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Raking trails

March 28, 2015, 3:33 p.m.
Shaloamer
Posts: 416
Joined: June 19, 2011

Do you like to rake all the twigs and leaves off of trails? I have noticed this is the only thing that slows down water flow. Water very quickly erodes trails. Let the leaves stay. These become the new loam that protects the dirt.
I like riding loamers.
I am not a fan of flow trails. NSMBA does a spectacular job of water diversion. They are experts on building trails that will last with minimal maintenance. . So go ahead rake those flow trails.
In the case of loamers/Duff trails. The less you do to the trail the longer it will last.

common sense…..Whats common about sense?!

March 28, 2015, 5:29 p.m.
bikeco
Posts: 235
Joined: May 10, 2007

organics + mineral soil + water = mud

March 28, 2015, 7:48 p.m.
heckler
Posts: 18790
Joined: Oct. 28, 2003

The only thing that slows water is a slight uphill. Thats why the newer trails ride like pumptracks.

March 28, 2015, 8:37 p.m.
nathanjessup@gmail
Posts: 46
Joined: June 5, 2014

we put the duff back in the trails and sometimes we even put branches over puddles to muck them up

March 28, 2015, 8:43 p.m.
Loam-Chompsky
Posts: 125
Joined: June 17, 2012

So what trails have seen the rake of Doom then?

I feel I should know.

March 28, 2015, 11:09 p.m.
three-sheets
Posts: 15758
Joined: May 29, 2004

One time I got muddy on a ride…and I kinda liked it.

Pastor of Muppets

March 29, 2015, 12:51 p.m.
XXX_er
Posts: 15971
Joined: Nov. 20, 2002

up here the bike club does a work bee and rakes the leaves off end of season

March 29, 2015, 6:06 p.m.
burke-ryder
Posts: 608
Joined: Feb. 11, 2003

In the case of loamers/Duff trails. The less you do to the trail the longer it will last.

If that was the case no trails would ever need armoring?
I understand what you are saying here but there are way too many variables involved to make such a statement.

Yes water is the biggest enemy.

The best thing you can do is get the water off the trail, but that would involve some sweat, if that's not your thing then the next best is don't ride when the trail is soft.

Chainsmoker 8)

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