Thread: WWMD? Trails in my backyard...

So here is the layout. I have 2 acres on a triangle ish lot with a ton of rocks/features, but more than enough room to move around. It's in no way flat enough to put in a pump track, but I would like it to have good flow, with some north shore junk to play on. The end if the triangle terminates at a road I can push back up to the driveway.

If you had a little downhill space to work with, what would you like to put in? What would be your concerns? It should be noted that none of my riding buddies (nor I) have trail building experience, or have any idea how to maximize the use of this small of space. But we do like to drink beer and ride bikes, so I feel more than qualified to run a shovel.

Some of my concerns/questions would be how much of a slope does the property have. In order to have decent drainage and some momentum for jumps, you're going to need some incline. Secondly, you said there are tons of rocks, whats the ground composition like? If you're just going to be using the dirt that is already there, it could turn into a huge pain in the ass to dig it up if its super rocky. Having a legit excavator would help.

I would start small and leave room for growth/bigger stuff later. If you try and tackle too much at once you'll never get a product you're finished with. Check out some of the online resources out there for building stuff. Plenty of free info and people willing to help out.

Sounds to me like you and your boys need to kill a case while winging it. Make trails similar to what you've seen AND try stuff you (drunkenly) think my work well. If it doesn't you only have to do a bit of landscaping to return it to normal... Wooden features can be a lot of work but sure up the variety. Sounds like you get a sweet opportunity here.

Here's what I did: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...hboyohboyohboy!!!!

My yard has a mild slope. Unless your yard is pretty steep, you might be surprised what you can get away with as far as a pump track.

If possible, build jumps that gradually work their way down the hill. Do a line of jumps that runs across the hill, followed by a big berm, followed by more jumps going in the other direction. Wood features can change the pace up and are a lot easier to build than dirt jumps, but I think they often get boring. You can only ride a skinny so many times before it's not really interesting anymore.

Things to consider:
1) Try to lay out the lines so you can add to them down the line. Leave room for hips and transfer lines wherever possible.
2) Consider drainage. Depending on what your soil is like, big holes with little drainage are just going to turn into soggy spots.
3) machinery makes building jumps way quicker.

start with one good jump, then add somethign else that will go fun with it. A log ride before it, a few banked turns, another jump after. Just start by finding a good spot for one feature you would enjoy hitting and it will grow from there as you spend time there riding you will notice things about the lay of the land and see where features should go.

In other words, kill a case and wing it.

forgot to add:
4) don't let your homeowners insurance know what you're doing.

Solid advice. Kinda what I planned on with the boys anyways, drink beer, start at the top and work our way down.

The property has a pretty good grade and I've been reading some articles on slope, drainage and the what not. So far, the plan is to split both sides of the house with in runs and try to have options heading down.

Pics for posterity...
The first 2 pics come around the left side of the house and into the main "yard". The rest show the slope heading down to the road. The pile of rocks in the last pic have some cool natural berm to heady roll off options.

Any front range mags want to go for an Evergreen ride, then come over, kill a couple and gimme some ideas?
I live at 73 and N turkey creek. Flying J (meh), lair of the bear and 3 sisters are all 5-10 from the house.

And the grade from what I can measure on GEarth equates to a 100' drop over 1/10 of a mile. I have no idea what that means though.

You've got some awesome potential there, but I'd bet digging will be miserable with all that rock.

Right?! I figure a rogue and shovel along with a rock bar would take care of the bulk of work I want to do now. Anything those can't move I'd like to work around.

This is also all contingent on putting in a 50'x80' Olympic sand volleyball court for the wife.

Welcome to the beach bra'!

Originally Posted by toast2266

forgot to add:
4) don't let your homeowners insurance know what you're doing.

What concerns did they have? Did it raise your rates? I live in a red zone for wildfires and have almost gotten dropped twice even after the ridiculous amount of mitigation I did. I'd rather not piss them off.

Originally Posted by ACheateaux

And the grade from what I can measure on GEarth equates to a 100' drop over 1/10 of a mile. I have no idea what that means though.

1/10 * 5280 = 528'

100' drop in 528' = +/- 1:5 --> 20% slope

at least it won't slide!


seems like enough for decent momentum through the fall line

Originally Posted by ACheateaux

What concerns did they have? Did it raise your rates? I live in a red zone for wildfires and have almost gotten dropped twice even after the ridiculous amount of mitigation I did. I'd rather not piss them off.

They don't have any concerns because they don't know about it. I've heard stories where people had jumps in their yard and their insurer came and did a property inspection. Apparently the increase in rates was enough that they tore the jumps down.

Originally Posted by toast2266

You've got some awesome potential there, but I'd bet digging will be miserable with all that rock.

this is the wrong way to look at it, my first thoughts on seeing that were sweet, you can build dirt features anywhere, youve got real rock to work with, get creative and use it, integrate it into things.

Threw this up last weekend. Have fun

I'm psyched that the current consensus is "wing it". I can do that. Now off to the fire station for some trail tools and see what happens when you mix one part drunkard, one part kegerator, 6 parts bikes and 3 parts hand tools....

I smell a build thread coming...