Bike Trail Development Plans of the PMRP

Post by **rjackson** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:28 pm

Where can I find out what the general/specific development plans for the PMRP cycling trails are?

I'm curious as to the types of trails that are being considered; Scenic, Endurance, Cyclocross, Downhill, North Shore; and what the developers may be open to.

Thanks in advance for the information. (I also apologize for not knowing which forum category to post this under, but I figured after about a half dozen responses it wil be a hijacked thread anyway.)

Post by **Paul3eb** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:39 pm

might want to consider posting to rrgcc.org instead.

and check out the new site

(courtesy of rockman)

also, pm'ing rro is what would probably be a good idea, too.

Post by **rjackson** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:50 pm

Thanks.

I went to the RRGCC's new site, and found no link to forums in the Navigation. Am I missing it or has it been deleted?

Also, I found no coverage of the grant from the state on the RRGCC site, which has been prominently featured here, and is slated for use to develop running/biking trail/loop.

Is RRO a clearing house for information or coordinating development? Is there anyone in particular I should contact there for information.

Post by **charlie** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:51 pm

Right now we're open to anything that doesn't infringe on climbing trails. Work so far has been in the direction of singletrack through the woods (with a few bumps here and there to keep the kid in you alive).

It's important to understand we're in infancy stages of development right now. We want to get a good loop done this year so we can drum up some momentum with bikers, then maybe be in a position to get a professional development team in next year.

More than likely we're going to be looking at singletrack with a little freeriding mixed in, but everything's on the table right now. As long as it's sustainable and smart, and we have people that will help, we're going to get it done. Baby steps, but a few years from now we hope to make this a quality biking destination.

Hope that helps.

Post by **charlie** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:55 pm

Matt Tackett (he works for the girl that owns RRO) and I and another BOD member (Mark Jackson) are the people working on this, working with some MTB experts in the area and studying trail development techniques.

We just got the grant yesterday so we haven't written anythng up except for the quicky in the newsletter. The new rrgcc site was just promoted last night (THANKS ROCKMAN!!!!) so things are changing over there right now. We will have some FAQ's and a contact us option for things like this. The forum just got a bit unwieldy from a maintenance standpoint.

Lots of things to do!

edit-man my typing sucks when I'm rushed

Post by **ReachHigh** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:55 pm

good information. I really hadn't though about that area as a mountain bike destination but the more thats available the better.

Post by **rjackson** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:05 pm

Cool.

There's a lot of land and the gorge has so many cool features. Right now I know most downhillers and freeriders are having to go to the ski areas in WV and NC for any type of semi-serious riding. There is a small downhill course at Fort Duffield, south of Louisville and they also have some excellent MTB loops. Other than that, I know of very little in the region.

Let me know when you are ready to consider some more extreme course work; I know my son and the group he rides with would be interested in helping to develop some North Shore style runs. Whistler and BC is a long ways from here.

Thanks again.

Post by **charlie** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:48 pm

Man, if we could have some Whistler tracks around here that would be awesome!

We do really have a great opportunity here, it's just about smart development and getting the work done but the more minds and backs we get then there will be no stopping us.

Post by **rjackson** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 6:33 pm

Every time I drive through the DBNF I think about what kind of cool runs could be developed, though my sons are more of the downhill/freeriders. I've been saving my old bones for climbing. I get on my mountain bike every now and then to make sure I still can (though we went to Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland this past spring and I had a blast).

http://www.raysmtb.com/index.html

If you develop it right and can appeal to all types of riders then you have the possibility of a whole new outdoor user group for the property (and another revenue base?). Most riders spend a lot more on their bikes than climbers do on their racks, and are usually very good about volunteering and shelling out for access.

The one thing I've noticed about the Louisville organizations is that they don't seem to be willing to look at all types of riding together, so development has been geared for MTB only. Fort Duffield is the only place around that has tried to bridge the gaps that I'm aware of.

I can help spread the word in Louisville when you are ready, though I have to say up front that I think most of the interest is going to come from more intense and diverse runs as opposed to standard loops (I understand that the loop is just a start and very necessary to get a foothold). There's a lot of good single track in Jefferson County and the surrounding area, but there's nothing as far as North Shore style. And I'll bet a lot of people would travel a good distance to have access to something like that, and help build it.

Feel free to PM me any time, I could easily continue to ramble.

Post by **pawilkes** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 6:51 pm

I am no longer in the area but it would be sweet to have some mountain biking on the PMRP. I remember posting something on the KYMBA forum about the land because people were interested in rides in the gorge area. They might be good people to contact about getting volunteers to do labor (once you get to that point)

www.kymba.org