El Gringo

Check with us if any of you are FR512 members. We're a Banshee Ambassador and have access to the build kits, forks, etc. as well if you want to build a partial/complete. However, any parts MUST ship with a frame, according to their policy.

1 hour ago, throet said:

For those helping, is it OK to park at the church? Also, is the worksite visible from the church parking lot? I see something above indicating that a jeep road can be found in the direction of the fire station - is that the best way to find you guys? 

Parking at the church is fine - there is a jeep road that accesses the park, but space there is limited. If you're coming out, the easiest thing to do is park in the parking lot. I'll PM you my number. Just hit me up if/when you make it and I'll meet you there, then show you around.

Thanks!

We're back from Cali. We'll be out at the trails by noon. If anyone wants to help, we'll point you in the right direction! Projects include clearing new lines, getting the Drop Zone running, and leveling the space for the Shred Shack.

jscottyk (de)rockded it! Dirt was too wet to shape, but he really did a job on that berm - it looks even better in person. Thank you!

Shout-out to Radiantm3 who came out and de-rocked/smoothed the new transition for the Drop Zone. This was no small task. Thank you for helping to get this ready to go!

1 hour ago, throet said:

I haven't been able to get out there yet due to a slow recovery from injury, but are there other ways we can help? Seeing these major contributions being made by FR512, seems like a great time to promote membership or launch a GoFundMe. Looks like the FR512 website is a bit dated too and maybe there are folks here who would be willing to help revive it. Would love to know more about what else you guys are doing and whether you will be continuing your work out at RHR as well, or if this is essentially your new dig. Can't wait to get out there! 

Thanks, Throet! Funny you should mention . . . We just went over plans to update the website yesterday. Christ Church will be added as a new location and each of our sites (RHR, Cat Mtn, Christ Church) will have their own page describing the trails. And yes, building is still very active at RHR. Rob is leading the building out there and is doing a great job - the latest project is building a corkscrew off the octagon. To my knowledge, it'll be the only corkscrew in Texas. If you've never ridden one, they're fun! Seth is still driving Cat Mtn, and Kendra and I are leading the trails at Christ Church. So, 3 active locations. Come and ride when you're healed!

Radiantm3 rode up as I pulling out yesterday and took over where we left off. With more folks pitching in like that, we'll make faster progress - we have so much we want to build!

Good point on membership: that's how we fund the building (and we come out of pocket for materials to make sure we keep the budget up for insurance, rent at RHR, etc.). The easiest way to help is to get a membership at Freeride512.com. Equally helpful is dropping 2x6s, 2x4s, 3" deck screws, etc. at the site. Of course, showing up to dig is always appreciated! I'm happy to give guidance so folks can work when we're not there.

Finally, we've just moved a bunch of new dirt - so, believe it or not, simply riding-in the trails is a big help too!

Oh - almost forgot: We really need to get signage up out there. That would be a great way to help out as well! I know there's another thread out there about signs. If we can get them, we'd be happy to post both in the the park and along SN to help folks navigate to get there.

7 minutes ago, radiantm3 said:

3. 😁 I'm glad to help out when I can. I really appreciate the work you guys have put in so far and this place is going to be a complete gem. 

Thank you so much for your help today! We're going to test the jumps tomorrow. They wouldn't be running without your effort!

5 hours ago, cxagent said:

Uh - Yes it is a "real" mountain bike trail if built by machines. Ever been to Angel Fire? Moab? Whistler?

Good point, CX. I think folks see the machine and think it's done. We've done tons of trail both by hand with mcleods and with machines. I can honestly say digging with a machine is no less work - in fact, more. There's so much dirt moved that raking it, shaping (by hand) and refining what the machine dumped is much more exhausting than just digging a trail purely by hand. Add to that the stress to get as much done while the machine is on-site, and . . . well, we're already gassed half way through the weekend. It's all the same process - chainsaw work, shaping, designing, etc. They're all hand-built at the end of the day. Just different tools.

And . . . with the help of Mark (Radiantm . . . something, I forget) we got the jump lines running tonight. Still a bit rough, be careful, but rideable. Thanks, Mark!

Best of both worlds!

Video: Joel Anderson Hits a Field Full of Big Jumps on his eMTB

I'd like to post pics of the actual features, but I keep getting a "-200 Upload Failed" error. Anyone know how to fix it?

Pics from last weekend's workathon:

We had an awesome weekend. KOM came out and lent us a hand . . . No, two arms. For those of you who know about FR512, you know we've built our fair share of machine built trails/features. We know our way around machine built lines. Let me tell you, Brett took us to a new level. Seriously. We've never dug with KOM before, but we were impressed - very impressed. We've struggled with how rocky the ground is out there. Heck, all around here. He's developed a technique of tilling the ground with the teeth on the bucket that totally changed our game. The dirt on the jump line is awesome now. So happy. Hope to get both lines running within the next couple days. Apologies to the packs of riders who came through over the past few days, only to find the trails closed. We'll open them within the next couple of days - but beware of future closures, as we'll be expanding to try to grow into all the potential out there!  

AND a special shout-out to jscottyk - thank you so much for the work you put in. Grooming the lines the way you did really helped us reach our goal for the weekend.  THANK YOU, SCOTT!!

We'll try to share pictures, but between the updates to my iPhone, coupled with recent updates to Windows, that seems to be an impossibility at the moment.

On 12/13/2019 at 12:19 PM, Cafeend said:

Why buy signs to note trails that are going to be built on?


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Why dig the trails in the first place? Believe me, that's much more investment than buying a sign. Anyone who's dug trail (especially dirt jumps) knows this is a risk - even when you have permission (and a contract) from the landowner. Build it and enjoy it while you can. If we had more builders, stuff would go in faster, enjoyed longer, and maybe if enough people got hooked on it, lobby to keep it legit. Brushy fell into that exact category:

http://www.freeride512.com/diggers-with-attitude/

53 minutes ago, jscottyk said:

Is there a best time for volunteers on Sunday? In a previous post about Sunday work, I think I saw 1PM.

53 minutes ago, jscottyk said:

Is there a best time for volunteers on Sunday? In a previous post about Sunday work, I think I saw 1PM.

Anytime after 11AM.  Thanks for your interest!

KOM is out this weekend - we'll be out there all day, both days, if anyone want to come and help!

Kendra has already designed it. Just a matter of of resources/labor. a bunch of people here were calling for a work day and we scheduled it - one person showed up. We're out working every day and KOM has graciously lent their equipment and expertise for this weekend. But seriously, if you want this stuff within the near future, you're gonna have to help (as you've already offered). It's labor intensive!

OK - several of you have expressed interest in helping out. We're finally at a point where we can form a trail crew and give direction. Here's what we need:

1. Several 2x4 pieces cut at 1' for decking the skinnies on Narrow is the Way

2. 2x6 cuts at 3' 4" for bases for the skinnies

3. Any discarded fence posts you may have

Work day this Saturday @ 1PM to build transitions for the Drop Zone - if you have a wheelbarrow, PLEASE bring it.

We'll see what turn-out is like and go from there. The more hands on deck, the faster we'll have awesome stuff to ride!

2 hours ago, deadtokevin said:

Thanks Dale for working on the trails out there! Wish I had more free time to help out..

 

 I got out there this past Sunday and the jump line is really cool and easy enough for a squid like myself to practice on. The 6ft drop is a little above my pay grade unless there is a plan to build a landing for it before the berm.

 

It was pretty sweet to ride from the YMCA, hit my favorite spots, ride to the church/SN and ride back to Brushy and end with nearly 24 miles. There were so many trails I wish I could have added in but didnt have the legs or time for it

The drop is 5 feet and we will put in a transition, as well as a 3 footer to allow folks to progress. Everything we build has a line to progression. We tend to build bigger stuff first, as we've learned it makes the smaller features more accessible. We have plans to put a smaller jump line to the left of the current one (Genesis). If anyone here has carpentry skills, we could definitely use help with cutting ramps. There's rumors of getting a machine soon, and if those are cut, we could get the line up quickly. So many plans . . .

23 hours ago, Tree Magnet said:

E-mail sent to Pastors Kemp and Keefe thanking them for allowing the use of the land for these trails.  Really cool stuff going on out there!

Thanks FR512 crew.  You guys rock.

Thanks!! The pastors really do like hearing from the community, so your gratitude is appreciated!

NARROW IS THE WAY

Here's the latest line we've broken ground on. Not open yet, but soon. Happy Thanksgiving!!

20 hours ago, Yosmithy said:

I had sent and email to the executive pastor and the lead pastor thanking them for their congregations generosity with access to the land. The executive pastor responded back that he's a skate park guy from Houston and that the Lead pastor is a avid MTB'r too. So, it sounds like they definitely understand the need for the land.

Can't ask for much more


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Thank you for reaching out to thank them! Yep, they're great guys. The second wood ramp is now open - tried it out yesterday, but the ground was way too soft to carry any speed (though it was roll-able). Dirt was caking on the tires, though. I'll take a look at it later today.

Waiver is updated (available at www.FREERIDE512.com at the top right of the nav-bar on the home page).

1 hour ago, Bamwa said:

I was just reminiscing about Twin Parks, and I never get a chance to get to RHR, so this is great news. How similar will the beginner's features be to Twin Parks? That place was ladder and skinny heaven! Same size and elevation changes?

Smaller, but great elevation change. Yes, we will be building similar features.