TECHNICAL TRAINING AREA PROPOSAL MAY 1, 2000

A Proposal For A
TECHNICAL TRAINING AREA

To Be Constructed In
MOUNT WORK - HARTLAND

by
SOUTH ISLAND MOUNTAIN BIKING SOCIETY

Presented to
CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT PARKS
Victoria, BC, Canada

May 2, 2000

info@simbs.com

A NOTE FROM SIMBS PRESIDENT, June 2000

This is our first draft. We are "inventing the wheel" as far as seeking authorization for structures in sanctioned riding areas. There are no standards that we know of, and no one has done this before. We are breaking new ground. We want input on all aspects of this proposal: safety, construction, liability, refining the proposal, and how to expedite its approval.

If approved, this TTA (as we call it) will have stunts to challenge the majority of riders at Hartland. For those of you that desire more extreme structures, think of the terrain parks at Whistler/Blackcombe and the massive jumps and pipes they now have. That stuff started out smaller and grew. We need your support to get this project approved and built. Contact us with sources of materials, labour, or services.

Thanks to the TTA Committee and Andy Wade for co-ordinating the project and writing this proposal.

Jim Richardson

SECOND NOTE, OCTOBER 2000

We are getting closer. No official word yet but we are optimistic about hearing soon. Please contact us if you want to contribute to making this a reality. Jim Richardson

LIST OF PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF TTA

WHY A TECHNICAL TRAINING AREA?

This can be summed up in two points: Reduced environmental stress and increased rider safety.

1. More and more people are riding at Hartland, and many are looking for greater technical challenges (particularly of the "North Shore" and "Freeriding" style). By providing riders with a TTA, we can reduce the stress on the natural environment in two ways. First by providing an area for riders to practice their technical skills, the incidence of "renegade" riders looking for (or building) new challenges on or off existing trails will be reduced. Second, the TTA will reduce the total number of on-trail riding hours, thereby reducing stress on all of the existing trails.

2. The TTA will also give novice riders a place they can learn and practice skills. There are three main benefits to this. Again, there will be less on-trail use and therefore less stress on the existing system. Second, the TTA will facilitate SIMBS' efforts in teaching new riders sustainable riding habits. Lastly, the TTA should increase rider safety. By providing skill-graded obstacles, riders can gradually build skills rather than finding themselves in dangerous situations on the trails. Should any accidents occur, injured riders will be close to the parking lot and gate entry, making transport/extraction much easier for medics than from in the larger part of the park.

WHAT IS A TECHNICAL TRAING AREA?

The proposed TTA will focus on two main functions for both novice and advanced riders within a concentrated and controlled area.

1. The TTA will provide skill-graded obstacles where novices can learn the skills to ride trails more safely and successfully. It will embody the type of obstacles found in the park proper. Log obstacles, for example, will range in size from 4 inches to over three feet. This way, riders can start by practicing on smaller obstacles, and gradually increase the difficulty as their skills develop.

Obstacles for novice riders:

Rolling earthen bumps (Whoops)
Dirt jump (ie: one of two ramps, composed only of earth)
Four small logs (4"-8")
Medium-height log pyramids (1.5' and 2.5')
1.5' Wheelie-drop ramp
Log and ladder area (not exceeding 1' high)
Steps

2. The TTA will also provide an area of technical challenges for more advanced riders. As "trials" riding, "North Shore", and free-riding are becoming more popular, the TTA will have obstacles built of natural materials on which these riders can practice. In this way, the TTA will service the needs of advanced riders, while reducing "renegade" riding.
Obstacles for advanced riders:

Two dirt jumps (1.5' and 2.5') Comprised only of earth.
Large logs and log pyramids (up to 2.5' high)
Wheelie-drop ramps (2.5' and 3.5')
Teeter-totters (2.5' high, 8" wide, 12' long)
Log and ladder area ranging from 1.5' to 3' high
Steps

RIDER SAFETY

Please consult "Assessment of Risks Associated with Mountain Bike Use at Hartland Section of Mount Work Regional Park", by LeMorte and Associates, for the CRD. Numbers refer to relevent sections of publication.

2.4 Loss Prevention, Rider Inexperience and Poor Judgement, and Risk Control: The nature of the TTA is to build the skills of riders before they enter the park to try similar obstacles within. This will increase loss prevention by facilitating the gradual building of skills. Rider experience and judgement will be improved as they practice in the TTA. Should any loss occur, riders are as close as possible to the main gate for easy access and extraction by emergency response teams.
3.1 Design and Inspection: The TTA is laid out as a uni-directional course (counter-clockwise). All riders will be travelling the same direction so as to avoid collisions. The Novice lines are always on the inside of the loop, thereby being adjacent to the 3 metre buffer zone, to add an extra margin of safety. All obstacles have 6' of compacting material 1' deep on exit and 3' on either side, as per the "Handbook for Public Playground Safety," by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The entire TTA will be inspected monthly by a qualified SIMBS member (suggest Chair of Trail Committee) for any hazardous situations, conditions, and objects. It should also be noted that the head of a rider on any obstacle in the TTA will be little or no higher than structures found widely in Victoria's public parks and schools (7'-9' max.).
3.2 Rated Difficulty: Both the obstacles themselves and a sign at the entrance should state what lines are Novice, Intermediate, and Expert.
3.3 Regulatory Signs: We suggest that a sign be erected at the entrance to the TTA which will lay down the rules of the area. This should have both the SIMBS and CRD logos on it. Sign should include:
- Ride at own risk
- All riders MUST wear appropriate safety gear. Helmets are required, and body armour is suggested for Expert obstacles.
- Area is UNI-DIRECTIONAL. All riders must ride in a counter-clockwise direction.
- All obstacles are graded and marked as per skill level. Stay within your skill level.
- NO riding in area while vehicle(s) are in the TTA.
- Advanced riders MUST yield to Novices and groups.
- Note speed zones and ride appropriately
3.4 Media/Communication: An overview of the design, purpose and appropriate use of the TTA should be laid out in the SIMBS newsletter and posted in local bike shops.
4.2 Separation of Visitors and Hazards: The TTA is completely separated from the parking lot and the rest of the park. People who wish to spectate within the TTA have a safe zone both on top of the ridge on the North side of the TTA, as well as West of the Steps.
4.5 (Design 1.3): The TTA will accomodate all ages and abilities.
4.4 Emergency Preparedness and Response: Please see 2.4 above. It is also suggested that a first-aid cache be stored on or near the site (ie: under the kiosk).

COSTS

SIMBS received US$250 grant from the International Mountain Biking association for trail development. This will be used as seed money and to cover what costs it can. Most of the material will come out of the park (or other CRD parks) itself (ie: logs), and from donations. "Timber Jim's" has offered what materials it can. SIMBS members (volunteers) should be able to complete most of the work themselves, except for the excavation and post-hole drilling. We have made some inquiries into the cost of these, which do not appear crippling. If CRD machinery and operators were made available, this would reduce costs considerably. Bark chips for compacting material around all obstacles is not expensive (~$15/yard), though we should be able to get most of this material free, either from Timber Jim's or the CRD.

TIMELINE

May 1, 2000: Approval of proposal by SIMBS Board.
May 2, 2000: Submission of proposal to CRD Parks, Engineering, Planning, and Administration.
May 7, 2000: Stake and flag layout of TTA so can see layout on the ground.
May 9, 2000: Review, and/or approval by CRD.
May 13/14, 2000: Site preparation. Clearing of debris, excavation of earth, move soil to area where Whoops, Dirt Jump, and triple Wheelie Drop Ramps are to be located.
May 20/21, 2000: Start of installation of logs and materials.
May 27/28, 2000: Continuation.
June 3/4, 2000: Continuation and wrap-up.
June 11, 2000: Opening of TTA to coincide with Hartland's 2nd Anniversary Celebrations.

SUMMARY: BENEFITS OF TTA

1. Facilitates increased park use while reducing stress on natural environment
2. Increased rider safety
3. Serves riders of all abilities
4. The concentrated and controlled setting will facilitate incorporation of more riders within the mandate of SIMBS/CRD License Agreement
5. Enhances development of the sport.

For more inno contact info@simbs.com

July

Tuesday July 8th
SIMBS Board Meeting, first (non holiday) Tuesday each month 7:00 PM sharp, Victoria Police Station, 850 Caledonia Ave, everyone welcome.

Sunday July 13th.
Introductory Ride at Hartland, second Sunday each month 9:45am, Guided, separate beginner and advanced groups, all ages.
Details and Updates

Sunday July 13th.
Youth Ride at Hartland, second Sunday each month, 9:45 AM. Families welcome too!
Details and Updates

Sunday July 13th.
Women's ride at Hartland occurs on the second Sunday of each month at 9:45am. The rides are led by women for women of all ages and abilities. Carmel Ecker.
Details and Updates

Sunday July 20th
Trail Maintenance at Hartland third Sunday each month, 8:45am sharp (on the trails at 9:00), Call Greg @ 598-6198 and please leave a message so we have enough lunches, or e-mail him: mailto:trails@simbs.com
Details and Updates

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The International Mountain BIking Association says: “20 hours of trail work, $20 to IMBA, and $20 to your local MTB organization.” SIMBS membership is only $20 CDN.