Lower Oilcan Extreme Makeover

[cam@nsmb.com]

Thanks to The Big Chin for the awesome article and photos - and to everyone who worked on the trial.

Lower Oilcan Extreme Makeover (http://www.nsmb.com/community/oilcan_08_06.php)

[thedude]

Great article.

[the Master Plan Dan]

At lot of time and effort was put into that trail. The work shows well!

Cheers to all those who worked on the trail!

I cried at the end, just like the Television show! LOL!

Dan

[craw]

Thanks for all the hard work guys! Our trails would be hurting indeed without all your help!

[LeeLau]

You have a way with words Doug. Props to OnTop and to Regular DAn! Not quite high-sick-skinny but still fun

[Oldfart]

Well done indeed. Question though. And I don't mean this as a criticism of that fine work, but who the heck would go up Oilcan? It is way too steep to ride. Or Pipeline? The obvious uphill trail which is much more rideable, not easy mind you, is Peugeot. In days of olde, I would ride home with the Robson cycles boys up Mosquito Creek or Cap Pacific to the powerline and up via Baden Powell and Peugeot.

[blunt boy]

Great article and some very impressive trail work. The before and after pics were borderline dramatic. Props to the volunteers for a job well done.

[jonny.zee]

Well done indeed. Question though. And I don't mean this as a criticism of that fine work, but who the heck would go up Oilcan? It is way too steep to ride. Or Pipeline? The obvious uphill trail which is much more rideable, not easy mind you, is Peugeot. In days of olde, I would ride home with the Robson cycles boys up Mosquito Creek or Cap Pacific to the powerline and up via Baden Powell and Peugeot.

I think going up something other than the main road means pushing up to a lot of poeople. I'd be willing to hike a bike up the west side of the mountain if I could find a route that wasn't too steep. I've tried to take a more direct line up - Espresso & Crippler - but that wasn't so fun. Although it was a good upper body workout. I'd love to know where this "Peugeot" is.

Anyway nice article, Chin!

[LeeLau]

Peugeot is easy to find jonny - its actually on the Cove map. Its kinda hard to ride now because the bottom part is a bit washed out. I've pushed up st georges - more direct and is a hiking trail anyhow

[cam@nsmb.com]

Well done indeed. Question though. And I don't mean this as a criticism of that fine work, but who the heck would go up Oilcan? It is way too steep to ride. Or Pipeline? The obvious uphill trail which is much more rideable, not easy mind you, is Peugeot. In days of olde, I would ride home with the Robson cycles boys up Mosquito Creek or Cap Pacific to the powerline and up via Baden Powell and Peugeot.

Agreed. Were you at the trail day Oldfart? One thing that isn't made entirely clear by the article is that the re-routes had a dual purpose. The goal was to make the ride down easier as well as the climb up. I also think though that it would be a little frustrating to see the old line going straight up the fall line, especially if you are walking anyway, and find that you have to do a long loop around. I guess I'll find out though - and I do enjoy a singletrack climbing challenge.

The one thing about Oilcan is that it hooks up nicely with the Abelard Canyon climb which I would bet is why it was chosen as a route up. I think I'll try to link it the next time I head up Fromme. Another thing to consider might be to have signs on the way up since there are so many lines crossing there; Jerry Rig, Peugeot, Grannies and Oilcan - not to mention a few other skidder roads it seems. If encouraging people to climb that way is on the agenda it would be a good idea to help with some route finding.

[Sharon]

where does peugeot come out on the bp?

[dirty deeds]

I rode down the trail yesterday. Interested to see how it was apres rain. It's settled in incredibly well. A couple of minor soft mulchy spots, but nothing really to even work on. It's incredible that all that was done in just 3 trail days.

I'd say it's now the easiest trail on the Shore. Well below Pipeline in difficulty. Beginners or xc guys wanting a fast rip - the Mtn/ OC/ BP (thx Pete M) loop is perfect. Let's hope some of those pick up the shovel as far as future maintenance, because in general, the people who rebuilt it won't be riding it.

and yeah... can't see alot of people climbing up it, but we'll see.

[Oldfart]

where does peugeot come out on the bp?

Just to the west of the big bridge over Abelard and a little further west too. Then you cross BP and follow a skidder road and it gets confusing as it crosses Boundary and other old cross trails and boundary again before it hits St Mary's.

[synchro]

there's still a couple of major reroutes to do before the trail is completely finished. it definitely won't be an easy climb, but challenging and technical in many spots. i think it will be a welcome addition to the shore as the art of technical climbing seems to have disappeared from the map. on a good day i'd enjoy a hard climb up singletrack more so than a fireroad climb or shuttle.

nice article doug.

[dirty deeds]

the big bridge over Abelard.

that was a fun weekend.

[thebigchin]

Thanks for the kind words! Anything that can be done to raise the awareness of the importance of trail days needs to be taken advantage of. 1 trailday with a good turnout can accomplish the work that that a single trailbuilder, working on weekends and spare time, can do in a year!

The amazing trails that we have here would be shells of their former selves without the NSMBA and the massive volunteer effort that keeps them going. By looking at the names that have posted on this thread, I know I'm preaching to the converted as I've seen pretty much all of you out getting dirty moving rocks.

Thanks, Cam, for suggesting that I write this up and for the great job of putting it up with the photos.

[cam@nsmb.com]

where does peugeot come out on the bp?

I think it's right by the top of Digger but I'm not certain. So many lines intersect there.

[SubPlop]

Nice work! Looks really good now.

Is it gonna be a winter trail ? I rode Pipeline in the snow, and that was pretty good, but is Oilcan gonna have that option ?

chad

[cam@nsmb.com]

Just to the west of the big bridge over Abelard and a little further west too. Then you cross BP and follow a skidder road and it gets confusing as it crosses Boundary and other old cross trails and boundary again before it hits St Mary's.

Hmmm. But Boundary is below the BP is it not? My understanding was that Sharon was asking where Peugeot hits the BP if you are coming down it from the top. But perhaps not.

[taprider]

Its somewhat climable
10 single dabs and four full "5"s for the upper half. But it was wet and I had a 2.0" semi slick in the rear
Didn't try the lower half, but will give it a go in the dry with a 2.35 knobby this weekend

[synchro]

Its somewhat climable
10 single dabs and four full "5"s for the upper half. But it was wet and I had a 2.0" semi slick in the rear
Didn't try the lower half, but will give it a go in the dry with a 2.35 knobby this weekend

please send me a pm on your thoughts on how the climb can be improved.

keep in mind, we don't want an easy climb.

thanks

[Sharon]

Hmmm. But Boundary is below the BP is it not? My understanding was that Sharon was asking where Peugeot hits the BP if you are coming down it from the top. But perhaps not.

yes,

or if you wanted to go up it from the BP.

[thebigchin]

Its somewhat climable
10 single dabs and four full "5"s for the upper half. But it was wet and I had a 2.0" semi slick in the rear
Didn't try the lower half, but will give it a go in the dry with a 2.35 knobby this weekend

WOW!! Nice work!

[taprider]

please send me a pm on your thoughts on how the climb can be improved.

keep in mind, we don't want an easy climb.

thanks

I think where work has been done is great - challenging and likely all rideable/rollable without having to resort to pedal kicks and locked wheels hopping.

I avoided first 100 metres by starting at metal bridge and intersecting trail where the first section of new work appears to have occurred. Maybe an official reroute to avoid that lowest gulley would be an idea. There are also about 3 steep rooty sections in the lowest 1/4 where no work has been done (is there another trail day soon? and I'll take part!) that i find unrideable. The rest of it is great, 5 single dabs the remainder of the lower half (below the long ladder bridge which I can't do uphill) and 4 stratadabs on the upper half (purposefully putting one foot down to otherwise avoid a 5) upper half, plus a "5" for the little A frame over the log near the top. Its a little more challenging than the Kings Crawl

As well, I see fully armoured people on big bikes having trouble going down the steep rooty sections in the lowest 1/4, so maybe these parts wouldn't qualify as an easier trail

[taprider]

PS posting my ride as if it was the results of some Trials competition is not so much to boast (I know many can beat it), but to challenge and encourage more people to try technical climbing since it may have a long term impact on the type of trails built or how trails will be maintained. As well, there are the political implications of making it known to non-mtb'ers that a large percentage of mountain bikers are no different than trail runners or hikers as far as social/environmental impact. Maybe one day there will be a sustainable technical climbing trail from bottom to top of Fromme, more environmentally friendly than the Grouse Grind. Hah, that would be a change - the North Shore known for climbing not just descending ;)

[axisofevelknievel]

What is a '5'?

[taprider]

a "5" is a Competitive Trials term for any two body parts touching the ground (or tree or rock beside the trail) at the same time. Usually means that both feet touch the ground and that you failed to ride a section and have to walk. The maximum points you can get for a section is five. In this case since there are no defined stop and finish lines for each section, I consider each terrain feature a section (if you can't get a steep rooty chute or a ladder bridge and have to walk you get a 5 no matter how many steps you take). Also there is a time limit for individual "1" dabs, if you rest too long with only one foot down you still would be penalized with a "5".

[taprider]

The one thing about Oilcan is that it hooks up nicely with the Abelard Canyon climb which I would bet is why it was chosen as a route up. I think I'll try to link it the next time I head up Fromme. Another thing to consider might be to have signs on the way up since there are so many lines crossing there; Jerry Rig, Peugeot, Grannies and Oilcan - not to mention a few other skidder roads it seems. If encouraging people to climb that way is on the agenda it would be a good idea to help with some route finding.

Are signs still a good idea?

Lower Peugeot is in great shape for climbing right now (its easier than the DB to BP climb). Abelard Canyon to Lower Oilcan is still a hike, and with Lower Oilcan only three switchbacks left to fix to be 100% rideable up, there is a 99.9% rideable hill climb from Dempsey to the 5th/6th straitaway.

With all the discussion about alternate climbs on Fromme are signs still a good idea to help people find the easiest uphill route at the moment? Is the trail still called Peugeot from the Espresso, BP, DB junction, across Grannies to Lower Oil Can?
And when is the next official or unofficial Lower Oil Can trail day?

[heckler]

there are no official LOC trail days planned for this year, but you could get in touch with DrewM.

[the flying moose]

who the hell allowed splinky in front of a tv camera?

[heckler]

that's what the editor is for. I think they call it the "cutting room" in the industry.

[Oldfart]

yes,

or if you wanted to go up it from the BP.

Peugeot hits the Baden Powell at the Abelard Canyon bridge. Peugeot hits Pink Starfish just above that. Two entrances to Peugeot. One is at Air Supply which actualy is Peugeot but people didn't know that and renamed it. You go right up the obvious old skidder road but Peugeot is indistinct these days as it get's few riders. You gotta know the course. I rode up it a month ago. Well I rode about 50% and pushed the rest. Had to clear a few blow downs and such too. If anyone wants a guided tour, such can be arranged by PM.

[taprider]

I'll show you mine if you show me yours

see PM

[shirk]

Peugeot hits the Baden Powell at the Abelard Canyon bridge. Peugeot hits Pink Starfish just above that. Two entrances to Peugeot. One is at Air Supply which actualy is Peugeot but people didn't know that and renamed it. You go right up the obvious old skidder road but Peugeot is indistinct these days as it get's few riders. You gotta know the course. I rode up it a month ago. Well I rode about 50% and pushed the rest. Had to clear a few blow downs and such too. If anyone wants a guided tour, such can be arranged by PM.

PM sent

[Lofft]

If you don't want to do the BP after Lower Oilcan which trail is easier: Digger or Lower Crippler?

[Oldfart]

Tap and I rode up Earlcan last night but used an old trail that started at BP at Dempsey Braemar or what we used to call the reverse St Mary's. I am pretty sure that trail was part of the old St Mary's memorial XC race. But anyway it isn't any easy climb by any stretch. Tap rode way more than I did on the way up oilcan. But he missed seeing the sedis sport chain embeded in the ground at the last wooded ramp on the way up. I think it was a sedis sport but I had a couple litres of sweat flowing through the eyes by that point and the contacts weren't happy.

On Saturday I did much the same climb but I took a different route once I got a short way up Oilcan. Lot's of uphill trail to ride that wasn't too bad but not easy to climb and I did push a fair bit. But once I got to the top section of Peugeot it was pretty easy. Not a middle ring climb but pretty easily climbed in the granny all the way up with some route finding difficulties. We cleared a bit last night on the way down.

[Sharon]

If you don't want to do the BP after Lower Oilcan which trail is easier: Digger or Lower Crippler?

Lower Crippler

[SammyJ]

If you don't want to do the BP after Lower Oilcan which trail is easier: Digger or Lower Crippler?

I would say lower crippler. A few drops, some steeps and a sweet roller coaster but no real skinny skinnies.

[taprider]

reverse St Mary's... it isn't any easy climb by any stretch.

OK
its not easy like Cardiac and the Death Climb at SFU aren't easy, but the steep up portions are relatively non-technical and the rooty rocky sections are less steep than going west on BP

rating from easiest to hardest (although can completely change if trying to ride non-stop):

Mtn Highway, gravel portion

Mtn Highway, pave

St Mary's, going west to DB trail (if you have some trials skills)

Cardiac or the Death Climb on Burnaby Mtn, if it wasn't so long it wouldn't be so bad, so both together = higher difficulty

Reverse St. Mary's about equal to DB trail (the one with the chain saw carving at the top), but Reverse St. Mary's has less step ups

The Trail from Dempsey Braemer road to St. Mary's trail (I forget the name)

Lower Oil Can (except bottom switch backs) and my favourite climb now, although it becomes Hors Category if trying to do it non-stop without an aneurism

BP heading west from DB to bridge

[Oldfart]

Reverse St Mary's = DB, same trail. Sunday I did the same climb, St Mary's Reverse St Mary's (DB) across BP and up the one with no name which we did on Monday. Across over to Oilcan but kept on going across directly to Peugeot. I think I'll call it Fool to Climb as I was listening to Fool to Cry by the Stones on the way up.