| We are a group which has formed in Steamboat Springs to address the growing problem of a lack of good, legal singletrack. Our goal is to create new mountain bike specific trails, which will not only relieve some of the congestion on current trails, but to address the problem of riders building illegal trails. Also, through proper trail design, skidding and trail deterioration can be almost completely eliminated, resulting in a trail with less dust, less washboards, less ruts, less maintenance and fewer crashes then traditional trails. |
| Mountain Bike Trail Design Theory
Traditionally trails were designed to go from A to B with the least effort. This should not be the goal of a mountain bike trail. Although many trails are now designed with "fun" in mind, the design and building techniques seem to be stuck in traditional A to B thought. A properly designed mountain bike trail should flow with the land, be very low-impact, self-maintain and cost less then traditional trails. A Copastetic trail is designed walking the land, not on a topographic map. This allows me to use the terrain to my advantage and have the least amount of impact on land, environment and animals. There is no need to cut down trees, remove rocks or use any explosives. The trail is built by hand with minimal use of power tools. The result is a trail with the least possible impact on the surrounding environment and the least cost. By using natural barriers we can eliminate the forming of renegade shortcuts and guide the rider to the next turn in a smooth, skid-free manner. Through proper trail design skidding and trail deterioration can be, almost completely, eliminated. The up and down flow of the trail will control speed naturally with little need for braking or skidding. The result being a trail with less dust, less washboards, less ruts, less maintenance and fewer crashes then traditional trails. Aryeh Copa, Dirty Mother Earthworks President, has been developing and implementing these techniques for over three years on private land and have produced four miles of the most self maintaining, and arguably most exciting, trails in Routt county. |