CRAMBA: Bloomer

[wingzz]

Just got back from Bloomer and the trails are much drier than last friday and are ready to be ridden! There are still a few wet spots to watch out for!!! Be careful on the ridge trail as it has had some erosion and has a couple dangerous spots!

But it was fun

[Trek930]

Well I was out there Tuesday. Wanted to tell you Nick that there is some glass on the trail. It is at the big hill with switchbacks. Like a bowl but going down the hill. Anyway on the right side as you look down a large tree is on the inside of the turn. I'd say 1/4 down. The broken glass is there. Hopefully you can understand my directions.

My tire got sucked into the mud and down I went on the glass. Took a small chunk out of my finger tip. *Sigh* Need to work on my fall technique.

edit: spelling

[Sherpaboy]

Well I was out there Tuesday. Wanted to tell you Nick that there is some glass on the trail.

did you pick it up? or move it off the trail ??

[Trek930]

did you pick it up? or move it off the trail ??

I moved it to the other side of the tree as best I could. There is a lot there, several bottles, but it still needs to be removed completly.

[mr_opjones]

Hey Tom,

Towards the end of the upper ridge trail (east end), were it takes a quick drop down, a 100 yards or so before you get to the bottom and it makes that switch back. There's a spot that has a steep decline that is always pretty tore up from drainage and is usually muddy. Do you think putting in some large flat rocks in that spot will help it hold up better? Maybe you can look into getting this done? I'll do the manual labor, just need an okay. Also right after that spot there's a small valley were waters drains down. Maybe we could get a very small bridge across this? Even a pallet would work, and anyone can come by 1 of those pretty easily, zero cost on that small fix up.

Also when you have the meeting with the park officials later on. A couple small ladder sections on the ridge would greatly help out some areas from falling apart and eroding the trail away. Maybe something that you could mention.

[luv2mtb]

Hey Tom,

Towards the end of the upper ridge trail (east end), were it takes a quick drop down, a 100 yards or so before you get to the bottom and it makes that switch back. There's a spot that has a steep decline that is always pretty tore up from drainage and is usually muddy. Do you think putting in some large flat rocks in that spot will help it hold up better? Maybe you can look into getting this done? I'll do the manual labor, just need an okay. Also right after that spot there's a small valley were waters drains down. Maybe we could get a very small bridge across this? Even a pallet would work, and anyone can come by 1 of those pretty easily, zero cost on that small fix up.

Also when you have the meeting with the park officials later on. A couple small ladder sections on the ridge would greatly help out some areas from falling apart and eroding the trail away. Maybe something that you could mention.

Actually when Nick, Derek and myself met at Bloomer a few weeks ago, we talked about that hill, I think its call armouring, same thing that they did at Ft Custer on a descent, our plan was to talk to some people who have already done this type of work. we also discussed at least 2 area's that need small bridges, please wait a bit longer, Blumrdude is going up there with me this weekend to introduce me to the all the park employee's, once I meet and discuss plans with them then I'll schedule some work days, By the way, I notice that many trail days are on the weekends, is there a reason why weekday evenings arent considered, I may set up a few at Bloomer ,seems there less overlap with racing???

[mr_opjones]

Actually when Nick, Derek and myself met at Bloomer a few weeks ago, we talked about that hill, I think its call armouring, same thing that they did at Ft Custer on a descent, our plan was to talk to some people who have already done this type of work. we also discussed at least 2 area's that need small bridges, please wait a bit longer, Blumrdude is going up there with me this weekend to introduce me to the all the park employee's, once I meet and discuss plans with them then I'll schedule some work days, By the way, I notice that many trail days are on the weekends, is there a reason why weekday evenings arent considered, I may set up a few at Bloomer ,seems there less overlap with racing???

Awesome!! The Armoring is exactly what I'm talking about. I myself haven't done it, but I've done a lot of reading on it and have a good idea of what needs to be done. Weekdays work for me, I'm usually out of work at 5:30 pm. So I would more than likely be able to work some of those.

[RubyRider]

Hello-

When is the next trail day for Bloomer? I would love to help. I rode out there this afternoon it seems to be in pretty rough shape.

Please let me know and I will put the call out to my work crew. Week nights are fine with me, Saturday morning is best.

[mr_opjones]

Tom

I was thinking about that steep decline spot that see's a lot of drainage I had posted about earlier. It may be better to build up a ladder going down that small area that will allow the water to drain under nearth it. I think if just rocks were added as with the armoring that the area will eventually wear out and the rocks will come loose. I think the ladder would be 100% better and there will never be an issue with that area again. Here's some examples that I've found, some of the first pics is what I'm talking about.


Ladders & armoring

[Mr. Bojangles]

great link. This type of work is what Pauley had done with addison oaks and has really become one of my favoreite sections to ride. With a little elbow grease and some warm bodies Bloomer can once again become one of the best trails to ride for a challenge. This trail deserves to be taken care of and this summer will be the one to get things back in shape.

[PK]

I see that the "troublesome" drop-in near the end of the Upper Ridge has been worked on. Great job! (I've wanted to do something like that for years)
"Thank you" to the responsible party(s).
Pete..

[lemurboy11]

not bad today ...pretty dry in most parts.. tall growth around the river sections though..

hey do i get credit for 4 hours of trail work .. i spent all day cleaning dead fall from the trails there??...j/k

there was a good amount of dead branches but we moved a bunch

[chris_werth]

ridge trail is in awesome shape, nice job to whoever put in the small wood bridges......thanks. I love that trail.

[lemurboy11]

way over grown by the river..dont go if you have bad alergies...

the storms brought down a lot of deadfall branches but most were cleared away today

[cerveja]

Trail was in decent shape despite the recent rains. There are two major fallen trees on the Southeast section. As you leave the cide mill, climb the hill turn left along the top of the hill, then turn right to go down to the main trail. The first one isn't bad, but you'll need to dismount and climb through the two or three fallen trees. Then about 100 feet further is the motherload. Must five or six major trees right across the trail. I think this is the same section people are talking about armouring and erosion control....

I just saw Tailwinds is going to be there at the end of the month. Unless they plan to run a Spring Cyclocross series or are no longer racing this part of the trail, it's going to take some time to clear that mess or make a big detour around it. I'll keep my eyes open for a trail maintenance day.... Bloomer is my home court too and she is looking a little rough. Weekends are tough for me, but I'm out of work at 4 and can easiliy be there by 4:30 - 5 if there are some weeknights people are interested in doing some work. I have a semi functional chain saw weed whacker and shovels and possibly a gullible friend or two I can con into dragging along.