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I hit City Park this afternoon and it was awesome. Here is what I left thinking thinking: 1. Excellent work on making everything rollable. 2. Lapping that place on a motorcycle looks super fun. 3. The trail is changing as it adjusts to the new direction. Several ledges and lips were dislodged and there are loose rocks all over. Watch for them and you’ll be fine. 4. It’s hit out there people, pack lots of water. 5. The new direction is less intimidating from a descent perspective but feels like there is a lot more climbing. 6. Triple bitch is still a bitch going down. 7. Devil’s staircase is huge from both directions. 8. Anyone that can climb up cheesecake is a machine. Go get some people. The cool breeze makes it feel good and the trail is great fun. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So I hit it yesterday and was clocking a pretty nice pace when I came across a dismounted rider bailing water out from between the rollers. Of course I stopped and would have helped but the bucket was not to be found. He was using a square edged shovel to get as much water out as he could. We talked for a couple of minutes and then I walked my bike around the flooded sections and proceeded to finish my lap. As I'm winding my way through the adjacent sections I see a couple of srtavassholes nearly run that same guy over without so much as a "pardon me". I could hear the guy say something like "hey how about a heads up" but don't know if they even stopped to apologize. Damn dudes! Save the clock for another day and give your fellow riders a little courtesy on the trail.

That only looks like a quarter notch harder than some of the stuff out at WC. None of that rock is loose, and the rock that is there is granite, sandstone, or covered in skateboard grip-tape. We could all make that climb that fast, we just choose not too.

That's not a riding video, it's a horror video! Damn he was hauling ass!

A constant in threads about trail building and maintenance are the stories of favorite features being molested by newbs, slackers, and ner-do-wells who are clearly bent upon a mission to ruin the rides of a handful of hard-core local riders who only appreciate a trail that offers the most challenge they can find on every ride. Something every trail builder should consider is how one of the most successful trail systems ever devised has B-lines for most of the technical features offered. These trails are found in Bentonville. All the best trails will have a flow line beside a challenge line to keep the seasoned rider entertained because choice is always better than no choice. B-lines that are designed into the trail are the mark of a craftsman who understands how their creation will serve a wide variety of riders with as wide a variety of skills. B-lines will prevent people from taking apart TTFs (Technical Trail Features), because they already have an option that works for them. The B-line allows riders to build the stamina and experience to want to try the A-line some day, and allows them to learn and expand their skill set at their own pace. If those riders don't have any other choice except constant frustration with features they aren't ready for they will modify the trail again and again. The frustrated trail builder will rebuild it again and again as well. It might not even be the same person or persons doing the unauthorized work each time. I've seen this happen to trails I've built and found it frustrating. It took some time (years) for me to finally get to the point that I realized I'm not the only one riding that trail. Trails will evolve of their own accord if they aren't built to accommodate the majority of users. Having both lines doesn't make the A-line any easier, nor does it take away the option for any rider looking for it. Two lines lets you have your cake and eat it too. No constant battles putting things back together wasting time that could be put into more rewarding efforts. This in no way condones folks messing up a trail or ruining a feature that is enjoyed. It is only a strategy that offers the opportunity to do something about it beforehand by nipping that urge in the bud. As an Exercise, sit quietly in the woods for a few hours a day over several days while counting the riders at any given feature that is without an alternate line. Then, separate the riders as they are counted into: a) those that clear the TTF; b) those that try and fail; and c) those that don't even try This might build perspective about who the users are, and what their skill levels are. From there, thoughts may migrate onto how building a trail in a way that encourages riders, by offering the choice of progressive lines to work toward as they improve their skills is a good thing, and it is the best way to preserve the features that offer challenges. Cheap insurance is what I'd call this trail design strategy. Murphy's Law says that any B-line that can be made, will be made, so the bottom line is more about who gets to decide how the B-line is made.

Wow 💪 not sure if I'm more impressed with the rider or the camera man who I could hear huffing air at the end. I'd have passed out well before the top.

Awesome climb!