TRAIL DEVELOPMENT:
When building trails or developing a bike park, the first step is an assessment of the area and topography. When we know what we have to work with it is easier to proceed with concept and design. Next phase is to plan and estimate the resources needed to achieve the desired result. Once we establish that, we can then proceed to make a cost analysis for the project.
In order to build a successful bike park it is important that you know your target market, and that you plan to cater for different disciplines as well as different skill levels. Below is a list of trail suggestions.
TRAILS TYPES: FEATURES AND DESCRIPTIONS
1) Downhill Track
Trail Description: Steep, fast and technical trail, that incorporates root sections, rock gardens and step downs etc.
Skill Level: Advanced
A downhill track should be challenging enough to use for the average downhiller / freerider and for the use of downhill competitions.
2) Freeride Trail
Trail Description: A trail that focuses on good flow, and keeps the rider interested with stunts the whole way. This trail needs to incorporate stunt features such as table tops, speed jumps,
drops, wall-rides, step-ups etc. It is possible to build stunts that suit both an intermediate and advanced level rider.
Skill Level: Intermediate (with options for advanced)
3) Beginner / Cross Country (XC) trails
Trail Description: A fast trail with good flow. The trail should run on light technical ground, with the use of switchbacks and wide berm's. No major stunts on this trail, however it could incorporate miniature features to give it some personality.
4) 4X (4 Cross) Track
Trail description:
Four Cross is one of the newest and most exciting areas in mountain biking just now. It also has the added benefit of being very spectator friendly (out in the open, switched back track makes the course condensed and possible for spectators to watch the race from start to finish), as opposed to downhill racing (long track, mostly through forest, spectators can only see a small portion of the race at any time). A 4X track has the double advantage of being used as a border cross track in the winter season.
Features Include: table tops, berms, dual-berms, stepdowns, wall-ride, rhythm section etc.
Skill Level: Should be built Intermediate to Advanced level.
Trail Construction Procedure
Final layout and clearing
All trails will be marked out for there final locations which will be determined by the existing trail markers and new developments in ground conditions. Clearing of the trails will consist of removing all grass, brush, and trees in the marked out locations. To aid in the clearing we may need to use chain saws to cut initial paths through the trees and bushes. A mini digger will be used in locations where it is accessible to use.
Forming
Once the trails are cut and clear the final forming will be done. This will be done by hand to flatten and form all areas of the trails. In all wooded areas the final clearing will be done to remove all obstacles that could be too close to the trails or of any danger. At this time the locations of any bridges or ladders will be market out for building.
Construction of drainage system
Once the rough forming of the trail is complete, ditches need to be made for the drainage systems. Upon completion of digging, drain pipes will be laid and the ditches
will be filled with the drainage rock.
Building ladders and bridges
Ladders and bridges will be built over impassible obstacles and areas that hold water. This will be done to minimise erosion and maintenance on the trails.
Building jumps and special features
Where necessary, jumps, berms and other features will be built in specific locations along the side of existing ski runs and in wooded areas. All obstacles on the
ski run will be off to the side and will not be a problem for the preparing of the run in the winter.
Development Costs:
Designing trail Layout:
This entails walking the mountain, sketching the area, drawing a plan, searching for exact trail lines and marking out the final result. Time this takes will vary
depending on the size of the mountain and the amount of trails to develop.
Cost of trail Construction:
This needs to be priced accordingly to trails that need to be developed. This is always done on project basis.
Material & Machinery
In order to budget accurately for trail development, we would have to establish what machinery is need for the job required. Possible equipment includes.
- Diggers and excavators: tracked excavators, mini excavators, wheeled loaders
- Trained personal / driver to use machinery
- Building tools required: shovels, rakes, spades, chainsaw, hacker, weed-trimmer, 6 wheeler vehicle (carrying materials up & down mountain)
- Local building supplier who can deliver, grus, dirt, impregnated wood etc.
Development Resources
- Are the stunt features (eg tabletops) going to be permanent features or temporary? This will make a big difference in the way we approach construction.
- Access to water. Necessary for construction of dirt features
- Is it ok to cut down some trees if necessary?
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