With our first Cross Country race just around the corner and the 24 at the end of next month were going to be shifting our trail work into the big ring. This weekend, weather permitting, we’ll be working on reconstruction all of our wash out sections. Work as much or as little as you like Just sound off here and we’ll get you hooked up with the when and where. If the rain moves in we’ll hold off, so keep checking back here for updates. If you want to do a little extra credit I’ll be heading up to the trail tomorrow at around noon to do a little house keeping. Feel free to join me!

First off I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to come out to Seven Oaks today to help our ailing trail. Ron, Kurt, Chuck, Mike, Chris, Paul and Paul all burned up half of their weekend to help us put things back together. BIG thanks everyone. I don’t know about everyone else but I had a good time.

Today’s project was to replace our two main bridges that were destroyed during the flooding this spring. Squirrel and the rest of the CITA crew were kind enough to build our original bridges. Five seasons later we’ve learned a few valuable lessons. Most importantly we accepted the fact that no matter what we do mother nature will see to it that at least one bridge will be washed down stream every year. Knowing we’re gonna be fishing them out of the creek once a season we decided to make the new spans lighter, longer and stronger. Here’s how our day went.

Our morning started with a trailer full of wood and tools.

With our larger than normal crew, assembly went fast.

For delivery we let gravity do most of the work. With a little coaxing they slid most of the way down the backside of the ski hill.

Out with the old.

And in with the new.

Again, thanks to everyone that made today happen. Without people like you this trail would not exist. Our next work days will be late next week. It looks like we’ll be at the trail Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday. If you’d like to lend a hand leave a comment.

In case you hadn’t noticed, registration for the 24 hours of Seven Oaks is open.  Bikeiowa has been kind enough to host our online registration again this year.  Be sure to surf over and get yourself signed up before the prices go up on August 16th.  Links to registration and race flier can be found at http://www.sevenoaksrec.com/24hour.html

This upcoming Sunday, July 13th, trail reconstruction will begin at Seven Oaks.  We’ve got a lot of items on our fix it list but it’s not too bad.  Nothing that a few well attended workdays can’t take care of.  Everyone’s help would be greatly appreciated.  No experience is necessary, and we’ll provide the tools.  All you need to bring is water, long pants and maybe a lunch.

First item on our list is to replace the missing bridges.  Construction of two 24′x3′ bridges will begin at 9am in lodge parking lot on the 13th.  After construction we’ll need to wrestle them down the rail bed trail to their new home across the creek.   If we have time left over were gonna move the old bridges to a new location.  They are too far gone to safely cross the creek but will still prove useful in repairing one of the fresh washouts.    Sound off if you think you’ll be able to attend.

The rain and flooding affected every one and every thing here in Iowa. The trails at Seven oaks were no exception. Not much to say so I’ll let the photos do the talking.

This 100 foot section of trail is perfectly intact. It’s just been moved about 10 feet further down the hill.

Both bridges were obviously washed out and neither is reusable. I’m thinking a ceremonial bonfire

may be in order at the 24.

This trail is just plain gone.

Two more spots to rebuild.

Reconstruction will start next Sunday, July 13th.

]]> http://sevenoaksmtb.com/2008/07/05/a-trail-of-carnage/feed/ http://sevenoaksmtb.com/2008/05/15/vacation-day/ http://sevenoaksmtb.com/2008/05/15/vacation-day/#comments Fri, 16 May 2008 01:55:30 +0000 ksedore http://sevenoakstrack.wordpress.com/?p=58

Sundays weather looks great to take care of a little trail work.  But were not gonna be doing any.  Sunday will be a vacation day for us.  We’ll have plenty of good days this summer to work on the trail. We’ll be meeting in the campground at the top of the hill for a little ride.  First wave will leave at 7am.    I’ll be sure we are back at the campground at 8 and again at 9 just in case a few of you show up late.  Remember, we’ll be leaving from the top of the ski hill, NOT the bottom by the lodge.  If you have any questions leave a comment, otherwise I’ll see you Sunday.

Today’s race at Seven Oaks did not go exactly as planned. Perfect trail conditions at sunup, yielded to greasy slime as rain showers passed over the course two hours prior to the start. Having canceled one race already this spring we decided to move forward with the race. At the pre-race meeting we let the racers decide how they wanted to proceed. We offered up a shortened mud friendly course, they chose to shorten the race distance to 2 and 4 hrs. Not knowing for sure what to expect twelve racers decided to toe the line and brave the mud. Bikes did get muddy, but for the most part we were told the course rode OK considering the conditions. I’d like to offer a big thanks to all the racers that made the trip over to Seven Oaks today. Whether you raced or not, you showed an interest and that’s what will help keep these events happening in the future. Second I need to thank the volunteers. No race worth riding in is ever a one person show. Julie, Ron, Troy and Andy are the ones that made this race happen. Now on to the numbers and a few race photos:

4hr

1st Andrew Carney 16laps

2nd Mike Johnson 15laps

3rd Bruce Reese 9laps

4th Kyle Williams 2laps

DFL Robin Williams 2laps

2hr

1st Taylor Webb 8laps

2nd David MacRunnel 7laps

3rd Chris Congdon 7laps

4th Jim Pratt 6laps

5th Jeff Pratt 6laps

6th Marty Garcia 5laps

7th Bret Zimmerman 1lap

Your eventual winner Andrew Carney

Followed closely by Mike Johnson

Robin riding where her husband won’t

Andrew pounding out one more lap

Taylor bringing home the 2 hour victory

Sorry ladies, but he’s taken!

Andrew finishing the race in style!

See you next time!

.

Just received report from Kyle, he is up at Seven Oaks and had this to say…

As of 10:30am course is tacky to dry and all bridges are intact - the course will be perfect for race day!

See you tomorrow!

The course for this weekends 3and6 had a rough night.  There were reports of 3 plus inches of rain Tuesday night in Boone county, but I’m not worried, were still looking!  No rain is the forcast for the rest of the week.  Temps well be in the 60’s and the course will be tacky fast.  Should make for a great day of racing.  I’ll be poasting again Friday am with an update on the tread condition.

Also, it sounds like a few of us will be camping out Friday night.   All are welcome.

Registration opens 8am.  Racing starts at 10.  We’ll see you there.

1. The weather looks good for the weekend but stay tuned to sevenoaksmtb.com for the latest updates.

2. Registration opens Saturday at 8am.

3. Entry fees are as follows: Solo 3 $35, Solo 6 $35, Team 6 $50 per team.

4. %50 of entry fees will be payed out to each class. Amount and depth of payout well depend on the numbers of racers.

5. All three races will start at 10am.

6. All three races will start at the top of the ski hill. Once at seven oaks(http://www.sevenoaksrec.com/directions.html) continue past the ski lodge on the gravel road to the top of the ski hill and take a left.

7. Contrary to previous posts, the race will be run in the usual direction.

8. You need to bring your own food and water to the event. There will be fresh fruit available but your still gonna need to pack a lunch.

9. This is a grassroots training race so the swag table will consist of what fresh fruit is left over.

10. Cam will probably win.

11. If you have any questions you can contact me at Ksedore@toyotadm.com

I’ll see you there!