Trumbull-Pequonnock

Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Condition of Trails: Pretty dry and ridable despite yesterday's downpour
Trail Ambassador Name: Rich C, Mark L, R Tucker, K Mistretta, Rich S.
Trail Ambassador Email: mtnbikerdad[at]yahoo[dot]com
Town: Trumbull
Location: Pequonnock Valley State Forest
Trails Ridden: Southern Red, Yellow and White
How did you use the trail?: TM, Mountain Biking
What was the time of day? 9 AM - 12:30 PM, 12:30-2:30 PM
Duration (Hours): 3 1/2 Hours, 2 Hours

This was a scheduled TTC TM session and we had a good turn out. Rob, Nick and Rick joined us and we were able to get a lot accomplished despite the nasty heat and humidity.

We met at Daniels Farm Parking lot and slogged all the way into the ugly rock-strewn Red Trail fall line by the first stream. I had sussed out a couple of reroute options yesterday and we collectively found the best option was a combination "morph" of the two. Basically we created a switchback that keeps the slope under 10% using sustainable trail building techniques to ensure its maintenance and erosion free.

A rock-armored section now fills the dip where the new reroute crossed the washed out fall line and fallen trees were moved into place to deter any shortcuts. Berms were built on the turns and bench cuts were carved and tamped down where ever needed.

Our intentions were to build something equally if not more enticing then the rock-strewn challenge we replaced. It's built for an easier climb but even more important >> it has good flow and downhill speed. TTC members will be tweaking the berms a bit more in the days ahead and we welcome an onslaught of riders to break it in!

It was very hot and humid under the trees and with no breeze - it was a rough 3 1/2 hours. Thankfully no one complained and we worked like a well-oiled machine. Everybody contributed so much energy and smarts to the session and we all left with a great sense of collective accomplishment.

After returning to the parking lot to unload our tools, Mark, Rich and Nick hit the trails again for a quick ride. We rode the yellow and red (zooming down our new reroute of course!) and sussed out another fall line section on the red trail we'll be tackling shortly.

Bee lining down to the Sandy trail that encircles the north end of the Serengeti, we headed into the central maze. The air was brutally stale so we headed on back out via the White Trail, drenched and winded.

In the parking lot we met a few riders who complimented us on our reroute - it was a nice finale for a long day!