FRONT SIDE OPEN

We are to get rain Friday & Saturday most of the day.  Due to this we'll meet Sunday @ 9am on the Front Side by the Kiosk.  We can go to work sites from there.  We will be hauling in the steel skeleton for the 30' bridge.  While it is being welded we have other work that needs done.  If you have a battery  operated  drill bring it.  Also a 3/8" or  1/2" drive socket will be good.  We plan to set some support posts on existing bridges and lag bolt them together. 

See you Sun am,

No-air Bud

Saturday was a busy day.  We replaced one small bridge with a section of the old Beaver bridge.  We reset the swamp bridge and anchored it.  We cleared deadfalls from Rich's Revenge and the Switchback.  At the same time, Kevin and Ryan were at work back at the shop putting together the new Beaver Bridge.

Here's the good news.  If we can get in the Beaver Bridge replacement, we can open up the dark side.  This is the day to put in the bridge and put down the decking.

So, if we want to open next week, plan on coming out.  This is the time we'll need lot's of people to lug the materials down to the build site.  We could also use screw guns to put in the decking.

Now we ARE working next Saturday at 9am.  But please check back here Saturday for any change of plans.

And remember on Workdays, we meet on the West side of the park.  Enter via 149 and turn by the sign that says "Chuck Engstrom's Storage".  Drive all the way down.  We'll meet you there.

The weather is finally cooperating with us.  The frontside is now ready to ride.  Do beware that the BIG-BIG bridge on the Near Creek run has suffered "under-erosion".  What used to be an 8 inch drop is now a good 20" drop.

The darkside is STILL closed.  The far creek run has 3 bridges out.  It is also too muddy to ride.  We cannot open the Darkside until these bridges are repaired or replaced.  So please come to a Git'er Done session Saturdays at 9am.  The more hands we have, the quicker we open up portions of the Darkside.  There is still much work to be done.

Bridge Update:
This past Saturday, a hearty crew of 6 braved the elements and set anchors for a Beaver Bridge replacement.  Next Saturday, we may put this bridge in place, or reset two other bridges.  In either case, we will need plenty of hands.  No amount of people is too many as there are lots of other things that can be done on both the Darkside and the Frontside to prepare for the Trail Run Extreme and Spring Time Trial.

The sooner YOU help, the sooner we can get the season underway.  And if you cannot come, please consider donating either in the red box, or dropping money to our paypal account. 

Go to Paypal.com and send your donation to paypal@outbacktrail.org.

As noted, the bridges on the Far Creek Run have been razed by flooding and freezing.  These bridges were scheduled for replacement this Spring, so they will NOT be repaired. 

WE NEED YOUR HELP IN THE COMING MONTHS installing durable, permanent replacements for these structures.  At the first opportunity, we will be installing concrete anchors for long spans of bridges.  We'll need help moving materials and mixing concrete.  After that there is a lot of materials to be moved and set in place so that the season can open. 

The Far Side trail will NOT open for the 2008 season until these structures are complete.  We need lots of extra hands when the time comes.  Remember this work is on top of other regular "spring cleaning" tasks such as clearing out the winter deadfalls, clearing ditches, blowing leaves and making sure everything drains. 

Please mark your calendars for the next two months sceduled trail maintenance day:  Sat Mar 22, and Sat Apr 19.  We will also be having special bridge building days during this time to get everything done in time.  We need extra help to get these tasks complete and open the season with the weather.

Salt Creek has had several mid winter floods due to temperature fluctuations.  Our first bridge [Beaver Bridge] has been moved to the north side of the creek inlet.  There is no way to safetly cross that section.  You will see CAUTION TAPE @ the Dark Side drop in as well as @ the destroyed bridge. 

Please use other sections of the trail or go backwards for a while until we can make repairs this spring.  The Outback Trail Commission hopes to re-build two bridges this spring.  There is no use in making a temporary repair now because the spring floods will destroy any make shift repair.  We will hopefully start our bridge work in March or April. 

USE CAUTION in any attemtps to hike/run/ride near Salt Creek.  The ground is frozen and the banks are covered with ice.  A missed step will possibly send you INTO Salt Creek.  Stay away from the edges of the trail. 

The Outback Challenge Spring time trial will be Saturday May24th.  If you want to make a weekend out of it in Portage, there is the Trail Run Xtreme 12K Run on Monday, Memorial Day.  There are several campground nearby [Indiana State Park campground  & Dunewood Campground @ the National Lakeshore]  You will also find a couple of hotels off the exit of the Indiana Toll road.  It would be a good way to pre-ride the Outback trail for the DINO race on Saturday June 14th.

The Outback Challenge Fall Time Trial wil be on Saturday September 27th.    

We hope to host the Trips for Kids event again this season.  No date has been set.

See ya this spring,

No-air Bud

One of the most important aspects of cycling is your pedalling technique.  An efficient technique can add a significant amount of power to your pedaling.  I found this excellent article discussing the different pedaling techniques.  It's a great thing to practice on a stationary bike in preparation for spring.