in CamRock (Moderator: TheMayor1)

Yup, things are really growing fast out here already. It's time to get the Trail Posse up and running ASAP!
If you are not familiar, these are the fine folks that keep the chain lubed and the derailleur tight. Or in real life, the trails trimmed and the raspberry bushes at bay Anyway, this troop has been kickin' butt for the last few years, and it is time to get things moving again this spring. These are truly the type of folks that all riders owe a ton of gratitude. The directly make the CamRock trails awesome! And as always we are in need a few more good folks to keep things running smoothly.

So if you think riding the CamRock trails is a pretty fun thing to do. Or you are new to the area and want to be a part of the awesome folks who make the trails around these parts something to talk about. Or for whatever reason you missed out on this last year. You want to be showered with gratitude and free beer from your fellow riders. Well never fear! We just happen to have some openings so that you can lend a hand

Here is how it works: I set up a system to basically "adopt" a manageable section of trail and call it your own. This is yours to manage whenever and however you see fit. In other words, if you see it needs to be mowed, go out and give it a mow. If you are going to be out of town or super busy for the next month? No issues. Just let me know and we will find someone to help out. If things have slipped and it needs some work, I might send you a gentle reminder. But this is just a better way to divide the duties, not hand out any shaming. Folks here want to help. And once you learn "your" trail section you will have a better idea of the time of year, the effort, and the tools needed. I don't expect anyone, mostly me, to be perfect. We are here to ride bikes and have fun after all!

I will get you set up with access to any tools you need. You can take care of things as your schedule allows. No waiting for Trail Days. If you can squeeze in an hour before, or after, a ride, perfect! Or head out on a day the trails are closed and get some exercise maintaining the trails. I have divided up the trails into sections that should be able to be maintained 1-2 hours per month. Obviously the needed maintenance varies throughout the year depending on terrain and weather. Some months it might take way more, some it may take none. I try to lay that out in the trail descriptions. This involves basic maintenance a trail needs like removing sticks, lopping branches, mowing grass. Larger issues like erosion needing work days will still be tackled by trail crews.

So what do you get beyond being one of the cool cats, and the respect of your peers? Well that is pretty much it, other than the satisfaction of a job well done. While I would love, and you deserve, a free brewski from one of our sponsors, or maybe a trail maintenance crew party, I suck at getting stuff like that organized. So it would be a bonus if it happens. Did I mention that you will have the admiration of all of your peers 

So here is generally how it divides up. This is always a work in progress, so just post up if you want to help. Or better yet send me a PM. I have listed in red the sections that I know are taken for the year already. I will post up and update things as I get more information:

Trail Sections                                                        General Idea on Maintenance Needs
White River and Beaver Hole - Lots of mowing maintenance in summer mowing season. Little to none in off seasons. CamRock Youth Mountain Bike Club and CamRock Climbers Teams
Fat Tracks - Trimming branches to keep sight distances for two-way trail. Weed-wack south 100 feet before creek. Blowing leaves in fall. Minimal in off seasons. CamRock Climbers and CamRock Youth Mountain Bike Club.
IMBA Influence and Veritas Loop - Weed Whacker trimming and lopping. Blow leaves. Possible big storm cleanup in non-growing season. Thom Hineline
Area 51 and Outback - Weed whacker trimming and lopping. Blow leaves. Possible big storm cleanup in non-growing season. Thom Hineline
CORP Connector: From Expert woods south through Rip N' Ride to Roundabout - Lots of mowing from Late May to August. Lopping when raspberries are growing. Nothing after grass stops growing in late August. Roy Bailey
CORP Connector: From Roundabout north through Burr Oak Breezeway to Expert Woods - Almost all mowing. Lopping when raspberries are growing.  Not much after grass stops growing in late August. Could use a blow of leaves around November. Scott Mills
Cliff Edge - Mowing with weed whacker. Some lopping. Leaves in fall. Eric Moe-Phalkon30
Turn It Up, Stonefly, Corkscrew, Rattlesnake. - Minimal in summer - lopping/trimming trees. Fall and spring walk to remove sticks branches. Needs blown a couple of times in the fall, and possibly once in the spring. Dan Taitt
Would Chuck?, Mayors Meander & CR3 Kids Loop - Mowing in summer. Minimal trimming of sumac area and woods. Nothing after grass stops growing in late August. Camp 10
Beer Run, Beer Cave, Gettin' Started and Drop In - Some trimming with weed whacker in summer. Some lopping. Sticks and leaves in fall and spring. Pete Sonnentag

I tried to divide these up by amount of work and the tools needed. Like you can do all mowing with either a trimmer or the big mower. Generally you should not need both.
You and a buddy or two want to share the duties? Fantastic! Anything and everything that you think you can do will be a help. You want to adopt more than one of the above sections? Wonderful. You have an inkling to give even more and line up your own crew for large jobs on "your" trails, awesome! Like you see an issue with erosion and want to fix it? Great! I can give you the advice or supervision if you need it. Otherwise just let me know about the issue and and we will come up wit ha plan to repair it.
All the prairie trails will need mowing before the Battle of CamRock coming up on June 4th. Which essentially means trail work should be done by May 31st. But if you can't swing it this time of year, let me know and I will get it taken care of. The week before the race we will need effort from everyone available to get the trails in top-notch shape for the race. I really hope you can help out.
Let me know of any questions here. Or send me a PM. Or give me a call at 6:ZERO:8 7:SEVEN:2 7:EIGHT THREE:3. Or you can text me there as well.....OK, that's enough ways to get in touch with me! I think you will if you want to. Please want to

I will try to get the large tree that fell on Outback tonight.

I will try to get the large tree that fell on Outback tonight.

Thanks Mike!

I will take care of Wood Chuck, Mayor's Meander and The Kids Loop over Memorial Day weekend.

I will take care of Wood Chuck, Mayor's Meander and The Kids Loop over Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks for remembering about the kids loop!

I plan on using the mower and trailer 5/24 in the afternoon.

Scott

Thanks for the reply Scott.
I would appreciate if others can chime in and assure me you are going to get to the section you are on. Or vice-versa let me know if you can't so we can get others on it. Or even if you just need help to get to complete it as you are tapped out.
Things get pretty hectic leading up to The Battle and we need to make sure things are ready to go. It all gets a lot to keep track of.
As always thanks a ton for your help!

I'll try to get at Turn It Up, Stonefly, Corkscrew, & Rattlesnake the week after Memorial Day, probably Tuesday & Wednesday.

Cheers!
Dan

I'll need the mower and the weedeater Sunday morning (between 6-9 AM, rain or shine) for Wood Chuck, Mayor's Meander, and the Kid's Loop.   I'll also need the trailer  to get the stuff to the other end.  If that's an issue, let me know and I can do it another time.

Thanks Dan!

I'll need the mower and the weedeater Sunday morning (between 6-9 AM, rain or shine) for Wood Chuck, Mayor's Meander, and the Kid's Loop.   I'll also need the trailer  to get the stuff to the other end.  If that's an issue, let me know and I can do it another time.

Perfect post. And a good reminder to post up if you can what your plans are, what equipment you need, and when you will be using it. Nothing worse than making plans and you get here and ready and someone else is already using the equipment.

OK, I'm done.  Someone helped out by mowing a good chunk of Wood Chuck.  Thanks.   

I mowed double wide in places on Wood Chuck and Mayor's Meander.  WC, because the grass was already tall enough to lean over onto the trail.   It was too wet to lay it back with the hedge trimmer.  MM, because the damn Wild Parsnip is already as taller than the grass.  I want to keep that in check as much as possible.

And I may or may not have mowed the correct path through the Kid's Loop.       That was some thick stuff!

The DR was fine.  I put everything back on the trailer.

Cheers,
-Larry

Thanks Larry. And great reminder on the Wild Parsnip. We need to keep after that. Nasty stuff. Luckily it does not live all summer.

I was able to finish Turn It Up, Stonefly, and Corkscrew.  There are a few areas of Rattlesnake where the grass is pretty long.  I'm unable to get at that before race day, so if anyone has some extra time...  Othwewise I can get at it next week.

Cheers!
Dan

I'd like to start getting more involved in the trails, and can probably get out on a weekday every other week or so to do some cutting or maintenance. I think I had previously signed up but life/job got in the way, looking less busy this year.

I'll try to make it out for the group ride Thursday, try to remind me if I don't ask Chuck

-Eric (the tall ginger)