Mid-State: Bennett Park

[jacked]

Bennett is open and rideable! I just finished hacking the last of the big stuff down so all trails should be open. There are still a few small trees down here and there and the usual mid season debris and plant growth, but the big jungle growths (especially in the hardwoods) have been beat back. I still would like to see the DR Trimmer run over the whole trail. Volunteers would be welcome and most appreciated. Thanks to who ever has been out there whittling away at the big stuff over the last week. It is a nice surprise to be hacking through the jungle and come to a clear section. Thanks again you mystery weed whacker(s)!

Now that the trail is clear it is time to use my precious bike time to ride the trails rather than clean them up. So starting next Wednesday at 6:30 pm I will be starting the group ride back up.
I hope to see you out there riding.

David
BPTC

[jacked]

Correction on that, I will be starting tomorrow, 8/11/10, for the group ride.

David

[jonw9]

Rode Bennett for the first time this year. I am not sure what the big deal is!

The trail was in good shape with nature taking back as much as she can.

A couple observations:
1) I got lost in the "powerline" section. I rode what I thought was the trail from last year, but then when I re-entered the pines, it was a straight (wide) path to the road. I assumed that riders are supposed to turn right there, and rejoin the singletrack. The old trail to left left was still semi-visible, but appears to not be ridden much do to the amount of sticks and stuff on the trail.

2) There may be a Rhino loose in the area, as there are some very large piles of poo in Jungle 2. I didn't have a bulldozer to clear a trail.

3) There is a tree down on the path, Jungle 2, a bit after the huge fallen tree. It looks like people are riding around it, but it should probably be cleared.

4) Northshore is pretty overgrown, and there is a tree down there as well. The second have is very dense, and a little tough to navigate.

Other than a few minor details, it was good to be back out there.

[dauber76]

Rode Bennett for the first time this year. I am not sure what the big deal is!

The trail was in good shape with nature taking back as much as she can.

A couple observations:
1) I got lost in the "powerline" section. I rode what I thought was the trail from last year, but then when I re-entered the pines, it was a straight (wide) path to the road. I assumed that riders are supposed to turn right there, and rejoin the singletrack. The old trail to left left was still semi-visible, but appears to not be ridden much do to the amount of sticks and stuff on the trail.

2) There may be a Rhino loose in the area, as there are some very large piles of poo in Jungle 2. I didn't have a bulldozer to clear a trail.

3) There is a tree down on the path, Jungle 2, a bit after the huge fallen tree. It looks like people are riding around it, but it should probably be cleared.

4) Northshore is pretty overgrown, and there is a tree down there as well. The second have is very dense, and a little tough to navigate.

Other than a few minor details, it was good to be back out there.

But has the trail been "embiggened"?

[jacked]

But has the trail been "embiggened"?

Well someone has been embiggening! Thanks to whoever was running the trimmer in the west end of the jungle and the pines. Did I also detect some rake action in the pines???? Much appreciated!!!!!

Rode the trail tonight with the group ride, all three of us this time. That's right De La Soul fans.... Me, Myself and I (the TC).
Most everything is nice and dry and reasonably clean. A few trees need some chain saw love in all sections but it is getting much better.

Hope to see a few more out there next week.

David

[jacked]

I stopped out at the park last night with the chain saw and got all the major stuff that I could recall.
Thanks to who ever has been cleaning trails, I notice parts of Jungle 2 had some recent grooming.

David

[jacked]

I ran the saw again tonight rather than riding. I think I got everything this time that was down on Sunday plus a little that came down last night. Post up if you ride in the next day or so and I missed something.

David

[jacked]

I started the pre-fall clean up tonight in the pines. I am rather busy the next week, if anyone has the time to blow the trails before the leaves fall pm me and I will get you the blower, or use your own.

David

[jacked]

I got the following email from a young local rider:

What a beautiful day for a ride through bp, except that the pines look like it was the target of an artillery strike, not even kidding, I picked up as much as I could but you're going to have to go through with a chainsaw. The hard woods, jungle and trillium road were not that bad, just the occasional downed large limb/small tree that was easily moved, just though I would let you know. -russell

I am out of town for most of November. If anyone can get out an clear the trail in the pines that would be great.

Thanks,

David
BP TC

[jacked]

BP is dried out an ready to ride. OK it also needs a little cleaning and the muddy spot in the Hardwoods that we attempted to build a raised section of trail in last year is still muddy.... but other than that ride away.

We will be doing groups rides on Wednesday again this year. To start the season off the first few will be trail nights, giving the trail it's much needed spring cleaning. So starting Wed, April 20th at 6:00 P.M. we will be at the trail cleaning. When it is done we will then start riding. One to two nights with enough people and it will be good to go.

PM me if you can help out next week.

Thanks,

David

[jacked]

Marty and I had two chain saws running last night. We think we hit everything down, including the four new ones that went down Tuesday night in the Gully. Next week will be ride and pick. Ride along and pick up sticks, trim face slappers, etc. Or if we have enough people we will walk the whole thing and then ride a lap.

It was nice to have some fresh meat out there lending a hand. Thanks Mark.

David

PS Even with all the rain recently the trail was in great shape. The usual wet spots true, but the leaf cover on the trails worked wonders. We just to ride it in and pick up all those sticks and branches.

[jacked]

Tonight's ride/trail work...... walk and or ride and pick up debris. We are not raking the trail, just getting the many sticks and branches off, trimming face slappers (and future slappers), etc.
I have a cub scout function tonight that will not allow me to be there, but that doesn't mean others can't walk the trail and clean up.
Thanks in advance!

David

[jacked]

I'll be running the chain saw during this weeks group ride/trail night. After riding last week I found a few more trees in need of some chainsaw love. Not sure what Friday's storm brought to the party as well. Consumer's is coming to my place Wed. more for a temporary disconnect as I clean up the remains of a tree that came down on my roof. What fun!

Aside from some debris here and there and the few trees down, the trail was in great shape last week. The leaf cover does wonders.

Please post up or pm me if you plan on attend.

Thanks,

David

[jacked]

Heading out a little early with saw in hand and bike on roof. Ride to start at 6:00 ish. Look for my car in the old dam parking lot.

David

[pfox90]

Let us know how the trail is, I have never been there. Might check it out.