TrailWork UpDates
Last modified: March 29, 2012
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 3-17-17 / 3-24-12:
Spring 2012 The TrailCrew has returned!!
*This year there are changes to how we will be operating. We have some different Rules and State guidelines that we need to follow. Also, there will be some differences in my reporting via these E-mails. Not major changes, but some things may be noticeably a little different from before.
With that being said:
TrailBuilding 2012 began March 17 on the John Muir Trails.
TWENT-EIGHT Volunteers attended because they believe in what WE are doing and accomplishing, and want to Help make OUR Trails Better.
Meeting in the Muir Parking Lot at 8:30am (many were eagerly there at 8:00am), we began our Season with rekindling friendships via multiple conversations. While doing so, we enjoyed donuts and coffee/hot chocolate DONATED by Scott Rhyan from his Dunkin Donuts stores in Janesville and Newville. Scott is a Mountain Bike enthusiast and Loves the TrailWork done on the Muir Trails! He hasn’t the time to ‘turn the Dirt’ with US, so he Helps with what he can. His DONUT-ation was MUCH Appreciated! THANKS Scott!! It Helped to make TrailWork ‘Opening Day’ even More enjoyable!
The ‘Plan of Action’ for the day was to do some short ReRoutes of Trail Sections that had a history of Mud Holes, that had been repaired many times, but they kept returning. With these ReRoutes in place, these Muddy Areas should no longer be problematic (we hope). FOUR ReRoutes were completed; but they are not necessarily short! Three are on the Finger Loop, and one is just before the Finger.
TrailBuilding The Second Day, March 24 on the John Muir Trails.
TWENTY-THREE wonderful and caring people came out to Volunteer their time on a day that the weather didn’t look so good in the morning. Rainy overnight and cool early, turned out to be Great TrailWork weather by 10:00am. Layers of clothes were peeled off down to t-shirts as the day and TrailWork progressed. This days TrailWork was about TrailFixing. No Trail-BUILDING today, but TrailWork that is just as important – Repairing some Trail that has deteriorated. WE broke the Crew into Four Groups and tackled four different areas. Two Groups worked on the ORANGE Trail (from where the ORANGE splits off of the BLUE/GREEN/PURPLE/ORANGE Trail to where the ORANGE meets up with the BROWN/WHITE Trail) [alone the bog and up the hill] – one Group worked the lower section of Trail and one Group worked the upper section of Trail. Many ‘fixes’ were done on both Sections. Another Group went to the WHITE Trail and fixed several ‘problem’ spots and cleared four downed trees which were across the Trails. The final Group worked at the TrailHead making adjustments to the Trail at the beginning – mostly laying new gravel behind the shelter so that the Trail is tapered correctly and rain water runs off properly.
THANKS!!!…. to All who came out to Help – both days! The OLD Crew, and the New Volunteers who came out too! YOU are changing OUR Trails for the Better! You are ALL Appreciated!!
This Saturday’s, March 31, ‘Plan of Action’:
Meet at the EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot at 8:30am.
It’s now time to continue our efforts to converting the Trails at Emma to Fun, Exciting, Sustainable Trails. Our first days endeavors will be TrailBUILDING a NEW Section of Trail on the GREEN/ORANGE Trail, past where the BROWN Trail splits off, on the OutBound Trail (towards the OverLook). This is a Section that we had previously skipped over in completing the OutBound Trail.
Stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
And OUR Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 3-10-12
The 2012 Spring TrailBuilding Season will begin March 17th at the John Muir Trails Parking Lot, where we will meet and socialize at 8:30am. The Walk-Off to the TrailWorkArea will be at 9:00am. TrailWork to be done will be decided Tuesday with a meeting with the WDNR. Join US, if you can.
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 6-4-11: Final Spring Report
TrailBuildin’ WorkDay TWELVE National Trails Day
THIRTY-FIVE eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew along with other Volunteers who ‘jumped in to Help’, did some ‘different’ kind of work on OUR Trails on this HOT, sunny, Beautiful day. With the parking lot at the John Muir mostly full, and OUR Crew doing most of its work at the TrailHead, there were plenty of Volunteers to Help do something ‘Special’ – a WDNR “TrailHead Entrance Beautifacation” project. This was a day where the SKM TrailCrew worked closely with the WDNR to complete a project that would make OUR TrailHead more distinctive and safer.
‘The Gathering’ at the Muir had US standing and wondering what all the lumber and the piles of dirt and gravel were, that was scattered around by the TrailHead. WE soon found out! The WDNR had plans for US to Help erect an Archway at the entrance to the Trails and to spread gravel and dirt around to make a new, visually pleasing and safer beginning at the TrailHead.
OUR TrailWork Today:
WE erected a new “Welcome to John Muir” Archway that Helped to define where the entrance to the Trails was. WE also laid new gravel on the entrance Trail from the parking lot to where the Trail splits (going out and coming in) and continued laying gravel on the exit Trail for about 30 yards down the Trail – which was to cover the massive crop of exposed rock in the Trail that shook your teeth loose at the end of your Trail experience! WE also split the entrance / exit Trail with large rocks and a grass median to minimize the occasional head-on encounters. The Bike Rinse Area got a make-over too. A new fence surrounding it plus a paint job to make it more visual, with hopes that more Riders will use it to help minimize the spread of invasive plant seeds that cling to bike tires and then get distributed to other areas and Trails. Also, there was dirt spread, grass planted, and trees transplanted to enhance the beauty of the Area. AND….. WE even sent a ‘traditional’ TrailCrew out to the ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Area to fix part of the Trail that had started to deteriorate a bit.
Yes, WE were Busy boys and girls today!
After the WorkDay, WE all celebrated OUR Spring TrailBuilding efforts with free burgers and beverages at the Muir Shelter, provided by Mike Bettinger, the owner of The General Store in LaGrange. THANKS Mike!
During the ‘Celebration’, there were LOTS of conversations, a brief rambling speech by TrailBlazer Dave, and the ‘rolling out’ of the Dirty Dozen ‘Honor’ Banner. This Banner is annually mounted onto the side of the Muir Shelter to commemorate those ‘Special’ Dozen (or so) TrailCrew Volunteers who made the extra sacrifice to attend More TrailWorkDays than most. For their Xtra efforts, they also will be receiving a Free TrailPass and Free Parking Sticker for next year, donated by the SKM Chapter of WORBA and the WDNR. “THANK YOU….. you Dirty Dozen you!”
The 2011 Dirty Dozen : Richard Palmer, Jim Wiser, Dave Mangan, Vinnie Smith, Tom Bauman, Lenny Symkowski, Lucas Ribbink, Scott Nelson, Mike Skoine, Gary Anoszko, Mike Lindow, Clayton Ribbink and Joe Wiser. Again, THANK YOUZ GUYS!!
BUT…… without ALL of the other TrailCrew Volunteers, WE would not have been as successful as WE were, so, a BIG “Thank You” to ALL of them, as well!! Too many to list here, but WE Appreciate every one of them!!
WE averaged 27 Volunteers EVERY Saturday!! WoW!
WE Built LOTS of New Trail, replacing existing deteriorating Trail with LONGER, more sustainable Trail, that is a LOT MORE FUN!…. and actually Built real single-track Mountain Bike Trail, replacing double-wide old ski Trail. WE did Build Trail at both the John Muir and the Emma Carlin Trails – but most at the Carlin. AND WE assisted the WDNR with the New John Muir Entrance Area.
ALL GREAT EFFORTS by this Amazing Volunteer TrailCrew!
And the accolades keep pouring in! The internet blogs continually have Good comments from the Trail Users who are enjoying the changes WE have made. “The Muir-Carlin is a Great TrailSystem that just keeps getting Better! This singletrack takes a back seat to NO other Trail System!! Unbelievably, they just keep getting Better!!!” – Lee Borowski, Silent Sports magazine, May 2011.
…. And that’s because of YOU / US! Be Proud! YouZ did Good!
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Will Norris. A First-Year TrailCrew member who has done some outstanding work, and obviously had a LOT of Fun! He won the ‘Bag-O-Goodies’ filled with a large variety of Donated bike related ‘stuff’ from MANY different Sponsors. These Sponsors REALLY Appreciate what WE do, which enhances and expands the opportunities for the sport of Mountain Biking.
Anyway….
THIS WAS THE LAST SPRING TRAILBUILDING WORKDAY
During the Summer months, because of the hot, humid weather and the unpredictable presence of unrelenting mosquitoes, WE reduce OUR TrailCrew WorkDays to only occasional – like maybe once a month. Those WorkDays are usually not Building New Trail, but leans toward repairing existing deteriorating Trail Sections; but it also Helps to keep US in touch with each other and share ideas for the coming seasons. Look for the E-mails announcing another Organized TrailCrew WorkDay and Join in on the Fun?!!
Remember :
‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
“Become a part of this Incredible Legacy!”
OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
OUR FaceBook page : Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-buildingUpdate/344566429136
And look for the CrewMembers in the Muir/Carlin Parking Lots and out on the Trails, and say: “THANKS” for Helping!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-28-11:
TrailBuildin’ WorkDay ELEVEN
Another GREAT turnout for this Amazing IrRegular TrailCrew! Again, TWENTY-FIVE eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew were there to pitch in and Help to see that WE get More Fantastic Trail Built at OUR TrailSystem. What’s really amazing, is that it’s not always the same people who show up to do TrailWork each Saturday, but WE’ve consistently had 25 – 30 Volunteers EVERY week!!! Many other Groups would Love to have the dedication and commitment that OUR Crew shows. So, overall, WE must be doing sumthin’ right!
‘The Gathering’ at first seemed like it was going to be a small group; then just before the 9:00am ‘Leaving Time’ for TrailWork, car after car came racing in! Seems that most of the Crew must have needed that extra 30 minutes of sleep this morning?!
The weather was Good. No sun, but NO RAIN! Temperature was ideal for TrailBuildin’ – NOT hot, but not cool. It was a Perfect weather day, with a GREAT Crew!
OUR TrailWork Today: was to complete the LONG Trail Section that WE started two weeks ago. It had all been cleared, but it still needed a lot of benching and ‘tweeking’. Mission Accomplished! Some of US rode the Section after the TrailWork ( including the full GREEN outer Loop), and WoW, it’s a Fun Section, and Trail. Really pretty, if you can take your eyes off the two feet in front of your bike!
Special Mentions of the WorkDay:
The forest has Really ‘greened’ up now! Spring has definately Sprung!
Greg Smith of Schlick Cycles brought a case of water bottles to offer up to any and all Crew who wanted one. Thanks Greg! And “Thanks” Schlick Cycles!! Any Swag for the Crew is Much Appreciated – and Well Deserved.
Our TrailCrew ‘Finishers’ this week, did another GREAT job working far behind the main TrailCrew, ‘tweeking’ and adjusting the recently built Trail to ensure its ‘Perfection’. THANKS to Vinnie Smith, Tom Bauman, Mike Lindow, Mike Skoine, Ernie Huerta and Scott Nelson this week…… and Gary Anoszko was there again too!
Richard Palmer and Jim Wiser get ‘Special Mentions’ too, for wearing the Yellow CrewLead T-shirts and taking the extra time Leading smaller groups of the Crew and for taking the time to show and teach TrailWork skills.
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Tom Bauman. A veteran of this TrailCrew, and one of its Main Cogs. He won the now well-known ‘Bag-O-Goodies’ which is filled with a large variety of Donated bike related ‘stuff’ from MANY different Sponsors. The Raffle is always drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). It’s one of the Many ways WE, and these important Sponsors, say “Thank You” for the work that ALL of US do!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, June 4 :
THIS IS THE LAST SPRING TRAILBUILDING WORKDAY
Sooo…. If you haven’t made it out yet to HELP this year, ya gotta come today!!
This is National Trails Day and OUR TrailCrew Celebration Event!
ALL who have Volunteered over the years are Invited to attend TODAY. WE want to see youz ALL and reminisce about the OLD times and what YOU did to Help make Better Trails here at the Southern Kettles.
WE will work some, then WE will party some. FREE food and beverages for those who Volunteer some time Helping make Better Trails for All! And BIG Thank YOUZ!!! Our Celebration will be at the Muir Shelter ‘round noon-ish.
The ‘Gathering’ WILL BE at the JOHN MUIR Parking Lot, 8:30am.
WEAR YOUR ORANGE TRAILCREW SHIRTS if ya got ‘em!
You WILL be seen today by Many! Let’s make an impression to those who do not know WHO Builds their Trails for them. ALSO….YOU’ve Earned the Recognition!
AND, besides….it just looks COOL seeing that mass of Orange on OUR Trails and in the woods!!
If you don’t have one yet, still Come Out and Help. You can still Earn one!
Also, several of you have Earned one and just need to pick it up. Come out and see if it’s YOU!
This Weeks WorkArea – WE will be meeting at the JOHN MUIR and doing several different things at several different areas to make OUR Trails Better! Come on out and get involved! Come be a part of what WE do next!
‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
“Become a part of this Incredible Legacy!”
Stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, ask Questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and “THANKS”!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-21-11:
TrailBuildin’ WorkDay TEN
The weather reports did not look good. RAIN was predicted to ruin a perfectly Good TrailCrew WorkDay; but those who believed that, were Wrong! It DON’T Rain on this TrailCrew!!
‘The Gathering’ @ the Emma Carlin Parking Lot was very social as usual, but somewhat subdued, because of the perception of rain. But the weather was actually quite nice during the WorkDay; only once, for about 5 minutes did any rain fall.
TWENTY-FIVE eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew came out and give up their early-morning Sleep, to Help add more Trail to the ever expanding Emma Carlin Trails. Again, several more Earned TrailCrew T-shirts were handed out, and those who received them, were VERY excited to have Earned THE cool TrailCrew shirt and join the ‘Special’ ranks of TrailCrew
Volunteers!
OUR TrailWork Today: was to continue on past the NEW bypass of the ‘WaterBar’ UpHill Section that WE completed last week. “Yes, there is still MORE UpHill that needs to be climbed” (we DID say this climb was NOT gonna be easy – but it’s a LOT easier and a LOT more Fun than what was there before – which was brutal!). The New Section that WE worked on is a Much Longer section than was there before.
The Crew cleared all of this New Section and did a lot of the benching, but there is still a bunch-o-benching that needs to be completed before it can be opened for Riders. But it’s a Cool Area of forest to Ride through!
Special Mentions of the WorkDay:
Lenny got to use the skills that he learned at the State/DNR Chainsaw Class. He did Great!… but maybe he needs a little more practice!
Mike Lindow went off on his own, AFTER we all had headed back to the Parking Lot, to fix a few spots at last week’s WorkArea that needed ‘tweeking’…. and got caught in a sudden Rain! Is that what you get for going above and beyond?
Thank YouZ go out to Greg Earle and J&B Importers for Donating a box of assorted Biking ‘stuff’ to add to OUR Free Raffle ‘Goodies Bag’.
Terry Van Alstine, an Old TrailCrew member of years back, finally returned to ‘duty’, after having back surgery, which will keep him off of a bike permanently; BUT that won’t keep him from ‘Giving Back’ to the Trails that he Loves!
And he brought his boys, who got taken up under Lenny’s ‘wing’ and learned how to be a ‘Bull’ in the forest!! Now that’s Fun!
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Lucas Ribbink. A ‘New this year’ TrailCrew member who has ‘Earned’ his TrailCrew T-shirt. He won the now well-known ‘Bag-O-Goodies’ which is now filled with a large variety of Donated bike related ‘stuff’ from MANY different Sponsors. The Raffle is always drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). It’s one of the Many ways WE, and these important Sponsors, say “Thank You” for the work that ALL of US do!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 28 :
THIS IS THE NEXT-TO-LAST SPRING TRAILBUILDING WORKDAY
Sooo…. If you haven’t made it out yet to HELP this year, you’re running outta time!
The ‘Gathering’ WILL BE at the EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am.
WEAR YOUR ORANGE TRAILCREW SHIRTS if ya got ‘em!
YOU’ve Earned the Recognition! AND it just looks COOL when you see that mass of orange in the woods!! You can still Earn one, just keep coming out to Help build Trail with the Crew (WE DO continue some occasionally TrailWork during the summer months, and you can earn your TrailCrew T-Shirt even then) – WE do keep track!
This Weeks WorkArea – WE will be returning to last week’s WorkArea, which is on the GREEN (outer Loop) of the Emma Carlin, to complete the Long Section of New Trail that WE continued to build from last week.
IF you should come LATER, after WE have left the ‘Gathering’ Area, for the WorkArea, walk backwards on the GREEN Trail (the Outer Loop) ‘til you find US. You WILL Hear US just off the Trail; just listen for the sounds of ‘men at work’ (and woman too) AND the sounds of Laughter! It’s gotta be US!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
“Become a part of this Incredible Legacy!”
And stay Connected, at OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and “THANKS”!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-14-11:
TrailBuildin’WorkDay NINE
‘The Gathering’ @ Emma Carlin Parking Lot at 8:30am was COLD, windy and damp. The weather was rainy all around US, but we only had the slightest mist in the air at the parking lot; and only briefly. Once WE got to the WorkArea, it warmed up – or WE did – causing most of US to strip down to OUR T-shirts.
TWENTY-FIVE eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew were treated to DOUNUTS, brought by TrailCrew Stacy Witiker. THANKS Stacy!! Several more Earned TrailCrew T-shirts were handed out, but the Group Crew picture did NOT take place ‘cuz WE were all too bundled up due to the COLD, rainy feeling weather. WE WILL take the Group Picture next week, so WEAR the TrailCrew T-shirts this coming Saturday. It’s gotta be warmer!
OUR TrailWork Today: was the much anticipated, and the soon-to-be Appreciated, ReRoute of the last hard, Tall ‘water-bar’ UpHill on the GREEN (outer Loop) at Emma. This New Section will NOT be easy either, and will still hold a challenge for Riders to get to the top without having to do the dreaded ‘foot down’.
This UpHill Section was scheduled to take two weeks to complete; but this Amazing and dedicated ALL Volunteer TrailCrew completed the entire ReRoute in one WorkDay! AND…. continued eagerly on to Next week’s WorkArea. WAY TO GO CREW!!
It was a pleasure to see some of the Crew working diligently at just clearing the New TrailPath, and how some were more focused on a certain Area to ensure that it was completed correctly. WE need that balance of Quantity and Quality when building OUR Trails. More Trail cleared and opened, is not good, if the Quality of the Trail isn’t there! Today, WE had Both! THANKS CREW!!
Special Mentions:
Accolades go out to OUR Very Special Plant Species eXpert Michele Zimmerman for working ahead of the TrailCrew, looking for and transplanting ‘Special’ types of plants from where the New TrailTread would be built (‘cuz they all look like weeds to the rest of US).
Cudos to Jim Wiser for being OUR newly ‘Certified’ Chainsaw Wizard today, AND….. learning how to START a chainsaw!
A “Thanks” to Marty Tank and Airborne Bikes for the Enjoyment of watching the massive mad scramble to grab a free Airbourne T-shirt from a dropped box in the parking lot.
The ‘Attention to Detail’ that the Veteran Crew of Vinnie Smith, Mike Lindow, Tom Bauman, and Mike Skoine had/did to alleviate a (defined by the DNR) ‘problematic’ section of last week’s TrailWork. O.K., so Gary Anosko got ‘Dirty’ there too!
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Mike Skoine. Another True veteran of the Crew! He won the ‘Bag-O-Goodies’ which is filled with Donated bike related ‘stuff’ from many different Sponsors. The Raffle is drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). You must be present to win, and you must be at least thirteen years of age to be in the Raffle. It’s another way WE, and these Sponsors, say “Thank You” for the work that all of US do!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 21, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ WILL BE at the EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am.
WEAR YOUR ORANGE TRAILCREW SHIRTS! WE’re gonna try again to take that Group Picture.
If you don’t have one yet, that’s OK, WE want you in the picture too! Remember: You can still earn one. The Group Picture will be used to show other Volunteer WorkGroups around the state what WE have going here! (They all want what WE have, and are trying to replicate it! And that’s GREAT; it means more Trails for all of US).
This Weeks WorkArea – WE will be returning to last week’s WorkArea, where WE DID complete the ReRouting of the dreaded ‘waterbar’ UpHill, to begin Building New Trail past where WE left off last week (technically, there is still more hill to climb!).
IF you should come lateR, walk backwards on the GREEN Trail (the Outer Loop) ‘til you find US. Yes, walk the Outer Loop; it will be shorter than walking the BROWN Trail that WE were walking the last couple of weeks.
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
“Become a part of this Incredible Legacy!”
And stay Connected, at OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-7-11:
TrailBuildin’ WorkDay EIGHT
‘The Gathering’ @ Emma Carlin Parking Lot. Not a lot more can be said about THIS part of OUR ‘Event’ that hasn’t been said before! Plenty of conversations and socializing!! BUT….. WE Appreciated the ‘goodies’ that Bethany brought, which gave US the
morning Boost (sugar rush) that WE all craved! Thank You Bethany!! TWENTY-SEVEN eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew arrived on site to Help make OUR Trails Better for everyone. THANK YOU guys and gals for being part
of the Solution!!
Today was T-shirt Day. At ‘The Gathering’, any of the Crew who had participated in any FOUR TrailWorkDays this Spring, was awarded the ‘coveted’, and really cool, Southern Kettle Moraine TrailCrew T-shirt (you’ve seen them on some of last year’s Crew – “Glowing” Orange). It’s one of OUR ways of saying “THANK YOU” Crew for ALL that you do!
If YOU would like to have one of these T-shirts, there is ONLY one way to get one. You have to ‘Earn’ it! Meaning: you just need to Come Out and Help on the Trails. You only need to Help at four WorkDays to Earn one!… then you are Appreciated for Life!
OUR TrailWork today was to continue the ReRoute that was started last week. The Crew is ReRouting a section of ‘gravel’ DownHill that has erosion ‘issues’, making the DownHill unsafe; and because of the gravel that was used many, many years ago, just filling in the erosion was not an option, considering safety. The New ReRoute will still have the ‘Thrill of the DownHill’, but in a more safe and visually appealing manner (plus it added length!).
There was plenty of opportunity to ‘Get Dirty’ today, IF you wanted too! Digging up and hauling rocks for some Trail support on certain sections that were rather steep or to support some curves, gave those who wanted it, the ‘Dirt Factor’. (YES, it all washes off after). Not everyone needs to get dirty though! There are plenty of things to do that doesn’t require ‘Wearing It’. But, WE genuinely find that those who ‘Get Into Their Work’ have More Fun! (just ask Michele, Bethany, Stacy who usually walk out wearing the forest!)
Special Mention: It was GREAT to see DJ Burns make it out to OUR TrailWorkDays! Amy Payleitner is LOVING TrailWork sooo much, she is coming twice a week (also helping Mike Bettinger’s Tuesday Crew doing some ReRouting on the Muir Squirrel Loop [OK, hubby Tom too]), ALL of them are coming from the FlatLands (Illinois)!!
And… Katy Steudel found US this time, WooHoo! Also need to mention the “finally arriving” Todd Schmidt! WE’re GLAD to have all of them on OUR Crew!
Also, WE want to give a “Thanks” to Marty Tank for securing Airborne T-shirts for OUR Raffle! We Gladly accept ANY contributions/Donations to OUR weekly Free Raffle. If you or your company can Donate some thing. WE are Grateful!!
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was James Wiser (that would be the son of Jim). He has been a GREAT worker for many years now. A True veteran of the Crew! He won – a ‘Bag-O-Goodies’ Donated by The Fall Color Fest Event, Planet Bike, Sock Guy, Twin Six, Airborne, and others! The Raffle is drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end
of the WorkDay (noon-ish). You must be present to win, and you must be at least thirteen years of age to be in the Raffle. It’s another way WE, and these Sponsors, say “Thank You”!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 14, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ WILL BE at the EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:50am.
We gotta get those hills ReRouted!
WEAR YOUR ORANGE TRAILCREW SHIRTS!
WE wanna take a picture of the Crew!!
If you don’t have one yet, that’s OK, WE want you in the picture too! Remember: You can still earn one.
This Weeks WorkArea – WE will be returning to last week’s WorkArea, where WE DID complete the ReRouting of an eroded
DownHill, to now Build the New ReRoute of the following UpHill. The Crew will be Building New Trail that will bypass the last, tall ‘water-bar’ uphill on the GREEN (outer) Loop, before returning to the parking lot. This New Trail Section will NOT be easy to Ride! It will still climb that hill, but in a serpentine way, that will give short ‘respites’ (breathers) as the hill is climbed. BUT NO WATER-BARS!!!
IF you should come lateR, walk backwards on the GREEN Trail (the Outer Loop) ‘til you find US. Yes, it IS a bit of a walk, but WE’ve kinda run out of things to do close to the parking lot.
Come on out and ge involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
“Become apart of this Incredible Legacy!”
And stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-7-11:
TrailBuildin’ WorkDay SIX and SEVEN
Unfortunately, my computer acquired a ‘Virus’ and was sent to the ‘hospital for two weeks! Meaning: ALL of your E-mail addresses and information was not available to me during those two weeks.
MEANING: I couldn’t send out the TrailBuilding UpDates that I usually send out each week!! SORRY! (that does explain it,
right?!) But the computer is Back working now!
So…. Best that I can recollect -
Week SIX: TWENTY-SIX eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew came to Help out, and have Fun!
OUR TrailWork today was to continue Building the ReRouted Trail of the badly eroded gravel DownHill, just after the tallest climb of the GREEN Trail, that WE started last week. This New Trail Section had basically been cleared the week before, but there was a LOT of benching and ‘tweeking’ that needed to be done.
Memorable Moments: The HighLight of the day was the moving of a 2000 pound rock – w-a-y UP hill! (I’m not exaggerating – it was HUGE!…. and they moved it UPHILL!)
Week SIX: ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Scott Nelson.
Week SEVEN: I had to be outta the State this week (I, too, am an ‘IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew member), so I don’t have any FirstHand knowledge of what, why, how or WHO happened on week ‘7’. My understanding is that there were not that many who did show up to Help this week (‘course WE had EIGHT of OUR Crew attending a special DNR chainsaw class, which reduced OUR attendee numbers). Approximately SIXTEEN eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew did show up however. Which really isn’t bad!
OUR TrailWork today was to complete the last two weeks Trail Section work and to OPEN that Trail Section. IT GOT DONE! And also, move on to the next DownHill Trail Section that was scheduled to be ReRouted, and get Started clearing that section; which they did that too.
Memorable Moments: The HighLight of the day was….. STILL moving THE rock!! Sheesh! But they got it in (Wow) !!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 7, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ is at the EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:50am. DON’T GO TO THE JOHN MUIR! WE DECIDED that it would be Best to continue at the Emma Carlin and the ReRouting of THOSE BIG HILLS!!, for now, anyway.
The Section that WE are/ will be working on is another L-O-N-G Section of ReRouted Trail, so… COME OUT and Help – and Bring Friends!
IF you should come lateR, walk backwards on the GREEN Trail (the Outer Loop) ‘til you find US. WE will be EZ to find. It’s just ‘a walk’!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
And stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk/Hang with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 4-16-11:
TrailBuildin’ WorkDay FIVE
A TRUE ‘Get Dirty’ WorkDay this time! – and the Crew LOVED IT! It Rained ALL of the night before, and it was misty in the morning, but that didn’t stop an eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew of TWENTY-EIGHT from showing up and working on a Very Challenging Trail Area!!
At ‘The Gathering’, I must admit, that even I anticipated, maybe only a maximum of ten of the ‘eSpeCially’ Dedicated Crew would attend this less than exciting (weather-wise) WorkDay. Chilly, wet, and of course, Muddy would be the working conditions for the day.
WHO…. Would be CrAzy enough to come out and do TrailWork in these conditions?
THIS CREW of course! Absolutely unbelievable and GREAT!! Any group would Love to have this type of dedication. THANK YOU to the Crew who ‘Ain’t Afraid of No RAIN!’(oh, and the Rain stopped as WE walked out to the WorkArea!! SOMEONE…. was smiling on US!)
OUR TrailWork today was to Build a ReRoute of a pretty knarly, badly eroded gravel DownHill (which is just after the tallest climb of the GREEN Trail). This ReRoute would be a Major Challenge ‘cuz of the height of the hill, and the steepness of the hillsides all around. After a nice Long walk out to the WorkArea, the Crew split off into small groups. Some at the top of the hill, some at the bottom and some split up into the middle of the Trail Area. Several had doubts that a Trail could be built on this hillside, but they went ahead with the work anyway. At the end of the day, everyone was Happy at how well the Trail developed, and was quite satisfied that it would be a Great Trail addition. It will continue with the ‘More Challenging’ aspect of the Carlin experience, but with a Safer, and more sustainable Trail.
The Best part of this WorkDay was Getting’ Dirty! It was Obvious that everyone got INTO their work, because Everyone came away dirty. Digging up and hauling rocks for Trail support got US started in that endeavor. Of course, afterwards it all washes off. With these conditions, you Knew there would be plenty of Laughter!
Memorable Moments: Watching Bethany ride her ‘Rake Bike’ (and falling off) on the newly developing Trail was Major comedy!! As was Vinnie and Mike Skoine SITTING and ‘scootching’ on the muddy hillside pushing a big rock up/downhill with their feet! [If anyone has pictures of this WorkDay, send them along to me Please! I would like to post some on the Net to show
how much Fun WE were having!]
Special Mention: You know WE must be doing something right, when last weeks ‘First Time’ TrailBuilders (Will, Jonathon, Elaine and Hector) came back again THIS week! THANK YOUZ! (but let’s see WHO comes back after this weeks ‘MudFest’!)
Also: TrailCrew John Pehoski came out earlier than the rest of US – like, Sun-Up(crack-o-dawn), and walked the ENTIRE Emma Carlin Trail with his chainsaw to remove ALL fallen trees and branches off the Trails (and there was ‘a few’) BEFORE coming to Help US clear the New Trail that WE were working on! Talk about going the ‘extra’ mile (or six)!! THANX John!!!
AND….. Gary Anoszko stayed and played the ENTIRE day!!!… got muddy too!
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Tessa Pernsteiner. She was a ‘NEWbee’! (but won’t be anymore) WE were Glad she was there to Volunteer her time to make OUR Trails Better!… and so was she, and she is even more Glad that she came after she Won the Raffle! She won – a long sleeve, wicking T-shirt, with the Southern Kettle Moraine featured on the front, which was Donated by The General Store and Mike Bettinger (owner)…. And she Won a CamelBak waistpack with a hydration pack inside, Donated by Roehl Builders and Ben Roehl (owner)…. AND she Won $25 CASH, Donated by the Southern Kettle Moraine Chapter of WORBA! (See! I promised to pay more attention to ‘What was in the bag’ AND give Better credit to those who Donate to OUR Free Raffle)!
Anywho…. All you need to do to get into this Free Raffle of Good ‘Stuff’ is Show Up, Sign In and Help Out a little. And that’s pretty COOL! The Raffle is drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). [Disclaimer - You must be present to win, and you must be at least thirteen years of age to be in the Raffle]. It’s another way WE say “Thank You”!
Remember: These Sponsors are also saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. So Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 23, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ is at the EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:50am. We got two more weeks working at the Emma Carlin, before returning to the Muir in May.
This Weeks WorkAreas – The Group will be WALKING again (no biking to the WorkArea this week, ‘cuz WE need to carry the tools) to last week’s WorkArea – WE didn’t quite finish. IF you should come lateR, walk backwards on the GREEN Trail (the Outer Loop) ‘til you find US. It won’t be quite as muddy this week – Darn it! Weather report looks GOOD right now for this Saturday – ‘course we know that means little!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
And stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 4-9-11:
TrailBuildin’ WorkDay FOUR
‘The Gathering’ was in the Emma Carlin Parking Lot on a Good weather day – meaning: Comfortable. THIRTY-ONE eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew, arrived to finish what WE started the week before – That’s a Crowd! THANKS! As always, plenty of lively conversations were going on in the lot; even while WE were explaining what the WorkDay was going to consist of – hint, HINT …Bethany! But some did hear it!… and that’s OK. It doesn’t really matter ‘til WE get to the WorkArea anyway.
OUR TrailWork today was to continue, and Finish, the ReRouting Section of the GREEN/ORANGE Trail that WE started working on last week. It was a LONG stretch, but the Crew worked diligently and FINISHED the Section to ‘Satisfaction’. AND it’s a GREAT Section! {On Tuesday, I was at the Carlin doing some scouting work for this Saturday, and MANY – no, EVERYone, who Rode by me and stopped, Congratulated me on the work WE just did on the Trail at Carlin. They LOVED the ‘Swoosh’ Section of Trail! (Those who worked there, KNOW what I’m talking about)}. SO BE PROUD TrailCrew!!
Again, WE had several New Volunteers who came to ‘Give a Little Back to the Trails’. THANK YOUZ!!!! WE Appreciate YOU! Hopefully you had some Fun, met some Great people, saw that your contributions were Immensely Helpful, and …. did I say… APPRECIATED!
Of Note:
Memorable Moments during the day: Kenny’s Pole Dancing – we’re sooo Glad he kept his clothes ON!……
After that, I think it must have turned me off to everything else, ‘cuz I can’t remember anything beyond that show! …..OR probably it was because I was tooo busy with ‘the guys’ getting the Trail over that Rock Wall! Yeah, that musta been it! Ya gotta Ride it to understand!
Special Mention: AFTER most had left the parking lot at the end of the WorkDay, Lenny (EVERYone should know who ‘Lenny’ is by now! – if not, Get to know who this TrailCrew Bull is) fired up OUR NEW generator and Voluntarily sharpened ALL the tools! GREAT! So be careful not to blind yourself by all the polished steel this Saturday!! THANKS Lenny!
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Bethany Raven.
She won – another SurPriZe ‘bag-o-Goodies’ (which means: The bag had Many different Biking related items in it, like some T-shirts [Twin Six], socks [Sock Guy], water bottles [I’m not sure who donated], a computer kind of thing[again, I’m not sure WHO donated it, or exactly what it was], plus lots of other ‘stuff’). – YES, I need to remember to look in the bag, so as to give Accolades to those who are Sponsoring OUR WorkDays (my bad! – I WILL get better).
Anywho…. All you need to do to get into this Free Raffle of Good ‘Stuff’ is Show Up, Sign In and Help Out a little. And that’s pretty COOL! The Raffle is drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). [Disclaimer - You must be present to win, and you must be at least thirteen years of age to be in the Raffle]. It’s another way WE say “Thank You”!
Remember: These Sponsors are also saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. So Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 16, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:50am. Don’t go to the Muir! We’ll be working at the Emma Carlin throughout the month of April, returning to the Muir in May.
This Weeks WorkAreas – The Group will be WALKING (no biking to the WorkArea this week ‘cuz WE be going to a NEW Trail Section on the other side of the Carlin Trails and have to carry the tools out with US)…. So, “As I was saying…” WE will be walking backwards on the GREEN Trail (the Outer Loop) [IF you should come lateR], to a deteriorated downhill, that NEEDS to be replaced. {This is another Emergency Trail Replacement, because of the dangerousness of this Trail Section}. To replace it, WE will be building a Trail that will be challenging to Ride, AND BUILD! It will be much LONGER, since in order to get down this steep hill safely, and to ensure the Trails sustainability, it has to be made Longer to account for the major drop in Elevation!
SO….. WE NEED YOUR HELP to get this ReRoute done this Saturday…. So WE can stay on schedule. “Yes”, WE will move to the other side of the Carlin Trails the following week – IF…. WE get this DownHill done!
REMEMBER: Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, will stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds. Meaning: We work Every Saturday no matter what the weather. WE ain’t afraid of no Rain – Right! ….O.K. – LIGHTNING might keep US out of the forest…. And Very High winds (makes sense ‘cuz of the trees)….. and Mosquitoes (that’s later in the season)… BUT NOTHIN” ELSE! So Be THERE! And “THANKS” in advance.
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
And stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 4-2-11:
THIRD Spring TrailBuildin’ WorkDay
WE returned to the Emma Carlin Trails to continue OUR efforts at ReBuilding its long deteriorating Trails. WE started two years ago at the Carlin, and last year completed almost half of the GREEN (outer) Loop. When completed, the Trails at Emma will be L-o-n-g-e-r, safer, More challenging and definitely narrower Single Track!
‘The Gathering’ started in the Emma Carlin Parking Lot. Twenty-Seven eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew came out to ‘Have Fun’. WE had some ‘IrRegulars, some ‘Newbies’, and some ‘1st time back this yearERS’ come out to Help. WE were GLAD to have All of them! “Thank You” for your efforts!!
It was sorta sunny/cloudy all day and although a bit cool to start, it warmed up enough during the morning that some were down to a t-shirt by noon.
DNR Don came out to Help by taking the tool shed out to the WorkArea with his DNR truck. Vinnie Smith followed him in his ‘pristine’ Hummer loaded with the tools (they drove on the Horse Trails which are w-i-d-e enough for trucks to get through – so No Trails were damaged during this activity). THANKS Guys! It saved US from having to carry all those tools out to the WorkArea (which can get a bit heavy after a long walk!).
OUR TrailWork today was ReRouting a Section of the GREEN/ORANGE Trail that had been labeled ‘a serious injury area’. It was a LONG, Fast, steep, gravel downhill that had developed an erosion channel down the middle AND which had several ‘water damns’ (‘cuz that’s what you said when you rode over them!) across the Trail that had Deep washed out holes just passed them, with a sharp left turn at the bottom. Once you started down that hill – you couldn’t stop! – It was all Gravel!! OUCH! It WAS a challenge (and a lot of luck) to get to the bottom without going over your handlebars!
It’s ReRoute is Much Longer (it had to be – the only way to get down that steep hill safely was to build the Trail going down three other different hills). It’s MUCH more Fun now! It’s still gonna be Challenging – in a different way!…. AND wait ‘til you see/RIDE the Slalom Area at the bottom of the hills!!
There was quite a bit more ‘bench’ cutting needing to be done today, along with some ‘rock’ work to support some of the Trail edges on the hillsides. But not all work was ‘Hard’ work. The soil is Easy to work with this time of year and clearing the Trail Tread is easy too – just pull on the sapling or bush and it pulls right out, so don’t think you have to do Hard labor if you come out to Help. WE have Lots of Easy ‘stuff’ that needs to be done too.
Of Note:
Memorable Moments during the day: Bethany taking a ’flip-over tumble’ (nobody saw that, Right?!). Stacy spending half the day trying to find US (you come late, you take your chances!). Jamison, Michele, Beth…. with new ideas for TrailCrew apparel!! OMG!
WE were Very Glad to have Matt and Ann join US. They were Work-oholics! (Hopefully they took some time to talk with a few of the other Crew…. and TAKE A BREAK!!!)…. And Hopefully they will come back! They were Great!….. AND so was the rest of the Crew!! They ALL did Good! WE got a LOT of New Trail Built! “THANKS Crew!”
…. And it was Good to see Bruce Borcherding back; and RON Stawicki! And “Hey”, Greg Earhart was there too!! WE had a GREAT Crew! (woulda been better if Katy Steudel hadn’t gone to the Muir!) [MY Bad! I shoulda had the E-mail out earlier!]
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle WINner was Jamison Stachel. He won a ‘bag-o-Goodies’ (which means: The bag had Many different Biking related items in it, and I didn’t have a chance to see inside, so I can’t say what he won or who the Sponsors were in this week’s Raffle).
Kenney Dretzka organized this year’s Sponsors – THANK YOU Kenny!! – AND… he is looking for More ‘stuff’ to add to the Free Raffle. If you work for a company that can Donate something to the ‘Cause’, it would be GREATLY Appreciated!… and WE will give you LOTS of acknowledgement!
So…. All you need to do to get into the Free Raffle is Show Up, Sign In and Help Out a little. That’s pretty COOL! The Raffle is drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). [You must be present to win, and you must be at least thirteen years of age to be in the Raffle]. It’s another way WE say “Thank You”!
Remember: These Sponsors are saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. So Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 9, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:50am. Don’t go to the Muir! We’ll be working at the Emma Carlin throughout the month of April, returning to the Muir in May.
This Weeks WorkAreas – The Group will be Returning to last week’s WorkArea, on the GREEN/ORANGE Trail, which is just before where the ORANGE splits from the GREEN Trail (walk the ORANGE Biking Trail Backwards and follow the ORANGE Loop until you hear Michele’s and Bethany’s laughter – or you’ll just stumble upon US). We still have some Trail to finish there (I told you it was a L-O-N-G Section!).
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 3-26-11:
Day TWO – TrailBuildin’ da Muir
“Yeah, because of the snow flying and below freezing wind temperature, it didn’t look like it was gonna be an enjoyable, fruitful day out on the Trails”. But we was wrong….. Again! (Weather was Fine!) THIRTY eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew still showed up at the Muir Trails to lend a hand to see that OUR Trails continue to improve! Absolutely GREAT!! THANKS ‘Crew’!!
‘The ‘Gathering’ started in the Muir Parking Lot. Coffee, hot chocolate and donuts were brought by Mike Ellis, ‘Donated’ by Scott Rhyan, owner of Dunkin Doughnuts (who, rumor has it, lost a bet with Mike Bettinger (the General Store) over the Packers/Bears game, and Mike B. donated his ‘winnings’ to ‘The Crew’)! THANKS MIKES!
It was GREAT to see ‘wrong-way’ Mike Ellis again!…. and Great to have a morning ‘pick-me-up’ to start the WorkDay. Mike Bettinger also brought US more New Toys to play with! Pulaskis, McClaskys and a ‘Come-Along’ to Help pull Big rocks UP the hills when WE need them. COOL!! Mike even stayed to WORK on the Trails!!…. and brought along an employee to Help too! “THANKS” Again MIKE for ‘steppin’ WAY up!!
OUR TrailWork today was to ReRoute a Section of the WHITE Trail that was originally built on the ‘Fall Line’ and was problematic during the summer months due to a build-up of sand at the bottom of the fast downhill, and an erosion ‘channel’ in the middle of the Trail from the top to the bottom. We also ReRouted a Section that would add length and visual beauty to the Trail, giving Trail users a view of the BIG bog from high atop the tallest hill surrounding it. ALSO…. WE filled in a large rutted Section of the WHITE Trail, which is right where the WHITE Trail joins the BROWN Trail (a sweeping uphill left turn), that had deteriorated over the years to a loose gravel, rocky incline.
WE needed to do a bit more ‘bench’ cutting today and some ‘rock’ work to support the Trail edges to complete this section, and again we found little to NO Frost in the ground, (I even raked up some earth worms and a fuzzy caterpillar) which means: OUR Trails will be Opening SOON!
As usual, there was quite a bit of conversations and Laughter echoing through the woods, and it seemed like most of it was coming from the Crew group of Jamison, MICHELE, Stacy……. (go figure)! It was obvious that they were having FUN! (don’t they Always!).
Of Note:
Memorable Moments during the day: Michele’s laughter – it’s contagious!… and can be heard throughout the forest! Mike Bettinger WORKING out on the Trails with US again!! Lenny getting poked in the eye by an angry tree branch (he’s OK, but the tree didn’t make it). The 1st return of some GREAT Old ‘Crew’: Stacy, Jamison, Michele, Ernie, Dan, MikeS – Miljan & Michetti, John, the full Wiser clan and of course… Mike ELLIS!
This weeks ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle was Jim Wiser. He won $50 CASH donated by the Southern Kettle Moraine Chapter of WORBA’s Fall Color Fest.
This year’s Sponsors (so far) are: Bontrager, Twin Six, DZ Nuts, Bens Cycle, Zerogoo, SKM Chapter of WORBA, Sram, Thompson and Sock Guy (with more to come). All you need to do is Show Up, Sign In and Help Out a little. COOL! The Raffle is drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). [You must be present to win, and you must be at least thirteen years of age to be in the Raffle].
Remember: These Sponsors are saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. So Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 2, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:50am. WE are switching to the Emma Carlin Trail for the month of April. Don’t go to the Muir! We’ll return to the Muir in May. WE have some Great, eXciTing NEW Trail to Build at the Carlin Trails.
This Weeks WorkAreas – The Group will be working on a Section of BLUE/ORANGE Trail just before where the ORANGE splits from the BLUE Trail (if you are not real familiar with the Carlin Trails – Don’t be late! You probably won’t find US once WE have left the Parking Lot). This NEW Section of Trail is L-O-N-G, challenging and FUN!! It has some added natural technical features that are sure to make this one of the more memorable Areas in the Muir System!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Add Comments, questions at OUR FaceBook Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 3-19-11:
2011 We’re Back on the Trails Again!!
Isn’t Spring TrailBuildin’ Great! eSpeCially if it’s a Nice day; and it was!! The day was sunny and warm with a clear blue sky for the FIRST Volunteer TrailBuildin’ (and ‘Social Club’) WorkDay of the Spring Season. Twenty-Four eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew came to the Muir Trails to enjoy the outdoors and BUILD some NEW TRAIL!
It was Really Good to see some of the Old faces (you know who you are) and some Fresh faces (first timers to OUR TrailBuildin’ Crew), who were eager to get back into the Forest …. And Get Dirty!
WE started with ‘The ‘Gathering’ in the Muir Parking Lot, where WE spent ample time re-telling old stories and getting to know the ‘Day’s Crew’. Kenny Dretzka brought Seven NEW Long-Handled SHOVELS for US to play with! Purchased and Donated to the Crew by Kenny and the WEMS Series ‘12 hours of Muir’ Race. “THANK YOU” to Kenny and ALL involved with that acquisition! We still do LOVE New TOYS!
OUR plan of action today was to ReRoute a Section of the BLUE/GREEN/PURPLE Trail that had become an area of concern for safety due to erosion. It was originally built on the ‘Fall Line’ which led to its deterioration. This Section was the last major downhill before the Parking Lot. Some of US will lament its passing (it WAS a Fun, challenging, at-times Scary, drop), but understanding that there have been some serious injuries there, and that the NEW Trail Section that WE built to replace it is Longer and also has a fast steep downhill with some interesting ‘Features’ added, should appease most of the Hardcore Riders.
A small amount of ‘bench’ cutting was needed to be done to complete this section, and to our surprise, we found little to NO Frost in the ground, so WE were able to complete the entire Section, rather than to ‘rough cut’ the section and then have to return later after the ground had thawed to do the benching.
There was, as usual, quite a bit of conversations and Laughter going on during OUR time in the woods, but the Crew still managed to clear, and finish, the entire Section of Trail.
Of Note:
Memorable Moments during the day: The ExCitement when the Crew saw the New Tool Racks built in the Shelter which keeps OUR Tools more organized and off the floor. “THANKS” to Crew Member Ben Roehl for building them for US last Saturday! – AND “THANKS” to Crew Members Vinnie Smith, Mike Lindow and Jim Wiser for sharpening ALL of the Tools for US last Saturday as well! (Lenny, we’ll let you come play with them next time)!
SPECIAL NOTE: This Season, we are continuing to have a ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Free Raffle that will give ‘somethings’ away to one lucky trail crew member each week. This year’s Sponsors (so far) are: Bontrager, Twin Six, DZ Nuts, Bens Cycle, Zerogoo, SKM Chapter of WORBA, Sram, Thompson and Sock Guy (with more to come). All you need to do is Show Up, Sign In and Help Out a little. COOL! The Raffle is drawn right after WE return to the Parking Lot at the end of the WorkDay (noon-ish). [You must be present to win, and you must be at least thirteen years of age to be in the Raffle].
This week’s Prize Winner was: Marty Tank! Next week, it could be YOU!
(“What are your Chances?!” – one in twenty-four, this week).
Remember: These Sponsors are saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. So Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, March 26, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – Muir Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:50am. To start – Conversation and Connecting Time (the usual verbal TomFoolery!), followed by an explanation of the WorkAreas of the day and what is to be done. Leaving for the WorkAreas is at 9:00am.
This Weeks WorkAreas – The Group will start by spreading a clay/gravel mix on the Exit Trail just before the Parking Lot where the TrailTread has MANY exposed rocks that make the trail more irritating than challenging. Then the Group will split up (converging back into one Group), to cover Three Major WorkAreas. These WorkAreas are on the WHITE Trail just before where it meets the BROWN Trail. There are TWO ReRoutes that will be built that will replace deteriorating Old Trail. “Yes”, these New Trail Sections will be Longer than the old trail they replace, with extra twists and turns to make the New Trail more challenging, interesting and Fun!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Stay Connected, with OUR Southern Kettles WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Look here to get info about, and to stay UpDated with, OUR Trails. See video and pictures of OUR TrailWork. YOU may be a Star of the week! Look back often because New ‘stuff’ is added regularly!
Add Comments, questions at OUR Southern Kettles TrailBuilding Update FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136
….Or just come out and Talk with US!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 9-20-10:
Skilz Area buildout has begun! The massive summertime mosquito invasion (which keeps US from wanting to do much work) has Finally dissapated, allowing US to get back out and do major TrailBuilding projects (not that WE haven’t been doing small Trail Fixes all summer long). Our Fall TrailBuilding began last Sunday with the beginning buildout phase of the ‘Beginner’ Skilz Area (in years to come WE will be building ‘Intermediate’ and ‘Advanced’ Skilz Areas). The New Skilz Area will be accessed by way of a New Trail adjacent to the Kiosk at the Muir TrailHead. Watch for more ‘Features’ to be added in the weeks to come, and E-mail TrailBlazer Dave davem@worba.org if you would like to participate in the design and buildout of these Skilz Areas.
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-29-10:
THIS SATURDAY – JUNE 5 – is OUR LAST ‘Official’ TrailBuildin’ WorkDay of the year. If you haven’t been out yet to Volunteer a small amount of your time to Help Build and maintain the Trails that you use – Ya GOTTA show up THIS Saturday!! – There’s none left!
Three hours of TrailWork, followed by a ‘Celebration’ of the TrailWork WE have done this year. FREE Food and Beverages after the TrailWork. Come and meet these Great people, be entertained by Great conversation…. And do some Great TrailWork! Did I mention TRAILWORK?!!
Even if you only Volunteered once this year – YOU’ve Helped! THANK YOU! Come out this Saturday, so WE can say it in person! AND, if you didn’t make it out this year, come out and Help this Saturday. Be a part of the ‘Solution’, and join US for some Fun.
OK, back to the UpDate from last Saturday….
It was a small-er Crew on this Memorial Day Weekend. The Fourteen, eSpeCially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew who did come out to Help, did some Really Great Work! The weather was Good; sunny, warm – but not too warm, and few bugs.
OUR game-plan today: Walk the Emma Carlin RED Trail backwards and fix/ReRoute several sections of Trail that was deemed ‘needing adjustment’. We then went to the Section of Trail that was cleared last year at an IMBA WorkDay, but never open due to it not being completed. We Completed it. “IT Completed US!!” A FUN swooping Section – Big berm, jump, and Fast! THEN, after that, WE took a L-O-N-G walk out to a Section of Trail on the outer Loop that has a Long, Fast, GRAVEL, eroded downhill. It was deemed a safety hazard and was requested by the DNR to do a temporary fix to make it safer (it’s getting replaced next year by a Much, MUCH LONGER Trail Section). ALL of the day’s objectives were completed!
Some of Today’s Notable Mentions:
Hey….. Gary ‘fuzzy face’ was back AGAIN! TWO weeks in-a-row! AND… he didn’t leave early!! (maybe it was the beer that was available after). (or my ‘loving’ jabs made him feel guilty!) We still luv ya Gary!
Speaking of beer – Mike Seiler brought a mini keg-o-beer for all to enjoy after. We DID! Thank You for that Mike!
Bethany knows that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. She brought home-made chocolate chip cheesecake ‘thingies’. We LOVE you More than ever NOW, Bethany! (I wish I coulda eaten more than one – Diet yaknow)
So… after the WorkDay, back at the Parking Lot, WE pulled up a picnic table in the shade and enjoyed Beverages and snacks AND lots of conversation and discussion. It was very nice!
This Week’s Winner of OUR ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Megan Seiler – OK, it was a Family Win – Alex AND Mike too! Congratulations! They won a bag loaded with “Cool” biking gear!!
ALL of the ‘Sponsors of the Week’ Appreciate what WE do!… and WE DO APPRECIATE them!! Next week, OUR LAST WEEK, there will be SEVERAL Winners, YOU could be one. Just show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, June 5, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ is at the John Muir Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am.
We will LEAVE for the WorkArea at 9:00am. If you’re late, WE will be working on the Northern most tip of the BLUE Trail, just off Bluff Road. Park on the East side of Hwy H and walk in. You’ll find US where the Connector Trail USED TO turn off of the BLUE Trail.
We are BUILDING NEW TRAIL (replacing a bad Section). It will be 2 x LONGER than the old Section, so bring friends!
REMINDER:
THIS is the LAST Saturday in OUR Spring TrailWorkDays!! (during the summer we MAY have a TrailWorkDay about one Saturday a month – it depends. In Fall, there MAY be some WorkDays – NO Promises).
If ya haven’t made the effort YET to come out and Help, DO IT THIS SATURDAY!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Stay Informed: Go to OUR/YOUR WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to stay connected with what’s happening on OUR Trails.
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya next Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-22-10:
Over Thirty, eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew rallied to do TrailWork on this gorgeous day. I say Over Thirty, ‘cuz Volunteers kept showing up after WE got started working. The weather was perfect. There was fog on the drive out to the TrailHead, but it cleared in the Parking Lot, then Sunny and warm all day with low humidity. PERFECT!
The ‘ExCITed Crew’ (eSpeCially Xtra CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew) was joined today by the CAMBr (Chicago Area Mountain Bikers) group. They came to ‘Give a Little Back’ to the Trails that they enjoy too. Thank You for that! You WERE Appreciated!
OUR game-plan today: Build NEW Trail at the Emma Carlin!
We ReRouted a Section of old out-bound double-track that is about 1/2 of a mile from the TrailHead. The New Section adds about a 1/3 to ½ of a mile to the length of the Trail and has some very interesting ‘features’ along its path (some of the crew did get a little carried away). One of its HighLights is a BIG beautiful meadow that this New Trail Section runs through (a Great place to stop and reflect….. or catch your breath).
Some of Today’s Notable Mentions:
Hey….. that Gary guy was back again! You know…. with the fuzzy face; always has to leave early ‘cuz he wants to be perceived as a ‘busy’ guy.
…..And the Williams Clan ReTurned! So WE must be OK to hang with!….or they are s-l-o-w learners.
Stacy – “You look Marvelous” when you ‘Let your hair down’! (and I mean that actually, not after you’ve had a bottle of wine). I wish I could do that!
After the WorkDay, back in the Parking Lot, the CAMBr Group, still wanting to show their Appreciation to the Crew that Builds such ‘Sweet’ Trails at the Southern Kettles, provided lunch for the TrailWorkers. Hot roast beef sandwiches, potato and pasta salads, chips, and Beverages! They also provided and gave away three Free Raffle prizes during the lunch, as well – OUR Stacy Whitiker won one of these.
This Week’s Winner of OUR ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Maj Williams – AGAIN!…and that’s OK. Congratulations! She won a box loaded with “Cool” biking gear!! The ‘box’ was donated by Greg Earle (who is still one of OUR ExCITed Crew). Greg wrote: I am an outside sales rep for J&B Importers and we are a bicycle parts supplier. I have been unable to come to the trail workdays this year but want to support the crew since I ride the trails and have been for years. Great work and thanks for everything you do.
And WE Appreciate YOU, Greg!… and J&B Importers!
ALL of the Sponsors Appreciate what WE do!… and WE APPRECIATE them!!
Next week there will be another Winner, it could be YOU. Just show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’! You CAN win more than once! Every time you come out and Help, you have a chance to win!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 29, will be:
MEETING at the Emma Carlin Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am for The ‘Gathering’.
We be LEAVING for the WorkArea at 9:00am. If you’re late, start walking – or Riding, the Emma Trails BACKWARDS (Watch Out for fast Riders potentially coming at you). We will be working on various sections of the RED Trail – Watch (or listen) for US.
WARNING:
WE only have TWO Saturdays left in OUR Spring TrailWorkDays!!
If ya haven’t made the effort to come out and Help yet, DO IT NOW!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Stay Informed: Go to OUR/YOUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to stay connected with what’s happening on OUR Trails.
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya next Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-15-10:
Small Crew this day?!? I guess we’re spoiled; Sixteen, eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew was all who was there to do TrailWork. Sixteen, for most Volunteer TrailWork Areas would be a Big crowd! But WE here at the Southern Kettles have become used to More; but that’s OK; that’s why WE are called IrRegular TrailBuilding Crew – WE come when we can; this day just wasn’t one of them. The Crew that could make it, still went out onto OUR Trails and did some Good work, and had some laughs while doing it.
OUR game-plan today: was to walk out to ‘Richard’s Revenge’ (a long downhill run shortly after the beginning of the Trails at the Muir), fixing Trail ‘divots’ (left by the loggers) along the way, and Build a second berm (shortly after the first one) on a tight downhill curve. It was felt the berm would make the section safer, and more Fun.
We started our walk and quickly came to OUR first project. The DNR has asked US to clear the grass ‘line’ running down the middle of the Trail shortly after the beginning of the Trails. It is a LONG strip! We removed about thirty foot of it (it was a start), and then headed out for the Real Fun! We then DID stop and fix a few of the logger’s tractor tire ruts along the way before tackling ‘the Berm’. We spent a good amount of time ‘mining’ for rocks, and the ‘Bucket Brigade’ was in full swing. What was completed Will make a difference, but it needs a little more work once the dirt settles and gets packed in.
We had two New Volunteers join the Crew today – Jessica Kucken and Allison Schmidt. WE want to “Thank” them for Helping, and ask that they come back again and become part of the eSpecially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew! They WERE Appreciated!… and were Fun- like US!
This Week’s Winner of the ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Vinnie Smith. Congratulations! He won a bag of “Cool” biking gear!! Another pair of Tifosi Optics SunGlasses – REALLY COOL! – were in the bag (THANK YOU Brittany Frederick), along with a couple of Twin Six T-shirts, and a bunch of other stuff! ALL of these Sponsors Appreciate what WE do!… and WE APPRECIATE them!!
Next week there will be another Winner, it could be YOU. Ya just gotta show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’! YES, you can win more than once! Every time you come out and Help, you have a chance to win!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 22, will be:
MEET at the Emma Carlin Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am for The ‘Gathering’.
We be LEAVING for the WorkArea at 9:00am. If you’re late, start walking – or Riding, the Emma Trails the proper way. You will find US about 1 mile out (listen for US – WE’re bound to be heard in the woods) [OK, look for bikes on the side of the Trail – some may ride out].
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
WE only have THREE Saturdays left in OUR Spring TrailWorkDays!! So if ya haven’t made the effort yet to come out and Help, ya gotta do it SOON!
There will be FREE food and drink after the WorkDay, in the Carlin Parking Lot, for OUR energetic TrailBuilders, courtesy of CAMBR (Chicago Area Mountain Bikers), who will be attending the WorkDay. They want to ‘Give Back to the Trails’ that they use, as well.
Stay Informed: Go to OUR/YOUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to stay connected with what’s happening on OUR Trails. Also view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays. VERY COOL!! See if YOU are a ‘Video Star of the week’!
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya next Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-8-10:
This week WE ReTurned to the Muir, to do some needed TrailWork there. The day was NOT an exciting weather day. It was Cold, with grey skies, and a hint of rain in the air. BUT…… it didn’t rain on us while WE were working on the Trail, and it also didn’t dampen OUR spirits…. or humor.
Twenty-two, eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew came out to Help make OUR Trails better – and have a little Fun. It was a smaller Crew than WE have gotten used to, but considering the weather, it was More than was expected. THANK YOU, to ALL those who came out and got a little Dirty on this dreary day. YOUZ Truly ARE “eSpecially CrAzy”! But actually, it was not a bad day to work on the Trails! We were quite comfortable once WE got to the WorkArea and started working.
OUR game-plan today: was to build a New ReRouted Section at the beginning of the ‘Kissing Meadow’, which is on the backside (farthest West) of the BLUE / GREEN / PURPLE Trail. The Trail Section that was replaced was a slightly UpHill section that had eroded, over the years, into several Big deep grooves. The replacement Section IS longer (of course), and travels briefly through a ‘grove’ of cedar trees before turning onto a grassy, winding, slightly UpHill Section of Trail, that opens into the ‘Kissing Meadow’. It IS better than the old Section!
Also: the plan was to raise the height of the middle berm at ‘Bermuda’ and lengthen the far end of it.
AND: also planned was the building of two more berms (or one long one) at the top of ‘Bermuda’ to carry the traffic around a fast, flat corner, making it safer AND More Fun!
The Crew needed to break into two Groups to accomplish this task. Everything planned was completed, except the finishing touches on the berms at the top of Bermuda. Those will be completed next Saturday, along with some additional work at the Muir. “Bermuda” has already been hailed by Many as one of the most Fun Sections at the Muir now. OUR ‘adjustments’ will make it that much Better!
This Week’s Winner of the ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Joe Marencik. Congratulations! He won a bag FULL of “Cool” biking gear!! (a couple of items that WE did see in the ‘Bag-o-Goodies’ : Tifosi Optics SunGlasses – Those are REALLY COOL!, a FREE entry to the WEMS Series: 12 Hours @ Muir Race, a gift certificate from Thompson’s for one of anything you want!! – and that was but a few of the ‘stuff’!)
ALSO winning this week (yep, two Winners) was Jim Braswell. He left early, but we have a nice ‘box-o-stuff’ for him, as well, WHEN he comes back next week!
ALL of the Sponsors Appreciate what WE do! Consider them when you need something.
Remember: Next week, YOU could be the Raffle Winner. ALL ya gotta do is: Show Up AND… ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’!
YES, you can win more than once! Every time you come out and Help, you have a chance to win! THIS IS GREAT STUFF – SWAG!!!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 15, will be:
MEET at the JOHN MUIR Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am for ‘The Gathering’. AGAIN, at the MUIR Parking Lot. We’ve got some MORE TrailWork to do there, to make OUR Trails Even Better!
We WILL be LEAVING for the WorkArea at 9:00am. If you’re late, some of the Crew will be at ‘Bermuda’ (backside of the BLUE/GREEN/PURPLE/ORANGE Trail – just before where the ORANGE splits off of the BLUE/GREEN/PURPLE Trail), and some will be at the Richard’s Revenge ‘berm’ Area.
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
This week’s Sponsor for the Free Raffle is….. Another Surprise to you AND me! Kenny hasn’t told me yet! Come and see what it is (stay around ‘til WE all return to the Parking Lot, after the WorkDay, to find out what the ‘Goodies’ are, and WHO won them). It could be you! BUT, YOU NEED TO BE PRESENT TO WIN (unless you get ‘Special Permission’ to leave early (just tell us ya gotta leave – WE understand)).
WE do have a New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org. Go there to see Lots of interesting things about OUR Trails, and what WE do! Also, to view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays produced by OUR own TrailCrew Member Martin Tank. Are YOU a ‘Video Star of the week’?! Look to see if you made it into last week’s Video!
And…… “THANK YOU”, OUR OWN Craig Smith, for making the music on this week’s Video! (Do WE have talent, or what?!)
Also, to stay connected with what’s happening on OUR Trails, check out: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 where you can leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya next Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 5-1-10:
WE DID IT! We ‘Busted Out’! Which means: WE cleared and Opened the NEW Emma Carlin Trail from the TrailHead to the OverLook, which is considered the Half-Way point of the Emma Carlin Trail Loop (3 miles out – so far). CONGRATULATIONS to ALL who have come out to Help build this Section of Trail – and to ALL who will be using it for years/decades to come.
The day started with Beautiful weather; Sunny and warm! You could feel the Energy in the Parking Lot, from the CrAzy Crew who had assembled, who were eager to get started AND complete this Section. WAIT! Bonus! Kenny Dretzka has come through again! For this Special Day, a BIG box of assorted Sock Guy socks for ALL Volunteers to pick and choose from – FREE! THANKS – from Sock Guy, for what WE do! These are GREAT Riding socks!! THANK YOU Sock Guy!….and THANK YOU Kenny!
Thirty-Four, eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew were THANKfully out ‘Gettin’ Dirty’ on this ‘Special’ TrailBuildin’ WorkDay.
OUR game-plan today: to finish building both SwitchBacks on the steep hill that we have been working on the last two weeks. Also, complete the clearing and light benching on the remainder of the this Trail Section, over to the Carlin OverLook. None of these projects were easy. A LOT more rock got moved, and a LOT more dirt (you just had to look at Vinnie Smith to know how much); And a LOT of Honeysuckle got yanked! BUT…. A Good Time was had by ALL! Yes, the Laughter could be heard EveryWhere! CHIPMONK Laughter!! It made US ALL laugh! There was some hard work done; but it WAS Fun….. and Good!
WE DID have a MUCH deserved ‘Bust Out’ CeleBration at the OverLook when WE completed the NEW Trail Section. A ribbon cutting (with a Fiskars, of course!), followed by a ‘Toasting’ of beer and sodas – let me reiterate: a MUCH DESERVED CeleBration! After that, it was a Ride (some did walk) back to the Parking Lot for a HUGE spread of FREE food and more beverages, along with much conversation, for this Crew to enjoy – ALL put together by OUR own Gary and Bethany – THANK YOU – AND provided by the Southern Kettle Moraine Chapter of WORBA’s Fall Color Fest and the eSpecially CrAzy IrRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew!
This Week’s Winner of the ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Maj Williams – a First-Time Crew attendee (Now she HAS to come back to Help again!!). Congratulations! She won a bag FULL of “Cool” biking gear!! (a couple of items that I DID see in the ‘Bag-o-Goodies’ : Tifosi Optics SunGlasses – REALLY COOL!, a FREE entry to the WEMS Series: 12 Hours @ Muir Race, a couple of Twin Six T-shirts, and that was only the ‘stuff’ on top!) ALL those Sponsors Appreciate what WE do!
Next week, YOU could be the Winner. Ya just gotta show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’! And YES, you can win more than once! Every time you come out and Help, you have a chance to win!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 8, will be:
MEET at the JOHN MUIR Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am for The ‘Gathering’.
Yes, the MUIR Parking Lot. We don’t want to neglect OUR Trails over there!…. so WE have some berms to build to make OUR Trails there, even Better!
We be LEAVING for the WorkArea at 9:00am. If you’re late, meet US at ‘Bermuda’ (backside of the BLUE/GREEN/ORANGE – just before where the ORANGE splits off of the BLUE/GREEN Trail).
Remember: WE WORK even if it RAINS. We’ve learned that the weather is ‘different’ at the kettles – DON’T be intimidated or influenced by the weather reports! Just come on out (bring rain gear if you’re concerned). We ain’t afraid of no rain! Right?
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
This week’s Sponsor for the Free Raffle is….. Another Surprise ‘Bag-o-Goodies’ filled with Many different Sponsors ‘stuff’.
Stay Informed: Go to OUR/YOUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to stay connected with what’s happening on OUR Trails. Also view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays produced by OUR own TrailCrew Member Martin Tank. VERY COOL!! MANY of US ARE ‘Video Stars of the week’! Look to see who’s ‘on’.
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya next Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 4-24-10:
Rain. All week the Weather Services were talking RAIN for the entire weekend. WE were mainly concerned about Saturday morning for OUR TrailBuildin’ WorkDay and OUR Special Emma Carlin ‘Bust Out’ CeleBration!
The ‘Bust Out’ CeleBration was to be a celebration of completing the ReBuilding of the Emma Carlin Trail, from its’ TrailHead to the Carlin OverLook, which is the farthest point out that this Trail goes before looping back to the TrailHead again.
[The ‘completion’ is simply the replacement of all the deteriorated Trail Sections between these two points with Longer, New and ‘ExCiTing’ sustainable Trail. There are some Sections between these two points that are still the ‘old’ Trail that were kept in place, because they were still in good or fair condition. Once ALL the ‘bad’ Sections are replaced throughout the Emma Carlin Trails, these ‘old’ Sections will also be replaced with New Trail.]
The REAL eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew is “not afraid of NO Rain!!”….. But, WE realistically knew that the threat of rain would reduce the number of Volunteers who would come out to Help US get enough TrailBuildin’ done, so that we could complete the ‘Bust Out’ on this day.
…..We were right – the threat of Rain reduced OUR numbers to only Twenty-Four, REALLY eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew!!
So…. Because of the fewer Volunteers, WE did NOT ‘Bust Out’ today, but WE still DID get a Lot of New Trail built; which means: Next week WE WILL ‘Bust Out’ and have the CeleBration, which includes a Ribbon Cutting to Open the New Trail Section, a ‘Toasting’ (Free Beverages) at the OverLook, and a Free Lunch – provided by the WORBA Fall Color Fest and the eSpecially CrAzy TB Crew!
After a late Friday night – very early Saturday morning Rain, the WorkDay started with the weather channels all showing a ‘window’ of no rain between 8:00am and noon. The ‘Gathering’ in the Carlin Parking Lot at 8:30am had a very light drizzle; by 8:45am it was a heavy drizzle; and by 9:00am it was RAIN! We took a vote on 3 options – 1, walk (it was too wet to Ride bikes today) to the planned WorkArea and do as much as WE could – 2, walk out half way to a Section that WE had completed last year but hadn’t opened yet, because WE were awaiting the DNR to complete a boardwalk over a creek area, and do some light clearing and raking of it in anticipation of it being opened next week – 3, walk out to – and finish – a Section, close to the TrailHead, where WE had cleared most of a Trail Section last year with the IMBA Trail Care Crew, and hadn’t opened it yet because the entrance to it had not been completed. (The “4th option” was surprisingly turned down by this eager Crew, which was to just call off the WorkDay and go meet someplace for beers!) This Crew IS dedicated, because the 1st option won out. So…..
The game-plan today: WE walked out to the originally planned WorkArea and did OUR best; which, of course, was UnBelievable! It stopped raining after WE had walked about a hundred yards down the Trail and it didn’t start raining again until WE were walking the Trail back to the TrailHead. PERFECT!…. and you were worried!?! The ground was Great to work with (soft because of the rain) and the temperature was optimum (comfortable, not hot).
Anyway, The plan was to continue building the SwitchBack on the steep hill that we started last week. Today this project took most of OUR time, energy, and Crew. A LOT of rock got moved, and dirt. A lot of it, twice! – But it’s gonna be a Very ‘Special’ Area when completed. Yes, WHEN completed. This SwitchBack is a HUGE job. WE did a LOT of work on that SwitchBack today, but it ain’t done yet. – Next Week fer sure!!
Notable Mention Time:
Charlie Johnson was again an EspCrAzyIrregTBCrew member today. Charlie has his own Trail Crew in Northern Wisconsin on the Roche Trails, but graciously comes and joins US periodically. He, too, is an IRRegular TrailBuildin’ Crew member who is obviously eSpecially CrAzy!
Mom, Cindy and son Schuyler (Team Williams) were back for a second week in-a-row. We apparently didn’t scare them off last week! We’re GLAD to have youz back, and Hope it becomes a cherished weekly Event for you.
WE also saw the ReTurn of Craig Smith and Sue Franz – two Favorite Crew members, even though they be from south of the ‘border.’
One of last year’s Dirty Dozen was back for the first time too. Mike (one of the Mike’s) Michetti was on ‘leave’ from college in order to get his ‘Get Dirty’ Fix.
Eric and Amanda Lou were First Timers with the Crew. THANK YOU!
…..and WE have to mention….. Michele Zimmerman’s ‘chipmonk call’ – Think about it!
Yup, get her laughin’…… and she was!
We got a LOT of Good TrailWork done today and there was a LOT of laughs! THANK YOU Crew! You ARE Appreciated! Not by just me…. The 1,000’s of TrailUsers who will be enjoying every inch of the Trail you have built, for Decades to come!
After the TrailWork and returning to the Parking Lot, we did The Raffle drawing. This Week’s Winner of the ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Jim Wiser! Congratulations! He won $50 CASH!! This week’s Sponsor was WORBA’s, Southern Kettles Chapter’s, Fall Color Fest. GREAT! They Appreciate what WE do!
Next week, YOU could be the Winner. Ya just gotta show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’! And YES, you can win more than once! Everytime you come out and Help, you have a chance to win!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, May 1, will be:
Back to the EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am for The ‘Gathering’. (The Rain ‘scare’ this week kept US from completing this week’s TrailWork, so…… we gotta go back and ‘Get-r-Done’!)
We be LEAVING for the WorkArea at 9:00am.
WE WORK even if it RAINS – The Crew just proved that!! We’ve learned that the weather is ‘different’ at the kettles – DON’T be intimidated or influenced by the weather reports! Just come on out (bring rain gear – just in case). We ain’t afraid of no rain! Right?
Your call – if’n ya wanna BRING Your Bike to RIDE to the WorkArea. Remember: ya wanna be dressed to work! – Don’t be embarassed to wear Work Clothes to Ride out to the WorkArea! And you CAN still walk, if you like. Either is OK! ALL tools are at the WorkArea already!
This WILL BE the “Bust Out” Day! WE WILL BE ‘CeleBratin’ as previously planned! – Ribbon cutting, BeverAges, FOOD; the Marching Band is not available this week and the Dignitaries…. well, maybe someone from the DNR MIGHT find some time to Grace US. (see what RAIN can do to a CeleBration!). (the Gnomes MAY make a surprise visit, but no guarantees now).
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
This week’s Sponsor for the Free Raffle is….. a Surprise, even to me!
Kenny Dretzka has it covered. But it’s bound to be GOOD! They haven’t been disappointing yet.
Another Mention: Go to OUR/YOUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to stay connected with what’s happening on OUR Trails. Also view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays produced by OUR own TrailCrew Member Martin Tank. VERY COOL!! MANY of US could be ‘Video Stars of the week’! Look to see.
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
AND Another Mention: After the WorkDay, MANY of US (fifteen, in fact) went to the General Store for lunch and BeverAges. A very Good Time was had by ALL (some More than others)!! We’re leaving it at that! We Learned a LOT about each other and it brought US closer together (some More than others!! – we’ll leave it at that, too!)
Give the General Store a visit after the WorkDays; it’s GOOD, and the owner, Mike Bettinger, is a HUGE supporter of the Crew, so let’s be a HUGE supporter of him and the General Store!
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 4-17-10:
Sunny, but cool with a breeze, to start this TrailBuildin’ WorkDay off; but, as usual, it warmed up fairly quickly. The final count was Thirty-Eight eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew who came out to ‘Get Dirty’. It kinda seemed like less than that many Volunteers because right from the start at The ‘Gathering’, in the Emma Carlin Parking Lot, we began to split up the Group into smaller Groups to tackle several different TrailBuildin’ projects; which meant it didn’t look like there were as many people out there as is usual – but there were!
It was another “Bike to Work Day” this week, meaning WE were Ridin’ our bikes out to the WorkArea. Again, Most did. Again, there were a few walkers – and that’s OK – we’re GLAD to have everyone who is willing to Volunteer a little time to make these Trails better; and if they prefer the walk – that’s OK.
The game-plan today: To continue the L-O-N-G Trail from where WE left off last week. The Area where we started on this week is an ‘environmentally sensitive area’ so the Trail through this Section is basically flat with little brush, so it was quick work; just a little trimming and raking. Then we got into the more ‘interesting’ Area. A couple of tighter twists, a ‘start-to-pick-up-speed curvy downhill, followed by a big rolling Drop and a ‘crank-it’ uphill, and then….. we started the climbing switchback! This hill is steep and scenic (we will have a resting viewing spot in the middle for those who need would like it). We completed building about 25% of the climb, so we still have LOTS of work to do there. Towards the end of the WorkTime (about 11:00am), most of the Volunteers had completed their individual group’s Area ‘jobs’ and had moved forward to where this switchback is being constructed. Suddenly there was a LOT of Volunteers in one area. COOL!
Notable Mention:
We, AGAIN, had many NEW people joining the EspCrAzyIrregTBCrew for the first time! THANK YOU! You ARE Appreciated! Hopefully, you had a Good Time and can see what your Volunteer efforts do to Help make better Trails for ALL; and you’ll come back to Help again.
Also, I need to mention: I saw an OLD TrailCrew member – John Duchac – Riding OUR Trails this week (he hasn’t been out to ‘Help’ yet this year). He made the comment that he has been staying up-to-date with what the Crew has been doing via the E-mail UpDates, and thinks the work that the Crew has been doing is GREAT!….. but… he lamented the lack of printed ‘ribbing’ we used to give to certain Crew members. He’s right. I’ve lightened up a bit this year……. Until NOW!
So John is a good place to start – John’s excuse for not coming out to Help this year YET… was because he had to go to Greece….. to Ride, and drink a LOT of wine… and drink some beer… and Ride some more! ?? We’ve been TrailWorkin’ FIVE WEEKS! That’s a LONG time in Greece John! SOMEBODY has a problem?… and has his priorities screwed up! Ridin’ and drinkin’ for five weeks. Sheeez! You could’a been out on the Trails with US doing some Good for sooo many.
(Hey wait, come to think of it, when I retire, that’s what I’d like to do)!
Well…. now that he’s back, we’ll see how long it takes for him to sober up and come back out with his Friends. (Hope that ‘ribbing’ made him Happy!)
AND, WE were Happy to see Tom Held back with the Crew today to get a bit dirty. He’s one of the Really IRREGULAR Crew – the last time he was out with US, was like THREE YEARS AGO!…. and that’s OK. We still Appreciate the effort! THANKS, Tom!
Something else we Noticed: The Carlin parking lot had quite a lot of cars with bike racks on them in it after the Volunteers had left, meaning: Lots of Riders were Enjoying OUR Trails! It’s getting popular at the Emma again – because of the Hard work, and Fun, this TrailCrew is doin’…. and having! GOOD JOB!
After the TrailWork and returning to the Parking Lot, we did The Raffle drawing. This Week’s Winner of the ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Mark Petterson! Congratulations! He won $50 CASH!! This week’s Sponsor was WORBA’s, Southern Kettles Chapter’s, Fall Color Fest. GREAT! They Appreciate what WE do!
Next week, YOU could be the Winner. Ya just gotta show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’! And YES, you can win more than once! Everytime you come out and Help, you have a chance to win!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 24, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am.
LEAVING for the WorkArea will be at 9:00am.
WE WORK RAIN OR SHINE! – OK, maybe not lightning!! We’ve learned that the weather is ‘different’ at the kettles – DON’T be intimidated or influenced by the weather reports! Just come on out (bring rain gear – just in case). We ain’t afraid of no rain! (except Amy, who just might melt).
It will be another BRING Your Bike to Work Day! If you want. WE can ride to the WorkArea. But be dressed to work! – or change in the woods. And you CAN still walk, if you like. It’s OK! ALL tools are out there already!
This week’s TrailWork – ALL Volunteers will be working on that hill buildin’ the SwitchBack, and also finishing the Trail from the top of the hill to the Carlin OverLook. We SHOULD get the Trail Section completed AND Opened to the Carlin OverLook – BUT we’re gonna need a LOT of Volunteers! Bring Friends!!
When we do finally “bust through” to the OverLook, WE have a BIG ‘CeleBration’ planned! – Ribbon cutting, BeverAges, FOOD, Marching Band, Dignitaries…. (the Gnomes will be there)…..
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
This week’s Sponsor for the Free Raffle is again, WORBA’s, Southern Kettles Chapter’s, Fall Color Fest. They’re givin’ another $50 CASH!! They Really Appreciate what WE do! ‘THANK’ the Chapter Board when you see them, and support (attend) this year’s Fall Color Fest – Sept 25, 2010!
Also: Go to OUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to stay connected and view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays produced by OUR own TrailCrew Member Martin Tank. VERY COOL!! (Martin couldn’t video this week ‘cuz he HAD to go to the Sea Otter Race to video there), but this week he should be back, so MANY of US could be ‘Video Stars of the week’!
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 4-10-10:
This TrailBuildin’ WorkDay’s weather was Great! Slightly cool in the morning, and then it warmed up – T-shirt Time! FOURTY eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew came out to lend a hand. That’s FANTASTIC!!! With that many Crew, we got a LOT done! We were able to cut a LONG Trail Section around a Big kettle, and beyond – it’s gonna be Cool!
The ‘Gathering’, starting at 8:30am, which is in the Emma Carlin Parking Lot through April, is something to see – and be a part of. The parking lot is Full of cars, AND people. Conversations, run amok! This time there were people on bikes Everywhere, ‘cuz it was “Bike to Work Day”, meaning WE were Ridin’ our bikes out to the WorkArea. Most did. There were a few walkers. We found that the walkers, who were taking ‘short cuts’, were making better time than those of us on bikes. That’s ‘cuz we’ve made the New Bike Trails sooo much longer! ‘course the Bikers had More Fun!…. well maybe – Ridin’ MB Trails carrying a shovel is NOT as much Fun, or easy, as I thought it would be.
Notable Mention: This week we saw the ReTurn of Jamison! Oh, Yeah! He’s been a Main cog in our ‘broken wheel’ for many years. It was sooo… Good to see, and Hear, him back (I was in an adjoining kettle doing some ‘adjusting’ work, far enough away from the WorkGroup that I couldn’t see or shouldn’t hear them, but I could hear the Laughter non-stop from the ‘Jamison WorkArea’!) He certainly keeps the Groups spirits Up! This week we weren’t graced with Mr. StoryTeller, Mike Ellis, but when we get the Jamo and Ellis comedy Crew back together again! It’s gonna be Wild!
Brett May, and ‘the boys’ were back again too. We haven’t seen them since last year. Brett, too, has been part of this Group for Years. He understands the importance of this Volunteer Group and what they do. We are Very Glad to see him back!
We also had many NEW people joining the EspCrAzyIrregTBCrew! THANK YOU! WE Hope you had a Good Time and can see what your Volunteer efforts can do to Help the cause; and you’ll come back to Help again. We Appreciate You!
And Hey, even little Chucky was out to Help – until he had the ‘stuffing’ scared outta him – ya just had to be there!
The game-plan today was simply to continue the Trail from where WE left off last week. The Section that WE were working on is L-O-N-G and will take US to the OverLook, which is at the backside of the Carlin, where the Connector Trail meets. I’m thinking it could probably take two more Saturdays to get there, BUT…… I’ve seen what this Crew can do!! IF, we can get a BIG Crew this Saturday, WE might be able to get all the way over to the OverLook; although it’s still a long way. When we do finally “bust through”, WE have a BIG ‘CeleBration’ planned! So, are the Volunteers UP for the challenge this Saturday? Will the Crew make it a “Bust Through” Day? We’ll see! The weather is ‘spose to be Really nice. Maybe if they BRING FRIENDS!
After the TrailWork and returning to the Parking Lot, we did The Raffle drawing. This Week’s Winner of the ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Bruce (I couldn’t read the last name on the sheet – sorry) Borcherding! Congratulations! He won a ‘Bag-Full-o-Goodies’. LOTS of ‘stuff’ in there. GREAT! Next week, it could be YOU who be da Winner. Ya just gotta show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’! YES, you can win more than once! Everytime you come out to Help, you have a chance to win!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 17, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am.
LEAVING for the WorkArea will be at 9:00am.
It’s gonna be another BRING Your Bike to Work Day! (‘cuz it’s a long walk to where WE be workin’) Meaning, you can ride to the WorkArea. How COOL is that? ‘Course ya gotta be dressed to work! – or change in the woods. You CAN walk, if you like. It’s OK! ALL tools are out there already!
This week’s Sponsor for the Free Raffle is WORBA’s, Southern Kettles Chapter’s, Fall Color Fest. They’re givin’ $50 CASH!! They Appreciate what WE do! ‘THANK’ the Chapter Board! And support (attend) this year’s Fall Color Fest – Sept 25, 2010!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Go to OUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays produced by OUR own Martin Tank. VERY COOL!! MANY of US are Video Stars this week! Michele Z eSpeCially!! (gotta turn the volume UP) Maybe she can get some dates outta this!
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 4-3-10:
The Third TrailBuildin’ WorkDay (and ‘Social Club’ Get-Together) was slightly less attended than the week before due to the threat of Rain. But, Twenty-one eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew weren’t afraid of no Rain!…… even though they did get a little wet; but nothing major. Once we got to the WorkArea it started slightly drizzling, then stopped; and about two hours into the work it rained a bit harder for about half an hour – then quit. It was nice after that; and Sunny and quite Warm at 2:00pm. GREAT for Ridin’!, and several DID!
The ‘Gathering’ was in the Emma Carlin Parking Lot this time – and will be for the rest of the April Saturdays. Many of US were Happy to see the ReTurn of Michelle Z. whom we haven’t seen since Halloween. Always one to cheer-up the Crew! We also had some ‘New-to-Join-da-Crew’ and some ‘We-hasn’t-seen-ya-for-awhile’ willing to ‘Give a Little Back to the Trails’ today! GREAT! Thanks, guys…. And gals! ….or should I just say CREW!
Special THANKS to Vin, the Tool Man (and Mike; No, not that Mike, the other Mike) – for stopping at the Muir and picking up and delivering OUR tools to the Carlin! BIG Help!
The game-plan today was to ReStart the ‘Resurgence of the Carlin Trails’ that we started last year. We gots LOTS of New Trail to Build! Unfortunately, It WAS a long walk out to the WorkArea, which is close to the OverLook, and is at the farthest point from the Parking Lot, but it did give US lots of time to talk – not always a good thing, depending who you be walkin’ with; but most of the conversations were good.
Once at the WorkArea we split the Group in two and had half start clearing Trail from one end and the other half start at the other. Since this Area was a short Section, it didn’t take long to complete. Continuing on to the second WorkArea, which was 80 yards down the old Trail, the Crew really stepped up the clearing, moving quickly. This Area is not heavily wooded or filled with brush and the small trees and plants are easy to pull out of the ground this time of year. Therefore LOTS of New Trail was cleared and benched. BUT….. this Section that WE are working on is L-O-N-G!!! We only got a fraction of this Section completed. This Section will take US all the way to the OverLook! Whoopee!! There are lots of hills in this Section so there will be lots of fast rolling downhills and leg ‘warming’ UpHills. There’ll even be a few ‘surprises’ in there!
This Week’s Winner of the ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle was Michelle Zimmerman! Congrats! She won a ‘Bag-Full-o-goodies’. I saw a whole bunch of Planet Bike stuff in the bag, along with T-shirts and…. More ‘stuff’. I donno what else – but it’s FREE! COOL! Next week, maybe it’s YOU who be da Winner. Ya just gotta show up and ‘Give a Little Back to YOUR Trails’!
REMEMBER: These Sponsors are saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
THAT is Really COOL!! We THANK Them!
Notable Mention: After the WorkDay, there was a small Group who did a flagging of a potential layout at the New Skills Area at the Muir. That New Area IS in the beginning planning and layout stages. If you have any Experienced knowledge of, or interest in participating in, the planning or building of this Area, please let US know! The ‘blind’ can use ALL the Help they can get!!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 10, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am.
LEAVING for the WorkArea will be at 9:00am. – it’s a long way to go. BUT…. It’s a BRING Your Bike to Work Day! Meaning, you can ride to the WorkArea. How COOL is that? ‘Course ya gotta be dressed to work! – or change in the woods.
We’re gonna make that Trail L-O-N-G-E-R-ER!
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Go to OUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays produced by OUR own Martin Tank. THANKS Martin! VERY COOL!! Next week maybe you’ll be ‘IN’ it.
Also check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-WI/South-Kettle-Moraine-Trail-building-Update/344566429136 to stay connected with the Crew, leave comments, ask questions, or sometimes get a laugh.
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuilding UPDATE of 3-27-10:
The second TrailBuildin’ WorkDay (and ‘Social Club’ Get-Together) of the new Season was better attended than the first. THANK YOU! Thirty-one eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew were on hand to build some New and exciting Trail! This Crew is building (no pun intended)! It’s a ‘who’s who’ of people from all over the Area and beyond. People of different Riding skill levels and some…. who don’t even Ride – and That’s OK! It’s people who love the outdoors, know this is good exercise, enjoy the company of a diverse crowd and want to give back to what has given them joy in their lives. Again… Thank You!
The ‘Gathering’ (as it’s getting to be called) in the Muir Parking Lot was filled with conversation and laughter. Coffee and donuts were available for those who needed a “Good Morning” pick-me-up. After a brief description of The Work-to-be-Done Today, we were off to the first adventure – to the tool shed to decide what tools to take?!! There was Lots of conversations and discussion here – not about tools, it was just another opportunity for Good conversation….. oh, and Picture time!!
OUR plan of action today was to send a small Crew to ‘fine tune’ the rough cut areas that were completed last week and to be sure those areas were ‘open’ to Trail Riders. The rest of the Larger Crew went off to build New Trail on the ORANGE Loop. The BIG hill towards the end of the ORANGE Loop is being replaced with a ‘just as challenging’, and much longer hill and Trail (you’ll be satisfied). This BIG task was completed! (some fine tuning will be done after it is open and Ridden – so get out there)
Memorable Moments during the day: The ReTurn of Mike Ellis (what more can be said?)
Upon returning to the Parking Lot after the WorkDay, there was a brief ‘Walk-and-Talk’ at the Area just off the parking lot where a New Skills Area is being planned to be implemented. If you have any Experienced knowledge of, or interest in participating in, the planning or building of this Area, please let US know! The ‘blind’ can use ALL the Help they can get!!
It is Worthy to mention this again – SPECIAL NOTE: New this Season, we are having a ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle that will give ‘something’ away to one lucky trail crew member each week. Current Sponsors are: Planet Bike, K Bar, Twin 6, 12 Hours of Muir, Sram, Thompson and Sock Guy (with more to come). All you need to do is Show Up, Sign In and Help Out a little. COOL!
The March 20 and March 27 trail days were Sponsored by the WEMS 12 hours of Muir, which put up $50 CASH!
This week’s Prize Winner was: Mike Lindow! Next week, maybe it’s YOU!
These Sponsors are saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
THAT is Really COOL!! We THANK Them!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, April 3, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – EMMA CARLIN Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am.
To start – Conversation and Connecting Time (the usual verbal TomFoolery!), followed by an explanation of the WorkAreas of the day and what is to be done. Leaving for the WorkAreas is at 9:00am.
This Weeks WorkAreas – BACK to the CARLIN! We got NEW TRAIL to BUILD!
It’s Time to RE-START its Resurgence! We started rebuilding the entire Carlin Trail System last year and got approximately 25% done. Now we’re going back with a renewed vengeance. WE WANT MORE! This New Trail will have More excitement, More interesting Trail features, More technical Riding, but mostly MORE of what YOU are looking for in a Mountain Bike Trail! We NEED you to come and give your insight, thoughts, opinions and a little sweat and muscle to see this dream accomplished.
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Go to OUR New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org to view some GREAT video of OUR TrailWorkDays produced by OUR own Martin Tank. THANKS Martin! VERY COOL!! Next week maybe you’ll be ‘IN’ it.
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew
Keeping you informed of the GOOD work being done on YOUR Trails
TrailBuildin’ UpDates 3-20-10
TrailBuildin’ Has Begun! Whoo Hoo!!!!!
The FIRST TrailBuildin’ WorkDay (and ‘Social Club’ Get-Together) of the new Season was well attended by Twenty-Four eSpeCially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’ Crew. Those attending were all pretty sure that the Crew would have been even bigger, if it wasn’t for the inch of SNOW!? that fell the night before covering everything with a white blanket! ….. But that doesn’t stop this Crew. That is a perfect explanation of why we are called eSpeCially CrAzy! Snow, cold, rain doesn’t stop US from OUR appointed rounds – OK, maybe lightning, as we learned last year. We saw it as the LAST chance of the year to see the forest up close, covered in snow. It WAS beautiful!
The ‘Gathering’ in the Muir Parking Lot started OUR adventure off well. Everyone was pretty happy and eager to be there; Excited about getting back out onto the Trails. There was plenty of conversations and the rekindling of friendships. Hot chocolate and donuts were there for the taking to start US off with an energetic ‘sugar rush’. Then we all got excited as Vinnie Smith unloaded a ‘Bunch’ of NEW TOYS TOOLS for US to play with! Tools ordered by Mike Bettinger from The General Store, paid for by OUR own Fall Color Fest funds from WORBA’s Southern Kettles Chapter by James Wamser (did I get in enough plugs and Appreciative mentions?). “THANK YOU” to all involved with that acquisition! We LOVE New TOYS TOOLS!
OUR plan of action today was to rough cut short sections of New Trail at several locations on the first SouthEast Loop (the Finger) of the BLUE/GREEN Trail. Several muddy sections had developed along the route which caused Trail Closers of the Southern Loops. By Rerouting around these low spots, there should be minimal closers of the Trails. We decided to split the WorkCrew to work in two major areas, allowing US to get More TrailWork accomplished. Group #1 worked on the South-Bound Leg of the ‘Finger’ and Group #2 worked on the North-Bound Leg. Each Group had two major areas of New Trail to cut through and each also had some minor areas to work on as well.
Quite a bit of Laughter was going on from Group #1, but they still managed to clear a lot of Trail. Of Note: Several, several…. comments were overheard in regards to Mike Ellis (who wasn’t even there! – MTB Riding in Missouri this weekend, he said). Either the TrailCrew Loves him that much, or he’s the perfect scapegoat to use (see what happens when you don’t show up!).
Memorable Moments during the day: We found out that Vinnie ‘goes both ways’ (and that’s OK), Butch needs to stay on the ‘High Side’, Gary is afraid ‘it will grow back’, and Bethany has one big tat (and nice legs – WooHoo).
All of the anticipated TrailWork Areas were completed as planned – ‘Rough Cut’. We will ‘clean it up’ next Saturday.
SPECIAL NOTE: New this Season, we are having a ‘Sponsor of the Week’ Free Raffle that will give ‘something’ away to one lucky trail crew member each week. Current Sponsors are: Planet Bike, K Bar, Twin 6, 12 Hours of Muir, Sram, Thompson and Sock Guy (with more to come). The March 20 and March 27 trail days are Sponsored by the 12 hours of Muir, which is putting up $50 CASH! All you need to do is Show Up, Sign In and Help Out a little. COOL!
This week’s Prize Winner was: (and this WAS completely by chance) TrailBlazer Dave (“What are the Chances?!” – one in twenty-four, this week). Next week, it’s maybe YOU!
These Sponsors are saying: “Thank You” for volunteering a little of your time to Help make better Trails and opportunities for all. Please consider these Appreciative Sponsors when you make future purchases!
THAT is Really COOL!! We THANK Them!
Anyway….
Our plan of attack for THIS Saturday, March 27, will be:
The ‘Gathering’ – Muir Parking Lot, 8:30am – 8:45am. To start – Conversation and Connecting Time (the usual verbal TomFoolery!), followed by an explanation of the WorkAreas of the day and what is to be done. Leaving for the WorkAreas is at 9:00am.
This Weeks WorkAreas – The Group will split up again, to start (converging back to one Group), to cover Three Major WorkAreas. Group #1 will be assembling a BoardWalk, crossing a low area on a New Trail Section on the BLUE/GREEN/ORANGE/WHITE Trail that we cleared last week. Group #2 will be ‘fine tuning’ the TrailWork that we did last week. Group #3 will be Building a Long, LONG, NEW Trail Section – extension of the ORANGE Trail by the BIG Hill.
Come on out and get involved! ‘Give a little back’ to the Trails that you Love!
Oh, AND….. WE have a New WebSite: www.southernkettles.org
Look here to stay UpDated about OUR Trails, see video and pictures of OUR TrailWork, make comments, stay connected, etc. This site IS brand new and still in a developmental stage, so look back often to see all the New stuff that get’s added.
See ya Saturday, and THANKS!
TrailBlazer Dave
And the rest of the eSpecially CrAzy Irregular TrailBuildin’
