After a successful inaugural Trans-Cascadia event last September, the blind-format, multi-day race will return to the rugged, wooded and downright wonderful terrain of Oakridge, Oregon for 2016.
One of the primary goals of Trans-Cascadia is to share the amazing trail system and backcountry feel of Oakridge. Trail advocacy is a very important value for the group behind Trans-Cascadia, MODUS Sport Group. In preparation for the event MODUS, a group of volunteers and local trail builders along with the help of the Forest Service set out to maintain and build sustainable trails for the event. This involved clearning fallen trees, building berms and rock armoring chutes.
Kyle from our OEM team was one of those volunteers who set out to help prepare for the 2016 event. Here's what went down from his point of view.
Everyone was excited the first day of trail work. A long van ride deep into the woods promised that our worksite would be remote. No one knew what to expect during our first safety meeting.
We would split up into two groups; with the first group working their way down from the top of the trail, adding water management and tread work down to team two, which would be rock armoring and adding catch berms into a steep section of trail.
Large rocks were difficult to find in the moss, this 80lb keystone will make sure that our berm stands up to years of riders shredding this corner.
We headed out on Day 2 prepared for heavy rains forecasted that afternoon. Pools in the trail made it easy to find which sections needed drainage or an outslope.
On day three, one team battled rain and hail carving their way uphill through a section of downed trees; while the other worked their way down outfitted with Chainsaws and trail bikes. Fallen trees blocked the Forest Service road to the trailhead, so we made our way up by bike.
Fresh snow concealed the start of the trail, but once we were able to find it, we filled up the chainsaws and got to work.
Working with the Trans-Cascadia crew, Forest Service and local trail builders was a great experience. At the end of the day, all that hard work paid off when we flow checked the trails we had just worked on.
All photos by Dylan VanWeelden. Check him out on Instagram here.