Black Canon Collective

Category: Dig Day

  • wheelbarrow rodeo

    It’s amazing what you can do when you work together…

    On Sunday we destroyed the existing and very tired ‘Slam Berm’ on Spoons and went about rebuilding it from scratch with some proper materials…

    After hours of midge flapping, post bashing, rock gathering and mattock wielding we built ”el twato” (don’t get me started) a beautifully cribbed berm that is as good to ride as it is to look at.

    With so much more speed available out of the corner we decided to open up an additional line , so set about excavating even more soil and building a new feature (a pump-able kicker called ‘Rolo’) into the same landing as used by the double after the slam berm. After a bit of wheelbarrow rodeo (video to follow) and countless calls of “just 10 -15 more…!” we called it a day, packed up and went home. Well, not before a few people sessioned the new features in their wellies of course…

    Next time we’ll complete the section (it needs an additional small berm to be built) before we continue with the rest of the TO DO list. Remember, the more people we get along to Dig Days the more we can get done. Thanks to all those who helped out, you did an awesome job!

  • Dig Day this Sunday!

    Having generated a pretty good TO DO list at the last Dig Day we’ll be working our way through it with our main focus being to build a new Slam Berm on Spoons, in the style of WEEEEEEEEBOING (see photo). There’ll be an opportunity to scope out some new features on Puppets (top and bottom) and BBMS (at the bottom) too.

    We’ll spend some time planning out the new XC Blue Descent too, marking out the trail corridor, and even clearing some of it if we get enough helpers.

    We’ll also be looking to add to the TO DO list with any new trail or feature ideas as the day goes on.

    So that’s Sunday 10- 4.

    See you there!

  • Pick up sticks

    Dig Day saw a group of committed members first repair a damaged berm, clear a Freeride trail corridor, then make a long to-do list before scoping out an XC trail corridor and picking up some litter.

    Doesn’t sound like much but collectively we made two massive piles of branches, sticks and falled trees, filled two large bin bags full of litter, and came up with long list of things that we could do to improve or repair the existing trails, not to mention all the ideas for new…

    It was great to see some new faces, and encouraging to see everyone get stuck in to the not-so-glamourous (but absolutely essential) side of trail building.

    Thanks to all those who helped out, please check out the Forum over the next couple of days for details of the new trails and the to-do list to find out how to get involved.

  • Dig Day – come and have your say!

    Sunday 10-5

    We’ll start by discussing peoples ideas for the new XC Descent (BDT) and the new OneFourThree lower section, looking at the trail corridors and getting some stuff down on paper. We’ll mark out a route and try and take some measurements so that we can produce a good sketch for everyone to use when generating ideas before the next dig day.

    Then we’ll work on repairing some features on Spoons, mounting some new signs on the noticeboard, and giving the area a tidy up before making a list of any the existing features that need repairing, and wish list changes to existing trails so that we can get materials before the next dig day.

    See you there!

  • It's Mother's Day!

    So you should spend the day looking after yours, it’s what we’re going to do!

    This of course means that there’s no Dig Day this weekend, it will be rescheduled for 2 weeks time in place of the TickerTape.

     

    Please note: riding your bike rather than treating your mum is not in keeping with the spirit of Mother’s Day (unless she rides bikes too!)

  • Day 2: Home Improvements

    Due to the Dig Day shuffle and the incredible turn out for Saturday’s bike track building extravaganza in Corsley I expected to spend Sunday as a Lonely Tony, raking each course into a groomed and buff state before being stalked and ultimately eaten by a herd of deer.

    The reality however was a turnout that amazed me with some people even coming out for their second day of digging, eager to add a new entrance to East 17, begging to improve the Puppets drainage, petitioning to add a new section in the top woods and desperate to clear the meadow section, all tasks that I was very happy to accommodate (after bribes, threats and favours).

    Eight hours, 16 people (I think) and one completed checklist later – having navigated leaves, pink wafer biscuits, logs, badgers, soggy mud, orientation accusations and a boy racer visit – it was home time and time for a very well earned sleep.

    Thanks to everyone for your help, see you next month.

  • Dig Day Shuffle

    As I hope everyone knows the first weekend of every month sees our Dig Day. For March’s dig day (next weekend) we’re having a bit of a shuffle both in days and content:

    Saturday 5th March: Day Day Away

    On the Saturday it is planned that we assist Corsley Village with the installation of a pump track on their recreation ground – details to follow.

    It would be great to see lots of people there helping out, both because they have helped us in the past especially through funding, and because it will be a good fun place to ride, especially for the kids of the village who will hopefully be our future members!

    Sunday 6th March: Standard Dig Day

    More of a standard dig day, with the focus being on expanding and improving the Dinner ’til Dusk course ahead of the event on March 27th, although it would also be brilliant if we could get ALL the downhill tracks looking groomed and perfect ahead of the summer – then every Dig Day from now on will be free to build new features, new courses and development The Allotment generally.

    This will start at 09:00 and will finish when we’re done, or when it gets dark – remember food, drink, ideas and rakes.

  • Flags, Face Plants and Food

    Front wheel wash out, face plant, stand up, guttural moan, a stumble, a second face plant. That’ll teach me to allow riding on dig day.

    Until Tom’s crash I thought it had gone well – enthusiastic volunteers from the crack of dawn – Pip, Steve – joined by (one armed) Andy and his son Matt; Ben and Tom, working hard on BBMS drainage as well as their bromance and Mark arriving just in time to help build a new corner on the course named after him.

    After lunch, Tom’s crash and cakes we (including new arrival Dan) flagged and cleared a new section in the top woods for the Dinner ’til Dusk course.

    At the end of the day as we cleared up the tools Robin materialised (to tell us about his new riding jeans) and then Garry and his broken wrist arrived to ply us with doughnuts and coke – a gluttonous end to a productive day.

  • 06/02/2011: Dig Day

    Next Sunday sees the next Dig Day:

    Tasks include:

    Pimping up BBMS – drainage, catch mounds and root polishing.

    Dinner ’til Dusk climb clearing – raking, marking, testing.

    Seating area improvement.

    Most of the tools will be provided, but additional rakes would be very useful.

    Hope to see you there, 9am to 3pm. Bring food and water.

  • Dig Day – the results…

    Thanks to all those who made it out to the Dig Day on Sunday!
    We achieved everything we set out to do (thanks largely to Curtis and his ace fence posting skills) but fell short of being able to start any of the new sections or features for lack of additional bodies. As well as what I’ve snapped on my iPhone we also raked and repaired the whole of Puppets lower section (including a tweak to the last corner), raked over MCC (to keep it loamy and fun) and scoped out the climbing sections for the Dinner ’til Dusk trail.
    The trails are holding up real well, and with a bit of TLC they should be in great condition fo the summer, but what new stuff would you like to build with us? What do you daydream about riding there? What trails do your imaginations carve down the hill? It’d be great to get a real army of people to the next Dig Day so that we can continue to add to the trails so that the Allotment stays fresh and rides sweet….