Sorry for the lack of communication the past couple of weeks as most trail construction has been completed and all but one trail has been opened. I’ve been really busy with work and out of town a lot.
The tape is down on the two sections of green that have been completed (Primary Goods and the “river segment” on Bimini). If you’re out in a group and can move the tree across the entrance to the Primary Goods segment that would be great. Otherwise, we’ll get to it as soon as we can. The last segment of Bimini on the other side of the field will be constructed soon.
On the blue gravity (“Lickety Split”), we have been waiting for the clay-heavy section by the lake to firm up. If you remember Quality Time when it first opened, this is probably going to be similar. Slimy and sticky until it fully compacts and then very, very durable. Fortunately, all the descending and features are over by the time you get to the lake, so we don’t need to be too protective of that section. However, please do walk it if it’s really sloppy.
The clay-heavy lake section was good last night when Keith and I went out there to walk it, but then we got a little rain overnight. Still, should be ready to open in the next day or so. Please exercise caution on your first lap as Lickety Split is a different flavor than the other existing trails.
After we pull the tape, we’ll do as we have before with some of the new trails and on some days ask everyone to stay off, even though the rest of the trails are open. Any new trail takes some time to harden up, and it’s especially important to protect the dirt features on Lickety Split. Hopefully, the time of year and lot of laps will help it finish hardening up quickly.
Many, many, many thanks to everyone for staying off. Walking it last night I could tell that no one had been poaching it. That’s really awesome to see and says a lot about our local riding community.
We’ve got the directional signs in hand and I just got an email that the printer has the new kiosk map is ready. The map will be up on the website soon and I’m planning to get all the new signage up at the trails on Friday afternoon. Now that we have a map, I’ll also get a short video up explaining how the trails will be managed until we can get a few more segments built and transition into what will hopefully be a more final management plan.
On other fronts, we are just waiting on the final permit from the City on the expanded parking lot. The Master Plan revisions are being finalized but I do have a final map. With that map in hand, I can do a video and explain to everyone where we are planning to head next. Coming soon.
Again, thanks for being patient with subpar communication this past month or so.
Finally, now that the pandemic is less of a hinderance and we have tons of additional parking on the horizon, we need to shift a big slice of time and energy from building and maintaining to creating community. Please encourage our shops to start organizing some group rides, especially beginner rides. The same goes for other stores/entities and group hikes or runs. The pandemic, outdoor recreation boom, and supply chain issues have everyone stretched thin, so hearing from people that want to attend the group hikes, runs, and rides will help get precious time and energy allocated to making them happen.
On the CVA SORBA front, we need some people that have interest in facilitating loosely-organized group rides. If you’re interested, please get with me, Tim Watley, or Keith Wills or message the social media accounts.
Please note that free, noncompetitive, informal group hikes, runs, or rides are just fine. Anything beyond that has to be cleared through State Parks.
Thanks to everyone for their support of the trails, including everyone who has given financially! If you haven’t donated, please do so!