Trail Project to connect Camosun to Francis King Park- Volunteers wanted

[Lister Farrar]

Trail building final push

The Hector-Prospect lake rd connector is shaping up nicely, and is already sought after by running clubs, and bike tire tracks are already appearing on it. Even the deer seem to like it. So we know it’s what everyone wants.

But it’s not done, nor really safe to use yet, so please encourage your interested contacts to come help get it finished. The switchback that worried most is shaping up nicely, but there’s still lots to do, just to use it for the cross fondo, and then finish it as a example of good, fun, sustainable multi-use trail design and construction.

We have only 6 weeks to the event, so pencil in Wednesdays at 6:00-8:00 am, and Saturday’s 9am-12 to get ‘er done.

This week I’m away, but Daniel will be there to answer questions and direct volunteers. Some tools up there. It’s easy now to see what has to be done, lots of great examples for all terrain. Thanks!

Here's the switchback. Check out the number of 100 kg+ stones at its base. These won't move even if clydesdales, cycling or equine, use it.

[Rolf]

More progress this morning, Lister. Daniel was there soon after 6 to put us all on the right track. I spent most of my time around a few neighbours who cycled over to help out.

The gappiest switchback is looking great!



I worked on the west side, trying to level out a particularly steep corner.



Alan opted for hacking away at boulders, proving that big problems can be resolved by simply chipping away, bit-by-bit.



Still lots to do over the next six weeks. I hope some of you other CrossFondo registrants can build a Wednesday or Saturday morning into your fall schedule. Pedaling through this part of the Fondo will feel that much sweeter if you've helped build a stretch of it!

[BenG]

Craig and I were greeted by a black bear while walking the trail first thing this morning. The bear was shy and wandered off slowly at first as we hollered, then galloped away as we called out some more.
We were hoping to see a few paw prints in the trail dirt, but couldn't find any.
Very cool to see some of the locals up close!
Ben

[Lister Farrar]

More progress this morning, Lister. Daniel was there soon after 6 to put us all on the right track. I spent most of my time around a few neighbours who cycled over to help out.

The gappiest switchback is looking great!



I worked on the west side, trying to level out a particularly steep corner.



Alan opted for hacking away at boulders, proving that big problems can be resolved by simply chipping away, bit-by-bit.



Still lots to do over the next six weeks. I hope some of you other CrossFondo registrants can build a Wednesday or Saturday morning into your fall schedule. Pedaling through this part of the Fondo will feel that much sweeter if you've helped build a stretch of it!

Thanks Rolf et al. At first I thought that second photo was Michelangelo's David emerging from the rock, but then realized it was Alan in lycra.

Matt, Craig and I were up this morning, and very impressed with The Switchback, since we could focus on it in the absence of male beauty. It's looking very ride-able, and the chipping of the rock looks like the solution. Thanks Alan for endangering your shins and calluses.

We worked on the west side switch backs and benching. One looks like it will need almost as much rock as The Switchback, but it appears there's quite a bit just above it there in the blackberries, if we get Daniels ok to cut it back an bit.

Next session is Saturday at 9-12. Come join us in this fun contribution to the ride-ability of the greater Victoria trail network.

L

PS Just got back from a kayak trip, and the trail work made quite a difference in my shoulder and arm comfort on long crossings. Who'd a thunk? A cyclist with upper body semi-fitness from building trails to work on my legs again.

Matt pulled all this rock down off the hillside for a switchback berm. Sprocket decided where it should go and says Matt got it mostly right.

Craig levering boulders into place on the next switchback down.

[Daniel]

The trail is looking great everyone. Excellent work! Glad Sprocket was there to guide things along.

[Lister Farrar]

Last Saturday saw a big gap in the trail filled; literally.

Here's Craig Smith rolling boulders like Sisyphus's nightmare. This (500 pounder?) anchored the new 'Can so! Causeway'.

https://youtu.be/ZCOVlMM0xvA

Filled in by a chain gang of these folks.

Next session Wednesday at 6:45 am. Still rocks to collect, mineral soil to dig and place on rock base, bedrock to chip flat (ter).

[Lister Farrar]

Anyone need a ride up to trail building tomorrow? I still have seats and can pick you up. Starting about 6:40.

[Lister Farrar]

Saturday trail report, Wednesday am session coming up.

Well, my search for an excuse to not go to trail building took a hit Saturday, when Yvonne Mendel showed up with her family including her husband Bastien, a still nursing 1.5 year old Margeaux, Leon, a 4 year old, and two Japanese exchange students they host. (You may know Yvonne as the driver of the Topaz bike park project.)

When you hear, "Quick, Margeaux's busy, i can mix concrete!", you know you're an underachiever. One of the exchange students, Shuta, moved about 6, 200 lb rocks 200 metres for a back side berm. I did manage to understand that he's been here a week, has another month, and likes to ski back home. His eyes got very wide when i told him a bear had been seen near the trail a couple weeks a go.

Re the concrete, don't worry that NTS is abandoning their aesthetic principles. It's for a reinforcement under the trail on the lookout, so the surface won't slide off the bedrock, that won't be visible.

Thanks to Tripleshotters Liam, Nicole, Rory, Alan (and his friend another Liam), and Craig, NTS's Dan, and Ian, SIMBS/Topaz/GVCC Yvonne, Margeaux, Leon, Bastien, Shuta and Kaz, from Japan, and a couple more i'm sure i'm missing.

There's still a need for rock and mineral soil collection. There are some tools and buckets there, but if you have them, bring 5 gal buckets, a pick and shovel if it looks like several people are going. Usually places to find those things are small, so only fit one person at a time.

You know you need the core work, never mind the trail.

[Lister Farrar]

The Hector Connector trail is now ride-able, end to end. This crew tested it for you last night.

There is still work to do widening and raising a couple corners for wider appeal, plus the restoration of vegetation along the route, and eventually a grand opening BBQ.

Thanks to all the volunteers from Tripleshot, SIMBS, Hector-Conway Neighbourhood Association, other neighbours from nearby, and of course the South Vancouver Island Nature Trail Society. The CrossFondo participants this Sunday are in for a treat, along with the public from here on.

[JTyre]

Thank you Lister, and all of the other volunteers!!!

I was out to help on the Hector Connector just a few times (much fewer than Alan or Rolf, for example), but enough to appreciate the INCREDIBLE amount of forethought, time, and execution that went into building the connector. For those trying to get from Interurban to Francis King it's going to be a mainstay for many years to come.

As for Alan, with the completion of the trail I fear he might plunge into a deep depression. We all know how he loves wielding his axe. Lets keep an eye on him - it takes village to raise an Alan.

[Lister Farrar]

The surveys are in and there are a couple places that need work to make them flow better. Nature trail society has one of their rock guys booked for tomorrow at 9. Wanna come roll some boulders? 9-22, 305 Hector. I’m driving up from downtown at 8:30 if anyone wants a ride.

[Lister Farrar]

Trail building report
We worked on the zig zag corner Saturday. Moved a ton of rock and widened the radius significantly.

I think this is where Greg F got his wardrobe secret wish. So thinking of calling it Flo-rat corner.

Youth team member Nicky showed up despite a broken thumb. Impressively he rolled rocks and carried buckets of soil one handed to be allowed out by his mum. If you’re riding the trail, watch for his hand made sign at the west entrance.

[Lister Farrar]

[Lister Farrar]

Trail work day Saturday Nov 24, 9-12. We're finishing the surface of new widened part of the zig-zag corner on the east side. When that's got crushed rock and soil on it, we'll be working on the steep corner on the west side. Lots of hands needed to collect rocks, find and dig mineral soil, and if that sounds too rigorous, the rest of the trail needs raking. 1 or 2 hours ok too if that fits your day better.

Excellent core workout and good feels after.

Come join us and maybe lunch after?

Lister

PS Be sure to park off the pavement on Hector if you park there. 305 Hector.

[Lister Farrar]

For inspiration, here's Kimberley Chen age 12 riding the big spiral corner on Hector east side. Don't let the fact that she also rides the next narrow zig zag corner below put you off coming Saturday. It really does need widening for climbing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR ... e=youtu.be

[Lister Farrar]

First ride up hector east:
https://youtu.be/wCRt_nIe3UM

[Daniel]

Lots of good work done today on the zigzag corner getting the large rocks in the right places and then getting all "Tetrisy" with medium sized rocks fitting them in place around the larger ones. We also did some beautification work on the spiral rock corner with the moss.

Next Trail Day (Dec 8th) we will be doing a small Trail Building Workshop. The focus will be on trail out-slope and techniques for getting water off the trail surface as soon as possible. Other skills covered include, grade reversals, nicks, and rock water bars.

As there is limited space for both parking and on the trail. We need to know how many people are planning on attending. Please R.S.V.P to kimwalker1328@gmail.com