Poto: Morton-Taylor Trails

[SANTA_CRUZ]

Sorry I didn't call you Jay, but it was kind of last minute and I knew that I could tackle this job myself, but it does need a little more length and I will be adding some tech features to it, so will let you know when that happens. The next time you ride the Buck Shaver section you will see it (and ride it). I don't know if I'm getting back out there this weekend, but
I'll contact you if I do and don't worry, we will be working out there most of the winter adding things here and there !

[mmrobertson69]

I rode the trail yesterday afternoon. (It was cold. . .). Got there about 2:30 and I think I was the first on the block to ride the new spur off of the Buckshaver, which I shall call the 'Uniroyal Loop' for obvious reasons. Its a nice little loop-di-loo. Thanks again for your work Gary. Too bad I didn't get there in time to help you out.
Also, there was a large, chainsaw worthy tree down across the East Loop, just before the old car front end.
The inverted 'V' trees on the firt bucksaver climb are really low and unavigable. I think it needs to go...
And I still don't like the set-up for the last ramp on Lucky Dog. The log pile IMO is too close to the ramp and doesn't make for good flow. Maybe its just me... But its still WAY better than the widow-maker that was there previously.
Overall the trail was slick and greasy but in good shape and a ton of fun. Going to have fun cleaning my bike for the next time I get it dirty.
BTW heading to Treefarm at 2pm if any of you all want to join me.
Later,
Mike R.

[Jay22]

Cool Gary. It's just so much fun building trails. I love doing it and would love to help.
As far as that log pile goes, I have a plan. I was going to leave it for the technical crowd but I have trouble with it as well, but my bike is old and rigid so I figured it was just me. I am going to change that pile soon. Hopefully today.

[Steve_Balogh]

Cool Gary. It's just so much fun building trails. I love doing it and would love to help.
As far as that log pile goes, I have a plan. I was going to leave it for the technical crowd but I have trouble with it as well, but my bike is old and rigid so I figured it was just me. I am going to change that pile soon. Hopefully today.

+1 on that, robbed me on the 29r, never tried it with the fatbike which would probably work. Maybe "shave" it down some or try some different logs in a fashion similar to that dual log pile near the entrance to the wetlands that don't rob too much momentum.

[Jay22]

Cool Gary. It's just so much fun building trails. I love doing it and would love to help.
As far as that log pile goes, I have a plan. I was going to leave it for the technical crowd but I have trouble with it as well, but my bike is old and rigid so I figured it was just me. I am going to change that pile soon. Hopefully today.

+1 on that, robbed me on the 29r, never tried it with the fatbike which would probably work. Maybe "shave" it down some or try some different logs in a fashion similar to that dual log pile near the entrance to the wetlands that don't rob too much momentum.

If I'm not hauling *beep*, I won't make it cause my pedals bottom out. I'm gonna mess with it today. Not sure how, cause I can't move the big tree we used for the pile.

[ibisman]

I never had a problem with the log pile after that ramp...just don't touch the brakes. I'm heading out there tomorrow morning around 10 if anyone wants to ride.going to stay for a couple hours so I can get some miles in. And on that low v on buckshaver...put yer chin on the stem and its a breeze.

[Steve_Balogh]

Cool Gary. It's just so much fun building trails. I love doing it and would love to help.
As far as that log pile goes, I have a plan. I was going to leave it for the technical crowd but I have trouble with it as well, but my bike is old and rigid so I figured it was just me. I am going to change that pile soon. Hopefully today.

+1 on that, robbed me on the 29r, never tried it with the fatbike which would probably work. Maybe "shave" it down some or try some different logs in a fashion similar to that dual log pile near the entrance to the wetlands that don't rob too much momentum.

If I'm not hauling , I won't make it cause my pedals bottom out. I'm gonna mess with it today. Not sure how, cause I can't move the big tree we used for the pile.

I might be out there today riding my 29r & cross bike, I might give it a try again - sometimes log piles break in nice after use. Perhaps a little more lead in or slight dirt fill? Not too many of these features in other trails, I'm thinking most of us just don't have the experience. My fatbike has a higher BB position and being 1x9 I have more confidence taking these on than with my 29r, with a lower BB. I noticed this at Rolling Hills also. Check out the two logpiles I mentioned, might give you some ideas. I doubt you have much to change with what you have.

[Jay22]

I think I have a cool idea. It'll be a surprise...

[Jay22]

Alright, My original plan was to make a few pumps leading up to the log pile, cover the log pile and call it done.

Due to time constraints and realizing how narrow that trail is, I decided to just cover the log pile with dirt. Its done and quite smooth. Several people were riding and tested it out for me, along with myself about 10 times both ways. You can very easily roll over both features now with a little speed. What steered me away from putting pumps there was that a lady came by and said how cool and fun everything is, but she had fallen earlier and hit her chin. I then realized that even though it is supposed to be advanced back there, that part was just too narrow to be pumping through as you would probably gain too much speed.

Anyway, its all done now. Should be smoother.





Oh, and here are the pics of the snow day out there...

[Steve_Balogh]

Sounds like you had a good ride Jay !! Your description was good, it made a picture in my head.
Thanks for clearing downed stuff !

I took the day off work today (played hookie if you will) and worked on the trail. Is that weird ? I don't think so..
I cleared an extention of Buck Shaver that we cut last winter, but then due to the spring rains / flooding / overgrowth,
we couldn't get back to develop this section and concentrated on the main body of the new addition. (got some riding)

But, today, I opened up another 1/3 of a mile and it needs people to hike it, ride it, use it because it's rough cut
and will be a little bumpy, lumpy until it gets some use and packing down. Be one of the first kids on your block to
go ride it and say you were there when it was brand new ! I will be adding a couple of technical options to it this
winter. Potential projects - old tires filled w/gravel section, elevated wooden walkway w/skinny, log piles, etc.

I rode the new section several times, ripped a hole in my jersey on the small sapling that stands in the middle of the trail when it caught a 1-2" barb on it. Went back to my car, grabbed my folding saw and spent about 1/2 hour cutting those barbs off on several trees in the new section. No longer an issue.

Noticed across from the Snake Leg trail the residential trail now has a section extending out on to the main path. Saw the same guy out there from last week with a leaf blower clearing that out. With no signage I'm sure they''ll get a few visitors. Never realized there was ground there - the path cuts through a clearing between a pond and the river.

[Jay22]

I never had a problem with the log pile after that ramp...just don't touch the brakes. I'm heading out there tomorrow morning around 10 if anyone wants to ride.going to stay for a couple hours so I can get some miles in. And on that low v on buckshaver...put yer chin on the stem and its a breeze.

I will meet ya there. What kind of car do you have? That way ill know if its you. I will be in the main lot at ten am standing by a 1989 white Lincoln towncar. I'll ride some miles with ya.

Maybe some others will join? Should be a fun morning.

[mmrobertson69]

what the heck, I'll skip church and meet y'all at 10. Look fer a black Jeep compass, blue cannondale.
SeeYa!
-Mike

[mmrobertson69]

. . . I will be adding a couple of technical options to it this
winter. Potential projects - old tires filled w/gravel section, elevated wooden walkway w/skinny, log piles, etc.

Big +1 on skinny. How about a jump somewhere? I gots to gets me some air!

Great work and pics of the log pile their, Jay! Looking forward to hooking up with y'all tomorrow.

-Mike

[Jay22]

Sweet deal! And thanks! ill be on the silver and green iron horse.

[Jay22]

. . . I will be adding a couple of technical options to it this
winter. Potential projects - old tires filled w/gravel section, elevated wooden walkway w/skinny, log piles, etc.

Big +1 on skinny. How about a jump somewhere? I gots to gets me some air!

Great work and pics of the log pile their, Jay! Looking forward to hooking up with y'all tomorrow.

-Mike

I would love a fast flowing freeride area with jumps. I have been looking around back there and I have a couple of ideas that I want to run by Santa Cruz. These trails are a result of him and his efforts and labor, along with many others, but I think he got the single track trails started in the first place, and if he gets the ok, I'm in for building.