Swope Notes

A couple things in the works and general info.

1. We've scouted and had some corridor clearing help from Skills USA volunteers on phase 3. We will start knocking out new trail in November. The guess is that phase 3 will be around 2 miles. The trail will be similar to the orange rock face trail but will also have a more beginner friendly loop as well. Remember, we have at least 16 miles on tap for Swope as well as the connector to BRP to build in the next few years. Can you say 50 miles of mtb trail in the middle of KC?!?!

2. We've had several questions on how much trail we currently have. According to our measurements we get 3.4 miles (but I swear it feels like more). You results may vary.

3. Heads Up...there have been some break-ins at the main trailhead. Use your street smarts and keep valuables hidden, cars locked, think about checking on your vehicle after finishing laps, etc . If you see suspicious activity make sure to get a make/model and license plate number. There have been reports of a red Ford SUV with large chrome rims in the area around the time of the break-ins. KC Parks has been alerted to the situation and is working on solutions. They are very concerned about this and are doing things behind the scenes to make the area more secure.

4. Shoffner is leading a ride every Thursday night at Swope weather permitting. And on certain Thursdays, he's hosting the "Thursday Night Throwdown". More Info----> http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9461

5. We will be hosting a MTB, CX, and Trail Run on the Swope trails in September. This will be a fund raiser for equipment, fuel, and supplies for building trail at Swope. If you like riding, running, and/or hiking Swope, please try to make it out for this good cause. More Info---->
http://www.heartlandrace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34

6. Trail Names...orange is going to be "Wudchuk Run" after the KC Wudchuks who've been exploring the Blue/435 corridor for years. If you don't know the KC Wudchuks, you should. The super-rocky technical section on blue will be named "8Pins" after the 8 pins that now reside in someone's hand. Otherwise, we're open for suggestions. We're looking for original names, something with some meaning, etc. Email us, and we'll consider it. If you have a story to go along with the name, even better.

Phase 2 OPEN and Party in the Park

Phase 2 is now open and ready for business. The trails are in great shape and ready to rip. We have a few little projects to finish before it's 100% done, but it's ready for summer riding.

Also, this next Saturday is the KCMO Parks "Party in the Park"...come join us for some fun from 8a-11a for rides of all levels. More details to follow.

http://www.kcmo.org/parks.nsf/web/swopeparkday

ENJOY!

Quick Update

We've been quitely working on phase 2 while also doing some 24hr racing in WV. We had a huge workday with volunteers from Skills USA (http://www.skillsusa.org/) last Friday. Huge thanks to everyone who helped out...great folks and hard workers.

Once we finish 2 big sections, we'll get the trail opened. After that we'll just have a lot of little things to refine over the next couple months.

Work Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend of work! Absolutely amazing.

Saturday's Work Crew:
Andrew ?
Ron Acklin
Scott Capstack
Frank Ferguson
Jesse Gross
Greg Rupp
Travis Stephens
Craig Stoeltzing
Charley Viehland

Saturday we had a great crew that destaubed, built 2 creek crossings and did some major bench work. It rides butter smooth now.


Sunday's Work Crew:
Greg ??
Aaron Alderson
Ron Acklin
Scott Capstack
Scott Cotter
Steve D.
Nate D.
Deron Graham
Jesse Gross
Travis Stephens
Craig Stoeltzing
Ben Story
Charley Viehland
Kirby Viehland

Sunday's crew did some work on "the swamp", moved lots of big rock, reworked a couple turns, and built one hardcore monster turn.

Huge thanks to Charley Viehland for repairing our broken tools Saturday night, so we could have them to use on Sunday. Also, thanks to 180 Energy Drink for keeping us hydrated all weekend long.

Trailbuilding weekend this Saturday and Sunday (May 23 & 24)

Get your dirt on!

As previously posted on the swopetrails website, phase 2 is not open for riding due to some safety concerns while we're doing the build out. However, we're making great progress and with a good turnout this weekend we may be able to get the trails to the point where we feel they're safe for public consumption.

Saturday:
9a -1p...Trailbuilding

Sunday:
1p - 4p...Trailbuilding

Meeting Place:
Meet at the regular trailhead at the bottom of the hill. Once we have everyone, we'll drive to the top of the hill. Map of the trailhead is on the right hand side of the page.

Tools:
The usual trail tools...Rakes, Shovels, McLeods, Pulaskis, Rogue Hoes, Weedeaters, Blowers, Handsaws, Chainsaws, etc. If you don't have tools, come anyway...we should have plenty.

Agenda:
We will be working on getting the Blue trail finished. This will include some corridor work, rock work, and benchcutting.

Sponsored by 180 Energy Drink http://www.180.com/ Our good friends have supplied us with plenty of 180 goodness to keep us going for the entire weekend!

Phase 2 Update...upcoming workdays and PHASE 2 TEMPORARILY CLOSED

We keep knocking out a few hundred yards every few days with a decent amount still to go. We'll keep plugging away until it's done. On that note, we're looking at May 23 and 24 as work days, so pencil it in if you get the chance.



We have real concerns about people riding phase 2 until it is finished...they are many staubs, off-camber sections, and areas that may change drastically from one day to the next. So, we've posted signs stating that phase 2 is not finished and not open. Once we get to the point where we feel the trail is safe for all users, we'll take the signs down. But until then please heed the signs. We hate to do this but feel that it in the long run it is for the good of the park.

Work Weekend Recap

Wow! I'm still sore from one hard-core trailbuilding weekend. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was an epic weekend. We did some crazy rock work...but we stink at remembering to take pics of before and after, so you'll have to go see for yourself.

The facilities at Camp Lake of the Woods are sweet. There's running water, toilets, showers, etc. We may have to make it a monthly tradition to camp once a month up there. Work and/or ride, eat some food, camp, get up the next day do more of the same.

Work Weekend May 2 & 3 (this Sat & Sun)

Get your dirt on!

The legendary Possum Willie will be hosting a trail work weekend this Saturday and Sunday, May 2 & 3 at latest midwest trail destination....Swope Park.

Here's the scoop.....

If you've never been to the actual Camp Lake of the Woods (on top of the hill) you're missing out. There are some really sweet shelter houses, camping spots, the KC Police Mounted Patrol, a swimming pool, etc. We have permission to use a shelter house and camp this weekend. So, we're going to have some building, riding (maybe), eating, and hanging out with friends.

Saturday:
3pm - 7pm...Trailbuilding (come and go as you please)
8pm - 10ish...Eating, Riding, Telling stories and tall tales....maybe we can coax Pappy to come out of hibernation.
10ish...Camp

Sunday:
9am - 12pm...Trailbuilding
12pm...Riding

Meeting Place:
Meet at the regular trailhead at the bottom of the hill. Once we have everyone, we'll drive to the top of the hill for the weekend. Map on right hand side of the page.

Food/Camp RSVP:
If you plan to eat and/or camp Saturday night please RSVP by Friday at noon. Email swopetrails@gmail.com

Tools:
The usual trail tools...Rakes, Shovels, McLeods, Pulaskis, Rogue Hoes, Weedeaters, Blowers, Handsaws, Chainsaws, etc. If you don't have tools, come anyway...we should have plenty.

Agenda:
We will be working on getting the Blue trail finished. This will include some corridor work, rock work, and benchcutting.

Sponsored by 180 Energy Drink http://www.180.com Our good friends have supplied us with plenty of 180 goodness to keep us going for the entire weekend!

The latest dirt...

I got the chance to get out to Swope this morning to check on the trails. Phase 1 was 98% dry and in great shape. There are two wet spots that we will address in the next couple days. I'm optimistic that these will be some of the quickest drying trails in the region!

We've reconnected the phase 2 loop, so it makes sense again if you do want to check out the progress.

Tentatively, we are planning a work day for May 2/3. Details to follow.

Enjoy the nice spring weather!

Phase 2 changes and upcoming work

For those of you who have walked, run, ridden, worked on phase 2 don't be alarmed the next time you are on the trail. After careful consideration and generally not feeling the love for what we layed out on phase 2, we've done a major overhaul to the "blue trail" design.

You will be seeing major changes over the next 2 weeks and what you see may not make any sense for the short term, but we believe the new layout will flow better and dry out quicker.

Depending on the amount of work that we get done over the next week, we will be announcing a work day soon. Hopefully we won't get any April snow showers!