Bergamont Bikes are proud to sponsor trail building tools for the Christchurch Singletrack Club.   

Aims  

On the Port Hills are working towards seeing the gaps in the Crater Rim network filled in, more intermediate level trails provided and some more climb-able trails created to access the Port Hills, as well as continue with the ongoing maintenance of existing trails.  

At Living Springs we are working towards building another 3 km section of singletrack which will give us another 5 km loop (we already have a 4 km loop).  We will then have the longest descending crosscountry singletrack on the Port Hills.    

Click here to see Diary of work undertaken and Hall of Fame for Living Springs  

Overview 

Trailbuilding is a great way to meet other people associated with the mountainbike community and to contribute in a meaningful way to the sport.   Two members of the Christchurch Singletrack Club head up two of the many trailbuilding projects going on in Christchurch.  Everyone is welcome to lend a hand – you do not have to be a member of the CSC.  We are involved with both trail maintenance and building new trails.  Graham Allan is the liaison with the Port Hills rangers and he coordinates the volunteers for trailbuilding sessions on the Port Hills cross country trails. Contact him on allan.gbr@xtra.co.nz for more information.  Sessions are currently held monthly on Saturdays and during daylight savings, weekly on Wednesday evenings.  Times and meeting places are advised by email.  Craig Tregurtha heads up the Living Springs trail development volunteer crew.  Contact him at xc@paradise.net.nz for more information.  Sessions are usually held monthly on Saturday’s.  Other groups or individuals work in other locations on the Port Hills on both cross country and downhill tracks.  

As the opportunity arises we may also assist other groups in other locations with their trailbuilding projects. We are also responsible for maintaining our Vulcaniser course in North Canterbury.  

 What to bring // What is provided  

TOOLS  

Grubbers, spades, rakes and other tools are provided but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.  Occasionally we will put out a request for specific items.   

 CLOTHING  

Some work gloves are provided but you may prefer to bring your own or wear your cycling gloves.  

We recommend you wear work boots but at the very least, sturdy footwear  

 FOOD AND DRINK  

Bring plenty of food and water – on a hot day you will drink a lot.  At Living Springs we usually try and provide some biscuits, lollies or chocolate.  At the Port Hills the CCC often provide a sausage sizzle, biscuits and juice after some sessions.  

 There are usually no toilet facilities available.  

 Building basics  

DESIGN  

Prior to a trailbuilding session the planned line is scoped out and marked with flags or paint.  While there are physical constraints that we need to work within, as much as possible we try to adhere to the rules of trail design – avoiding the fall line, keeping the gradient at less than 50% of the side slope, keeping the overall gradient at less than 10% and keeping any individual section no steeper than 15%, incorporating frequent grade reversals to keep water from flowing down the track and trying to maintain flow – design the trail so that people naturally slow down before bends rather than having to brake hard.  There is lots of good information at the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) website – http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/index.html  

 BUILD  

At the trail building sessions the builders clear the corridor if required (trimming back overhanging vines and branches) and shape the terrain so that the rideable bench is about the width of a grubber or spade handle.  The bench has three components – backslope, outslope and flow.  The backslope is the bank that is created when the trail is benched.  We try and make the slope of this as gradual as possible to prevent debris falling on the track with water flow.  It also means that grass is able to grow back on it. Outslope is where we try and make the track slope out slightly so that water that comes on to the track will flow across it and off the edge, rather than down it where it can cause erosion.  However, sometimes the bench needs to be insloped so that it is not off-camber. Regarding flow – the section of track you are working on needs to blend in with the sections on either side of it so be aware of what people are doing on either side of you.  

Track building can be hard work but it is hugely satisfying. You can just do what you are able and all help is appreciated.  It takes a lot of time to get to the point where the section of track is finished even when building straightforward track in open areas.  Sections involving switchbacks or insloped turns are even more labour intensive. We have noticed that some people are great at moving a whole lot of dirt and others are good at “finishing”.  Finishing involves getting the bench to a point where it is smooth (not bumpy) and compacted (not loose).  And it’s not all about moving dirt – there are often lighter duties that need to be undertaken and, particularly on the Port Hills, sections are now being armoured (setting rocks in the trail tread) to prevent erosion.  Some people find this kind of activity really enjoyable. It’s like doing a giant jigsaw.  At Living Springs we like to leave the area tidy so in open areas we remove material by wheelbarrow and deposit it in a less obtrusive area or else in piles that get regrassed.  

 THANKS  

We would like to thank Ground Effect, Lyttelton Port Company and Pub Charity for their support of our trailbuilding projects.