IMBA Trailbuilding?

N Simpson said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend.
Has anyone done one of these things before? What should
I expect?

Dirty fingernails.

Bill "it's OBVIOUS! Duh!!!" S.

"N Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend. Has
anyone done one

of

Quoted message said:

these things before? What should I expect?

Simpson

Sounds neat, is it too late to join these classes? I go to
school here at Virginia Tech. Be sure to check out the
trails in the George Washington National Forest, start on
Peter's Creek and you're sure to find something you like.

"Bryan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"N Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend. Has
anyone done

one

Quoted message said:

of

Quoted message said:

these things before? What should I expect?

Simpson

Sounds neat, is it too late to join these classes? I go to
school here at Virginia Tech. Be sure to check out the
trails in the George Washington National Forest, start on
Peter's Creek and you're sure to find something you like.

Bryan,

It isn't too late. Here is a copy of the e-mail that I
recieved:

Dear IMBA Friend,

The International Mountain Bicycling Association is
coming to Virginia, and you're invited to join in the
special events.

April 23-25 Blacksburg April 27-28 Douthat State Park, Land
Manager Trailbuilding School May 1-2 Douthat State Park, VA
Mountain Bike Advocacy Gathering

This is your opportunity to rub shoulders with the IMBA crew
while learning all about trailbuilding. Check out all the
details below and come join in the fun.

You are receiving this email as an IMBA member or contact.
Please help us get the word out and forward this
invitation to other area mountain bikers, land managers,
and trail users!

If these events are too far away for you to attend, we
understand. We sent you this email not only to invite you
but also to let you know about the important work IMBA is
doing in your area.

If you can't make it to these events, join us later this
season in Virginia! June 11-13 Danville December 3-5
Charlottesville

Don't miss the 2004 IMBA Advocacy Summit, June 4-8,
Westminster, Maryland. Space is limited. Register at
imba.com today!

--
Blacksburg, Virginia
April 22-25

Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will team
with
Rich Edwards, IMBA Trail Solutions, at Pandapas Pond in the Jefferson
National Forest (southernregion.fs.fed.usgwjOpen ↗) near
Blacksburg to
support the development of the Old Farm
connector trail. Thanks to the US Forest Service, Chris Betz, and East
Coasters Cycling and Fitness (eastcoasters.com) for planning an
outstanding
visit!

THURSDAY, APRIL 22
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Around the World with IMBA slideshow
Come mingle with fellow riders and trail users and learn about
IMBA's work around the world. IMBA's Lora Woolner and Mark Schmidt will
present a fun and exciting slideshow about riding and travel adventures
in
the U.S., Italy, Wales, Australia, and beyond.

East Coasters Cycling and Fitness
1301 North Main Street, Blacksburg

SATURDAY, APRIL 24
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. IMBA Trailbuilding School, Day 1
Get your hands dirty and learn how to build sustainable and fun
singletrack.
The school includes three hours of classroom instruction followed by
hands-on time in the field learning trailbuilding techniques. Topics
include
designing a contour trail, controlling water flow, building effective
trail
structures, urban park solutions, freeride trails, and routine trail
maintenance.

The fieldwork will be hands-on trailbuilding, so come prepared. You'll
probably be most comfortable in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
Wear
sturdy shoes and bring water, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen, and a
hat. If
you have any trailbuilding tools--pulaskis, McLeods, rakes, picks,
hoes,
shovels--please bring them, too.

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Classroom Session
Blacksburg Public Library, Community Room B
200 Miller Street, Blacksburg

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunches included with registration fee or
BYO

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fieldwork
Old Farm Trail
Meet at Town of Blacksburg Gateway Park parking lot or carpool from
library.

SUNDAY, APRIL 25
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Field session
Old Farm Trail

12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m. Lunches included with registration fee or
BYO

2:00 p.m. Group Ride
Bring your bike to join the Crew for a ride!

Pre-registration is required for Saturday and Sunday events. Please
register
by April 17. Registration fee of $10 for both days covers lunch ($5
per
day), no fee if you bring your own lunch. To register, please contact
Chris
Betz, 540.961.0674 or [email hidden]. Chris will provide you with a
registration form.
---

Douthat State Park, Virginia
April 27-28

Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will team
with
Rich Edwards, IMBA Trail Solutions, at Douthat State Park
(dcr.state.va.usdouthat.htmOpen ↗ ) to teach an IMBA
trailbuilding school in cooperation with the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation. This midweek school will be oriented
towards
land managers and focused on managing and maintaining shared use
trails.

TUESDAY, APRIL 27
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. IMBA Trailbuilding School, Day 1
Douthat State Park

The first day focuses on trail design and the trail user's experience.
Successfully managing and designing shared use trails requires an
understanding of the various user experiences. The afternoon sessions
will
cover trail design, trail assessment and experiencing the the trail
from a
cyclists perspective.

9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Classroom Session

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Field workshops

As the the field sessions will require off trail travel and a short
bike
ride on the local trails please dress appropriately. Long pants and
boots
are recommended. Any participants that have mountain bikes and helmets
are
encouraged to bring them. The ride will be very short and designed to
show
how a trail feels to a cyclist. Clinometers will also be useful for the
design workshop.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. IMBA Trailbuilding School Day 2

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Classroom Session

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fieldwork
The fieldwork will be hands-on trailbuilding, so come prepared. You'll
probably be most comfortable in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
Wear
sturdy shoes and bring water, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen, and a
hat.

Pre-registration is required so that we can provide tools and
appropriately
plan the class and field sessions. Space is limited so please register
by
April 21. To register for the workshop please contact Bryan Anderson
at 804-786-5053 or [email hidden].

---
VA Mountain Bike Advocacy Gathering
Douthat State Park

May 1-2

Join fellow Virginia clubs and riders who care about increasing and
protecting riding opportunities! This event coincides with the Middle
Mountain Momma race, at arguably the best riding destination in
Virginia -
Douthat State Park (dcr.state.va.usdouthat.htmOpen ↗). This
fun
event will have the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew on hand as well as VA
resident Rich Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions.

SATURDAY, MAY 1
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. VA Mountain Bike Advocacy Gathering
Discovery Center Pavilion, Douthat State Park.

11:00 a.m. Introduction and Club Round Robin
12:00 p.m. Update on relationships with VA and federal
agencies
1:00 p.m. Lunch Break - PB&J and snacks provided
2:00 p.m. Break out session:
-municipal /state/federal
advocacy
-trail grant opportunities
2:45 p.m. Freeriding - How, when and where?
3:15 p.m. Wilderness and Scenic Area proposals in Virgina
4:00 p.m. Discussion on formation of a VA trail advocacy
group
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Worldwide Trail Successes:
presented by the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care
Crew
7:00 p.m. Pasta Feed sponsored by Shenandoah Mountain
Touring, LLC

SUNDAY, MAY 2
Middle Mountain Momma Race (www.mountainbikevirginia.com)
Not interested in racing, volunteer or just check out the trails!

Space will be limited for Saturday sessions. Please contact Chris
Scott, VA
IMBA state representative, at [email hidden] or 540.434.2087
to
RSVP.

N Simpson said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend.
Has anyone done one of these things before? What should
I expect?

Simpson

I've done the trail building school a couple of times. The
most recent was last fall at Mercer County Park in NJ. It's
a great opportunity to learn how to make a trail that is
stable for all access (hike, bike, horse) in all types of
weather. The IMBA crew are a great bunch of people as well.
They are extrememly personable. You'll think you knew them
for years.

It is a lot of work. You will spend an entire day, digging,
chopping, moving logs, cutting sticker bushes, tamping the
ground, and using the worlds greatest trail building tool,
the MacCloud (sp?). Then, you get to ride on your new
creation before everyone else. It's a great way to give back
to the sport.

Ride-A-Lot said:

N Simpson said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend. Has
anyone done one of these things before? What should I
expect?

Simpson

I've done the trail building school a couple of times. The
most recent was last fall at Mercer County Park in NJ.
It's a great opportunity to learn how to make a trail that
is stable for all access (hike, bike, horse) in all types
of weather. The IMBA crew are a great bunch of people as
well. They are extrememly personable. You'll think you
knew them for years.

It is a lot of work. You will spend an entire day,
digging, chopping, moving logs, cutting sticker bushes,
tamping the ground, and using the worlds greatest trail
building tool, the MacCloud (sp?). Then, you get to ride
on your new creation before everyone else. It's a great
way to give back to the sport.

What he said. For the building part, you'll want to have
gloves and boots, and appropriate clothing, and be
prepared to work your ass off. We moved 200 feet of eroded
fall line train, closed replanted it, and then cut a new
trail around the hill.

Penny

"N Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bryan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"N Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School
in Blacksburg

VA?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend.
Has anyone done

one

Quoted message said:

of

Quoted message said:

these things before? What should I expect?

Simpson

Sounds neat, is it too late to join these classes? I go
to school here

at

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Virginia Tech. Be sure to check out the trails in the
George Washington National Forest, start on Peter's
Creek and you're sure to find

something

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you like.

Bryan,

It isn't too late. Here is a copy of the e-mail that I
recieved:

*snip* IMBA E-mail

Ahh, I have drill with the USMC Reserves that weekend.
However, if you show up early (before the 23rd) and would
like a tour of the trails, give me an e-mail and maybe I
could find some time away from classes during the week.

Quoted message said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend.
Has anyone done one of these things before? What should
I expect?

I went to one recently; it was good for the basics. What
they will go over is also covered on their site; you may
want to give that a read first.

Some people consider them a bit contraversial as they tend
to reccommend rather milktoast trails, but their point is
they last longer (you'll hear them use the term
'sustainable' a lot) and more people can use them this way.

A good time .I went to the one in Indiana .Me and a friend
went that work on the trails around here .We learned a lot
of what to do and not to do.It make it so you have less
maint to do after the trails are put in. Have a good time.

--
J/O TrailBlazer At Large

"John Harlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

I am planning on going up (from NC) for the weekend. Has
anyone done one of these things before? What should I
expect?

I went to one recently; it was good for the basics. What
they will go

over

Quoted message said:

is also covered on their site; you may want to give that a
read first.

Some people consider them a bit contraversial as they
tend to reccommend rather milktoast trails, but their
point is they last longer (you'll hear them use the
term 'sustainable' a lot) and more people can use them
this way.

This is maybe an unfortunate interpretation of their
techniques, though some do feel this way. Sustainable is
a good word, though, and really is the crux of the
issue. If we build trails that hold up to use, then we
_all_ come out better in the end. If trails are eroding,
they are asking for someone to point the finger of blame
at someone, (anyone,) and if bikers are using the
trails...well, 3 guesses who gets blamed. :-( As I'm
sure you already know (but it bears stating for those
who may not), trails can be built to IMBA specs and
methods and still be very exciting, very challenging,
very flavorful, (and very sustainable! Yay!) IMBA
training schools are, in my opinion, the best thing
going to help folks realize the many things that cause
trail erosion, the principal of which is bad design.
Water is everywhere (at some time or another) and for
most of us, water is the main enemy of trail durability.
Good design and layout helps tremendously to minimize
its effects (though nothing eliminates them entirely.)
The other thing you will get at least a taste of at IMBA
training schools is how trail character comes into play,
i.e. what features are appropriate and where. (Might be
kind of basic, but often overlooked nonetheless.) Things
like when corners are poorly designed or out of place;
how trail features can help the transition from a fast
flowing trail to a slower, twisty, technical flavor. You
will (should?) come away from one of these weekends with
a new appreciation for how these factors may or may not
be evident in the trails you currently ride, and you
will likely start thinking of ways those trails could be
improved and made more (dare I say?) sustainable! You
will also hopefully realize just how much W_O_R_K goes
into trailbuilding, and have a new appreciation for all
the thousands of hours that went into many of the trails
you ride, here, there, and everywhere. Personally, I
think it might be time for another chapter in the FDR
New Deal era to help us rebuild, recover, and reopen
many of the trails around our country that have been
LONG neglected and are badly in need of serious work.
That, and the building of new trails, too, of course.
I'm not holding my breath waiting for all this to
happen, though. As a realist, I'm out trying to do what
I can in my local state park (Douthat State Park in VA)
as often as I can. Do whatever you can contribute
wherever you are. We are the only "New Deal" available
at the moment!
--
D N I E T S Off to R the M __, D H

Reply to group. (Detestible spammers!)

D H said:

"John Harlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Anyone else going up to the IMBA Trailbuilding School in
Blacksburg VA?

What ever happened to this guy.. a poster from OK helped on
this project imba.comoklahoma.htmlOpen ↗ and
I still recall the very cool RR he wrote up on it.

penny