Mid-State: Bennett Park

[jacked]

Rode the trail yesterday afternoon for the first time. Very well designed trail! There are a lot of miles packed into the small space. Great twists and turns to challenge you. We were glad we found this one.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. You must have legs of steel to with stand the nettles in the hardwoods.

I rode parts of it last night in a random order. Thanks to who ever has been weed whacking the beginning of Jungle 1 & 2. Please keep up the good work.
It took me a while to figure out what was different as I was riding through the hardwoods (it's been 4 weeks since I was in there last and it was raining then) and I finally realized it was the amount of light. Last years hail storm removed so much of the canopy that it is a complete different woods. It will be interesting to watch how the woods adapt to the new conditions. Possibly more nettles?

And then I got to the power line. The power company has been clearing the right of way. And boy did they clear. As of now the bowl at the beginning of the pine under the power lines is closed. As is the Connector, which has much of the trail just gone. Skid steers, mowers, and chain saws can sure alter the terrain. We will let that part settle down and rebound a bit over the summer and the will bring her back to life.

Frank - that tree you was commented about as you dropped in off the power line is no longer a issue. Unless you hit the stump.

I will try and post up some pictures this evening.

We will be having a trail day(s) on July 31 and August 1. I will post up needs and wants soon.

David
BP TC

[spwrozek]

I have yet to ride here but plan on making it up soon (from Jackson). I have a question about the power line. Is the trail on the right of way of the distribution line or the Transmission line that goes around the park? My other question is do we have an agreement to be there? If we did then you would think the trimmers would have been aware of the trail location?

[jacked]

Part of the trail was built on trails that have been there for years. So no formal agreement that I know of. Part of the trail was cut through the grass last summer under the power line to get us off the road. Cut with a weed wacker and the DR trimmer. Not much to rebuild those, and no agreement there either. Where the easement/right of way is had never been clearly defined to us. I talked to a couple of the guys doing the work and they had tried to clear as much as possible from the trails (they had not made the log piles) and they did a decent job. The path of destruction seems much wider than it used to be, but then they can cut anything that could fall onto those big lines, and trees do grow. After the storms we have had here the last year or two, the opportunity they have given us is nothing. There is also an interesting twist at the park. As part of the original gift of land to the city, any tree that falls has to be left were it is. So the nicely piled the logs will most likely stay. We can move them out of the trail if need.

Feel free to PM me and I will show you around.

David
BP TC

[jacked]

We are finally having a trail day or days at Bennett Park. Friday July 21st starting at 4:00 pm and Saturday August 1st starting at 9:00 am.

We have two main objectives - Finish the Marquee and clean up the trails.
Marquee - Last fall we planted the 6x6 post. Even with frequent water nothing has grown. So starting Friday evening we will be building the rest of it and finishing it up on Saturday.
The only tool we are lacking for this is a generator for power. Please PM me if you have one we can use.
Trail clean up. With a number of personal commitments from the usual trail crew, the trail has not had it yearly cutting. It is overdue. We will have the DR Trimmer there. If there are a few weed whackers with volunteers that could come that would make short order of it. Also there are a lot of face slappers and preventative trimming that needs to be done. So bring the usual tools for that.
Signs are also available for installation if the time and people allow.

Post up or PM me if you can come. Depending on the number that show up, we may have a bar-b-Q. So again let me know if you can help.

Thanks,

David
BP TC

[rgilbertson01]

Hi. Im new to all of this including mountain biking. Live and work in charlotte and have been riding the trial for about 2-3 months with my fiance. We really enjoy it until yesterday.... when I saw all the trees they took out. I dont know the correct terms but it is awful what they did to the south "advanced riding area". I also noted that when you come over the bridge from bennet park there is a tree across where I thought was the start. I also noted that some of the trail signs are bent and unreadable. There was one that had all 4 corners bent in. I am willing to help with the trail if people can put up with a new person that doesnt know a whole lot. Also if anyoen has any info on the trail conditions and future plans that would be great.

Thanks
RG

[jacked]

RG -

The tree that was placed across the trail head near the foot bridge has been brought to the attention of the city. Not sure what the thought process was by the operator of the equipment who placed it there. Obviously couldn't read well for he misread the sign that said "mountain bike trail - no horses" as "PLACE TREE HERE". Hopefully that will be removed soon.
The power line section is what it is. Devastating at first glance, but it will grow back. It actually will give us the opportunity to address a few problems along that section. For now drop back onto the gravel road when you leave the pines and take it to the hardwoods.

You and anyone else is welcome to help, no mater what your skill level is. They let me help and my times in the CPS races will obviously show my skill level, or lack of it. PM me with your contact info and I will add you to the email list.

Thanks,

David
BP TC

[jacked]

The tree across the trail head has been cleared, and a new sign has been made.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss318/DPFrost/DSCF1226.jpg

David
BP TC

[jacked]

Just a reminder,Trail Days starting tonight at 4:00 pm till the bugs drive us out and tomorrow (Sat) at 9:00.
I'll be at the marquee this afternoon.

Thanks,

David

[yaggie1]

First post here !! Finally decided to get off my butt and get my bike out and hit Bennett this weekend. Was surprised at how much was packed into a pretty small area. Gald that there is not a bunch of climbing (out of shape) but it was very fun. Lots of twists and turns !! I bounced off a few trees on some narrow sections. Hopefully can hit it again sometime this week. Definitely planning on it again this weekend.

[Bl0atedG0atz]

Two good size trees have fallen on two parts of the trail (Chainsaw big). I would say anywhere from 3-4' in diameter, pretty good size trees. Just past the second tree there is a low hanging maybe 1"-1.5", I was able to go under it /w head to handle bars clipped my camelpack.

-Michael

[jacked]

Two good size trees have fallen on two parts of the trail (Chainsaw big). I would say anywhere from 3-4' in diameter, pretty good size trees. Just past the second tree there is a low hanging maybe 1"-1.5", I was able to go under it /w head to handle bars clipped my camelpack.

-Michael

Thanks Michael and welcome to the board.
What section were the ones you talking about in? As I have been riding more lately they just seem to blend in. As I come to them I say "I need to get this out here" and by the next morning I tend to forget where here was.
- I know there is one at the start of jungle two, just after you pass the two track with the tire on the post, that is at an angle to the trail and a little fun when wet. I think that is also where the face slapper is.
- There is one or two along the south side of the pines that fell in when the trimmed the power line. They have been trimmed back but are still a new challenge that I am growing to like.
- There are a couple in the hardwoods, one that someone has made a narrow log pile on. Fun after you realize it is there. And then there is the widow maker that fell in the center of the hardwoods by the big piles of trees, right next to the muddy section that has been covered with branches. I like the way that it impaled the ground, snapped off and has left an intimidating stump sticking out of the mud at the beginning of a technical spot. I tried to move that out Wednesday evening, but it wouldn't budge. Glad that fell on the mud and not a rider.
- North shore has a couple of branches across the trail and one spot that is completely covered, luckily there is a by pass there as well. I ran smack into that on the group ride a few weeks back.

First post here !! Finally decided to get off my butt and get my bike out and hit Bennett this weekend. Was surprised at how much was packed into a pretty small area. Gald that there is not a bunch of climbing (out of shape) but it was very fun. Lots of twists and turns !! I bounced off a few trees on some narrow sections. Hopefully can hit it again sometime this week. Definitely planning on it again this weekend.

And Welcome to you as well Yaggie!

Both of you guys (and anyone else who rides BP) please pm me with your contact information and I will add you to the BP email list.

Thanks,

David

[Bl0atedG0atz]

These will be new down trees that were not there on Tuesday 08.18.09. I am not familar with names or sections at this time. That was my third full ride on that trail.

-Michael

[jacked]

These will be new down trees that were not there on Tuesday 08.18.09. I am not familar with names or sections at this time. That was my third full ride on that trail.

-Michael

Thanks, I will check it out on Sunday.
David

[jonw9]

Rode it tonight for the first time in a couple of weeks.

I see you removed some large fallen stuff with a chain saw. The branch/tree is still across "North Shore"

Now, a couple of questions/comments.

In the one major low area, in Jungle-2, the spot was "filled" with logs and such. Is this permanent? I like that section and you come up on the spot rather fast. So although you stay clean, that area can be kinda tricky. What are your thoughts on building a bridge there?

Next, the small re-route in Trillium Rd. The old trail came down a short hill, and curved right, then left. Now the trail goes back up over the rooty base of the tree, then turns right about 270 degrees, then back left 180. This doesn't "bother" me, I was just wondering why.

It was a good time though!

[jacked]

I must have just missed you last night. I was there a little after 4 with hopes of one lap to survey the trail and then cut out the downed stuff. Marty beat me to the cutting on Monday, but I still got in one very casual lap. Thanks Marty.

In the one major low area, in Jungle-2, the spot was "filled" with logs and such. Is this permanent? I like that section and you come up on the spot rather fast. So although you stay clean, that area can be kinda tricky. What are your thoughts on building a bridge there?

That section is the Hardwoods. The lumber that is across the wet spot is temporary. Marty and I have plans for a split log board walk there in hopes of lifting it out of the mud and still allowing you to maintain some speed while staying out of the mud. That will come this fall when the bugs die down a bit. There is also a neighboring hole that has dried up that we hope to put an raised section of trail in. You may have seen the line of rocks Marty has been slowly depositing along its side.

Next, the small re-route in Trillium Rd. The old trail came down a short hill, and curved right, then left. Now the trail goes back up over the rooty base of the tree, then turns right about 270 degrees, then back left 180. This doesn't "bother" me, I was just wondering why.

The off camber turn to the right was/is a natural drainage area and difficult to bank or berm to allow a smooth flow through it. It never quite worked and has been annoying us since it's inception. By going straight over the root base you can carry your speed, possibly catch some air and then turn. Next time your out there, look at that tree. It's time in this world is limited. It is starting to lean more and more to the SW and that rootball is raising out of the ground. One good storm from the NE and she will be down.

With Marty cutting up most of the downed stuff and trimming back most of the remaining annoying weeds in the hardwoods, I lost my drive to break out the saw and so the one limb on the North Shore remains. It along with some of the undergrowth along there still needs to come out. Maybe next Tuesday.

Also watch out at the end of North Shore. With the recent work on the city well they pumped a bunch of water out the discharge pipe on the back of the pump house and it eroded the trail a bit. There are flags in the trail as a reminder.

David