We need to start planning a dig day to sort out alternative section 1.
The old one is gone, I walked around there today and the ground is completely destroyed by tree munchers, couldn't find the trail.
The start of the trail that survived the felling is now buried under fallen trees.
Building in that remaining patch of forest is futile, those trees will keep on falling.
We need to mark out and clean a new line through the felled section however I don't know what the story is there with trees being replanted. Do they wait for a while or do it straight away?
We might have to wait until the works are 100% finished and re-route the club course temporarily.
Hi Max, Good scope to extend section two to the lower side of the existing entrance possibly with an entrance at the corner at the bottom of the hill. If section 1 is completely unrecoverable we could consider a short burst up the fire road from section one entrance into the fairly young forest on the left of the hill to section two. That said that section is probably a bit exposed for weekly racing. I'm happy to chip in with digging.
There are a few alternatives. We could move the start to the path leading into the climb up to section 2. Racers would complete section 2 and 3 before going down the trail by the tower across the road and up killer climb.
This is the easiest option but is not without its challenges, namely, plenty of punters walk up to the tower on sunny evenings. It would also add in a long enough climb into the course which would not be to most people's liking.
The alternative is to start clearing a new trail. Aside from the work the issue here is when will they be going back in with the stump grinders. It is usually a few years before they plant again (but maybe Rudolf can give a more informed view of what might happen next and when).
Start at finish line and go up hill and straight across down to car park fire road
Do section 2 as normal
Do section 3 but just cutting straight out near the end rather than swinging around to the left
Turn right up fire road and then left into John W''s trail.
Long horrific climb up to normal finish line
repeat x3
Would be great to incorporate my trail. I was thinking of extending it anyway to swing to the right at the bottom into a good climb back up to near the start by the vagrants camp. save that dirty climb up. Or head back into the forest about 30 40m up from the barrier, easy digging in there. A load of boys would smash out a trail up there in no time. Im all healed up now and just back on the bike finally and ready to get loose again... that trail called vagrants.
include me for the dig/rebuild or trail build, will make sure to there. For what it is worth, that climb from John W's trail is horrific, that would be misery x3 in a club league race, it would be great if there was another way..