Here's a progress report on where I'm at with the reclaiming and redesigning of the (very) old Charles Darwin MTB trail. This section of trail fell out of use several years ago, it used to drop off the open area opposite the large steel shed below the lookout and cover much of the southern and eastern side of the park. Unfortunately in many places the trail disobeyed the basic rules of sustainable trail design so I've made some changes to make it more sustainable and ecologically friendly.

One of the first rules of building sustainable trails is to avoid the 'fall line'. This is the path that running water will take down a slope and results in major erosion like ruts and loose rocks. Where possible I've rerouted the old trail to avoid the fall line while still trying to make use of what little elevation we have. That's why you have to ride up those muscle-pumping technical switchbacks!

When I started this project one of my objectives was to connect some small isolated trails that were still in use to the main Charles Darwin MTB trail. My idea was to create one complete trail network that is ridable by all levels of rider in both directions and makes full use of the area that Parks and Wildlife has given us. I've walked or ridden nearly every hill and gully, fire trail and single track to try to gain a feeling for what sort of trail the terrain will support. I will be the first to admit that my design is not the only possibility nor that it is the best one possible however I feel that I can make a valuable contribution.

Thanks to the efforts of many people, especially Aaron, Bill, Steve the new trail is about 90% complete! The areas yet to be completed include some very thick grassy sections and some very rocky sections both which need volunteers with lots of energy and love to ride sweet single track! If you can assist in way please come along to our next working bee at 4:30PM on Saturday 1st December, meeting at the DORC bunker on the service road (down the stairs). I'd recommend a McLeod or firefighter's tool (all you need to make sweet single track!) if you've got one but we do have club tools you can use. (We could really do with a couple of line-cutters and a chainsaw...anyone?) Don't worry if you don't know much about trail-building as most of it is just sweat and elbow-grease however if you want to learn there are some great tips on the following link http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/. Try reading up on bench cutting, grade reversals and rolling crown switchbacks!

Finally, next year, DORC in cooperation with the Dept. of Parks and Wildlife, will be focusing on redesigning some features of the existing trail in the northern and western areas of the park to correct some erosion problems and trail-sharing issues.

See you on the trail,
Kyle Bawden