BillyD
Training Wheels
Posts:6
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| 10/05/2008 9:54 AM |
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to build a signature expert line ala Brown County in the Cherokee Park trail system?
I think it's great all the work that's been done on the Cherokee trail system to make it accessiable to all skill levels and pedestrians who want to use it while building a more co-operative relationship with metro parks and the Olmstead Conservancy. The other side of the coin is all the discussion surrounding "dumbing down the trail" for the more experienced riders. I'm guessing that "no net" is next on the plan to be completely changed so new riders can do the entire system without hurting themselves and keeping things fun. Don't get me wrong this is a good thing we need more new riders.
This winter would be great timing to build a signature "expert" line that is an option for more experienced riders that runs adjacent to a current trail. Would all you guys and gals missing those technical lines be ready to come out and help build a "signature" segment that people will talk about from all over the region? Do we know anyone who could design such a segment?
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russell g
Big Ring
Posts:363
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 10/05/2008 11:16 AM |
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| I agree. Pick the spot and lets make it happen |
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Chris Ward
Big Ring
Posts:188
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| 10/05/2008 5:19 PM |
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I would love to help. We will need to get permission first. I will say something to Dullin.
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The Yeti
Granny Gear
Posts:43
Registered Users
Lafayette, IN
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| 10/05/2008 6:10 PM |
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| You guys are jealous eh? The expert trail at BCSP is badass. |
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I love long walks up mountains next to my bike... |
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G-MAN
Big Ring
Posts:244
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 10/05/2008 7:38 PM |
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You've got a great trail system up there...
But I could not really tell the difference between the "beginner" trails and the "expert" trails...they all flow and are super sweet...
I Love Brown County Trails... |
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fasterdulin
Posts:100
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| 10/06/2008 10:21 AM |
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I'm not sure what you mean by "signature" expert line, but if you mean something like the constructed rock lines at Brown Co, I'm afraid the answer is a big old "no" for Cherokee. I've tried to approach this a number of different ways and while there will certainly be some areas where trail armoring projects might include a short technical line or a rock feature, they will never allow any purpose built features like they have at BC. The issues surrounding Cherokee are just far too complex and there are just too many different types of users packed into a very small space. At 15,696 acres, BCSP is about twenty times larger than Cherokee and it's nowhere near a densely populated city, so the two really can't be compared. Trust me on this one - I want expert level stuff as bad as the next guy and we try to incorporate expert lines at Cherokee as often possible. We may get to construct the occasional optional feature - but in general, it just isn't the place for the big, Brown Co-style stuff.
That said, I am VERY excited to hear that there is such a large interest in building expert-level techincal trails. You'll all be very glad to know that two years ago, we we given approval to build features very similar to those at BC right here in Louisville at Waverly Park. The MP staff has delivered rocks to some the work sites and they have offered to bring us more as we need them. Unfortunately, we seem to be experiencing major labor shortages on our trail days. Last year, I think Chris and I had a grand total of about 10 people show up for work days and if I remember correctly, about 3 more came this year. At that rate, we should have some sweet new technical features done by 2031. (sorry about the sarcasm - couldn't help myself)
Back to serious mode - I think we would all love to see our trails look like Brown County, but ask any one of the HMBA guys how much time and energy went into that trail system - it's a major undertaking. Trail work is tough and building technical features is even tougher, so we need a lot of manpower on a fairly regular basis. We've got the green light at Waverly and official trail days are listed below.
Saturday 18 October 2008
Saturday 22 November 2008
Saturday 20 December 2008
Also, we need people to get involved with planning future trail projects. While it's not finalized, the next Jefferson Memorial Forest meeting is on October 22nd at the Fairdale High School cafeteria - 6:00 p.m. We had about 10 folks show up to the last meeting, which was good, but certainly not great (especially considering there were about 20 people representing equine interests).
So again - back in serious mode - there is no reason we can't have trails that are every bit as nice as Brown County, but we need manpower to make it happen. We get a lot of labor and mechanical support from Metro Parks and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, but the bottom line is they simply can't afford to build our trails for us. There will be several major trail days at Cherokee over the fall and winter months and I'm sure more will be added to the Waverly calendar, so please keep some time open. I know it's great to go ride on those perfect fall days, but every-once in-a-while, we could use you in the pulaski line.
Thanks for the interest everyone - we definitely appreciate your support.
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russell g
Big Ring
Posts:363
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 10/06/2008 10:51 AM |
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| If a sweet line is laid out at Waverly that will include technical sections and made known I am sure that more people will show up. Whatcha got in store Chris? A few pics on here showing the construction of some sweet trail will motivate more help, myself included. I am guilty of shunning upkeep over building. LETS BUILD> |
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tmtrebor
Little Ring
Posts:60
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| 10/14/2008 10:07 AM |
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man I'm down to help if you can get some harder stuff in here... what exactly do you have in mind??? I wouldnt mind some gaps and drops if possible..... Waverly is setup great for a downhill trail..... and it's closer to me than duffield! What time this saturday? |
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