10/29/2006 - More pump track work

Did some more work on the pump track this weekend. Added more dirt to the berms on each end to build them up higher. I was hoping this would help me keep my momentum thru the corners without pedaling, but it really doesn't seem to help. As I eluded to in a previous post, I think these berms are just too large and I will need to tighten them up next spring. I also added more dirt to each of the 6 rollers and that seems to make them easier to pump.

I probably won't be riding much more this year because we're getting more rain all the time. I've got some major plans for next year, including almost a complete redesign of the track layout. I will probably need to rent some equipment (Bobcat!) next year to help move the dirt around and lay more track.

10/08/2006 - First ride on the new pump track

I've had another 5-10 yards of dirt delivered and the pump track is coming along nicely. I've ridden on it a few times now and the berms and rollers are beginning to pack down nicely.

So far its a lot of fun. I think I've built the 2 berms with too large of a radius though and I'm having to pedal hard thru each one to keep my momentum up. Did a little research and discovered that the ideal berm for pump tracks will have a 6-10 foot radius...mine are 15 feet!!! Next spring I will tighten these up!!

Additionally I'm dealing with a couple spots that seem to hold water and are not drying out very quickly. I have finally figured out the problem...one of the berms is only exposed to sunlight for a few hours each day because of the trees in the neighhors yard. Not sure what I'll do about this, but I've got some drainage ideas rattling around in my head.

Now that fall is upon us I'm running out of nice weather to work on the track. Its been raining a lot and things have been pretty muddy. I will be making some major changes in the spring... lots more dirt will be getting delivered!