'Digging Dirt' Session No. 2

Digger has done it's work!

The rough cut has now been completed by the digger, leaving the basic bench cut ready for the second task day for the Velocity Rough Riders. Now it was time to get our hands dirty, and some back braking work was to follow.

So on the 8th July eleven members met at the new trail site at 9am to start the work. With shovels, loppers, wheel barrow and lots of enthusiasm as we all set to work. Levels and angles were marked out and the digging began. The ground was compacted at an angle for water run off so the trail could be sustainable, with hopefully minimum maintenance for the future

After three hours of steady earth moving, the park rangers brought up a welcome cup of tea and coffee. We took this time to stand back and admire our handy work. Next was the real test, Rough Riders first bend. To make a bend sustainable the slopes has to be correct to allow water run off so that erosion doesn’t accure, this sounds easy but for first time trail builders we had to get it right, and with the IMBA guide lines handy I think we cracked it. By the time 2pm came we all called it a day, so we could see our families and get a well earned bath!

The section we worked on was nearly complete, with minor works to be carried out. These minor works will be completed during the evenings in the week, as the day light is still on our side. The other sections will be worked on, on Sundays, when the Velocity Rough Rider team can crack-on and get this part of the trail passed off and opened ready to be ridden, we then can move on to the next part of the park.

Once again a big thanks to all helpers and a big pat on the back to you all!