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Post by Angela on Jun 3, 2012 12:53:33 GMT -5
We are in the planning stages for a work party at FATS for Saturday, June 23rd (was brought to my attention the 16th is on Father's Day weekend). Scope will primarily be lopping and mowing (with the rain that we have had and nearly three more weeks of growth the timing should be perfect). Given the 36 miles of trail we will be identifying in the next week the areas that need DR mowing or use of the hedgers and which areas are sparse enough that feet on the trail will be the best option. We need a lot of volunteers just giving people a heads up so we can plan for the work based on the number of people who can help. Probably be an 8 to noontime work party with hot dogs and sports drinks afterward up at the south trailhead parking lot. If you can help or have questions you can respond here or email sorba.csra@gmail.comMore details to follow as the plan develops.
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Post by Angela on Jun 4, 2012 6:13:32 GMT -5
We did a scouting ride of Great Wall and Skinny yesterday and there are a couple of areas of tread repair (particularly the first crossing going CCW) that we will try to do if we have enough volunteers. If not looks like riders will eventually be traveling through a canyon across this power line crossing If we don't get enough volunteers to schedule this work party in June we will try again in July (things will be grown up even more by then but it will also be much hotter!)
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Post by dgaddis1 on Jun 4, 2012 7:53:49 GMT -5
There's a non-rider down on the connector between Deep Step and Big Rock. Near to the road, will need a chainsaw. About a 2ft diameter tree, broke off a few feet above the ground and is now about waist high.
I'm in for the work party, we should be in town that weekend.
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Post by Angela on Jun 5, 2012 20:58:27 GMT -5
We will be drawing from the volunteers at the work party for 26 and 29 inch tires!
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Post by Angela on Jun 7, 2012 6:51:23 GMT -5
Don't forget to invite your friends who hike, run and walk their dogs at FATS - we are happy when all kinds of trail users volunteer! Just have them email us at sorba.csra@gmail.com so we can plan for tools and hotdogs needed!
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Post by joec on Jun 7, 2012 18:42:10 GMT -5
I intend on taking part. Let me know if you think you'll need some more equipment. I can bring along some hedgers, loppers, chainsaws, etc. I've also noticed some mini-canyons starting to develop in some areas (one spot on skinny in particular). What's the best way to go about fixing those?
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Post by Angela on Jun 7, 2012 22:19:48 GMT -5
Thanks Joe we will put you on the list. Yes we have a few spots that need tread work.
If you are interested in learning how it is done and participating, you can let us know that you want to be on the team that does the repair work on that first powerline crossing on the Skinny!
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Post by lee79 on Jun 12, 2012 22:53:48 GMT -5
I will be there.
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Post by Angela on Jun 13, 2012 1:52:22 GMT -5
Thanks Lee I will add you to the list!
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Post by Angela on Jun 15, 2012 6:07:45 GMT -5
We still need quite a few people for the work party on Saturday!
In particular it works best if the people lopping work in pairs since they will be covering a 3 to 4 mile section of trail. This is a great chance to invite a friend and sign up. If we have enough people the work can be finished in the 3 to 4 hours allotted - grab a dog and then hit the trail for ride.
Pass the word on to your hiking friends and other trail users.
We cleared trees off Great Wall, Skinny, Deep Step and the connector trail last night in preparation.
If we don't get enough participants....... we will do the tread work, mow/hedge the powerline crossings and do as much of the lopping as we are able. Lopping is the primary defense against ticks unless you want to load up with Deet - you brush against them and they hitch a ride. It also keeps the trail nice and tight since some riders will ride around things that are encroaching the trail.
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Post by Angela on Jun 16, 2012 9:09:38 GMT -5
Update for the work party! Right now we only have enough people to do the tread work on the trail, man the equipment that will cut the powerline crossings and lop one of the loops..... we need enough people so we no one will have to work more than three or four hours during the work party. Please recheck your schedule for next weekend and if you ride FATS regularly and can help please sign up - Thanks! Sign up at sorba.csra@gmail.com - you do not have to be a SORBA-CSRA member to help!
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Post by Angela on Jun 20, 2012 6:47:37 GMT -5
We have picked up a few more volunteers but still need a few more for the work party on Saturday - pass the word on to others - a lot of people ride and enjoy FATS would love to see some new volunteers signing up to help. Remember lunch there will be lunch after this work party - hot dogs, chips, sports drink and we will draw for a pair of 26 and 29 tires as well. Sign up and bring a friend................. sorba.csra@gmail.com Read more: sorbacsra.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=FATS&thread=2978&page=4#ixzz1yKinpZ4g
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Post by crockpot2001 on Jun 20, 2012 11:41:50 GMT -5
Sorry for the late response. I've needed to evaluate my workload before commiting. I'll see you on Saturday.
Crockpot2001 = Stan Crocker
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Post by Angela on Jun 20, 2012 22:49:01 GMT -5
Thanks so much Stan - see you Saturday!
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Post by Angela on Jun 21, 2012 6:23:27 GMT -5
It's not too late to volunteer - thanks to everyone who has stepped up so far. If all the volunteers show up we will have enough to do the tread work, run both DR mowers and hedgers (needed for the power line crossings), and to lop three of the six loops!
Continue to spread the word to other mountain bikers who might be willing to step up. We typically schedule a large work party at FATS just once a year - remainder of the time the work is done by small two and three person work parties as needed.
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Post by Jmyers on Jun 21, 2012 6:43:06 GMT -5
Most likely will be there, will give a more definitive answer no later than tomorrow.
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Post by Jmyers on Jun 21, 2012 19:36:09 GMT -5
Most likely will be there, will give a more definitive answer no later than tomorrow. see you saturday morning at eight.
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Post by Angela on Jun 21, 2012 23:28:18 GMT -5
Thanks so much!
Picked up two more volunteers during the Thursday ride tonight too!
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Post by Angela on Jun 23, 2012 22:19:04 GMT -5
Great work party today - here are some of the highlights: - 34 volunteers showed up to work on the trail
- Volunteers came from the mtb, running and hiking communities
- Some of the upper and lower Skinny had tread repair
- Lopping was done on Great Wall, Tower, Skinny (upper and lower), Deep Step, Connector Trail, and Brown Wave
- Power line crossings were mowed or hedged on BW, Skinny, DS, GW
- Mile markers were put in place on Great Wall and Deep Step
- Area around the bathrooms were cleaned up
- Forgot to add that the Lamberts took and axe to the 2 trees down on the Tower Trail!
We had problems with one of the DR mowers so the lower Skinny from the 2nd crossing clockwise needs a little work. Also a cranky string trimmer caused a late start on the Brown Wave, went back in with a hedger as soon as one became available but still have a little work to be done on the approximately one mile section going CW from the first power line crossing! Everyone came back and enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, some desert and a much deserved rest. These volunteers worked so hard in the heat and accomplished so much! One volunteer told us, everyone who rides these trails needs to come out and volunteer at a work party. It definitely makes you appreciate how much work goes into trail maintenance. We could not agree more! We have 2 new members and a couple of pending members as of yesterday and 15 of the new FATS stickers were distributed! Met a lot of new people from all over and passed out sports drinks to a lot of very hot trail users! Thank you! Matthew K. - grillmaster!
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Post by Mark Y. on Jun 23, 2012 22:35:00 GMT -5
It was hot, but a great workday. It was very gratifying to see so many people come out to support our efforts. A number of riders showed appreciation as they rode through, so I hope we can count on them in the future to pitch in. Grandpa said "many hands make light work", and today's accomplishments are evidence of that.
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