Sunday, November 30, 2008

7 Streams Gets Some Much Needed Love

Jeff Blackman led a charge on November 29th 2008 to improve the most upper part of '7 Streams' XC Loop with an experienced group of workers.

 In his own words: 
"The trail work was done from Cush (the bypass around the log/ladder drop on 7 streams) to the first turn after the Y on the new section of 7 streams.  Jason Wells, Tom Kosmoski, Tamira Wayonfeld, Kelly Chambers, Dylan Chambers, Brian Chambers, Mike Scott, Doug Van Zandt, Tom McCulloce and Andy (of Oregon Parks) all got dirty filling in holes, diverting water, and smoothing out trail."







Today I got to personally check out the work done and its really nice and buffed out- all the problem spots are cleaned up. Awesome Job guys! 

Please donate to the Gorge Freeride Association by donating materials or money. Contact us via email at GFRA@gorge.net. Enjoy the ride! 

Saturday, November 29, 2008

2nd 8-Track Work Party Completes Upper Re-Route!

November 29th, 2008. 3 years ago, a huge windstorm destroyed upper portions of 8-track. The Bisset/Mudry Team repaired the trail and got it open. This summer around the end of June 2008, the logging began and destroyed everybody's favorite trail. You can ask allot of bikers- they will all point to 8-track as their favorite Post Canyon experience. 

Today, Dave Bisset and Jim Mudry again lead the charge to restore the upper section by re-routing a good mile of trail today. 14 total volunteers wasted very little time and created buffed out single-track that winds down to a old jeep road- and has a few more cranks now. Its going to be a very "North Shore" inspired run when complete. 
Follow the signs instructions and you will find the work party. Little orange flags lead the way.....
Tonic Fabrication Owner Landon Holt got busy on the re-route. 
Dakine's Chico Bukanvosky walking out after serious contribution to the re-route. Co-captain Jim Mudry cuts a real nice section. 
8-track is looking buff. WSFR's Raul made it out to work and contributed his extensive knowledge of the perfect "Chalupa". 
Trail Captain Dave Bisset giving the trail his personal touch...........
Suberb work fellas.....BRAVO! 

Dave doing a final sweep while Jim says "Where's my bike! This trail is ride-able!" 

8-track entry is still closed to the public. Please do not attempt to ride this until Dave and Jim 'officially' re-open 8-Track. There's still lots of blown down debris and some features are in need of repair, in another words- RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK! 

Please donate to the GFRA! email gfra@gorge.net to make a contribution in the form of materials or greenbacks.


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Progress: 8-Track Gets More 5.10ing

I went out solo today to do some "5.10'ing" out on 8-Track. This is a term when you use only your feet, you kick the ground and manipulate it. Using Lopers to remove stubborn roots, trimming vegetation along the way I cleared an estimated 150-200 feet of trail in 3.5 hours. At this rate- I see some early runs are 'possible' if weather holds over Thanksgiving Weekend.



Before 5.10ing the trail on the right, after some 5.10'ing on the left. 

Some nasty trail is about to get buffed. 
When you sit down for Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday, give 'Thanks" to the GFRA! Donate materials, any amount of funds to continue growing the Gorge Freeride scene. Contact GFRA@gorge.net for more information.

Happy Trails-giving! 
 

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Carl Warren Images of Recent 8-Track Work Party


Looking back from the new trail line- you can barely see the old 8- Track line if you look closely and know where to look...........

Builders need 'Builders Bars' for energy.  (r photo) MHFS Sinsei of Trails Jim Thornton making sure its done right from the start. 

This is where the new trail is going into A nice 'Vista Ridge' line.......everyone that cleared the trail said "there's endless options for features.
Doug Hopkins and Jim Mudry. 

Lopers. (r photo) NWSOF's Sam Pinner dropped off goodies, including passes to an upcoming event Dec 6th. Stay tuned for that post later in the week. 

Bring your bike on the next Trailbuild Day this Sat Nov 29th from 9am to 3pm. Bring gloves, food and water- tools of choice are lopers, McClouds and rakes.......soil can be 5.10'd its so nice and moist. (5.10'd is a term Dave coined after walking a section I worked on with just Lopers and kicking the ground in my 5.10's) 
Dave Bisset, leading the vision and bringing back everyone's favorite trail. (Note: You will still be able to ride the road over to Lower GP if you choose to....)

If you can donate to the GFRA, please email gfra@gorge.net to contribute to a growing network of trails maintained by a dedicated group of riders. Look up passion in the dictionary and you will find the GFRA! 






Sunday, November 23, 2008

Welcome Back 8-Track!



Today a group of Post Canyon loyalists showed up at 9:30am, met at the old 8-Track Midway and preceded to get busy cutting a whole new line from 1/2 down. The entry into 8-track will be exactly the same, just passed the Road Gap and beneath 'Extended Play'. Basically Dave Bisset explained to me that the trail is changing direction at the old 'Tetter-Totter" stunt, heading South to a feature rich line that will bring us back North on the old fire-road. 

Here is the new midway 8-Track line looking back up to Fire-road, this is traversing all the way South again, across the recent clear cut and will take you down into the tree line and down to the lower road which we will ride out to Family Man when complete. 

Props to Ringleader Dave Bisset, Jim Mudry, Jeff Blackman, Jim Thorton, Jackie, Doug Hopkins and a few 4 footed dogs that got out there today. 

Next 8-Track Build Day is Sat November 29th, there will be 2 work parties.
  • One at 8-track starting around 10am, meet at the midway road in the clear cut. Bring your own water, food and tools. 
  • The 2nd work party will be on Seven Streams being lead by HR HS Math Teach and MTB Advocate Jeff Blackman, his party starts at 9am and he can be found on Post Canyon Drive. Bring your own water, food and tools. 

If you have materials to donate- timbers, rock, money or time, please email gfra@gorge.net and somebody will contact you and collect it if it meets requirements (No PAINTED WOOD!)  

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Leftside FMX-The Miles Sullivan Show

Here's a clip I filmed tonight after testing out the new trail '3 Blind Mice'. Ever since Miles came home from filming the Red Bull Rampage in Utah, he's riding a whole level higher..........hope to see you all at the 8 Track Work Party Sunday!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

8-Track Work Party!



Dave Bisset and Jim Mudry is leading the charge to re-store/rebuild '8-track' on Sunday November 23rd, he will be starting work around 9:30am and can easily be found at the trailhead area. 

Bring tools, Spade and Flat Head Shovels, Mcclouds, Pulaskis, Hand Saws, Buckets, Rakes, Gloves, Water and Food as none will be provided. 

There is also another work party planned for Saturday November 29th starting at 9:30am too if you can't make the first one. 

You can also make material donations (NO PAINTED WOOD!) or monetary to the GFRA by contacting them at this email : gfra@gorge.net

"Sabatoge" to FMX/Chorus Jump Line

Recently during the weekend of November 15th and 16th 2008, a motorized vehicle did severe damage to the 3rd and 4th jumps on the right side of 'FMX'. The Hood River County Sheriff has taken a report and has an on-going investigation, the Hood River News has also done a story for the upcoming print issue and I will update with any web news once it gets circulated. 

We are asking anyone with information to come forward and help us find the person responsible for the damage

Tum A Lum Lumber has donated materials to fix the jumps and restore them. Douglas Johnson, President of the Gorge Freeride Association is the steward of the trail and has "CLOSED" the damaged jumps until further repair. Credit to Jason Wells of the IMBA for noticing the leaning take-off and investigated the jump before his group rolled the line. So kiddies, "Look before you leap! You never know what lies ahead in the trail!" 

Closed Jumps after damage was found. 




If you have materials or money to donate to the GFRA, you can email gfra@gorge.net

Photo's by Mike Estes/DH Image Factory