:

[dhbuilder]

man i wish they'd hand em to me.

[dhbuilder]

and doug, the best thing for the trails during the winter is to leave them alone. that way all it takes is a leaf blower for any maintainence during the riding season.

[profro]

pics from last Saturday...

Matt's bike
http://www.frontiernet.net/~hdferguson3/asx.JPG

http://www.frontiernet.net/~hdferguson3/doug.JPG

[dhbuilder]

looks like some old school trail #2 action goin on. butch, i looked at those links. WOW, what cool machines. i'll take that info with me when i have my meeting. they bought the a.t.v. club a 2004 cat dozer. maybe they'll .....

[bigdrop05]

Looks like less mud on the sweet Moorewood. Must ah been going faster !

[JeffD]

The shirt says it all.

[bizutch]

Can't resist...everybody...feel free to drool about your trail building potential with one of these bad boys!!!
http://www.traildynamics.com/images/woodykeen.JPGhttp://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/images/mtl_applications.jpg
http://www.toro.com/professional/sws/loader/400/index.html
http://www.toro.com/professional/images/lcb_dgo_22306_s_r_md.jpg
http://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/index.htm
http://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/images/mtl_main.jpg

[profro]

I give that thing 5 feet before it tumbles down the steep banks that are Windrock.

[bizutch]

I give that thing 5 feet before it tumbles down the steep banks that are Windrock.
well...oh king of the diesel engine....you don't drive one DOWN a mountain...you drive it UP......

Besides...Woody's used those things all over the country to build trails and he built a black diamond at ski resort so it must get traction somewhere......a dozer is a dozer...you flip one, you've done something horribly wrong... :eviltongu:

[BKQuill]

the one that I seen (a Bobcat) has got a really low center of gravity (lots of weight placed low, near the tracks), it's pretty difficult to flip it. It can be done, but you gotta try, in which case -like Butch said- your doing something wrong.

[d.e.f.]

I'm w/ doug on this one. We've used those toro's here at work before and they are a bit silly and seemed underpowered. If your going to go that route, might as well get a standard track skid-steer. And like anything else, once you get going across a hill it'll roll (unless its a D6 or something of that size). The only benefit I can see to that is the blade width will be narrower so you don't end up w/ a 48" wide trail. I wonder if those little guys are the "magic trail machines" (as the forest service guys called it) that put the finish cut on the Boyd Gap trail down at Tanasi.


Edit: of course we're talking about trails here, not tearing down and demoloshing and all that stuff. I may have gotten a little carried away. As far as trail applications, that little thing is probably the only machine small enough to work. Example: The lower section of clear creek off Chilhowee has been fixed of all the down pine trees....by a very large dozer, and screwed up whats pretty much a nice ride. I don't think Joey would really like to see something of those proportions on his trails. Well, maybe tr14.

[BKQuill]

I can't speak for the Toro, only the Bobcat. It was at a "demo" and they were climbing up a pretty serious incline with a bucket full with no problem at all, it zipped right up. I was thinking the same thing about it get a little (actually, a lot) sketchy trying to turn that thing, but the guy operating it, did it and made it look a little too easy. Okay, now lets think about this back in the real world such as Windrock, and not in a controlled environment with someone that has been "practicing" on it for a couple years during developing. I personally wouldn't want to try it, nor be "down stream" with any of you yahoo's at the helm. It's not that I don't trust you, yeah it is, it's exactly that...

[Jeremy R]

I can't speak for the Toro, only the Bobcat. It was at a "demo" and they were climbing up a pretty serious incline with a bucket full with no problem at all, it zipped right up. I was thinking the same thing about it get a little (actually, a lot) sketchy trying to turn that thing, but the guy operating it, did it and made it look a little too easy. Okay, now lets think about this back in the real world such as Windrock, and not in a controlled environment with someone that has been "practicing" on it for a couple years during developing. I personally wouldn't want to try it, nor be "down stream" with any of you yahoo's at the helm. It's not that I don't trust you, yeah it is, it's exactly that...

Brian, go ride Paris Mountain. All the trails were made with one of those things. Its proper.:)

[d.e.f.]

I can't speak for the Toro, only the Bobcat. It was at a "demo" and they were climbing up a pretty serious incline with a bucket full with no problem at all, it zipped right up. I was thinking the same thing about it get a little (actually, a lot) sketchy trying to turn that thing, but the guy operating it, did it and made it look a little too easy. Okay, now lets think about this back in the real world such as Windrock, and not in a controlled environment with someone that has been "practicing" on it for a couple years during developing. I personally wouldn't want to try it, nor be "down stream" with any of you yahoo's at the helm. It's not that I don't trust you, yeah it is, it's exactly that...


For the applications we were using it, a regular loader would have been better, but we received a free demo from toro and their operator did all the work, so it balanced out. But I'm with you on the mountain. I'll listen to others tell the stories but I don't want to be anywhere near one of those machines up there.

[BKQuill]

Brian, go ride Paris Mountain. All the trails were made with one of those things. Its proper.:)

Why don't you go ride Paris Mountain? ;) :love:

The real question is when are you going to invite me to go riding with you at Paris Mountain?:confused:

Seriously though, I was giving "props" to the Bobcat model, and think that it would work just fine(as mentioned in my other post). It was very impressive at the demo that I went to, but it was a professional bobcat employee operating it and it was in a controlled enviroment. I was really referring to being around it on a steep mountain with "those wild-n-crazy downhill bike riders" operating it.

[Jeremy R]

Why don't you go ride Paris Mountain? ;) :love:

The real question is when are you going to invite me to go riding with you at Paris Mountain?:confused:


No doubt. We need to ride more. Anytime.
Plus, I will need your assistance on my dirt jumps.
I am a Stihl Chainsaw away from being able to start. :)
And of course, you can ride them anytime.

[BKQuill]

Do you really just need a chainsaw?
Do you have my number?

[tomvan72]

I want to ride them, really!

[Jeremy R]

Do you really just need a chainsaw?
Do you have my number?

Yes. I need some to cut some big logs, and I got a wussy chainsaw that sucks. So PM your number, and I will call you tonight.



and
What's up Tom?
Anytime Man.

[tomvan72]

Geritt and i are going to do it in the woods this weekend and you all from the sc should come with your trail bikes for the same reason.

[profro]

Just think about trying to work with that thing in the steeps on trail 1. Nuf said.

[profro]

Geritt and i are going to do it in the woods this weekend

whah whoah whoah... too much info :dead:

[tomvan72]

You can come and do it too. Need to find a trail bike. Can you steal one from some kid or something?

[Jeremy R]

Geritt and i are going to do it in the woods this weekend and you all from the sc should come with your trail bikes for the same reason.

Tom, I gotta head to Greensboro on business this weekend, but I will be back up there next weekend.


And Doug, I am trying to imagine how much rain it would take to wash my $hit stains from trail 1, if I tried to take that bobcat thingy down the trail and make the turn at the bottom.:dead:

[tomvan72]

No problem, We will be here every week. But we are gonna have a good one this saturday.

[bizutch]

No problem, We will be here every week. But we are gonna have a good one this saturday.
how about filling me in. what are you guys gonna do?

[dhbuilder]

unfortunately those kicka.. trailbuilding machines will probably never build an inch out here. i've been thinking about them today, and they just don't fit my style. i honestly feel that when you bench a trail you cut the very soul out of it. we have to do it way more than i would like here. and that is the main goal of this seasons trailbuilding is to develop more natural terrain trailbeds with absolute minimum of bench work. nothing feels better under your wheels than natural shifting of camber . one thing that always seems to be forgotten is that i'm not up here to cater to lesser skill levels. that's not a bad thing. i've had the pleasure of watching numerous riders over the past 5+ yrs' here greatly improve their skill levels. this years new trails will be a "little" less technically challenging, with more emphasis on speed and how big your ballz are for staying off the brakes as much as possible. already the four of us working together have done more in just the time since thanksgiving weekend than i planned. this promises to be our most productive off season yet, weather permitting. i'll keep ya'll posted and get mark to take some photos.

[BKQuill]

i honestly feel that when you bench a trail you cut the very soul out of it.

HIPPIE;)

this years new trails will be a "little" less technically challenging, with more emphasis on speed and how big your ballz are for staying off the brakes as much as possible. :drool: :love: :thumb:

[tomvan72]

Butch, give me a call for details

[Tattooo]

Can't resist...everybody...feel free to drool about your trail building potential with one of these bad boys!!!
http://www.traildynamics.com/images/woodykeen.JPGhttp://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/images/mtl_applications.jpg
http://www.toro.com/professional/sws/loader/400/index.html
http://www.toro.com/professional/images/lcb_dgo_22306_s_r_md.jpg
http://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/index.htm
http://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/images/mtl_main.jpg

We used one of these last weekend in Reno, and it kicks ass for making new trails. I am not sure how it would work unless you were really skilled with it for rehabbing a trail, but to build new stuff that's 36" wide, there is none higher. Ask Hacksaw and Kidwoo, that thing ruled.

Heavy though. You're going to need a trailer that can handle over 2500# and a truck that can haul it in.

[bizutch]

.... . and that is the main goal of this seasons trailbuilding is to develop more natural terrain trailbeds with absolute minimum of bench work. .........bench cut...I didn't say anything about a bench cut. That thing is what you need to make a new "Trail 1" doubles section.....in half an hour. Just think of how you can build a series of like 10 table tops (think A Line) in a row deep in the woods where the fat little ATV's can't get to them...

[Tattooo]

Just think about trying to work with that thing in the steeps on trail 1. Nuf said.

I was running it in the steeps this weekend. You can either drag down the hill with the bucket at a 90 to the hill, or you can push down the hill. Either worked pretty good. Having it drag down is a bit intimidating at first, but once you work out in your head that the bucket is locking it to the ground, it works pretty damn good.

We did six months of digging and piling in a little under 10 hours of machine time. Now all we need to do is shape the new lines. I cannot say enough good things about this machine. Built proper berms on top of serious clay deposits, moved a hell of a lot of earth, and did a good job with a monkey like me behind the wheel. I will take some pics of what we did if Saw will let me, post them on here. Good stuff.

I want to use one now to build a benched in DH trail in the sierras somewhere, but I am moving at the end of December to VA. Maybe I'll come out to Windrock and help with this, its a good time.

[profro]

It takes longer than half and hour to build dj doubles with a full size bobcat. I've done it and I know. There may be a few places that this little thing might work i.e. Trail 14, but I don't think you guys can appreciate how steep Windrock is. When was the last time you walked the trails or even raked them or weedeated them? Just on trail 1 alone there are more places you can't take this thing than you can. Think about it...

The steeps on trail 1 are almost impossible to rake without killing yourself. That thing would drag you down the steeps quicker than you could figure out what was happening and I'd never get behind that thing trying to go up them. :dead:

[bizutch]

Tattoo...thanks for chiming in with some real world experience bro. It always helps to hear from people on stuff like that.

Doug, who said anything about going down Trail 1? Granted...it would make a pretty cool video to see you come down it in your D2 and a pair of Dickies.....

[dhbuilder]

sooooo many experts. where are ya'll's trails? you never know, i may get bored up here and strart looking for a new place to ride.

[profro]

sooooo many experts. where are ya'll's trails?

Bigfoot :cool:

[dhbuilder]

yeah, terry and i saw your truck there on the way home today.workin?

[profro]

Yep, I have been out there everyday this week in the afternoons. I cut in a complete XC loop that enables folks to take any of the 4 "DH" runs and ride all the way back to the top. For those that want to do that kind of stuff. :rolleyes: But its a fairly tech XC trail. Lots of off camber switchbacks and lots of rocks.

However there is one "DH" run that is a total blast. Big bike required with lots of rocks and roots.

[BKQuill]

you never know, i may get bored up here and strart looking for a new place to ride.

blasphemy I tell ya, blasphemy!!!;)

[dhbuilder]

blasphemy I tell ya, blasphemy!!!;)
don't worry, by the time this building season ends we'll have a total of 15 different runs here. and not a crappy one on the mt. this place will play second fiddle to no other.boredom won't be an option around these parts i tell ya.

[bigdrop05]

Yep, I have been out there everyday this week in the afternoons. I cut in a complete XC loop that enables folks to take any of the 4 "DH" runs and ride all the way back to the top. For those that want to do that kind of stuff. :rolleyes: But its a fairly tech XC trail. Lots of off camber switchbacks and lots of rocks.

However there is one "DH" run that is a total blast. Big bike required with lots of rocks and roots.
--
Little wood signs to label those Bigfoot trails ??
I hit those Bigfoot trails last Sunday afternoon.:)

Heavy machinery is dangerous!:dead:
.02

[profro]

--
Little wood signs to label those Bigfoot trails ??


We are working on it. :)

[dhbuilder]

doug, i don't know if you'd be interested in this or not. we will be demo-ing those freeride ramp things that brian built a couple of years ago, below his bypass trail. the planks were made of cedar and they might be long enough to run through my planer to re-face them. i'll try to not destroy them when we take that stuff apart. might make some cool looking signs for you.

[profro]

Cool. Thanks

[dhbuilder]

got the call from the a.t.v. club pres. yesterday. it's official, we will be the proud owners of a new gas well at the end of the ridge by the u-turn on upper trail14. thank god i've got three good trail builders to depend on. cause i'll probably spend most of this winters weekends "re-educating" the motorized crew about what will happen if they even think about riding our area. i explained to him that some slack will be granted to those that are just on the roadbed, but to those found on the trails the scene could get unruly. the coal co. supposedly has told the construction crews to have a little more respect than normal when they come into our area. but i'll spend alot of time up there politicing with them as they start the project. just like when they were working on the pavedroad back when they were moving the windmills up to the top. this shouldn't affect the trails other than the trail heads at the trail14 crossings. and hopefully the freeride section will remain unscathed. but we'll see what happens.

[bizutch]

boy...wish they owned Wolf Laurel...talking to Orville about bike trails is like talking Greek to a Ethiopian

[dhbuilder]

butch, i never take for granted how lucky i (we all are.) am to have the support that i do from people who don't even ride bikes. that's why i've been building like a madman for the last 5yrs. there's no way i'll let this opportunity slip away. i don't know if there's any where else in the country that has this particular land situation. especially with a good paved road bordering our area.

[thejames]

just wanted to say that you guys are doing a great job up there, i visited doug last year and i thought that the trails were awesome. i hope to get up there sometime next year again and see the new stuff you have been working on.

[dhbuilder]

"new stuff" will be ass kickin fast.(with a "few" rocks.)

[BKQuill]

"new stuff" will be ass kickin fast.(with a "few" rocks.)

As I have expressed my thoughts in the past for an "A-Line" type of flowy and super fast trail. It's the "few" rocks part that makes me wonder what you are up too.:D

I'll be up the weekend of the 7th or 14th to help build...

[urbaindk]

it's official, we will be the proud owners of a new gas well at the end of the ridge by the u-turn on upper trail14. .

Lucky you. Coal Creek put in two wells by my parents farm this spring. Them things is ugly. To top it off they have started logging on there land holdings surrounding the farm. It's not close enough to see yet but close enough to hear.

Have you seen any logging operations by Coal Creek? Do they clear cut or just take out the good stuff and leave the smaller stuff standing? Just wondering what we have to look forward to.

[bizutch]

Lucky you. Coal Creek put in two wells by my parents farm this spring. Them things is ugly. To top it off they have started logging on there land holdings surrounding the farm. It's not close enough to see yet but close enough to hear.

Have you seen any logging operations by Coal Creek? Do they clear cut or just take out the good stuff and leave the smaller stuff standing? Just wondering what we have to look forward to.
they clear cut the bottom of trail 1 like it was gonna be a walmart...:rolleyes:

[dhbuilder]

As I have expressed my thoughts in the past for an "A-Line" type of flowy and super fast trail. It's the "few" rocks part that makes me wonder what you are up too.:D

I'll be up the weekend of the 7th or 14th to help build...
i'm up to no good. as usual. it'll be fast but there's no way i'll ever make it too easy. there's no avoiding rocks up here, even if i wanted to.

[dhbuilder]

yeah, the people they have doing their logging, are nothing more than hacks. they bulldoze multiple roads into an area then just drop the good stuff. and leave the wreckage behind. they gave me a good scare this time last year when the had a lease that was going to come into the western half of our land. i went to their foreman and explained to him about what we had going, and how they basically were going to put us out of buisness. then had an on site meeting with the owner of the logging co before i even went to coal creek. he agreed to a buffer zone running down the creek alongside of our southernrocks trail. when i finally went to c.creek, he was amazed that i talked him into that. it took away about a third of what they were permitted to log. that cost them a few $$$ to say the least. just one of the many battles that i'm constantly trying to b.s. my way out of. i'm trying to find out when they'll be putting the well in, so i can talk to them about trying to keep from disturbing as much of our trail heads and crossings as possible. but we will be saying goodbye to a smokin fast section of upper trail 14. let's hope that's all.

[dhbuilder]

they clear cut the bottom of trail 1 like it was gonna be a walmart...:rolleyes:
giving up that section of trail is probably what allowed me to save the southernrocks/drop-out trail area. again, a small price to pay. we have to remember that these are still "working" mountains.

[urbaindk]

Just Great! That sucks. A private land owner logged about 5 years ago and they did a very nice job. They were very selective about their cuts, left everything under 8 inches, and all the softwoods behind. Now you really can't tell where they came through except that the trees are smaller and there is more undergrowth and some stumps.

If the rumors are true, this time is going to suck.

I can't say too much about the wells. They were put into bottom land right next to the Little Emory River. It was a beautiful hayfield. but it's really not that bad considering. They leave a pretty small footprint. Maybe 1/4 acre or so which holds the well head, a couple of small drainage ponds and a big storage tank. Once it is all set up (takes a month or two) they will only come out everyfew weeks to drain the tank.

[dhbuilder]

yeah, i went around some of the other nearby wells and looked around. they do a somewhat "neater" job than the loggers, but it's still going to be intrusive. i'm not so worried about them as much as the motorized nit wits who will ignore or destroy the signs designating the area for d.h. use only.with the top of trail 14 wide open, they'll ride down into some of the trails, realize they're in over their heads and roost a u-turn out, leaving ruts in their wake. i've got the support of the a.t.v. club pres and the pres. of coal creek. they've given me permission to "do whatever i have to do to keep them out." but the place sits unsupervised 90% of the time. so we'll see what happens.

[urbaindk]

Is there anyway to build some discouraging technical features near the trail heads to weed out the yahoos?

[dhbuilder]

yeah, i'm going to build a few temporary barricades,like one i built at the top of trail 14. but it's going to cost about $150-200. to build as many as i'll need. i'll drop trees across the trails where i can, but i really hate doing that. we've 12-14 places where our trails cross the access road. i recently got a sizeable donation from the a.t.v. club, but it's amazing how fast that $$$ dissapears

[bizutch]

yeah, i'm going to build a few temporary barricades,like one i built at the top of trail 14. but it's going to cost about $150-200. to build as many as i'll need. i'll drop trees across the trails where i can, but i really hate doing that. we've 12-14 places where our trails cross the access road. i recently got a sizeable donation from the a.t.v. club, but it's amazing how fast that $$$ dissapears
can you have them dozer a water ditch across the entrance, then build a ladder bridge across it...that would keep motos and ATV's out.

[dhbuilder]

but from now on it will have to be acessable for the maint. crews to service the wellhead. i'd like to talk to coalcreek about putting a metal gate there. with their $$$ not mine. i don't mind spending out of my own pocket to build trails, but to secure something they opened up, shouldn't cost me.

[BKQuill]

help me out here Joey, I can never remember which trail is which, trail 14 is which one again?

[dhbuilder]

it's the blistering fast roadbed that runs down the middle of our area. terry and i always laugh because everyone has been calling for more flow out here. and yet nobody but he and i ride one of the best runs out here. i'll take ya'll down it the next time your here.

[JeffD]

BK - it's the fast double track that snakes around kinda parallel to Snakerock and ends in that super steep chute that you shouldered the tree on.

[dhbuilder]

that's the one.

[GravityFreakTJ]

dang it Joey..i'm gonna have to get time to get there sometime next year. dang racin takes alot of time

[BKQuill]

BK - it's the fast double track that snakes around kinda parallel to Snakerock and ends in that super steep chute that you shouldered the tree on.

ah yes, I will have to have Joey remove that tree, or I just could try a little harder next time to avoid it. :nuts:

Is it the trail that hooks into snakerock right before the Jawbone? One of these days I'll figure out the damn numbers and names of the trails. It's going to be a long-ass winter for DHing:(

[JeffD]

Yes and sort of. The run starts by breaking off to the left after the freeride section. I don't think you ever did all of trail 14 - we took you down middle chute (real steep terraces) which then crossed 14 and down to the Earnhardt drop and onto the Jawbone. The second time we hit middle chute then went right - about 100 yards of open but chunky doubletrack then right down lower chute (shoulder/tree chute) that spits you out onto the bridge after the Jawbone.

[dhbuilder]

[QUOTE=BKQuill]ah yes, I will have to have Joey remove that tree, or I just could try a little harder next time to avoid it. that tree is the only thing between you and that deep rocky ravine.

[frznnomad]

yeh, joey when is the race gonna be. i loved hitting up the rock when i did and i really want to come back and a race is a perfect excuse to get out of work and hit up the rock. well man ill talk to you boys later and see you next season.

[BKQuill]

Yes and sort of. The run starts by breaking off to the left after the freeride section. I don't think you ever did all of trail 14 - we took you down middle chute (real steep terraces) which then crossed 14 and down to the Earnhardt drop and onto the Jawbone. The second time we hit middle chute then went right - about 100 yards of open but chunky doubletrack then right down lower chute (shoulder/tree chute) that spits you out onto the bridge after the Jawbone.

I'm with ya now... I think. It's always a blur to put all the runs together, but I remember bits-n-peices of hitting different sections. I mean how many times have I been down the mountain, and I still can't remember their damn names or number's. They sure seem to have my number though.


that tree is the only thing between you and that deep rocky ravine.

this is true, nice tree.

[BKQuill]

yeh, joey when is the race gonna be. i loved hitting up the rock when i did and i really want to come back and a race is a perfect excuse to get out of work and hit up the rock. well man ill talk to you boys later and see you next season.

There's a race?

[bizutch]

Joey is anti-race...he can't win so he's bitter :sneaky:

[dhbuilder]

naw man, the reason there won't be anymore races at the rock is because of all the bitching, whining and complaining that went on at the last race. who needs it or them. we're up here building and riding to have fun. that last event was anything but.

[BKQuill]

Joey is anti-race...he can't win so he's bitter :sneaky:
You're going to be bitter when he keeps your ass from riding at the Rock:evil: :nuts:

[BKQuill]

because of all the bitching, whining and complaining

BUTCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry, the set up was there, I had to take it...

[JeffD]

You're going to be bitter when he keeps your ass from riding at the Rock:evil: :nuts:

Nah, he'll just go shuttle Pisgah and call it a day :oink:

[frznnomad]

what you can shuttle pisgah. shhhhh keep it on the dl. well it looks like im just gonna have to lie to the boss to get back out there, im feeling a sick weekend comming on. well joey work hard man and ill come for a full weekend so i can help you guys build and earn my keep. ill talk to you boys later and keep up the good work. cant wait to hit the new trails.

[JeffD]

No, I was just joking. Keep the rubber on Windrock or someplace else legal.

[BKQuill]

Way to start some $hit JD (LOL)

[CHOP]

Can't resist...everybody...feel free to drool about your trail building potential with one of these bad boys!!!
http://www.traildynamics.com/images/woodykeen.JPGhttp://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/images/mtl_applications.jpg
http://www.toro.com/professional/sws/loader/400/index.html
http://www.toro.com/professional/images/lcb_dgo_22306_s_r_md.jpg
http://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/index.htm
http://www.bobcat.com/products/mtl/images/mtl_main.jpg

Richard Edwards who lives in Harrisonburg, Va (I believe) has used a machine just like that (not sure if it is the same exact name brand or model) to build many of trails. He is associated with IMBA in some fashion and has built local trails at Walnut Creek in Charlottesville, Va and on the western side of Massanutten Mountain.

[seabass]

Joey is anti-race...he can't win so he's bitter :sneaky:

When were your wins?

Joey's pretty damn fast for an old crusty guy.

[bizutch]

Nah, he'll just go shuttle Pisgah and call it a day :oink:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/bizutch/bizutch2.jpg

[dhbuilder]

thanks guys. he's just jealous because he's not sitting on top of what will be a total of 16 d.h.hill runs in one area, when we open up again this spring. he does have a n.o.r.b.a. national on his plate this year though, and hopefully that will go a long way towards letting people know what good riding there is in the south.

[bizutch]

thanks guys. he's just jealous because he's not sitting on top of what will be a total of 16 d.h.hill runs in one area, when we open up again this spring. he does have a n.o.r.b.a. national on his plate this year though, and hopefully that will go a long way towards letting people know what good riding there is in the south.
I heard the Downhill at Sugar is going to be all ski slope...and have a climb in the middle so that you need a middle chainring...and that Mark Weir is the course designer...and that he is building it with a ho and weedeater.....:oink:

[dhbuilder]

am i missing something ? i thought that was your territory, and your trail.

[jmtf40]

Joey I don't know exactly how your relationship with the Coal Creek people is, but I think if they don't already, they need to cut you a check.
Prior to Joey: you had Maxey and friends
Now: It's the DH mecca of the South

I know Coal Creek Mining, has got a pretty penny for all those 80 dollar licenses.

[dhbuilder]

Joey I don't know exactly how your relationship with the Coal Creek people is, but I think if they don't already, they need to cut you a check.
Prior to Joey: you had Maxey and friends
Now: It's the DH mecca of the South

I know Coal Creek Mining, has got a pretty penny for all those 80 dollar licenses. trust me, the ones that matter out there are aware of what i've created. i couldn't be happier with the relationship i've formed with the pres. of the a.t.v. club and with the pres. of the mining co. the law enforcement officers etc.. i'm working very hard this winter with the help of terry jeffers, brian poston and mark webb, to put in a number of new trails this winter with a bit of a different style and intensity from the type we've previously constructed. i've watched more people than ever before come here this year and ride, and my goal is to "wean" them away from just running the snakerock trail over and over. i'd like nothing better than to start seeing a good crowd every weekend out here, not just once a month or so. with a bigger presence on a more consistant basis. that will lead to me getting a bigger slice of the "budget pie". which will get re-invested right back into the trails. i'm going to try to be a little more aggressive promoting this place, via photos and helmet cam video posted here on the web. i'd also like to get a chunk of $$$ together to have t-shirts made. we've talked about that alot lately and i think we have a pretty tasteful design worked out. we are also going to be g.p.s.ing the trails to hopefully have a map printed up. but no matter how much we do out here, it's the people that come here to ride that makes this place what it is. we've had some of the best sessions ever this past fall season. with people coming in from 16 states and canada to ride with us this year. can't ask for much more than that. we're busting our butt as we speak to make this place better next year.

[jmtf40]

Sounds like you've got your sh&^ together. Wish I had more time to make it out to the Rock. I've ridden a total of 1 time since Mt. Snow.:nopity:

[bizutch]

am i missing something ? i thought that was your territory, and your trail.
the pig face on my quote indicated sarcasm

[dhbuilder]

the pig face on my quote indicated sarcasmi'll file that away, as i'm sure more sarcasm is to come somewhere down the road. if all you have is a weedeater and a ho, does that make him a trail pimp ?

[bigdrop05]

Lot's of bystanders like to see us come down the mountain. It's all off-roading, weather on mountainbikes,Jeeps,or ATV's or horses..
Glad to see & hear it's under control out there.Those trails are top-notch.

[dhbuilder]

another very productive weekend of trailbuilding. everyone will be surprized at how much new stuff there will be to ride this year and how much old stuff will have an entirely new look. long time riders here will be pleased to see the tranformation that trail 1 is getting. the steep section is no more, and the new exit will add a great deal of length tying in with the exit of the drop out trail and coming out in an entirely new area. we're routing everything away from the old trail 14 exit area and directing it all towards the windrock canyon jump at the bottom of the spine. the new road that was cut down the top of trail 14 is almost complete, and the damage was much less than expected. i talked with the guys doing the work and was very happy with the amount of respect they gave our area after they saw what we have down in there. they made sure any trees that were knocked into our trailheads were removed. and everynight when they're through, they block off the top of the trail with their bulldozers to keep the motorized traffic out. i'll be talking with the coal co. this week about a pole gate at the top of the road when work is complete. the road is wide and smooth and anybody looking to do 55 m.p.h.+ will easily be able to hit that mark. i also asked them to make sure they left a good build-up of fresh dirt down the side of the road for me.(BIG FREAKING JUMPS!!!!) and they did that as well. this town hasn't seen a mt. cross course untill i get started on one probably in the spring after all the single track is complete.

[BKQuill]

Oh Yeah!!!
A long, fast section before hitting the gnarly stuff:thumb:

[profro]

windrock canyon jump..... 55 m.p.h.+


:oink:

That makes me giggle

[dhbuilder]

:oink:

That makes me giggleit makes me estatic!!

[santacruzed]

when's opening day again???? :)

[dhbuilder]

it all depends on the severity of this winters weather. so far it's been rather lame, believe it or not the trails are "almost " dry enough to ride now. but the little moisture in the ground freezes at night and thaws and stays on top semi-frozen during the day. sooo close to rideable. patience-patience.

[SinatorJ]

C-ya in June. I am expecting you to take a few days off to get a few days in before the Sugar Nat. And Butch, once again I am holding you PERSONALLY responsable for the quality of that course. DONT SCREW IT UP!!!

[profro]

C-ya in June. I am expecting you to take a few days off to get a few days in before the Sugar Nat.

Dude there is going to be a show down that week. I think Team Morewood is going to camp over this way that week as well. We are going to get some hella training.

[dhbuilder]

if i only had a ski lift.

[profro]

You should get Chris Hepler to get Oliver Springs to front the money for it. We could hold a national and have everyone stay in Oliver Springs. Win, Win! :)

[dhbuilder]

that's just what i meant !!! i mean if you're going to daydream might as well daydream big.

[SinatorJ]

I know where there is a lift that is no longer in use...

[bigdrop05]

Push up the road-only takes "about an hour"...:drool: :dead:

[santacruzed]

that's just what i meant !!! i mean if you're going to daydream might as well daydream big.

take sugar's lift....they sure as hell dont use it to it's potential

[dhbuilder]

take sugar's lift....they sure as hell dont use it to it's potentialyeah, i've wondered about that. how can you have a norba national at a place nobody rides. (anybody remember the "toilet" comment ?)

[mfzbike]

what up everyone.
hows trail building going Joey
i got two more weeks here in Europe. so im gonna enjoy the snow and the skïing while i can.
i will get in touch as soon as i get back
mark

[dhbuilder]

man you are going to have to bring a BIG roll of t.p. when you come "home". because you are literally going to squat and poop a very large loaf when you see what we've done since you were here last. can't wait to get you back in trailbuilding mode. we still have more than 2 months before we open and with the five of us all on the same page building we will definately have the best d.h. trail system around. and howabout bringing back one of those ski lifts in your luggage.

[dhbuilder]

I know where there is a lift that is no longer in use... don't show up in june without it.

[bigdrop05]

I bought/buying Ziska's Marzocchi 888RC for my Bullit !

SUGAR National will be cool .

[untitledsince89]

an hour WALK up the road. How bout a 10 minute ride up in the back of a truck, or a ski lift would aways be better, Hell just build a road straight up the mountain to drive to the top. :P

[bigdrop05]

an hour WALK up the road. How bout a 10 minute ride up in the back of a truck, or a ski lift would aways be better, Hell just build a road straight up the mountain to drive to the top. :P
-- Windrock has an awesome new paved road to the top.Bros out there are good to help a guy or gal out to the top if they can.
But yeah, i have pushed to the top a few times on odd days-blisters on heels suck !

[CHepler]

Looked like the top was snow covered today.

[dhbuilder]

yeah chris, that's what one of the a.t.v. riders called to tell me yesterday. our trails were way too wet to work on, or terry and i would have been up there to check it out. our valley looks really cool when it snows a little. the trails melt off first and you can see the whole network of trails very easily from anywhere up high.

[Wndrckr]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_030_18_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_026_16_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_024_15_1.jpg

Thought some of you might want to see what the dozers have done to trail 14.

[Wndrckr]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_020_13_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_034_20_1.jpg

You could pave a 2-lane highway through there now, but at least we've got a purdy view.

[JeffD]

Sheeit. Well, on the bright side, the freeride section's intact and anybody who wants to blaze one (a run, not a uh...nevermind) can now do so.

[JeffD]

Will the lower section that snakes down between middle and lower chuite be affected?

[Wndrckr]

The destruction basically goes straight down the ridge along the old trail 14 trailbed so except for alot of chainsaw work we should be o.k.

[motomike]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_030_18_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_026_16_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_024_15_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_020_13_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/Windrock_20051227_034_20_1.jpg

[motomike]

I don't know if I'd wanna ride that now--it looks like you could get plowed over by a truck or some type of heavy equipment.

[Wndrckr]

I don't know why I couldn't get the images straight to the background, but thanks. Yea, there shouldn't be much traffic when they're done, but we're gonna get a gravel driveway down to the well.

[ChrisKring]

How often do they need to use that road to get to the well?

Looks like a good A-Line to me.

[Wndrckr]

Once completed they'll need to access it 2-3 times a week is what I've heard. We're optimistic about it's potential since there's alot of loose dirt along the edges for building berms or jumps, but we'll have to keep our hands out of the cookie jar until they're finished building. (hopefully soon)

[dhbuilder]

just got a bit of good news this morning from the a.t.v. club pres. we've officially been granted the complete ridge crest to the east of our present area. and all of the steep face it contains. this adds aprox. 20-25% more land for us to develop over the next couple of years. we knew that we could probably claim "squatters rights" to it. but it's nice to have an official deed. the road bed that mark has shown ya'll will eventually be a huge benefit to us. we won't be able to a-line it out, but we will at least be able to criss cross berms down the edges, for some high speed zig-zag blazing action.(how you like those puns jeff d ?) and i'm sure we can squeeze a few jumps in here and there.

[JeffD]

Sounds smokin'!

[dhbuilder]

actually that's probably going to be the name of our best new trail. mainly because it will. in about 8-10 weeks this thread will be renamed windrock opening. SMOKIN.

[JeffD]

Weather permitting, you guys gonna be out there next Saturday? If so, we'll make a run up to help.

[Wndrckr]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/trail1-reroute.jpg

I stitched 3 shots together to show where the trail 1 rerouting begins. That's sex rock in the upper left for reference. Got some more photos today so I'll post more soon.

[JeffD]

Old age moment - is sex rock/this section right after the freeride section/trail 14 crossing (i.e. the rock you basically have to endo off of) or is this section further down?

[dhbuilder]

it's the big flat elevated rock you roll off of with the little rolloff ramp behind it, not too far before the start of the now destroyed(by us) steep section.

[Wndrckr]

Here's a new switchback on trail 1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/trail1switchback-1_1_1.jpg

Same switchback--from next http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/trailswitchback-2_1_1.jpg
turn.

New rock garden on trhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/trail1rockgarden_1_1.jpg
ail 1

Another new section--trail 1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/trail1-new_1_1.jpg

Here's where the new exit of Tr. 1 intersects just below spine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/trail1-spine_1_1.jpg

[SpaZwEll]

I'm digging the nice rock walkway!!

[Wndrckr]

powercut section on one of new trails.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/powercut_1_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/rockride-1_1_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/rockride-2_1_1.jpg

A large rock to ride up on new trail.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/rockride-3_1_1.jpg

Another rock to ride up on.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/rockride-4_1_1.jpg

Part of the same trail.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/M-Webb/WindrockDec05/middlefinger_1_1.jpg

[dhbuilder]

as usual, this was another very very productive weekend. and mark will be the first to agree that pictures don't do justice to what we've been building this season. nor do they relay how steep some of this stuff is.good photos mark !

[bizutch]

hey Joey...do you guys fill in the gaps between those rocks with dirt to keep them from separating/shifting?

[dhbuilder]

hey Joey...do you guys fill in the gaps between those rocks with dirt to keep them from separating/shifting?
naw man, terry and brian are the "rock puzzle" kings. very few of them move when you're walking over them. and we'll be going so damned fast when we ride over them that it shouldn't be a problem.the goodness that's in those woods that we haven't even begun to utilize is absolutely amazing. terry and i get headaches every time we go on an exploratory hike. you lay out something one way and you look around and see so many more ways it could be done. the hard part is deciding on how to lay it out to best and fastest way possible. this has been soooo much fun this building season.

[bizutch]

naw man, terry and brian are the "rock puzzle" kings. very few of them move when you're walking over them. and we'll be going so damned fast when we ride over them that it shouldn't be a problem.
just wondering...thought it would work better like when you build a sidewalk out of pavers at your house, you fill in the gaps between the rocks to keep them steady. Figured tossing dirt between them would hold them in place longer and the dirt would sort of settle "under" them and still leave all the rough gaps, etc.

I saw where you had filled stuff with dirt on Southern Rocks is what made me think of it.

[Jeremy R]

I just want to say that I think it rocks that you guys are redoing Trail 1. I can't wait to ride it again.
I rode the steep section last year, and I know why you guys had to redo it.
It was toast.
I can't wait to see what you guys do at the bottom as well.

[dhbuilder]

if we start to have problems with them dislodging, that's just what we'll do. that paticular area doesn't have a very convienient dirt source though. and hauling dirt around in 5 gal. buckets like terry and i did on southernrocks last year, is a chore we dread.

[bizutch]

I just want to say that I think it rocks that you guys are redoing Trail 1. I can't wait to ride it again.
I rode the steep section last year, and I know why you guys had to redo it.
It was toast.
I can't wait to see what you guys do at the bottom as well.
DITTO

[dhbuilder]

NOBODY wants trail one back at the forefront of our system as bad as i do. there's absloutely no way to figure up all the time over the years i've spent working on that trail. and now it's back better than i ever could have hoped for. ya'll need to give a big round of thanks to terry jeffers, brian poston and mark webb. without them i would have nothing !! (and mark ziska too,whenever he gets back from his lengthy euro ski trip.)

[santacruzed]

nice work joey....i know all of the hickory guys are stoked about the work you're putting in

[BKQuill]

I can not F*#king wait until "opening day"!

Weather permitting, you guys gonna be out there next Saturday? If so, we'll make a run up to help.

:stupid:
Joey?

[dhbuilder]

we'll be there.what's a little frostbite among friends ?