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kanga

We had a pretty small turnout today for our trailwork day. Originally we had planned to work on Valley Forge trail, but because of snow (RR: Valley Forge / Red Box Fire Road (kind of!)) we moved it to the Ken Burton Trail instead.

It was a small showing.... five of us were at the meeting spot at Windsor and Ventura. With the recent rains and known landslides across the Brown Mtn fire road it was quicker (round trip) to ride up than to drive. We loaded up the Bob trailers with tools and headed up the hill.

Hans took a Bob with tools and a heavy rock bar, and I took one with two mcleods, two polaskis, clippers, and a saw. We figured they weighed around 50 pounds each.

Dragging that up to the top of brown took about 1:20:00, half an hour longer than my usual time up there.

But it was the ride down the Burton with 50 extra pounds of rolling momentum behind you that was fun... Hans and I made it down the trail in about 17 minutes to the clearing just above the last few switchbacks, where we'd be working.

Riding the switchbacks with a Bob was a new experience, but I was able to clean the entire trail (at least on the way down). It was pretty sweet taking the switchback with the big step... the trailer bounced off a rock and made it around no problem.

Hans was towing a trailer with no suspension; the Bob I towed had that inch or so, and I could tell it made a huge difference. The non-suspended trailer was bouncing wildly all over the place, but mine seemed to track pretty well and got bounced quite a bit less. I'm sold on the suspended bobs!

We got straight to work at the bottom of the trail, widening and rock-armoring one section that we had built last November. On a recent ride most people had to walk that section so the extra foot of width will make it much more doable. Shortly after we started Steve from Cole Wheels showed up and helped out as well.

Just after we started:

The During Shot:

The After shot:

There's a pretty obvious patch of mud across the trail where the spring had been feeding from below. We "paved" that with rock so that it wouldn't become a mud-hole.

All the rocks we used were brought up from the bottom, helping to clear a path through the river rock along the edge of the river at the bottom.

After a few hours that went by really quickly, we headed up the trail to do some more tread work and water diversions.

Climbing with the 50 pounds was tough, and I only made one of the switchbacks. The trailer would get hung up on the inside of the turns, and it was really tough just walking it up the 15 - 25% grade around the switchbacks.

The tough one was tougher on the way up (not me in the pic):

The climbs and even some of the rocky sections were easier than expected with all that extra momentum, as long as there was a little room to build that momentum. I'd say we were able to climb about 90% of the trail... The adjustable geometry of the Bionicon definitely made it easier to keep the front end down even with all the weight in the back...

We stopped again near the top to do some more water diversion, before cruising back out to the top of Brown Mountain. We'd decided to climb out instead of trying to deal with the 7 or so river crossings... the river at the bottom was flowing pretty strongly after the recent rains and snowmelt.

Great day and a lot accomplished. Not as much as we'd hoped with the small crew, but the soft moist dirt made it pretty easy to move and things went quickly.

Thanks Hans, Jeff, Greg, Steve, and Mitch.

Would I tow a 50 pound trailer down a tight, steep, technical single track with 24 switchbacks again? In a heartbeat!

Up it? Maybe

Both ways, it was a good time!

OPP

Thanks for the trailwork!

El Presidente

Thanks for the report Steve! That was a new challenge pulling the BoB's back up the Burton! Though the parking lot was full when we got there we did not see anyone else on the Burton! Though the River is running high this time of year to do the loop, it is a great ride to go down the Burton and then back up it!

A little history on the Ken Burton. The Trail was built from in 1992-1994 by the MWBA (Mount Wilson Bicycling Assc.) After the MWBA faded away there was no one to work on the trail. There was around an 8 year period when there was no maintenance done on the trail at all. by 2004 The trail had been taken back by nature and was pretty much unusable. The CORBA Trail Crew stepped in and brought the trail back! Though it is still a little overgrown and could use some work in a few spots it is now rideable and a lot of fun!

A big thanks to everyone that has come out and worked on the trail over the past four years! This trail would be gone if not for you guys and gals!

kanga

Presidente... you need to take credit where credit is due. You were on that original MWBA team that built the trail in '94.

Also, people should know how the trail got its name. My understanding is that Ken Burton was an Angeles National Forest ranger who was killed on the Angeles Crest Highway. The trail was named after him.

sheclimbs

Thanks for the work guys. Hope to join you for the next one.

JoeTruth

That's just awesome...Thanks guys! You guys are indeed animals. I've HAB'd/rode up Burton a few times and with no trailer and tools, it's a bitch! I can't imagine doing it after spending hours doing trail work then having to lug a 50 lb. Bob up it. Hats off to you all and thanks again!

I've been wondering what ever became of MWBA.org. I guess it just slipped away and people got tired of carrying the load themselves without much support from people and the forest service.

kanga

MWBA is being re-established as we speak. They're having a Pancake Breakfast this again this year with a few celebs.

Here's an excerpt from the email that was sent out a few weeks ago:

Thank you to all that have supported the Mount Wilson Bicycle Association in the past, MWBA has a long and significant history in the Angeles National Forest. As we move forward in 2008 we have some updates that we would like to share and at the same time offer an invitation to all and any one you may know, personal or business contacts that can help the MWBA move forward along side other groups active in our forest.

First thing is we are now a 501(3)c non-profit organization under Pasadena Forward- www.pasadenaforward.org
Pasadena Forward is a nonprofit organization established to promote and support the growth of charitable, civic and education-advancing organizations in the City of Pasadena. Pasadena Forward enables these groups to focus on developing and expanding their programs and growing their support base by providing organizational and back-office services.

Pasadena Forward’s funding will come largely from the annual Pasadena Marathon beginning in 2008 as well as from direct charitable contributions.

This letter is to make you aware of several items

1. We have formed a group of people to organize and lead MWBA towards its future goals.

2. Our Annual Pancake Breakfast will be on Sunday April 27th at the Cobb Estate, Keith Bontrager and Gary Fisher will be on hand to lend to the excitement and success of the event- Stay tuned!

3. We will also have an event on Saturday April 26th- Bike ride in the am with Keith and Gary and a BBQ that evening to get to know our guests and mingle a bit.

4. We are in need of any volunteers to join MWBA as organizers(All talents are welcome and needed) or trail working groups.

El Presidente

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanga

Presidente... you need to take credit where credit is due. You were on that original MWBA team that built the trail in '94.

Also, people should know how the trail got its name. My understanding is that Ken Burton was an Angeles National Forest ranger who was killed on the Angeles Crest Highway. The trail was named after him.

Yeah Ken Burton was killed on the Angeles Crest Highway by a drunk driver (don't drink and drive! people!) When we had the trail opening ceremony many of his family members were present. We made a memorial for him with a plaque and set it in concrete at the hitching post 1/2 mile down the trail.

Hanzo

I went last year and had a blast.
4/29 JPL/MWBA Pancake Breakfast/Ride & Raffle

Hope to see Kanga and El Presidente at the pancake breakfast.

Thanks Hans for that bit of history. I never knew.

Thanks to the 5 who spent their day cleaning up Ken Burton.

dstepper

Thank you guys for all the hard work.

Was there too much water to ride out the Gab or did you guys just want to punish yourselfs by going back up KB.

Dean

El Presidente

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstepper

Thank you guys for all the hard work.

Was there too much water to ride out the Gab or did you guys just want to punish yourselfs by going back up KB.

Dean

You know us Dean, We like the punishment!

The river is pretty deep too!

Schecky

Awesome. Thanks guys!

JoeTruth

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Presidente

Yeah Ken Burton was killed on the Angeles Crest Highway by a drunk driver (don't drink and drive! people!) When we had the trail opening ceremony many of his family members were present. We made a memorial for him with a plaque and set it in concrete at the hitching post 1/2 mile down the trail.

Speaking of KB's plaque; last time I was on KB about 6 weeks ago, the plaque and the hitching post was looking very neglected. I bet most hikers and riders don't even know it's there as it's not right on the main trail. Maybe the trail needs to be diverted right by it. There's already a trail to it. It would probably be easy to do. I bet a lot more people would see it and hopefully, get more involved.

project_d

Many...MANY thanks for all your hard work!!!!!!!!!!

northshore

bravo on the trail work!!

genusmtbkr5

Nice work guys, thank you! I don't get out that way much, but hope to some day. Lots of trail work scheduled these days. Soil is perfect for some earth work. I have one next weekend to finish a section on upper Holy Jim.

dirtmistress

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanga

MWBA is being re-established as we speak. They're having a Pancake Breakfast this again this year with a few celebs.

Here's an excerpt from the email that was sent out a few weeks ago:

Thank you to all that have supported the Mount Wilson Bicycle Association in the past, MWBA has a long and significant history in the Angeles National Forest. As we move forward in 2008 we have some updates that we would like to share and at the same time offer an invitation to all and any one you may know, personal or business contacts that can help the MWBA move forward along side other groups active in our forest.

First thing is we are now a 501(3)c non-profit organization under Pasadena Forward- www.pasadenaforward.org
Pasadena Forward is a nonprofit organization established to promote and support the growth of charitable, civic and education-advancing organizations in the City of Pasadena. Pasadena Forward enables these groups to focus on developing and expanding their programs and growing their support base by providing organizational and back-office services.

Pasadena Forward’s funding will come largely from the annual Pasadena Marathon beginning in 2008 as well as from direct charitable contributions.

This letter is to make you aware of several items

1. We have formed a group of people to organize and lead MWBA towards its future goals.

2. Our Annual Pancake Breakfast will be on Sunday April 27th at the Cobb Estate, Keith Bontrager and Gary Fisher will be on hand to lend to the excitement and success of the event- Stay tuned!

3. We will also have an event on Saturday April 26th- Bike ride in the am with Keith and Gary and a BBQ that evening to get to know our guests and mingle a bit.

4. We are in need of any volunteers to join MWBA as organizers(All talents are welcome and needed) or trail working groups.

That's FANTASTIC news. What a blast we used to have going to the breakfast! I still have a Night Suns Head lamp I won at the raffle!
I think Zap and Mountain Bike Action used to give lots of schwag at the raffle. We used to do a sunrise ride and be half way to the top of Mt. Wilson as the sun came up then we'd blast back down in time for the first pancake hot off the griddle! Be sure you post it up on the calender so we can all go!!


kanga STR Veteran	RR: Ken Burton Trailwork with CORBA We had a pretty small turnout today for our trailwork day. Originally we had planned to work on Valley Forge trail, but because of snow (RR: Valley Forge / Red Box Fire Road (kind of!)) we moved it to the Ken Burton Trail instead. It was a small showing.... five of us were at the meeting spot at Windsor and Ventura. With the recent rains and known landslides across the Brown Mtn fire road it was quicker (round trip) to ride up than to drive. We loaded up the Bob trailers with tools and headed up the hill. Hans took a Bob with tools and a heavy rock bar, and I took one with two mcleods, two polaskis, clippers, and a saw. We figured they weighed around 50 pounds each. Dragging that up to the top of brown took about 1:20:00, half an hour longer than my usual time up there. But it was the ride down the Burton with 50 extra pounds of rolling momentum behind you that was fun... Hans and I made it down the trail in about 17 minutes to the clearing just above the last few switchbacks, where we'd be working. Riding the switchbacks with a Bob was a new experience, but I was able to clean the entire trail (at least on the way down). It was pretty sweet taking the switchback with the big step... the trailer bounced off a rock and made it around no problem. Hans was towing a trailer with no suspension; the Bob I towed had that inch or so, and I could tell it made a huge difference. The non-suspended trailer was bouncing wildly all over the place, but mine seemed to track pretty well and got bounced quite a bit less. I'm sold on the suspended bobs! We got straight to work at the bottom of the trail, widening and rock-armoring one section that we had built last November. On a recent ride most people had to walk that section so the extra foot of width will make it much more doable. Shortly after we started Steve from Cole Wheels showed up and helped out as well. Just after we started: The During Shot: The After shot: There's a pretty obvious patch of mud across the trail where the spring had been feeding from below. We "paved" that with rock so that it wouldn't become a mud-hole. All the rocks we used were brought up from the bottom, helping to clear a path through the river rock along the edge of the river at the bottom. After a few hours that went by really quickly, we headed up the trail to do some more tread work and water diversions. Climbing with the 50 pounds was tough, and I only made one of the switchbacks. The trailer would get hung up on the inside of the turns, and it was really tough just walking it up the 15 - 25% grade around the switchbacks. The tough one was tougher on the way up (not me in the pic): The climbs and even some of the rocky sections were easier than expected with all that extra momentum, as long as there was a little room to build that momentum. I'd say we were able to climb about 90% of the trail... The adjustable geometry of the Bionicon definitely made it easier to keep the front end down even with all the weight in the back... We stopped again near the top to do some more water diversion, before cruising back out to the top of Brown Mountain. We'd decided to climb out instead of trying to deal with the 7 or so river crossings... the river at the bottom was flowing pretty strongly after the recent rains and snowmelt. Great day and a lot accomplished. Not as much as we'd hoped with the small crew, but the soft moist dirt made it pretty easy to move and things went quickly. Thanks Hans, Jeff, Greg, Steve, and Mitch. Would I tow a 50 pound trailer down a tight, steep, technical single track with 24 switchbacks again? In a heartbeat! Up it? Maybe Both ways, it was a good time! __________________ To expand your comfort zone, you have to leave it!


OPP Dis Member eD	Thanks for the trailwork! __________________ Hermosa Tours - Guided Cycling Vacations


El Presidente Senior Member	Thanks for the report Steve! That was a new challenge pulling the BoB's back up the Burton! Though the parking lot was full when we got there we did not see anyone else on the Burton! Though the River is running high this time of year to do the loop, it is a great ride to go down the Burton and then back up it! A little history on the Ken Burton. The Trail was built from in 1992-1994 by the MWBA (Mount Wilson Bicycling Assc.) After the MWBA faded away there was no one to work on the trail. There was around an 8 year period when there was no maintenance done on the trail at all. by 2004 The trail had been taken back by nature and was pretty much unusable. The CORBA Trail Crew stepped in and brought the trail back! Though it is still a little overgrown and could use some work in a few spots it is now rideable and a lot of fun! A big thanks to everyone that has come out and worked on the trail over the past four years! This trail would be gone if not for you guys and gals! __________________ www.corbamtb.com www.otbmbc.com


sheclimbs Bandito	Thanks for the work guys. Hope to join you for the next one. __________________ Mountain biking is a life altering experience STJunkie Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. John Muir


JoeTruth STR Veteran	That's just awesome...Thanks guys! You guys are indeed animals. I've HAB'd/rode up Burton a few times and with no trailer and tools, it's a bitch! I can't imagine doing it after spending hours doing trail work then having to lug a 50 lb. Bob up it. Hats off to you all and thanks again! I've been wondering what ever became of MWBA.org. I guess it just slipped away and people got tired of carrying the load themselves without much support from people and the forest service. __________________ "Merit begets confidence, confidence begets enthusiasm, enthusiasm conquers the world!"


Hanzo ...	I went last year and had a blast. 4/29 JPL/MWBA Pancake Breakfast/Ride & Raffle Hope to see Kanga and El Presidente at the pancake breakfast. Thanks Hans for that bit of history. I never knew. Thanks to the 5 who spent their day cleaning up Ken Burton.


dstepper Over the Hill	Thank you guys for all the hard work. Was there too much water to ride out the Gab or did you guys just want to punish yourselfs by going back up KB. Dean __________________ If I'm not lost or getting bushwacked, the trail was too easy. Prescott Valley Houses The Path


Schecky SoCalMTBubbs	Awesome. Thanks guys! __________________ tkblazer: it was Steven Jackson that led me to STR... http://www.ventanausa.com/


project_d Steve Peat Wannabe	Many...MANY thanks for all your hard work!!!!!!!!!!


northshore Aloha Brah!	bravo on the trail work!! __________________ Hawaiian Island Creations Ride it: dw-link.com/reasons http://kencolada.blogspot.com


genusmtbkr5 Single Track Mind	Nice work guys, thank you! I don't get out that way much, but hope to some day. Lots of trail work scheduled these days. Soil is perfect for some earth work. I have one next weekend to finish a section on upper Holy Jim. __________________ Gene"GuidesNewWarriors" *http://www.warriorssociety.org/* *http://www.sharemtb.com/*

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