Disciples of Dig

The 2016/2017 trailwork season is over and the numbers are in. DOD volunteers reported over 2,800 hours clearing and maintaining our local trails. Last winter saw an emphasis on clearing trails as our workers logged overtime ... literally logging out dozens of trees and hundreds of  branches that fell during the December 2016 ice storm. DOD also began working with Willamalane in Springfield to develop mountain bike and multi-use trails in the Thurston Hills. We finally broke ground and expect to make a big push on building more new trails out there in the upcoming year.


We'd like to thank our hard working volunteers for giving back to the trails we all love to ride. A huge shout-out goes to Peter O’Toole, DOD’s Trailwork Coordinator for organizing and leading the work crews. Although most would agree that building and improving trails is its own reward, DOD’s Trailwork Rewards Program recognizes volunteers who contribute at least 25 hours a year. So come on out and join us! Digging in the dirt and meeting new people to ride bikes with is a great way to spend the day. Check the DOD calendar for upcoming work parties.
 


You won't believe how many people showed up for Trail Work on Lawler!

We had 30 workers signed in. A variety of projects and tasks were undertaken including crib wall construction,tread restoration/drainage and enhancements, and culvert installation. Tacovore, Oakshire and Planktown refreshments  after the day, and a big chocolate desert cake brought by club member Pokie-Jim was devoured. Fun/Wet/Wonderful day in the woods. Thanks to all our volunteers and sponsors! More pictures over on Facebook.



All Comer's Meet XIII

Our biggest event of the year was another huge success! On January 15, 2017 we gathered at the Carpenter Bypass (Whypass) parking lot to share in social time, group rides, food, fun, and more! 

A Review from a First-Time ACM Attendee

As a novice mountain biking human and for it also being my first time to the whypass trail system, ACM 2017 was a wonderful time!

I carpooled with a good friend group out to the site, got bikes ready to roll and headed down to find an inviting scene at the trail head. Groups of same skilled riders were departing in groups from the "party lot." Folks were friendly and the signs with the trail names was very useful to orient myself to the area at large. 

Most importantly, we rode bikes. Other folks encountered on the trails were helpful and friendly with their trail etiquette. I was astounded that even though the ice and snow storms had clearly decimated the area recently, all the trails I rode were open and in terrific shape, albeit frozen. 

I returned to find a pizza feast, warming fire, warmer smiles and cold local brew! By looking and commenting on others' bikes I was introduced to some members of DOD and thanked them for having us to "their" impressive MTB party. I procured tickets for the raffle and then rode a sweet trek MTB what really made me want to ride more of this amazing location. The trek remedy is GREAT!

The day was winding down and my legs were tired. The beautiful day and new friends had gotten me very excited to go again and help in the future with trail building and riding more in the area.

Thanks for the great experience and sweet party!

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Wow! It's so great to see new poeple joining in the mountain biking fun! It reminds us why we do what we do. Digging trails, organizing events, and supporting a great community is what it's all about.

We hope to see you next time!



New Trail Development in Thurston Hills

Disciples of Dirt to Partner with Willamalane Park and Recreation District

Disciples of Dirt is extremely excited to share the following press release from Willamalane, the Springfield Parks and Recreation organization. We will have more exciting news and details to share as the project develops.

Willamalane Park and Recreation District (Willamalane) is excited to partner with the Disciples of Dirt to develop mountain bike trails in the Thurston Hills Natural Area.

Willamalane and the Disciples of Dirt were successful in obtaining $154,320 in grant funding from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Recreational Trails Program for trail design and construction. The project will be supported with Disciples of Dirt’s pledge of over 1500 hours of volunteer work and $13,000 in cash, for a total project cost of $212,175 for trail design and construction in the Thurston Hills Natural Area. This project will be the first of several phases of trail design and construction in the Thurston Hills.

Willamalane anticipates beginning construction on the main trailhead and starting the trail design and construction in the summer of 2017. Presently the timeline for all of this work is in flux as we are in the process of obtaining all the proper land use approvals, permits and agreements before we can begin construction and start work on the trailhead and trails within the Thurston Hills. All of the land use approvals, permits, and agreements are not within Willamalane’s control and therefore we are subject to other agency and jurisdictions timelines and schedules.

Additional information is available at the  Willamalane website.



Approved: The Lawler Extension

 

New Trail Anticipated to be Complete by Fall 2016

Disciples of Dirt are pleased to announce that after several years of dreaming, discussing, planning, and inspecting, the Lawler extension project has finally been approved! Even better, there is already a final design for the trail and work has begun on clearing of the corridor. We are officially under way on this thing! 

When the extension is complete, Lawler will be two miles longer and wind through some steep, rugged, and fun terrain. The extension eliminates all but 140 meters or so of gravel road allowing mountain bikers to finish the ride on sweet, sweet singletrack.

A big high-five to everyone who worked so hard on this project and made the dream a reality. Special thanks to Kevin Rowell, our friend and mountain bike advocate at the USFS, and to Derrick Bell, Jason Boone, Erin Hooten, Paul Timm and Kraig Brockelman who all lent their expertise and spent countless hours pushing this through the system. And thank you in advance to our hardworking volunteers who will be out there this summer clearing, digging and moving rocks so that by this fall we will have a beautiful new trail to ride! Be sure to check our calendar for upcoming trailwork dates.



Out of The Swamp

The Soggy Bottom of North Shore Tie gets a Serious Makeover

Laying down gravel is certainly not a mountain biker's first choice for building and maintaining trails. But when we have a trail that is undrainable, unsustainable, and unrideable, then sometimes we have to do what we have to do. The bottom of North Shore Tie (aka Eugene to Crest Trail) is a perfect example of such a situation. Sections of this trail are composed of a sludgy, ashy soil that over the course of many wet seasons had devolved into mud holes from hell ... the only solution for which was to add rock.

On Saturday March 5th a group of DOD volunteers headed out with Kevin Rowell of the USFS to make the lower section of NS Tie more navigable for both wheels and hiking boots. At the end of the day some of the nastiest wheel-swallowing trenches had been filled in and turnpikes created over the top to make durable trail surfaces that will last for years to come.



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