whatUcanDo

IMBA HOSTS TRAIL BUILDING SCHOOL AT THE WESTERN TRAIL BUILDERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
February 6-8, 2004 Reno, NV
Text Box: SHAWN O'MEARA demonstrates an IMBA spec'd teeter-tooter.
This year theme for the IMBA session at the Western Trail Builders Conference was "Adding challenge to the trail and risk management".

Text Box: SHAWN O'MEARA demonstrates an IMBA spec'd teeter-tooter.
This year theme for the IMBA session at the Western Trail Builders Conference was "Adding challenge to the trail and risk management".

How to provide challenge and sustainable trails with approval from the land manager. Not always an easy process. IMBA's trail building school dealt with natural and man made challenges, ttf's (technical trail features), how to build them, and where they are appropriate to place.

Having seen many teeter tooters breaking around the country, Mark and Lora developed this fun, safe, strong, and long lasting design. A trip to Home Depot, $80, and six hours of labor is what it took to build the unit above.

Built out of pressure treated 4x4's, 2x4's, and 3/4"x5" cedar fence pickets, the most common failure point in teeter tooters have been the pivot point. This one uses 1"cast iron pipe and flanges, with a 1-1/4"pvc sleeve used as the bushing.

Note some the special design characteristics:
-pressure treated wood
-steel pipe and flanges for pivot
-deck pickets spaced tightly (less than 1 inch) so feet/shoes can't get caught in, and -do not extend past the stringer, so they don't splinter or break off
-wood deck screws - not nails
-screws offset, or not placed in common wood grain
-offset pivot point to returns to same side every time
-sturdy 4x4 a-frame for stability

Look for IMBA's new trail building book coming out this spring which will include building recommendations for such ttf's.

On Friday afternoon, trail school participants take a ride and tour of Evans Canyon. This gave the opportunity to take trail builders and land managers from across the country to try the "mountain bike experience".

A long time cowboy/trail builder from Bozeman, MT (in red stripe jacket above) enjoyed his full suspension Giant so much, he wanted to know all the details about the bike and how much one would cost. He was seriously considering buying a like bike even thou he couldn't remember the last time he had rode a bike!

Thanks to local IMBA and bike club members of the Reno Wheelmen who provided the bikes for this ride.

We received so many compliments from the WTBA participants for being able to take a ride and enjoy our trails.

Thank you for your bike(s)

Sylvan Amesbury,
Jack Caramore and Eric Maresjo
at Mother Lode Bicycles,
Jim Crompton,
Mike Damon,
Eric Martin,
Randy Meyers,
Shawn O'Meara