CRAMBA: Holdridge

[WishIcouldcatchmybreath]

A small group of us happened to get out there for a ride today and from what I could see the trimming was definitely needed. Thanks for that!

While I'd previously only ridden the East loop, I got a chance to check out both North and West too. I must say, I really enjoyed riding the west loop. I'm curious about the wood armoring. Can anyone tell me who did that? I'm very interested in using something similar out at River Bends.

I don't have the history as to who did that or why it was done, but I can tell you that its like ice when its wet! I wouldn't recommend it!

[r21954]

A small group of us happened to get out there for a ride today and from what I could see the trimming was definitely needed. Thanks for that!

While I'd previously only ridden the East loop, I got a chance to check out both North and West too. I must say, I really enjoyed riding the west loop. I'm curious about the wood armoring. Can anyone tell me who did that? I'm very interested in using something similar out at River Bends.

It was put there by the Boy Scouts as a donation and if it wasn't there U wouldn't be riding the Lake Shore loop as it was too wet most of the time and riding without it would have negatively impacted the environment. I have never had a problem with it being slippery when wet but I ussually stay off the trails when they're wet and it's raining!!

[c0nsumer]

A small group of us happened to get out there for a ride today and from what I could see the trimming was definitely needed. Thanks for that!

While I'd previously only ridden the East loop, I got a chance to check out both North and West too. I must say, I really enjoyed riding the west loop. I'm curious about the wood armoring. Can anyone tell me who did that? I'm very interested in using something similar out at River Bends.

It was put there by the Boy Scouts as a donation and if it wasn't there U wouldn't be riding the Lake Shore loop as it was too wet most of the time and riding without it would have negatively impacted the environment. I have never had a problem with it being slippery when wet but I ussually stay off the trails when they're wet and it's raining!!

Can you tell me how they were built? That is, how is the cabling done through them, etc?

I can probably get some Scouts to work on stuff for us at River Bends, and this might just be the ticket through some of the low laying / wet areas that we've got in the seasonal loops.

[HKEKfreak]

A small group of us happened to get out there for a ride today and from what I could see the trimming was definitely needed. Thanks for that!

While I'd previously only ridden the East loop, I got a chance to check out both North and West too. I must say, I really enjoyed riding the west loop. I'm curious about the wood armoring. Can anyone tell me who did that? I'm very interested in using something similar out at River Bends.

It was put there by the Boy Scouts as a donation and if it wasn't there U wouldn't be riding the Lake Shore loop as it was too wet most of the time and riding without it would have negatively impacted the environment. I have never had a problem with it being slippery when wet but I ussually stay off the trails when they're wet and it's raining!!

Can you tell me how they were built? That is, how is the cabling done through them, etc?

I can probably get some Scouts to work on stuff for us at River Bends, and this might just be the ticket through some of the low laying / wet areas that we've got in the seasonal loops.

Not sure if these are the original ones from back in 1995 but, I beleive they we're cut and drilled off site and then hauled in and threaded on to thin steel cable. A girl that I dated in high school's dad was really involved in getting the flexible mats put in. I'll see if I can get some info/specs from him.

[c0nsumer]

Not sure if these are the original ones from back in 1995 but, I beleive they we're cut and drilled off site and then hauled in and threaded on to thin steel cable. A girl that I dated in high school's dad was really involved in getting the flexible mats put in. I'll see if I can get some info/specs from him.

Thanks, that'd be really good to know. I'm just curious because it seems like an interesting solution and one that won't readily sink into the mud.

[r21954]

I'll PM the specs to U Tuesday afternoon. The spacers separating the wood is made from PVC pipe and nylon rope holds it all together. The tread is about 16 years old.

[RMXByker]

Rode the North Loop and the first 7 miles of Grubers tonight with r21954. North loop has some of those wonderful velco vines but other than that a lot of fun. Grubers had some deadfall but nothing terrible. Was a great ride overall. Will certainly be heading back out there! Thanks for showing us around r21954!

[Negaunee]

Rode the first seven miles of the East Loop the other day and for the first time in about a couple years I added the Meadows Loop. Loved the addition of the Meadows Loop but it was a bit overgrown. Left some DNA(blood) on a number of nasty, thorny little that were hanging into the trail. Loved it so much even so. Today I walked the loop backwards from the thorny dog exit (with my dog) and did some trimming. It was hot and miserable so it isn't a perfect job but I focused especially on thorny things and head slappers. It could still use some DL weed whipping to get the low brush on the next trail day. Some guys passed me in the process and I noticed the same bleeding forearm scratches that were the badge of riding the Meadows Loop. Well, that all should be better now (at least for a little while) so ride it and enjoy. The first 7 miles plus the Meadows Loop gives you 9.5 miles of challenging fun.

[Di_bear]

Turnout at the trail day was pretty good, what were there, 15 volunteers? We trimmed the North loop, Turtle trail and the start and end of the West loop, plus a chunk of Gruber's (I'm not sure what exactly got done, but I heard there was more to do..). I was running one the string mowers and discovered a nice little kicker right near the start of the West. It's on the left side just as you start to go downhill. Watch for it !

Thanks for the food afterward, glad I could help.
John

Holy cow! That's really good. I'm glad to hear it.

[Di_bear]

Do you have any information on the upcoming trail day?

[Critter7r]

Turnout at the trail day was pretty good, what were there, 15 volunteers? We trimmed the North loop, Turtle trail and the start and end of the West loop, plus a chunk of Gruber's (I'm not sure what exactly got done, but I heard there was more to do..). I was running one the string mowers and discovered a nice little kicker right near the start of the West. It's on the left side just as you start to go downhill. Watch for it !

Thanks for the food afterward, glad I could help.
John

If by "kciker" you mean that little jump just before the right-hand turn, it's been there for years. It had subsided some but someone built it back up at the beginning of last season.

[andyf]

The scheduled trail day for this Sat 7/30 has been cancelled (resources not available).

Next scheduled trail day is 8/20.

Ron Arnott/Andy Fraser
Holdridge Trail Coordinators
MMBA Holly/Flint Chapter
http://hollyflint.mmba.org

[r21954]

Sorry for not being able to be there but I had a project in Europe that won't be done for a couple weeks. The Orchard and Meadows Loops both need TLC if anyone wants to do some trimming on their own. It would be much appreciated I know for sure. Just PM me your hours so we can keep track. See ya next month!! T.C.Ron

[KRUG]

Five trees down on the West Loop. Four before the Tech section and one in the Tech section.

Tree down at the very end of the North loop blocking the exit.

Found a nice helmet in the parking lot Sunday afternoon. I have it at home so PM me and I will see about getting it back to the owner.

[Critter7r]

I cleared one out of the Lake tech loop today (off the west loop) that was in the middle of a fast downhill. And I tried to put down some branches across the mud after the bridge at the end of the West,too. I don't think it helped much, though.

On another subject, there sure are getting to be a lot of sandy sections.