Yeah, it has been a while.

Well, I finally have gotten around to getting a new map out. This map includes the completed new loop that was an out and back last riding season. Of course, we have been done with the loop for a while, but with an injury, work and other stuff I haven't gotten around to getting the new map posted. Thanks, as always, to Neale Shour for the map work.

Note: The markers #17-21 have not been placed in the field, but we wanted to get the map done. The markers should be placed in September.

Also, watch for the field loop to be improved. We have some new equipment that will allow a uniform spraying of the field that will give a nice wide trail to prevent rutting from grass roots.

Update on the Out-n-back

Thought I should update the blog a bit. I have been slacking on keeping this up to date.

There has been a lot of trail work getting done this fall. The weather is good and we have had a lot of people stepping up and helping out. Most of the work has been on the out-n-back trail that we didn't finish last year due to the bad winter. Here are a few photos of some of the features on this section of trail. This trail is consistent with much of SWW, twisty singletrack with some technical features. The trail will have some longer stretches of open trail with more flow before it is finished.

Elevated walkway over a soggy area. Thanks to Ron Bodine (pictured)

and Buzz Taylor.

A nice example of vertical armoring, a sustainable trail practice.

Can't remember everyone that worked on this, but I know Tim King and

Clay Lozier worked pretty hard on it. Thanks guys.

Clay's favorite tree. Easy to ride under and looks pretty cool on a night ride.

A nice stretch of benchcutting on a neat little section of trail.

Skinny

Nature happened to give us a big solid tree across the trail, so we thought we better do something with it! Clay, Neil, Buzz and I finally got it finished.

This is a rock run-up on one side. The rocks aren't

as big as this photo would make them seem.

There is a dirt run-up on the other side.

Making the first few cuts.

"No, really honey, I am out in the woods doing trail work."

Continuing Improvements

Thanks to John, Steve and Kevin today we had some significant maintenance done to the trails. The city was kind enough to deliver some gravel and we got it moved into some of the soggy areas. We also did a little bit of armoring, some chainsaw work and flagged a couple reroutes.

It is great to have young, strong guys show up to help!

Just a little bit of armoring for a wet spot.

The guys willing to spend a "day off" earning their dirt!

The dingo is a great way to move gravel. It beats a shovel

and wheelbarrow hands down.

Second Try

Having trouble with link to new map, so I will upload it here for easy downloads.

New Map!

Once again, thanks to Neale Shour for being our "map guy". At the right you will find the latest map for SWW. This map includes the new section of trail. This is currently an out-n-back, with the loop to be finished in the spring of 2011 (provided we have a better build year).

Although it is a bit of pain to ride an out-n-back, this new section is pretty nice stuff and needs ridden! There are a few things to tweak on it, but it largely finished until you come to the pile of deadfall that marks the turn around. Oh, and we conveniently put that at the bottom of a hill so you get to climb back.

ERTA Receives Award from MPRA

ERTA was honored to recently receive a Citation Award from the Missouri Park and Recreation Association. We were nominated by the Liberty Parks and Recreation Department for the work completed at Stocksdale Park.

In addition to attending the annual MPRA meeting at Tan-Tar-A, we also recently attended a Liberty City Council meeting at which the mayor issued a proclamation recognizing ERTA.

Preview

Went out and GPS'd the new trail today since it is all flagged. There is a lot of work to do yet, hopefully we can get it done. There is still a fair amount of corridor to be cleared and then quite a bit of benching and some crossings to deal with before we can open. We need your help!!

Here is a GPS of the new trail and the existing, open trail.

GPS of the new trail by itself.

New Map

Here is a new map, courtesy of Neale. Just a couple of tweeks.

Kudos from riders

Some posts regarding Stocksdale Trails that have been found on the forums:

--I rode Stocksdale for the second time this morning and I must say I love the switchbacks I find it to be a very athletic romp with a change of direction every two or three seconds. I find myself more worn out after 14 miles here than I tend to after 24 at SMV. And the nice thing is even with it being a short course, each lap I found myself getting faster and that just made it funner.

--This was a fun ride, a lot of climbing it seems at times.

--I took my wife and some friends out there and we rode on Saturday. I rode the first time with all of them and then again by myself to get an idea of the flow with a little speed going. I am impressed with the trail. It's not an epic all day trail by any means, but it's a great start and I'm extremely excited to finally have some single track in Liberty.

--I have to agree. I haven't ridden SWW a lot until just recently. I think I've got more work hours on it than ride hours. I'm growing more fond of it all the time. Nothing suppa' technical, just fun flowing, short climb trail. I had a blast out there tonight rolling it on the single speed.