New section of trail on race trail is open, but more finish work will be done over the next few weeks. This Thursday mid day is on for work.
There have been some complaints and concerns from a small group of mountain bikers. Just clarifying here that the reason for re-routes was to upgrade to sustainable standards when repair was not possible ( bad alignment ). Much of old trail was showing early signs of erosion. It also did not comply with 50% rule and had gotten really wide in spots as people started to ride where they could to avoid sections that had lost soil and become very rocky. The 50% rule is that trail grade should not accede 50% of side hill grade. When it does, water flows down trail and takes away soil leaving a low or cupped trail. This is science and not about social habits or ride ability. Two of the 3 mini re-routes were actually re-routes of re-routes. So technically, the old trail was less than 15 years old and already starting to show early signs of erosion from trail layout. Much of what we know today about trail building was learned in 2009 after those 2005 re-routes. The race trail, as bike specific, is our priority to update and maintain in th eyes of the park. We think this is in the best interest for mountain bike access. Science has been evolving and we too learn from experience. We have learned that bench cut trails keep riders on trails and discourage quads. More information is available to us now, and we humbly accept that and wish to move forward.
Also, as much as we love rocks and tech, we have become more about being inclusive and want to encourage the next generation and future stewards. We do take feedback from many mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, Jorba staff , park staff and state level staff. We can not please everyone with every trail, but we try to create enough diversity to keep all happy. So, we encourage anyone interested in becoming a trail steward, to get involved. Art and I will not be around forever, and we would love to help some new blood get started.