Trail building - A fascinating hobby

Mar 6, 2009

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Why are so many of us riders fascinated by trail building? Why do we endure heat & cold, rain & snow, bugs & blisters, dirt & splinters?

Were we deprived of building forts and tree-houses as kids or do we simply like to build for a better ride? Don't search this blog for an answer, don't ask why, just go out and join the thousands who partake in this healthy, rewarding volunteer experience. Contact your local club or trail society and they will gladly show you the ways.

The Love Of My Life...

... is not my chainsaw, but it ranks pretty high up there. Is that part of why I'm building? You bet! That and having fun with tools in general, with experimenting and playing with something new. No trail, no stunt will ever be the same, no matter how hard you try to duplicate a feature you came across on your last ride, you won't be able to build it exactly like that. Location, material, ground, soil, riding abilities will all have a major impact on your build. Keeping that in mind, how do you decide on a project? My main building time is in the winter, strictly for work related reasons. I have less work and more time to build. That means my last ride is a while back, my memory isn't the best, so I start looking for ideas on Pinkbike. With a zillion pictures it is easy to find something I like and want to use as a template.

Let me show you:

Built by Todd with help from Derek

I really liked this photo when I came across it, a new section on a trail named Dilemma near Chilliwack, B.C. I've searched for more pics of the same structure, preferable with some riders to get a feel for the size. By comparing a bike length or wheel diameter it is fairly easy to get an idea of the size and develop you're scale accordingly.

The outcome of this copying process:

To get to that stage I've spent a lot of time shoveling snow, moving heavy logs and most of all cutting planks:

Now that I have built something that I like, I start adding on to it...

... and then end this part of the build with some creative touches:

O.K., so far so good, but I'm not done. Why not take advantage of the fairly high ladder bridge and add a drop:

It took me all of February 2009 to build this and just as much fun as being outside in temperatures ranging from -25° to +10°, watching the structure grow and the anticipation of riding it was the part of sharing my build with the Pinbike trail building forum community.

Input, tips, suggestions and the occasional thumbs up have been inspiring! Thanks guys!

P.S.: I build alone, but I have these two with me at all times, Spike my bush companion and my "monster-trail-building-log-skidding-snowplough-machine"

-http://caribooyj.pinkbike.com/

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82 Comments

Score Time

+ 29

Jean-dirt (Mar 6, 2009 at 0:13)

You rock man!

+ 16

bbakus (Mar 6, 2009 at 5:39)

so sick! You're a great engineer Big Grin

dawid200611 (Mar 6, 2009 at 10:40)

good job men!!

suicidedh711 (Mar 6, 2009 at 10:59)

i need you people where i live because i don't have a clue what I'm doing when i start building :L

oh and not only do i love your trails i love your bike as well Big Grin

- 15

fallen55 (Mar 6, 2009 at 12:30) (Below Threshold) show comment

i always thought you werent supposed to rip wood with a chainsaw...

steezemaster (Mar 7, 2009 at 7:04)

For fallen55, ripping is hard on a saw, but instead of buying a $200 band mill that is not to portable, a $500 chainsaw that you can re sharpen in about 5 minutes will do just fine.

Great job man, been watching this baby come together from the start!

steezemaster (Mar 7, 2009 at 8:09)

*I mean $2000 bandmill*

caribooyj Plus (Mar 7, 2009 at 8:23)

I was wondering about the $200 sawmill... would have been worth a trip to the US ^^

benjiscott82 (Mar 7, 2009 at 13:54)

epic

bossemark (Mar 8, 2009 at 12:10)

Using a skip tooth chain instead of a fullhouse, speeds things up aswell.

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+ 10

NorCalNomad (Mar 6, 2009 at 1:02)

I think it's like how a lot of men like to work in the garage, but in the woods. It's a time where you can focus on just one thing in front of you and put all your thought and emotions into it. It's a calming almost meditative thing if you are doing it alone, or it could be a almost brotherhood thing if you are out w/ your friends building. It's something you can look at and go "we built that".

pinityoufairy (Mar 6, 2009 at 2:48)

i am so with you on that. i just love being outside in the woods with my tools and my bike. quite a lot of the time i'm not even building - i am just standing there contemplating what i am going to do next.

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+ 12

singlespeedtoday (Mar 6, 2009 at 0:22)

I dig the super ultimate trailbuildingmobile!

thetev (Mar 6, 2009 at 5:22)

i was driving the Trailmobil last summer ^^
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3085096/

thetev (Mar 6, 2009 at 5:23)

Trailbuildingmobile

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caribooyj Plus (Mar 6, 2009 at 17:39)

Wow, huge thanks to all you guys for your kind comments! I'm totally inspired now and will start work on a new and more easily accessible trail soon... beautiful ridge line overlooking the Fraser River.
A lot of comments re.: my trail-monster-machine. It's a brand new Toyota 4-Runner someone rolled here in the area and I picked up for next-to-nothing. I cut off the roof, bought a welder and started fabricating the plow and winch system.... and yes, I will keep posting more pics of it in my albums. Pls. be sure to send me a friend request, if you'd like to stay updated on new trails or just keep checking the trail-building section of the forum for new stuff. Oh yeah, a huge thanks to Dakine for supporting trail building and their offer to send me a builders pack.... sweet!
Ride Bikes - Build Trails!

caribooyj Plus (Mar 6, 2009 at 18:31)

more pics

[Reply]

bman231 (Mar 9, 2009 at 12:37)

I tried to build a trail once, but where I live...in the ghetto people like to go into the woods get high as fack and ruin things so me and my friend spent 1 week making a ladder bridge over this pond we get done its ok you know good but not great, we come the next day and i dont no how but they ripped it apart like how they must of come prepared to tear nails out of boards so I wasnt gonna spend another pretty penny on

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amajors (Mar 6, 2009 at 3:38)

wicked, good to hear there are other nutters out there! I am building similar tracks in sussex in the uk, being from south africa , i have to add to the flat english landscape to make it more challenging! Keep building and keep pushing the limits!!

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danmaran (Mar 7, 2009 at 16:02)

Amazing trail building dude.
It seems you put so much thought into your building. Please enjoy riding them as much as you love building them. Being in the U>K>, we don't have this kind of quality!!!!
Love your work.

Dan Maran, better known as the Farmer!!!

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davidscole (Mar 8, 2009 at 13:23)

I think it is BECAUSE we loved building forts as a kid, by the way (for me anyway). This is cool. Building trails really does add depth to your riding experience. I was lucky to grow up in the woods as a kid... build trails right off my mom and dad's property. I miss that. Who could deny the satisfaction of nailing up a board in place real nice n solid, or tamping down a good transition with hardpack dirt? That's great stuff. Thanks for the pics and thoughts...

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mirdad (Mar 6, 2009 at 18:07)

Yeah man your work is great, we are working under tight guidelines from the forest service here in central Oregon, hopefully showing them artistic, well engineered, and constructed features, using natural timber like your stuff will loosen them up. Progressive, safe, construction like what is documented here is what is truly expanding and validating our beloved sport. Thank you for all your hard work and vision.

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redneckmech (Mar 6, 2009 at 20:46)

That is certainly a trail to be proud of. Great job. I am trying to build something similar to that, it is still in the design phase although I have started on the upper half....... Keep up the good work (or is it play)?

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nastynick42 (Mar 6, 2009 at 9:15)

its great to see that other builders also have a ton of pride in what they build. Its not called OCD, its called pride.

valtra (Mar 6, 2009 at 13:33)

haha Well I'm not so sure...OCD or not, if the trails are good ride them.

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rockdog (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:06)

I can think of no better way to generate good Karma than by creating something that creates bliss for the people that use it. Cheers and respect to trail builders everywhere.

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woodline (Mar 9, 2009 at 14:46)

nice work... your trails are so godly, perfect curves and northshores!!! Is it true, that you originally come from Garmisch? i want to have such a nice trail like this near my home Wink

caribooyj Plus (Mar 9, 2009 at 15:09)

Thanks! ... and yea, I grew up near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Immigrated to BC 16 years ago. Germany is nice, the Alps are great but nothing beats this place here...

[Reply]

altrugon (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:35)

Where is that trail? I would like to ride that amazing structure.

Thanks for all the work that you have invested building trails, and to all of you builders.

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findhan (Mar 6, 2009 at 1:47)

Man that is class, its people like yourself who keep the dream alive. Also loving the snowplough!! Smile

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Internetbiker (Mar 6, 2009 at 3:09)

Great work, been following your work in the trail building forum, looks like a lot of work has gone into everything you have built.

Wish i had somewhere that i could build wooden features, would love to give it a go.

amajors (Mar 6, 2009 at 3:39)

If you are in the sussex area let me know, i have my own little "bike park" and help is always welcome!!

Internetbiker (Mar 6, 2009 at 4:58)

Na im in leicestershire, not aware of anywhere close by.

[Reply]

ExploitedRaven (Mar 6, 2009 at 7:46)

Where abouts is this one located. I would love to give it a try if that's cool with you. I'm in Maple Ridge right now.

Cheers

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collin7 (Mar 6, 2009 at 12:24)

i love this article... you build SICK stuff. i wish i had a place to even TRY and build something comparable to that!

props

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dasmatti (Mar 6, 2009 at 13:54)

I would nearly do anything, if I could do these things in our german woods...

Great Respect, dude

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Freakhead (Mar 7, 2009 at 5:18)

Wonderful job man! You are a great engineer. I still don't understand is it legal to cut those trees? Or are you using fallen trees for this job? How is it like ?

caribooyj Plus (Mar 7, 2009 at 7:19)

No, it's not legal to cut trees down. But, that said, we have a major pine beetle problem in BC and most of the trees here in the Central Interior are dead or dying. I'm cutting dead, standing timber down.
There is also a lot of windfall and I'm also using those trees.

[Reply]

Simpel (Mar 7, 2009 at 2:46)

maaan I want to live in Canada! Here it isn't allowed to build such trails. I have to ask someone from the city council, if I can build some north shore lines.

[Reply]

ragdoll (Mar 6, 2009 at 3:17)

i build trails for the fact that i love riding what i have created. to all builders out there Keep up the good work.

[Reply]

freerider-69 (Feb 26, 2010 at 22:35)

oh yeah see that sucks cause i just got a saw its a echo its got 36 cc its obviously too small for cutting planks right?

caribooyj Plus (Feb 26, 2010 at 22:48)

yeah, that's a bit on the small side for cutting boards. nice for clearing lighter stuff for new trails. you could even split smaler logs in half, that sort of thing.

[Reply]

freerider-69 (Feb 26, 2010 at 7:45)

whats the amount of cc you would usaully want for cutting planks for a chain saw

caribooyj Plus (Feb 26, 2010 at 9:57)

50+ I find ok. Any saw with close to 60 cc is fine in my view. Between 50 and 60 you want to watch your saw a bit: check the air filter regularly, right gas-oil mix, etc... Really, it all depends on if you cut boards for an hour all all day long. If the saw is too heavy its just no fun packing around all day on the trails.

[Reply]

ShaolinWood (Mar 6, 2009 at 4:20)

Nice dude, wish we had some spot to build like that. Have so many issues with permissions here...
But real inspiring work and thanks for the article!!

[Reply]

jb71 (Mar 11, 2009 at 16:54)

Well done! that is fantastic work, i would love to be building, and more so riding those stunts...
Keep up the work, and keep us updated on your future builds.
Nice one.

[Reply]

barcusblah (Mar 7, 2009 at 10:36)

i just wish i could do stuff like that...if i did, it would ether be destroyed or burned by chavs and i would probably be arrested. . .

[Reply]

flack94 (Feb 25, 2010 at 12:28)

wicked snow plough I wish I had the space and the skills to build something like that

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Cactus262 (Mar 6, 2009 at 5:37)

I have much respect for someone willing to do this... yet alone in the middle of a February in Canada. Excellent contribution.

[Reply]

wastis (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:01)

Your work looks soooo nice. Props. And that Specialized-sign is great!!

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mountainmedic (Mar 6, 2009 at 0:52)

This looks fun! Where are you building this? Keep up the great work!

[Reply]

vmba (Mar 8, 2009 at 8:13)

Nice work on this project, and a big thanks to anyone who builds trails, that's what keeps mountain biking alive

[Reply]

dirtjumper679 (Mar 9, 2009 at 15:53)

dude you are a god with wood

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bizutch (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:50)

I'm in awe of the truck! Please show me how you use that bad boy!! More PIX of it in action!!!!

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freerider-69 (Feb 27, 2010 at 9:19)

yeah...okay thanks for the help : }

[Reply]

mitchr (Mar 6, 2009 at 16:45)

Man you have heart and true determination.!!! We wouldn't be able to bike if it weren't for people like you!!!

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Beans13 (Mar 9, 2009 at 12:02)

Nice work. and saw skills!

[Reply]

cartera (Mar 11, 2009 at 13:04)

those are some great trails. wish i could ride them.

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TrevorNoswad (Mar 9, 2009 at 21:51)

this is insane, good job on the "Specialized bike/log carving pic"

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Alekss (Mar 9, 2009 at 7:57)

Very nice. Keep up the good work

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rockstar33 (Mar 8, 2009 at 20:19)

sick stunt man, and your snowplow car thing is frickin amazing

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jonnehboy (Mar 6, 2009 at 15:29)

wish we had somewhere like that here =(

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trobudden (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:12)

that is soo sick man . huge props

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downhilllumpy (Mar 7, 2009 at 10:59)

f'in sweet. they should have medals for people like you. props.

[Reply]

mvonhollen (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:08)

Great trail! That takes a crap load of dedication!

[Reply]

payntjob2002 (Mar 6, 2009 at 3:54)

good pics and progression of build. sick machine for the trails.

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bikeburnz (Mar 6, 2009 at 0:48)

crazy dude.. respect

konagoern Plus (Mar 6, 2009 at 9:41)

and he originally comes from garmish-partenkirchen/germany...

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Dk89 (Mar 6, 2009 at 1:53)

looks like fun!

[Reply]

justinmoreau (Mar 6, 2009 at 11:10)

nicely done
lovin the car

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deanw (Mar 6, 2009 at 10:09)

Wow, I am truly impressed.

Nice work.

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smeagle505 (Mar 6, 2009 at 17:35)

come to australia and build some trails please

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porkypig (Mar 7, 2009 at 7:48)

dont cut the trees its no fun

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Jeffsmb (Mar 6, 2009 at 14:50)

all of that is ok, but the car is fascinating

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matt13 (Mar 6, 2009 at 17:15)

thats the collest car ive ever seen

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karlheldt (Mar 6, 2009 at 13:21)

that looks amazing dude..should post a vid of it when your all finished!

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sammyboy2038 (Mar 7, 2009 at 16:27)

yay bikes

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Hansen93 (Mar 6, 2009 at 3:22)

Nice !

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usadt (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:52)

cool work man~!!!!

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shortywrenn (Mar 9, 2009 at 13:31)

omG tHErE NicE

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hardtaildh08 (Mar 6, 2009 at 8:07)

so nice look so fun

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tom4blues (Mar 10, 2009 at 6:53)

that motor rocks!

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