Advice on building trail structures?

[DarrenNicoll]

Tough site. Thanks again for the advice and unexpected lessons. I'm not an angry guy and can't quite figure out the aggression some chose to show, but whatever. I'm an enthusiastic punter when it comes to trail building, trying to build something we can all be stoked on. Also I am not a fan of structures but need to build/shape a thing or two to smooth out the flow. Keep the advice (and criticism I suppose) coming as I would like to not f@#k these trails up. Respect

[playahata]

PM sent

[Uncle Duke]

Originally Posted by PembyRocks

But how much can you learn from words on a computer screen compared to getting out there in the woods and looking at existing work and how it is constructed? That's all I'm saying, not shitting on his parade. Sure the forums can tell you what tools you need but deconstructing feature builds to learn how to make them over the internet is pointless

different people learn differently...a person can def get a start from manuals, computer screens etc, going out and looking at structures is also a really good way to get an idea of how things go together...but def hands on exp is by far the best...

[syncro]

Originally Posted by dubprof

he didnt ask for that did he?

even if he had i doubt your post would have much different.

there's basically a couple ways to look at the op's post:

1. see it as an opportunity to make a difference and help steer someone in the right direction.

2. jump to negative conclusions and respond like an ass


if you can't or won't do #1, there's no need to be a #2.

[Jerry-Rig]

Take a walk down Ladies and Lower Ladies and you'll see how to build a trail... Structures and non structures. What I've learned building structures are triangles are your friend.

[dubprof]

Originally Posted by syncro

even if he had i doubt your post would have much different.

there's basically a couple ways to look at the op's post:

1. see it as an opportunity to make a difference and help steer someone in the right direction.

2. jump to negative conclusions and respond like an ass


if you can't or won't do #1, there's no need to be a #2.

and your god's gift to internet forums. Glad to see you chose to take the high road all high 'n mighty one. Go dig a hole and bury yourself. Of course - if you like i can try and provide you with instructions of how to do this over the internet, but somehow i think that if you went and tried it yourself and then maybe came back here with some purposeful questions looking for specific info ya might have more luck. But we might be so lucky as to actually have you succeed on you first try and well then - we'd never have to hear from you again.

To open a thread with the request for "advice on the dos and dont of ladder ramp bridge etc building" is moronic. You may as well begin with "how do i build a trail?" and hope for the best. You want to defend this guy be my guest. You culd even go up to pemby and help him out - but i've got a feeling he probably wouldnt even show up.

Need a shovel? Good luck digging your hole.

[syncro]

somebody pass me a tissue.

[biggles604]

I was going to come on and give my bit about building structures, then I was going to point out what an ignorant dick dubprof is, but it's not worth it, so I will stick to the original plan.

Like Uncle Duke and others have said, structures last about 5 years, if you build them, make sure that you have good drainage by the wood and have a maintenance plan. If you are doing a dirt topped feature, make sure that the water can drain off, and if possible, sieve the dirt first; with no rocks in the dirt, there is nothing to be picked out of the dirt which could start a hole.
We (Chris2, Heckler and myself) made a dirt topped bridge by splitting a 23' cedar log and then making a V out of it, braced it, lined the bottom of the V with rocks (which was 1-2" seperated), then we lined it with water permeable landscaping material and sieved dirt onto it. After a couple of rain/dry cycles, it's dried like concrete. Chris did something similar on Pangor last year too, and most people probably don't even know that they are on a bridge.

[hypa]

Here's one that I've had in mind to snap since the thread was posted. I finally hit the trail it's on yesterday, and snapped a couple.

Anyway, as you can see the whole structure is elevated.


The dirt is held in by the sides, and a strengthened floor.


As you can see, there is a lot of effort put into the design of this, saving a lot of work when it came to procuring and moving dirt.

Originally Posted by biggles604

splitting a 23' cedar log and then making a V out of it, braced it, lined the bottom of the V with rocks (which was 1-2" seperated), then we lined it with water permeable landscaping material and sieved dirt onto it.

Nice!

I need to snap a pic this afternoon of a similar idea a buddy and I had on my home trail. We built a rudimentary frame using slats on a "V" pattern to hold the dirt in. It works like a charm, and again, used a lot less dirt than a standard wood framed structure.

I really like the use to landscaping material though. If not for this thread, I wouldn't have thought of that on my own.



Take that, dubprof!

[mattbc]

Some of you need to lighten up. Every builder out there, seasoned or new, has built shit. It most likely wasn't built on purpose, but it was shit. And this is how you learn. I've built my share and have also learned from my mistakes.

Like a few ppl here have already said, start small. Have a little project and see how it holds up for a season. Also ride in a lot of different areas and look at the trails. You can gain a lot from seeing how other builders are dealing with certain drainage or slope stability issues. It doesn't matter who you are, you can always learn something new.

And go to trail days. There are lots of them everywhere and they are always looking for vollies. WORCA, SORCA, NSMBA, FVMBA.. they all have them. These are the best ways to get hands on experience and gain new technics for building.

[hypa]

On another positive note, Sharon posted this book in another link, and it looks like it goes quite in depth in the art of building.





You can get them from
http://www.imba.com/resources/trail-building

or Amazon.com if you want to pay $20 more.



Always remember, one day if you work hard, and use your imagination to build, you too will create a negadave approved burm-jump.

[Ozibatla]

[QUOTE=hypa;2688808]Here's one that I've had in mind to snap since the thread was posted. I finally hit the trail it's on yesterday, and snapped a couple.

Anyway, as you can see the whole structure is elevated.


The dirt is held in by the sides, and a strengthened floor.




I know the prick that built that.

[DarrenNicoll]

To open a thread with the request for "advice on the dos and dont of ladder ramp bridge etc building" is moronic.

Still can't figure this Dubprof guy out. I can assure you I am not a moron.......I don't think so anyways.

Already have the Trail Solutions book and it is a great resource for morons like me and other looking to build a trail.

[hypa]

Don't let it get you down man.
Put the guy on ignore, and focus on those of us who are positive about life.

Originally Posted by Ozibatla

I know the prick that built that.

He's a good character, that crazy builder. By the way, Bender rides like a dream from top to bottom. Well played, mate!

[Ship-it-fed-ex]

Build make mistakes, learn from your mistakes. Look at other peoples work see what works and what doesnt. There is not one builder that doesnt make a mistake you build something it ends up not working like you thought you can allways change it. Thats the beauty of building you can allways get better with the hands on work that goes with the labour put in. I think why people got a little stinky is because the internet is a great thing when it comes to learning a lot of things but building is not one. Yes you can share photos get some ideas even build other contacts from other expierenced builders and share some photos of stuff built and get constructive critism. Ignore the bad take in the good and dont be afraid to get your hands dirty, happy trails.