Monday May, 18 2009

Report on Pneuma:

Riding conditions-  I did some trail work today and while I was at it I scouted out the conditions on pneuma and the rest of the mountain.  For what is left of this weekend the safe money is to say it is a no-go.  From Sulpher Springs to the well-site it is pretty much snow free (except a few deep but short patches) and mostly dry.  After that it is a no go for now.  Next weekend that could change if we don’t get much snow tomorrow and if we get the sun we’re supposed to next week.   A good ride (even for tomorrow if the weather ends up being in the “acceptable” range) would be to park at Ing’s mine parking lot and ride up to Sulpher Springs continuing up to the BBQ parking lot (the opposite way of what is traditionally done) and connecting to Pneuma.  Ride Pneuma to the well-site and then ride to the road and turn onto Billy Dog (about 300 m from the well-site off the west side).  This is a revived Moose mountain clic and it is dry but you need to like steep techy riding.  It will pop you out on Canyon Creek road about 1.5 k from where you parked.  The descent is over quickly but with a fun trail like Pneuma to climb I can live with that&ip;  Lower Pneuma is rideable until you run out of trail about 500 m in where you could pick up my mattock and rake and continue the line.  Which brings me to the next topic&ip;

Trailbuilding-   First things first,  I know some people who will read this (it will be circulated on couple forums and e-mail lists) hesitated to help build new trails in K country due to ethical reservations.  That’s fair.  I decided to build without written permission because the Calgary bike scene needed a rider built xc/am trail and the powers that be wanted a safe trail that minimized cyclists on the road.  Anyway, now everything is 100 % legit!  So you can do the serve the cycling community without a guilty conscience.

            That said, construction has started on Lower Pneuma which starts at the parking lot of Moose Mountain Rd. and at this point connects to lower Sulpher Springs right where Hot Laps ends.  This way Hot Laps can connect Lower Pneuma to Pneuma.  I don’t think riding up Hot Laps will cause too much of an issue, right of way goes to the downhill rider.  There are plans to parallel Pneuma and Hot Laps so there can be a mini loop and minimize uphill/downhill conflict.  Alternatively you could always climb up the sulpher springs downhill to get to Pneuma.  Lower Pneuma will be a super-twisty, fun trail.

            We’ve got about 500 m done and rideable, but not worked in yet.  I could use help connecting this trail to Lower Sulpher Springs.  It is gry and takes a while to hack down to the dirt.  My available time is minimal since I also have a 12 day old son who happens to be my first.  So any help would be appreciated because between trailbuilding and child raising I’d also like to ride and race a little.  I’ve left a mattock and rake there and will get a good hoe to leave there so tools shouldn’t be an issue.  I’m going to try and devote a few evenings to the cause.  I encourage you to bring a buddy and build a trail if you can spare the time.  You can send me an e-mail and I might be able to help out (jknutbr@telus.net)…  On June 14^th MMBTS will have another trail day.  I’d like to focus on finishing the upper line on that day (weather permitting)  so let’s get Lower Pneuma done so that come July we have a full, EPIC line!

P this on to anyone who may be interested.

Oh&ip; you should join MMBTS too!  Go to mmbts.com.  It’s a sweet site.