New big bridge going in on SOFT TACO ABB. tomorrow.

[Gary Harder]

Tomorrow sat , we fvmba are going back into the soft taco and putting the bridge in mid point.

Bring rain gear and lunch.
the entrance is roughly done ,log pier in place ,mid pier coming in with cement.
Bigger ,better and higher.
planked section will be getting a runging to widen asap.
Big time rain coming, later on in the day ,so we are starting at
9:30am-meeting mid point at skinny spur - "-skinny minny'--
and going in to prepare the bridging for the move.
Feel like helping come on down.
Gary

[Tom]

*curses cast on broken hand*

[Gary Harder]

Well we put a hard two days in and got very wet,but the main parts of the bridge are done.
It is passable,with one mother of a pier being made,it is big.
Took out the old bridge and reused one big section.
Last year seen the water going right over the old bridge which meant it's life would not be long,so the new bridge is definitely better.
I would have to say this is the biggest bridge we have ever made.
The mid stream pier has been cemented in cantilevered and joined.
With all the rain and a rain warning it will start getting it's testing right away.
I will post some pixs asap, huge job,but the payback will show in a sweet job. Over winter especially as Sumas is in limbo as we wait for the planned logging to start and finish (three week job) The Taco is seeing the love.
Mesh is making some sections doable,like the log ride etc..
Not the trail to check out in the rain ,but those who haven't rode this gem will notice all the work which over the last year or two has started to put flow into a area with trailsy beginnings.
g
Wonder how all the material to make this bridge got in??
Sore arms/backs will tell the tale,cement heavy ,big cedar beams ,and lots and lots of spiral spikes.
Come spring this trail will be worthy to check out ,seen more hikers than bikers lately on it. One family told me they tell only those worthy.
As a trail so close to Clayburn village we are committed as always to mainstreaming the Taco,one of the prettiest natural trails around here.
g

[Gary Harder]

Thought I'd throw this in,
Had a great weekend,it was truly so fun.
At one point laying in the mud with my legs and friends legs as we ,
put the power to it to move our latest rock for a start to the bridge.
Heading out today to get a couple of pixs,that and to see what everything looks like after the storm.
g

[stillgoing]

[enduramil]

Nice.

[stillgoing]

[rockymountainrider]

Bridge looks super solided that center pier is huge

[Gary Harder]

tomorrow MONDAY rain or shine,big work day on Taco as we continue to work to finish this mother.
It will most likely rain all day but whatever,rain clothes thermos of coffee,chainsaw.
Big mucky men,big white smiles, when the weather get nice I'd rather be riding so work in the crappy weather ,dress warm.
help welcomed most likely 10-4pm ,look for the vehicles parked at the mid way point (looking over the bank you can see the laddered skinny spur called
"skinny minny".
g

[Mic]

Before i came down to the last pic, i thought - boy, why don't they ride through this...thought it was nice and easy to ride.

[Gary Harder]

You should see the water now,at least twice as much flowing through,or should I say it's RAGING.
Pier looks rock solid,but we shall see if mother nature is testing us as more rain is forecast this week.
My camera died so no pixs on the lastest work,but I will send more in.
The Soft Taco, will be ready for spring,our goal is to take some of the teeth out of it without making it toothless.
Mesh has made some of the log rides doable(we couldn't even walk it before in the wet,green slime on cedar) "DucK" will be laddered and some stunts put on further up,with go arounds.
As the pressure on Ledgeview increases and houses continue their relentless pace Lost Oakleys/Taco will become more mainstream . At one time we call it doing the Trilogy, Ledgeview/Oakleys/Taco, 2 and a 1/2 hour ride then home.
The Taco is one of the most prettiest least used trails around Abby,but
it has been built in the park.
I doubt we will ever see houses try and take it out,that has always been the plan. Steep,slimy at times(Taco should only be ridden in the dry,you have been warned)
Lately some woodpeckers are taking it to a couple of dead trees ,right besides the trail,as well as a young bald eagle looks like he has started making this area his home.
I am going to start posting more pixs of Taco and Oakley.
If I can figure it all out may even post a short mpg of it.
The water was literally roaring this week,felt pretty good sitting there having lunch. Look to some bench's being installed as the winter go's along.
Thanks to the latest renditions of bikes (Disc's- fat tires)it has made the trail easier,BUT this trail will always have a certain amount of intensity,due to the steepness of the terrain .
g

[Gary Harder]

Another sweet work day as Trevor O and I continue our wood bitching/then building.
I have sent some photo's of the latest work as this mother of a bridge just keeps on getting bigger and more complete.
A fortune in galvanized spikes ,but it will be strong and safe,nice and wide.
Once we are all done the final chainsawing will make put it to it's final shape.

A invite to all riders,---
With all the lousy weather, we are going to make
EVERY SATURDAY work days on Taco 10am start's.
Meet mid point ,or just listen for the hammering /chainsawing as we the bridge work continues.
Bring warm rain clothes and food,got all the tools we need .
Soft Taco ,just E. of Clayburn village.
Pm me .
G

[stillgoing]

Go Trevor!!!!

Now, here's alot of yellow cedar!!:



In case you're wondering, this is what the old bridge looked like before being torn down and the new one put in:

[TeddyK]

Wow, really good work guys. I have to get down there some time. And I may show up to do some help before a Sumas ride.

[Mic]

wow - as in "really solid craftmanship". I am beyond impressed. this is by far one of the nicest things built for mtb ing i have ever seen.