Phase 4 Update

Since we've had such great weather for riding this fall, we haven't made a lot of building progress, but we'll be starting up full tilt in the next couple weeks.

Due to safety concerns on unfinished trail, we've closed the entrances to the new phase 4 trail and posted "closed" signs.  We have also closed the race loop used for the KC Cup race.  It was legacy trail that was not sustainable long-term but left open for the fall so we could enjoy it.  However, we've made enough progress on the phase 4 trail that it was time for the temporary trail to go.

Once completed, the additional 3 miles of Phase 4 will make Rancho-D-Lux into a complete loop of fast-flowy trail.

Stay tuned for work days in the near future.

Managed Burn, Dec. 3rd + other notes

FYI...just so everyone knows weather permitting a managed burn will take place Friday, December 3rd in the Camp Lake of the Woods area.  Some sections of trail will not be accessible during this time.  Everything should be good to go by Saturday, the 4th.

Also, thanks to everyone for coming out last month for the workday, between our group and KC Wildlands we had approx 130 volunteers working in top of the hill that day!  We will have a couple smaller workdays in the days ahead to continue working on Rancho D-Lux...stay tuned for details.

Swope Trails Work Day, November 6

Rancho D-Lux (easier/faster trail) has been growing steadily for the last couple years...here's your chance to pitch in for the final push to complete the Ranch D-Lux loop.   We hope to have the full loop done sometime this winter and already have a good chunk of corridor and bench work started.

This Saturday we will be doing corridor clearing, destaubing, and dirt/rock work. If it's your 1st time or you're a master trailbuilder come out...we have lots of work to do and will have something for everyone.

Meeting Place:
Hogan/swimming pool at Camp Lake of the Woods on top of the hill. From the main Swope trailhead, drive up Oakwood Drive, take a left at the "Y" and continue on about 300 yards. See map on the right hand side of the page for directions to the Swope Park trails.

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.

Recommended Clothing:
Long pants
Boots/Shoes with protection
Work Gloves
Safety Glasses
Bug Spray

Trail Tasting Afterwards:
If the trails are rideable and/or hikeable, we'll do a trail tasting of the new stuff. Workdays are the only time you'll get a chance to check out the new trail before it's open, so come work then get your ride on!

Schedule of Events:
9am-12pm Trailbuilding

12pm-1pm: Lunch...Johnnies Tavern and Sysco will be providing burgers and chips after the workday. EarthRiders will be grilling them up, so plan to stick around for a while even if you can't ride.

1pm-4pm: Ride come and go as you please

Some of us are having a campout at the Hogan Saturday night if you want to join us.

Kansas City Cup...almost here.

Is just around the the corner....September 18th and September 19th.

It's time to show off the place we call home to the rest of the region.

CX race on Saturday, Sept 18th
XC race on Sunday, Sept 19th (UFD Federation Championship)

All the details are here, including course maps---->
www.heartlandrace.com
and
www.unitedindirt.com

And lastly...we have updated the Swope Trail map. Check out the link on the right.

Get Dirt!

SWOPE 101

Details here:
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12183

We'll going to lead a little ride for those who want to join. It'll be a nice easy, no drop pace.

We'll be going throught the alternate line opportunities, riding connections between to loops to become oriented to the system (figure out where you are!), discussing "best ways" and/or which direction to ride different areas, and I'll try to answer your questions about the trails the best as I can. Time permitting, we can do a hike on the newest section in progress (the finale of rancho deluxe!)

Sunday September 12.
2 pm
Main Trailhead

Anyone is welcome...newbies to people who ride there 4x a week.

Dirty Thursdays at Swope Park!!!

MTB-KC Presents:
Dirty Thursdays at Swope Park!!!

Who: Cyclocross and mountian bikers alike!
What: Dirt crits, short track MtB, cyclocross, call it what you will!
When: 6:00 pm, Thursday evenings, July 15—October 28
Where: Swope Park, Camp Lake of the Woods
Why: Why not?
Cost: $0

Format: Show and go, Format/course direction will change weekly

PLEASE MEET AT THE TOP OF THE HILL AT CAMP LAKE OF THE WOODS BY 6 PM THURSDAY EVENINGS IF WANTING TO RACE (near the Hogan)!!! YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO PARK AT THE MAIN TRAILHEAD AND RIDE THE HILL UP. ALL RACES ARE SUBJECT TO THE WEATHER/COURSE CONDITIONS.

Questions: Brett Shoffner, 785-nine79-too706, bscm8 (at) umkc.edu
mtbkc.blogspot.com for more.

Quick Update

Yes, it's true...we've opened part of phase 3 for your pleasure/pain.  We will continue to work on the remainder of the loop over the next couple weeks.  Also, the part we've opened isn't entirely 100% finalized, so bear with us as you'll notice some slight changes to lines over the next couple weeks...we're not dumbing down the trail...just doing planned work to aid sustainable trails.

The line marked "technical offshoot" is just that...there are technical lines with sally option lines around them.  If you aren't confindent in your abilities go for the XC Racer Geek line. 

Also, we'll be hosting 150 volunteers from Skills USA this Friday.  They'll be helping get as jump on the next section of singletrack we'll be building, so we should have a great jump on trailbuilding this fall/winter.

Swope/ERTA...Front Page news

Our "little" project received some great publicity today, with a Front Page article in the Kansas City Star.

Go here to check it out: http://bit.ly/9JTa54

Thank you VOLUNTEERS. Earn your dirt.

Trailbuilding this Saturday, June 12th.

National Trails Day was a huge success! We had 25+ workers who knocked out another good chunk of phase 3. If things go well, we'll have a short loop of phase 3 done and connected to phase 1 & 2. We're shooting for the end of the month/first of July to open the remainder of phase 3.

Beginner trailworkers all the way to advanced trailbuilders are encouraged to come out. We'll have plenty to do no matter your level of experience.

DETAILS:
Saturday, June 12th, 8a-12p Weather should be about perfect. Come and go as your schedule allows. If you arrive late we'll be just across Oakwood Drive from the main trailhead, so we should be easy to find.

Meeting Place: Hogan/swimming pool at Camp Lake of the Woods on top of the hill. From the main Swope trailhead, drive up Oakwood Drive, take a left at the "Y" and continue on about 300 yards.

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.

Recommended Clothing:
Long pants
Boots/Shoes with protection
Work Gloves
Safety Glasses
Bug Spray

Trail Tasting Afterwards:
If the trails are rideable and/or hikeable, we'll do a trail tasting of the new stuff. Workdays are the only time you'll get a chance to check out the new trail before it's open, so come work then get your ride on!

Trailbuilding at Swope....National Trails Day, June 5th

Earthriders Trails Association in association with American Hiking Society will host a trailbuilding day this Saturday, June 5th. With a good turnout we should be VERY CLOSE to opening phase 3. Also, we have some big news to announce!

For more information about National Trails Day go to:
http://www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx

DETAILS:
When: Saturday, June 5th...8am-12pm. Come and go as your schedule allows. If you arrive late we'll be just across and up the hill on Oakwood Drive from the main trailhead, so we should be easy to find.

8am-12pm: Trailbuilding
12pm-1pm: Lunch and Drinks provided by Earthriders Trails Association and Heartland Sports Promotions
1p-?: Ride/Hike

If you are planning to eat lunch with us, please email us at swopetrails@gmail.com

Meeting Place: We will be meeting at the Lakewood Shelter House at Camp Lake of the Woods which is just up the hill on Oakwood Drive from the main Swope trailhead, drive up Oakwood Drive, take a left at the "Y" and continue on about 50 yards.  See the map on the right hand side of this page for a map to Swope.

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

Recommended Clothing:
Long pants
Boots/Shoes with protection
Work Gloves
Safety Glasses
Bug Spray

For questions email: swopetrails@gmail.com