From: david@wmms.UUCP (David R. Mayne)
Subject: Re: mtn biking and trail maintenance
Followup-To: rec.bicycles.soc
Organization: University of Absurdity
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1992 19:40:49 GMT

In article <1992Dec18.020450.28221@eng.umd.edu> gsurbeck@eng.umd.edu (Gregory D. Surbeck) writes:
>	What amount of trail maintenance is necessary to compensate
>for an hour of mtn biking time?  If I ride for 2 hours, how long does
>it take to "fix" any damage I do?  What kind of maintenance is
>required?  Direct answers or books would be welcome.  Although I have
>seen cycling and city-planning books frequently cited on the net, I
>have not seen any that make reference to mtn. biking.

The International Mountain Bike Association publishes guidelines
for converion of number of riding hours to number of work hours.
A reference was made to this in one of the earlier editions of
NORBA NEWS this year, I'll take a look and try to find it.


>	I talked to a park ranger in Greenbelt Park near Wash, DC last
>weekend.  I asked her that if a mtn bike group were willing to
>maintain trails, would she allow that group rights to cycle in the
>Park.  Let me start by saying that horses are allowed on the trails
>and people (walkers and joggers) are allowed on the trail at no cost.
>Horses are rare, but I usually see a few pedestrians (about one to 4)
>when I jog over there (for about 1-1/2 hours).  Trails are narrow,
>with some singletrack and all trails being less than 36" wide with the
>exception of one short fire road.  The condition of the trail is not
>good.  The hills tend to have a lot of exposed roots and some of it
>looks like an impromptu stream bed between trees -- very sandy, leaves
>are cleared out of just that stretch.  I can't cite rainfall
>statistics, but I expect them to be "average" (isn't that what
>everyone calls their area?).

If the hills are real steep with exposed roots and ruts, you may want
to avoid these areas with re-routes or alternatives. As for the
pedestrian traffic, several options are available: make a multi-use
trail directional (at least for cyclists & horses), maintain seperate
trails for joggers, bicycles, and horses, and periodically switch
the usage restrictions.

Some other factors may influence your approach: what government
agency is the land manager (i.e.: National Park Service, US Forest
Service, State park, etc), how much land is available, their willingness
to construct new trails or re-route problem areas, etc.

>	What I proposed to the ranger would be to grant rights to the
>(as of yet non-existent) Univ of Md mtn bike club in exchange for
>trail maintenance.  She said that she didn't think a group would
>follow through with that claim, but I was able to point out another
>area just outside the Wash Beltway (and nearly inaccessible without a
>car) in Greenbelt that is maintained by mtn. bikers.
>	I need to come up with a definite plan action to take to the
>head ranger.  What is trail maintenance?  How much is necessary given
>the (brief) conditions that I mentioned?

Trail maintenance usually involves the construction of eroison control
measures, such as water bars, dips, and opening drains. The idea is to
get the water off of the trail so it doesn't wash away. There are a number
of other odd-ball jobs like trimming, debris and brush and trash removal,
and even some new trail construction if you get lucky.

>	And as a little side note, what would be the best way to go
>about creating a bike club?  Post or please e-mail me.  Thanx in
>advance!
>

How many mountain bikers do you expect to recruit for this endeavor ?
I would recommend establishing a ball-park figure (perhaps through
a petition - make sure to get their phone numbers) , and approaching
the land manager asking for guidance on what trail work they need
done - possibly a training session for your recruits so that you
know how to work with the tools and how to make waterbars to their
standards. Ah yes, the tools - you may have to buy a few pullaskis
and fire rakes, if the agency you are dealing with does not have
tools to furnish. Offer to perform the trail work first before
demanding access. Show them that you can get something accomplished,
and you may be suprised what happens.


I have found that the US Forest Service has been great to deal with
in terms of trading access for trail work, and they have provided
the training and tools for our endeavors. BikeCentennial, in conjunction
with the US Forest Service, has published a guide on trail work,
entitled MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS: TECHNIQUES FOR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION,
AND MAINTENANCE, by Michael McCoy and MaryAlice Stoner, $5.95

BikeCentennial
P.O. Box 8308
Missoula, MT 59807
(406) 721-1776

Also, join IMBA, an international land access group, which publishes
a lot of helpful info, as well as being our primary off-road lobby.

IMBA
P.O. Box 412043
Los Angeles, CA 90041


Good luck,

David

A NOTE TO THOSE IN THE NORTH GEORGIA AREA: My next trail maintenance
session will be Saturday, January 9th at 10:00 AM at the trail
head of the Windy Gap Cycle Trail. We will meet Larry Thomas of the
Cohutta Ranger District of the USFS. We need a good turnout for this
trail construction.  Call me at (404) 876-0943 for more info, or 
send me email.

-- 
David R. Mayne         1372 Normandy Dr. NE             Atlanta, GA 30306
david@wmms.UUCP        (404) 876-0943        ...!gatech!bagend!wmms!david
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.soc