New to building, but have started...

[Late Bloomer]

...w/ a couple friends to continue on what others have begun here in Seattle (S. Sea-Tac Park). Nothing of the magnitude space, size or terrain as offered in the Mecca known as The Shore. It IS a good place for those in Seattle to keep up w/ skills over the winter months, though. Building/maintenance has been on the rise there over the last month at a surprising rate. Seems like every time I come out here (at least once a weekend, if not both days), there is some new "wrinkle" out here. I am cautiously optimistic about it. This is a multi-user city park, but the area where the ladders are is set well aside of the regular trails and high-traffic area. It's a very small area for sure, but it still has potential for lots of connecting stunts that could work in several combinations if properly conceived. The foundation is there, now we have to put the little "puzzle" together.
The trails in the park are fun to ride on their own. Twisty, rolly singletrack w/ natural rollers and the occaisional small/medium drop. There are also a small six-pack of doubles in another nook in the woods, as well as some bmx-sized doubles for the high-flyers. Something for everyone.
Will surely need to incorporate some banked-turns into a few ladder sections, so if anybody has a solid expertise in that department that's willing to share some trade secrets, I (and the people that ride our creations) would be eternally grateful!
If anybody happens to be in the Seattle area, get in touch and I'll let you know more about a few other options in the area as well.
I must say that building is a very creative process and more people should get into it. There is a great feeling of satisfaction in looking @ a section of land, seeing a line and then putting it all together - best feeling is when you 1st take off from that creation!! I'm hooked for sure.

Peace

[Late Bloomer]

This is what the above stunt looks like from the top...

[Late Bloomer]

...we added a double @ the bottom just to make sure it had a challenging element beyond the initial line-up/drop. Ultimately, we are going to erect (heh-heh-heh) something in the woods behind it (elevated med. height) to link up w/ this as the finale. It's a start.

[Taylor_P]

looking at your first pic it looks as though you did not dig your posts in? maybe you did and i can not see this from the pic. but if you didn't i would strongly recommend that you do so.

[Late Bloomer]

We definitely dug some for the posts...thanks. We're still going to come back and at least double-up the supports, etc. anyway. The little area we have to work w/ will be a challenge as far as getting things to link, etc. IT IS A TIGHT LITTLE NOOK. As long as we plan it all well enough, it can still be a good place to put in a full day's riding. I need to go back out there an snap a wide-angle of the area I'm working with and let the suggestions pour in. I want to put some TALL stuff up, but w/ rookies not realizing they can't ride those and eventually busting their necks, that's an open invite for the demolition crews.
Thanks again, and I'll send more pics as things develop!:D

[well ridden]

scetch-zilla

[dangergirl]

I am also a newbie at making stunts. We just bought a house in CT and it borders miles trails. There are a lot of stunts popping up around here with our biggeset in Bolton, Connecticut. We are going to do the same out in East Hampton. Some suggestions to us are listed. They may be helpful to you as well.


3 piece: a launch ramp which u launch off and land on a bridge (its about a 4 foot gap) then ride on the bridge for about 15ft and at the end of the bridge build a little lip out of wood, and then its another launch. create a landing.

a rollercoaster: build a bridge going up between 2 trees. at the top of that bridge, (about 10Ft up) create a support the same width as the previous bridge. these supports are flat. On the 2 supports, on each side, nail down a previously constructed half moon shape wooden piece. then, flowing after the half moon, is another slanted bridge going down. it goes to the ground. about 2 ft from the ground, create two more supports (by supports i mean those logs used to place the rungs on), leading to another slanted support going back up. At the intersection of the support going down, and the flat one, create, using the extra from the half moon, and place it on the area top creat a smooth transition from bridge to bridge. duplicate these steps for how ever many more raise/downs u want. each down/up should be about 2-3ft shorter than the previous. once u r done laying the supports, nail the rungs across, should make for a smooth rollercoaster. :fro:

a series of launch ramps: find a hill and create a series of launch ramps, about 3 or 4 of them. create a landing if u want. the ramps should be about 3-4ft high. it should create for a nice ride(launch - land, ride, launch-land, ride, launch-land, ride etc.)

slanted drop to jump: build a bridge, do whatever u want with it, but at the end, it should be about 8 ft high. then at its apex, the bridge should start to slant downhill. it will end as ur going downhill on the bridge. the landing should be very steep and gradually flatten out. but as soon as the landing flattens, build a dirt jump, about 3 ft high. follwed by a landin(so it should be a gap). The effect should make a half circle on the ground of landing and launching (like a half pipe). :banana:

skinnies: standard skinnies

double tetter-totter drop: build a huge tetter on a steep downhill. this tetter should be about 15ft long. nail rungs about a 1/4 of the supports. Then, for the huge tetter to swivel on, create 2 standing supports(bey this i mean now the ones holding up the structure), about 6" wide. on each side of the tetter. then about the right amount high so that the bottom tetter is flat, place another rung acroos the 2 standing supports. the tetter will be attached to a 5" diameter log and the log will go in this little "cubby" created. the 2 standing supports should go higher, to support another smaller tetter. where the rungs left off on the bottom tetter, the ones of this smaller one should. this tetter (the top one) should be about 8 ft. long. The tetter will drop, and it will hit the bottom tetter, which now has rungs from where the top tetter left off, to the end of it. this makes it so there is 4 ft of rungs on the bottom tetter, then u go on the top tetter, for 8ft of rungs, then that tetter drops, and then u start riding on another 4 ft of rungs on the bottom tetter, the bottom tetter will hit a stopper between 2 trees, which will make a drop out of the end of the tetter as it rests on the stopper.

double/triple drops: Build, going down a hill a drop, so that the bridge is flat, and the hill keeps going down hill. the drop is about 3 ft. u land on another bridge, which goes and then drops another 3ft etc. so u go down the hill, ride on a bridge for 10 ft, it drops 3 ft, and u land on another bridge that goes for 10 feet, and drops another 3 ft. u can make as many of these drops as u want, as long as they are going at the same rate as the decline of the hill.
:thepimp:

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by well ridden
scetch-zilla

Hmmm...haven't named it yet. That would work. I WILL take that as a compliment, though. It's my/our 1st go at anything...gotta' start somewhere. As sketchball as it looks, it really is solid. I'm also going back and reinforcing alot of the framework just to be sure. I don't want to be the person that broke his buddies' neck.

If anyone has a digi and can snap a pic of a nice banked ladder turn (preferrably from underneath/side) I'd be grateful. This place is going to need alot of those to make things work.

Keep slammin' me - that will make me try harder.

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by dangergirl
I am also a newbie at making stunts. We just bought a house in CT and it borders miles trails. There are a lot of stunts popping up around here with our biggeset in Bolton, Connecticut. We are going to do the same out in East Hampton. Some suggestions to us are listed. They may be helpful to you as well...ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC - :thepimp:

Now that's what I call a response! Thank you, dangergirl. I definitely see rollercoasters happening here. Not steep enough for much more than single drops to doubles, but I can see a step up at the bottom of a couple of landing areas that would turn a couple heads (well, the ones local to Seattle).

KEEP IT COMING!!:D

[Niggz]

Here is a good example of a roller coaster for you. A couple pics are good for showing supports used. The last hump gives you an idea for a small scale ladder burm. Just make the angled rungs steeper and longer. There are some awesome ladder burms on Pangor on Mt. Seymour up here. I quickly tried searching but couldn't find any pics.




http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=106918
http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=106919
http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=106921
http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=106920

[Coop]

wow, nice work Niggz

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Coop
wow, nice work Niggz

My sentiments, exactly. Thanks, man. Give me good visuals :high: :dizzy: :drool: for sure. I was up there oh too briefly last year and remember the details to the turns w/ the short-staggering of the rungs. Blew my mind. Also proof postive that your particular corner of the world is unique and fate has it that you all tapped into it!!! Anyone pulling gaps off that?? GACK!!!

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Niggz
I quickly tried searching but couldn't find any pics.


Thanks any-who...gave you an excuse to ride...that's reward enough.

[Niggz]

no gaps that I've heard of but there is a shot of it in NSX 7:thepimp:

[Late Bloomer]

I'll keep an eye out for that. Those rollers are titties...literally!:love:

[dangergirl]

Don't forget to scope out natural rollers and drops. If the landing is too flat build a tranny. We have a thirty foot roller that looks like it is at a 90 degree angle to the ground. There are also a lot of 20 - 30 foot drops with tranny boxes built up at the bottom. There is one that starts as a rock roller and goes onto a stable bridge, then it goes up about three feet and goes between two trees. Once you get past the two trees you are about twelve feet in the air and the bridge becomes a suspension bridge that shakes while you ride it. This is about 10 feet long and goes onto a stable bridge for about 5 feet. At the end you need to drop off of the bridge and onto a tranny box. Definately a wild ride. There are also a lot of mobile stunts created by using a tree that is about 8" wide with some rungs attached to it. They look like giant snakes and are a blast to ride. I will try to get pics this weekend.

[Late Bloomer]

Much appreciated! Want to have some BIG stuff, but there are plenty of people that think w/ their eyes/bike and not their brain/guts. It's not as bad as it was a few years ago, but there are still a few out there. What I need to do for now is take some pics of the area, print them up, twist a phatty and kind of pencil in some ideas. Seems like it would be easier than just putting one thing up and realizing after it's 70% done that it's not going to work in that spot or w/ something else.
I've already envisioned some rollers in between the two small slopes we have to work with.
My ultimate goal is to have it set up where you can just keep rolling thru the entire area, but have options to split one way or another along the way to "mix things up". Like I said...not much room to work with, but will make the most of it for sure.
Sounds like you have quite a setup over there in CT. We owe alot to our friends from the north...I hope the rest of us :usa: truly realize this.
WE MAY HAVE INVENTED MOUNTAIN BIKING, BUT THE FOLKS UP IN B.C. HAVE RE-DEFINED/RE-INVENTED IT.:damn:

[dangergirl]

We definately owe it to our Northern friends (who I still have yet to visit!! Ahh, B.C. my dream vacation!). I have progressed from being a hardtail mountain bike racing geek to a hardcore free rider and downhiller! Much more fun, much more adrenalin, and a hell of a lot cooler!!!!! -K :):P

[Late Bloomer]

Yup...I started XC (not a racer-just a rider) and finally saw the light a little over a year ago. Kind of funny how the "modern" XC folk are worse than the roadies of years gone by. If anything, the roadies have gotten cooler. Of course, their sh*t don't smell as good as ours!
Don't get me wrong, I respect them for the training/discipline it takes to compete, etc. The attitudes are another can o' worms altogether.
We've already planned a weekend @ Whisler/Shore for July - IS IT JULY YET?!? Hoping for a few more excursions as well. Get up there - but you will not want to come back and everything seems smaller when you get back home.

[Ginsy~Dj'er]

Originally posted by dangergirl
I am also a newbie at making stunts. We just bought a house in CT and it borders miles trails. There are a lot of stunts popping up around here with our biggeset in Bolton, Connecticut. We are going to do the same out in East Hampton. Some suggestions to us are listed. They may be helpful to you as well.


3 piece: a launch ramp which u launch off and land on a bridge (its about a 4 foot gap) then ride on the bridge for about 15ft and at the end of the bridge build a little lip out of wood, and then its another launch. create a landing.

a rollercoaster: build a bridge going up between 2 trees. at the top of that bridge, (about 10Ft up) create a support the same width as the previous bridge. these supports are flat. On the 2 supports, on each side, nail down a previously constructed half moon shape wooden piece. then, flowing after the half moon, is another slanted bridge going down. it goes to the ground. about 2 ft from the ground, create two more supports (by supports i mean those logs used to place the rungs on), leading to another slanted support going back up. At the intersection of the support going down, and the flat one, create, using the extra from the half moon, and place it on the area top creat a smooth transition from bridge to bridge. duplicate these steps for how ever many more raise/downs u want. each down/up should be about 2-3ft shorter than the previous. once u r done laying the supports, nail the rungs across, should make for a smooth rollercoaster. :fro:

a series of launch ramps: find a hill and create a series of launch ramps, about 3 or 4 of them. create a landing if u want. the ramps should be about 3-4ft high. it should create for a nice ride(launch - land, ride, launch-land, ride, launch-land, ride etc.)

slanted drop to jump: build a bridge, do whatever u want with it, but at the end, it should be about 8 ft high. then at its apex, the bridge should start to slant downhill. it will end as ur going downhill on the bridge. the landing should be very steep and gradually flatten out. but as soon as the landing flattens, build a dirt jump, about 3 ft high. follwed by a landin(so it should be a gap). The effect should make a half circle on the ground of landing and launching (like a half pipe). :banana:

skinnies: standard skinnies

double tetter-totter drop: build a huge tetter on a steep downhill. this tetter should be about 15ft long. nail rungs about a 1/4 of the supports. Then, for the huge tetter to swivel on, create 2 standing supports(bey this i mean now the ones holding up the structure), about 6" wide. on each side of the tetter. then about the right amount high so that the bottom tetter is flat, place another rung acroos the 2 standing supports. the tetter will be attached to a 5" diameter log and the log will go in this little "cubby" created. the 2 standing supports should go higher, to support another smaller tetter. where the rungs left off on the bottom tetter, the ones of this smaller one should. this tetter (the top one) should be about 8 ft. long. The tetter will drop, and it will hit the bottom tetter, which now has rungs from where the top tetter left off, to the end of it. this makes it so there is 4 ft of rungs on the bottom tetter, then u go on the top tetter, for 8ft of rungs, then that tetter drops, and then u start riding on another 4 ft of rungs on the bottom tetter, the bottom tetter will hit a stopper between 2 trees, which will make a drop out of the end of the tetter as it rests on the stopper.

double/triple drops: Build, going down a hill a drop, so that the bridge is flat, and the hill keeps going down hill. the drop is about 3 ft. u land on another bridge, which goes and then drops another 3ft etc. so u go down the hill, ride on a bridge for 10 ft, it drops 3 ft, and u land on another bridge that goes for 10 feet, and drops another 3 ft. u can make as many of these drops as u want, as long as they are going at the same rate as the decline of the hill.
:thepimp:

hey dangergirl:D

that quote sounds familiar....good to see my work is getting around. east coast pride

[Late Bloomer]

We'd be SOOOO in the dark around here if it wasn't for the whole dot-com thing. It's a great time to be alive, for sure.:beer: :beer: :beer:
CHEERS!!!

[Jerry-Rig]

use cedar, anything else is garbage. If you can't use cedar, use rock and dirt and make it Groovula style

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=list&keyselect=1&keyword=groovula

[Late Bloomer]

Right on...not a horticulture expert, but I'm fairly sure there's no cedar readily available in the immediate area. Appreciate the linkage as well. My head has not quite exploded from all the input, but it's definitely starting to overheat! Can't wait to get back out there @ this point and take a FRESH look at the area.

[drezy]

Originally posted by Jerry-Rig
use cedar, anything else is garbage. Cedar is definately the best, but I disagree that everything else is garbage. PG, Kelowna, Williams Lake, etc (places with very little if any cedar) have 2x4 stunts that have lasted several seasons and are still going strong. I'm sure everyone wishes they had a bunch of cedar to build with, but for most of us that don't live on the coast, we have to make do with what's available.

[Late Bloomer]

yeah...this is totally in city so cedar is no option (store bought would be it - at least for beams/supports. As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, you make...lemonade!:lemon: :lemon: :lemon:

I meant about 147 glasses of Melonade...can you believe it?

[well ridden]

you can buy cedar at home depot

[drezy]

Originally posted by well ridden
you can buy cedar at home depot Naw, I can't afford to buy cedar at home depot. Free wood all the way, that leaves money to travel and ride actual cedar stunts.:D

[Late Bloomer]

For sure I'll buy cedar beams for supports, braces & beams. From there, I'll check the landscape for anything...I live by an industrial area, so there's no shortage of freebies. Only plan on setting anything on there that's not flim-flam (unless that's the desired effect).
My back's too tight for riding this weekend, so I guess I'll be @ it for most of the time. I'll have the digi handy so, you can see the terrain (limited as it is) and see what I'm up against.
Don't expect it to even hold a light to you know where, but for the locals, I'm hoping to @ least scratch the surface of what's available you know where. It's not like there's nowhere to ride around our general area...it's just that they're all @ least 25 miles from town. Something backyardish would really be nice, especially since the other areas are essentially snowed-under...D'OH!!
Even if it fails miserably, it IS alot of fun just to go somewhere and scope the terrain and actually see potential spots for this, that or ???.

[Late Bloomer]

Wow...got a sweet little berm to 5-8ft drop to decent sized kicker added into our pre-existing DH run (w/o compromising existing lines) and also managed to clean out a hideously overgrown section 1/4 mile of tight, twisty singletrack that's begging for high-berms that would also set up a ladder run to the 1st build we did. Also spotted some other little potential natural offerings in the work area. Already anxious to see what it's going to look like come springtime!!!
Next step is buying some 6-8ft cedar beams for the supports,etc. and get bizzay w/ the post hole digger.
We even came across another couple of folks that are into what we're trying to do, so we actually have a legit "crew" working now. God, it's great to be alive!!!


p.s - pics by next weekend...too wet for my digi yesterday...D'OH!!!

[well ridden]

why would you buy cedar for supports?

[Coop]

Because they are crazy americans.

It's probably Canadian cedar anyway. :grinno:

[Late Bloomer]

Yes, I'm crazy...American (born that way, dammit!). No cedar nearby and any fallen stuff is as soft as a sponge. If there's something store bought aside from cedar that would hold better, please inform.
I'm looking to make stuff that's going to hold for as long as possible - at least the structural parts. Rungs are meant to be munched eventually.
If I'm lucky, it will be Canadian cedar...quality is a word that's not so stressed over here, really. Pisses me off that people don't take pride in their work here. I do, and I only make $12.50/hr. I need to get w/ the times, I suppose?
:???:

[Coop]

Just razzin ya buddy.

Think about how long you're going to want your first creations around. I am building mine to last at max, 10 years, so that there arent big hunks of crap sitting out in the bush posing a hazard to people hiking around.

Do you really need wood that is going to last forever? Durabilty while you're riding it, sure, but in terms of time, maybe other issues such as land-use and such are going to come into play before the wood rots out.

Unless you have an astromical budget, you're not going to be able to afford any cedar lumber.....( I dont think anyway..)

[Late Bloomer]

It's all good. We're in a large wooded city park, basically away from any main thoroughfare. Unless someone's riding in there, most people hardly know it exists. We're still just clearing some lines and going w/ what's right there. Berms, kickers, etc. from the natural terrain.
Yet to really price anything...that's early next year for that anywho. I'm just one of those freaks that wants to do it right if they're going to do it at all. Others have to ride it and they might not be as graceful as some of us, too. At the very least, I want some wood that's stiff (uh, heh-heh-heh...stiff...wood) and strong.
I'm also making sure there's enough "entry-level" stuff for the upstarts, as well. Let them own themselves up to the larger stuff (THAT'S how "own" should be used - or ownination/ing).
I don't plan on dwelling metro-Seattle forever, if much longer @ all really. Would be nice to leave a little something for the locals, since they're stepping it up around here a little more than before.
Final note, Coop...I totally side w/ your avitar!:dizzy:

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
Coop...I totally side w/ your avitar!:dizzy:

Well, the new avy kind of leaves me pondering.

So, we've been busy w/ the shovels @ least over the last couple weeks. Here's a new addition(s) to our lil' DH run. The far-left line is the fast lane to the lower kicker. Then, there are two separate lines to the right of that. One is a roller to either launch or drop and the other is a larger roller to launch or drop. Options...a beautiful thing!

[Late Bloomer]

Here's another view...

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
Here's another view...

Straight drop is 5-6 ft. w/ speed. Launching gets you up to 6-8 ft. It's not a HUGE section, but the rhythm it provides is incredible!!

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer

[Loopie]

In your first pics...always hard to tell...but the gap of the double after the dropin looks a little short:).....how'd that work out?

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Loopie
In your first pics...always hard to tell...but the gap of the double after the dropin looks a little short:).....how'd that work out? It's not a long gap - 6ft. max. Was just there a few hrs. ago & able to roll after drop to the double. It was tough for the 1st month, but it's finally packing down. May convert it into a step-up. Depends on what we do on the other side of that clearing.
I was pleasantly surprised upon my arrival there today to see some new natural features there. There's @ least 2 other crews @ work out there & are doing some good things for sure.
A couple stepdowns - one was 6X6ft off flat and the other was more 10X10ft. My bad...no pics:(
Lotsa new drops & jumps along our DH line and our "hidden" trail is starting to form well, but HELLA-TONS of work w/ clearing nettles and creating some bigger berms.

p.s. - there's hope. 2 female riders on the DH run today! Didn't do the drops, but charged the jumps. Not a big thing up that-a-way, but around here that is comparable to Sasquatch sightings.:rawr: =/

:woot:

[Neo]

i can't tell anything from those pics. looks like just dirt and rock to me.

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Dante Alighieri
i can't tell anything from those pics. looks like just dirt and rock to me. The last group of pics, yeah...bad angle. I'm on my way out there again today to snap some better shots...and ride...and dig...and ride some more:)

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
The last group of pics, yeah...bad angle. I'm on my way out there again today to snap some better shots... Looking up @ the lower section. Everybody hits the kicker on the right. There's a drop to the left (just to the right of the guy in red) and a speed-berm on the right to feed to 'em. The "interchange" section is just above the drop.

[Late Bloomer]

Slab roller to a 4-6ft. drop. If you can cut it real tight, there an 8ft. gap to the edge of the drop via sm. jump (which is slightly visible between the 2 sm. trees after the slab). The slab's been there longer than I can remember.

[Late Bloomer]

New feature. Drop in upper section of the same run. 4ft'er, but it's a flat to barely uphill landing, so it's stiff yet fun. Then you have a sweeping right that sets you up for a left turn w/ a 3-4 ft. drop of a chunk of concrete, which feeds to the interchange and lower section. (next pic).

p.s. - Somebody else put a slightly larger drop off to the left of this one feeding to that kicker off to the side.

[Late Bloomer]

After the upper-drop and a sweeping right, you hit this left turn that you can roll center or come off the sm. slab section. The jump down to the left is usually for the slab line. The center line is better to set up for the drop-gap with and the far-left speed berm is the line to attack the lower kicker w/ authority.

[Late Bloomer]

For the sake of perspective, here's an action shot to go with...
This is the lower drop after the interchange and, yes, that's me. This is off the little booter before the drop. You land way farther out just rolling the drop, but it is a stiffer landing. Off the booter, it is a PLUSH landing.
:thepimp:

[Late Bloomer]

Another action shot...this is the same drop, but you can see how the drop gets bigger the farther out you can take it. This is a kid we met today that was all dazed when we 1st rolled up. He cased pretty bad on the lower kicker and smacked his head (good helmet!) and was all bruised on his back as evidenced by the thick brown dirt-stains across his entire back. Dang!! But, he eventually jumped on the bike long enough for me to get this shot.

:cool:

[Late Bloomer]

All splits along the way lead to this sweet kicker. Not a super-booter, but the groud beyond the jump goes down considerably w/ distance. There's another jump just beyond this one that's not quite as large but has a nice kick to it.

All the above make for a fun little run (key word: little)...a run all the same.
At worst, it's a primo winter playground. :cool:

[the flying moose]

looks cool. makes me wanna go ride some trails again.

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by lancepaydirt
looks cool. makes me wanna go ride some trails again. Wait for daylight...unless you have some good lights;)

Thanks!

[RMFanatik]

Nice Job there late bloomer, It looks like a lot of fun, and like wine will only get better with time.

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by RMFanatik
Nice Job there late bloomer, It looks like a lot of fun, and like wine will only get better with time. Hey, thanks. Cant' take all the credit. There's @ least 4 other people that have been doing their time as well. It's amazing what several people in coordination can accomplish. Here's a "glory shot" of the lower kicker...where it all leads to on our DH run...

[Late Bloomer]

Ok, HERE'S the pic...good morning, Andy!:zzz:

[seand]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
...we added a double @ the bottom just to make sure it had a challenging element beyond the initial line-up/drop. Ultimately, we are going to erect (heh-heh-heh) something in the woods behind it (elevated med. height) to link up w/ this as the finale. It's a start.


that looks like its in the gated area...yes?

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by seand
that looks like its in the gated area...yes? Well, it's a tore up chain-link fence...been like that as long as I can remember. I thought we'd get alot of grief from people over there, but it's been the exact opposite. Even the dog-walkers were kind of excited (in a positive way).
Reminds me, I need to p/u some nails on the way home...thanks, Sean!!:cool:

[Late Bloomer]

FUNNY THOUGHT THAT OCCURED TO ME TODAY
There are alot of 'fair-weather' riders around here that haven't been out there since early-October. I could imagine their eyes will be wide open for the 1st few trips out there this year!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

p.s. - God created fingernails for people like me that can't distinguish between a nail and a thumb:| :censored: :swearing:

[seand]

i meant the chain linked fence area...the place with the real shaddy structures...or well, they were as of this last summer.

kudos to you for trying to make seatac somplace besides a haven for xc :)


i cant wait for you to show me around....

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by seand
i cant wait for you to show me around.... Thanks. Likely to be out there both Sat.&Sun. Just bought a fresh set of hedge trimmers and will be attacking thorn-bushes and re-enforcing some of the aforementioned ladderwork. Was this ' ' close to buying a 1' square stomping tool for packing jumps, etc. but really didn't feel like lugging more hardware on my back:P Next time. Better yet, I can fabricate something on my own, very much.
This past weekend, we built a nice lil' booter off the top jump on the DH run which was orig. a 1ftx3ft slab of concrete. Now it's the foundation. From there, it's not the same DH run you remember @ all. Likely even different from MY last trip!! WE ARE NOT ALONE OUT THERE. At least 2 other crews digging like dogs.
I have a hunch some of the jumps more towards the parking lot side of the park will not survive, but the other stuff is pretty separate from the XC runs. Been a few XC crews coming by lately on training rides and they're actually pretty impressed from my run-ins so far. As long as it's nothing super-sketchball, I think it will stick.
Next 'project' will involve a teeter-totter in a tight singletrack we've reclaimed from overgrowth. Fun stuff!

In the meantime, here's another 'test rider'...coming off the lower 5-footer (booter in foreground - best line, IMO) to the kickers down @ bottom. Up to 9 jumps & drops in a run of less than a minute. Every once in a while you have to pass up the lower drop and hit the speed-berm to launch the bottom kicker for some mad air.:D
p.s. - the road-turtles are part of a master-scheme for a night-ride jump sesh we're contemplating:S

[seand]

how about this. once i get my new bike built up, i give it a test ride at seatac....

that way i get to try 2 new things - your building and a new bike...

perfect recipe for disaster! :D

how about you show me around there and ill take you to the exits....rider exchange program :)

[Late Bloomer]

Two words Sean - you're doomed!:D j/k You're relatively lucky right now...only one ladder 'built' @ this point.=/ Sounds like a plan to me!
Any other locals that haven't been out there in a while should take a little look-see as well. It's not the Sea-Tac you remember if it's been 2+ months since your last visit.
And, of course, it's not even a blip on the radar in comparison to 'Mecca', but it makes for a good, solid sesh all the same.

[seand]

doomed! heh, how right you probably are!

hell, i may just ride my 243 and not wait for the new bike...

depends on what the snow does this weekend...

ill pm you to setup a meeting time.

[Late Bloomer]

A couple of my unemployed and semi-employed friends got together and put this tight little run together in the matter of 2 days. Kudos, gentlemen! They call it 'Bread n Butter', but I think it tastes alot better than that! This pic is the top section of the run - it's parallel w/ the 'Interchange' pictured earlier in the thread.
It begins after the 1st small drop and sweeping turn and it's a tricky line-up to get into it. Once in, though, you're 'hooked'. Theres' a quick 2ft drop into a tight slalom between a few trees w/ a couple roots to keep everybody honest. You sweep left out of the slalom and crank @ a small kicker that lands you square into a natural tranny(pictured) which helps build your speed for the 6ftX6ft stepdown (lip is where people are standing in the distance).

[Late Bloomer]

This is taken from the edge of the stepdown...nice landing straight into right-hand berm. After a quick straight section, you sweep left into a 4X4ft stepdown and another straight section into a kicker strategically placed between two closely standing trees (not Redwoods, mind you - trees still go 'thump' no matter;) ), which is barely visible in the distance.

Have 'action' photo of the tree jump...

note: if you look straight ahead from the lip of the drop in this pic most of the way back, you can also see a tabletop that somebody built off the main run. It's 'crude' in form, but has potential w/ more work!

[Late Bloomer]

Have 'action' photo of the tree jump...
And here it is. Amazing how smooth someone's riding can get when they're unemployed! He is one of the creators of this lil' gem. Thanks, Pip!:coo:

[Late Bloomer]

This is the upper-drop on the run as seen from below. The right-handed berm is to the left after the landing (not pictured). If only the sensations felt on that particular section could be bottled...

This is the other creator enjoying the fruits of his labor.
:thepimp:

POWER TO THE SHOVELS

[Late Bloomer]

In addition to the above mentioned line that was born this week, another one was connected to the main line.
After the initial jump @ the top, you veer to the left and glide off a 6-8ft. drop that leads you to either a lengthy gapper to a smooth tranny or flat if you land short. You can bypass the gap on the left and opt for a sweet roller over a recessed barrel tranny and into the 'interchange' section to another drop or stepdown w/ ample speed!
Can anybody name the rider in this picture:???:

[Late Bloomer]

This is the tabletop mentioned a few posts back...taken from the bottom of the ramp. Just a flat landing on top so far. I have a hunch when I get back there next week it may look different. Potential for sure...I am smelling a stepup:cool:
I didn't dig it, so I didn't feel the need to ride it. Took pics of some that did, though...this guy might be able to elaborate more on this particular hit.

[seand]

oh hey...you got some shots of me up on my new toy...yay!

the step up to flat is awesome. quite a few complain that it doesnt shoot you anywhere but up...i say leave it! super high trickery can be pulled from that.

and that 8foot gapper dealio is super smooth!

today is sunny...shame there is no riding happening...

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by seand
oh hey...you got some shots of me up on my new toy...yay!

...shame there is no riding happening... Like my avy? That's me off the 1st drop on Bread & Butter after coming into the lip hot and attempting to check speed - got lucky as hell there:eek:
Somebody talked me into heading out there for little ride. I'm cooked from yesterday's action, but felt he'd need a spotter. He wound up w/ a tacoed wheel in 1/2hr. - somebody was standing directly in his way on the easier side of the top drops @ the same time his brake cable snapped!!! He's lucky he had some heavy padding on his handlebar stem.

Needless to say, some signage is going to be appearing in strategic locations.

p.s. - I have a couple few/more pics if you want them PM me:cool:

[seand]

ya, email me the pics!

is that somebody pip?! :lol:

i stayed home...my wrist is so screwed up...but i got to take 20something pics of my new bike and of my busted 243 frame...yay!

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by seand
ya, email me the pics!

is that somebody pip?! :lol:

i stayed home...my wrist is so screwed up...but i got to take 20something pics of my new bike and of my busted 243 frame...yay! Somehow, it's NOT Pip:eek: , but another friend Matt. Good guy...human crash reel as well:P
This is him attempting to un-taco his wheel...

[Late Bloomer]

Long ago, I promised pics of the drops in the other section of the park.
This is the easier of the two for sure...seeing as it's the only of the two I've dropped to this point (these were built by a couple other groups of builders - good eyes for spotting these).
Not exact measurements, but it's looking like a solid 10+ ft. out and 5-7 ft. down.

Best served w/ speed!

[Late Bloomer]

This is the "big one" as far as the drops @ Sea-Tac. 15ft. out 10(+) down to tranny.
This is taken from the right side of the landing - takeoff is near upper-left corner of pic.
Spotters are a MUST since there is another line that runs below it...and to make the 9-1-1 call, if needed:eek:.

[Late Bloomer]

Same drop - view as you're approaching takeoff. G-force!

[Late Bloomer]

This is the other line that runs under the big drop. You build speed off a quick, smooth and steep run-in and literally float a 20ft. gap into a rolling tranny. The best approach to it is to stay as tight right as possible - it give a sweet pop, but it's real close to foliage. Failed to frame the landing in this pic, but it follows the beginning of the tranny that's visible for another 5ft. or so and then oh-so-gently slopes back upward and has a quick left that takes you out of that section.

The area where this recent round of pics was taken is close to parking lot and is usually where our rides begin. Great place to get bearings together before you hit the longer (yet, too short) run.

Everybody seems to be liking it alot, as do I. That makes me happy!:cool:

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
This is the easier of the two for sure...seeing as it's the only of the two I've dropped to this point (these were built by a couple other groups of builders - good eyes for spotting these).
Not exact measurements, but it's looking like a solid 10+ ft. out and 5-7 ft. down.

Best served w/ speed! Taken from another angle.

The trees that you see behind me are just to your left as you are taking off from the edge.

[Zaskar]

Originally posted by Jerry-Rig
use cedar, anything else is garbage. If you can't use cedar, use rock and dirt and make it Groovula style

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=list&keyselect=1&keyword=groovula

this man speaks the truth.

[Late Bloomer]

Thanks to Sean, there's some photos of the trail in 'action' here http://bb.nsmb.com/newforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35739 - it's been ALL dirt-based construction since the one ladder we assembled months ago. Looks like things are working out...:cool:

[seand]

seatac gallery:
http://gallery.autisticpig.com/categories.php?cat_id=25


and as far as cedar building goes...i cant agree more..but there is none and the wood that is there has been there forever. its not part of any trails, more of an aside skills park. not worth putting much time into really...

the actual trails are built using groovula style building techniques...just a lot smoother trails (whistler babybutt smooth) with some speed bumps from people who like to brake to much.

[Late Bloomer]

...or case on trannys. Poor Saban spent a good 15 min. re-doing that stepdown after somebody tenderized it:lol:

Sean, that site is awesome! It's unfortunate to know that there's likely to be pics of me splayed on the ground posted there before too long:dead:

[seand]

are you trying to say that i screwed the tranny up when i came down on it face first? NO WAY!! :lol:


we will setup an 'andy carnage' archive for you.

[Late Bloomer]

Niiiiiice.
I don't go down often, but when I do it's quite the sight. Easy to get photos of my diggers as well, considering I tend to know what's about to happen and any of an array of expletives will be heard coming from my direction..."OH, :censored: !!!" , just in case you're taking notes. :lol:

[seand]

i wish i saw you fall over that 12 inch tall jump...TWICE

:lol:


you got owned by 2 shovels worth of dirt :lol:

[Late Bloomer]

:lol:served me right...I built that flippin' pile o' dirt up. Best part about that was after the 2ND time, that 10yr. old kid was right there and was totally telling me what I did wrong. THAT'S owned!!:lol:
Other than that clip from Ratpac & a couple minor bloopers, I tend to crash where it can't be seen. My gnar-gnar crash up near the slab/berm/drop area happened when everybody was down near the lower booter - I was going so fast I hit the ground 3 times!!!