Rebuilding a 4X track, a work in progress.

[rhyno]

Hey Guys and Girls.
I thought i'd start this thread as a project thread to be updated as work is done.
So here is the first installment.

23.05.06
Over the weekend i jumped in the car with my girlfriends dad and made the 3 hour trip to a property just out of Yea, Victoria. The property is owned by the Scouting Association as far a i know, and events are run there year round. My GF's dad goes up once a month to do working bees there so i have started tagging along. On the property is a large hall, with a bar and kitchen, 5 Cabins and a toilet block as well as a huge area for camping including a fireplace. Also on the property is an overgrown BMX track...from now on, renamed a 4x track. It flows downhill at a good rate and is perfect for 4X, once restored.
Initially it seems it was not well built, and badly thought out. The berms are just raised corners, which don't turn the corner, basicallly banks. The jumps are in fairly bad places in terms if size and speed.

This last weekend i started the chore of fixing and modifying. I had arranged for my friend Chris to come up with his dingo, though he had to pull out last minute, so it was shovel for me.
The gound it hard and all overgrown with hardy grass so the going was slow, and all that was touched was the first berm, or half of it. It at least flows a little and some speed is retained through the corner. More digging is required though.
Next month is a write off as a major event is being held there but July looks like i might be going up, this time, dingo is tow (20 times the work will be done)

The park has potential, lots of potential. Plenty of room to modify the tracks flow, and a good organising body behind the park - interested in youth and the outdoors. I feel that if this is completed and well built, there would be no reason a race or series of races could not be held here....remember we have a bar.

Email me (mailto:ryan@singletrackimports.com)if you live nearby and are interested in helping out, or want to make the trip up to Yea once a month. I will have to get it approved, but i'd love the help. The track is on private property and can only be ridden with permission.
Photos are attached showing how bad a state it is in now, track layout(rough, start is at bottom), and the huts on site. (excuse shitty camera phone quality).

PS. Mods: if this should be in trail building, feel free to move it.

[dirt_hurts]

Looks good, you've had the same idea i have, posting up a log on here for building a track. As soon as i can get work started i'm going to do the same, maybe post up ideas on what your thinking about doing and then ask for input? That's if your changing the track at all...

[Wattsy]

Any possiblility of bigger pic's? Sound's the good's though, look's promising to.

[rhyno]

Dirt Hurts: will definately be changing the track layout, at the moment it has too many near 180 degree turns.

Wattsy: Will get bigger pics next time i go up there. I only took my phone with me this trip, will take the camera next time.

Dirt Hurts's point of getting some input sparked a thought. I need to build a start gate. I can weld and can get any steel for free (within reason). If anyone has any good input on gate design i'd love to hear it. I measured the width of the track at 5m so i will build the gate to that measurement, unless a majority votes to widen the track. I think 5mt is plenty.

[MTBWANNABE]

Dirt Hurts's point of getting some input sparked a thought. I need to build a start gate. I can weld and can get any steel for free (within reason). If anyone has any good input on gate design i'd love to hear it. I measured the width of the track at 5m so i will build the gate to that measurement, unless a majority votes to widen the track. I think 5mt is plenty.
Even though your getting the stuff for free. Luke Strom is selling a 2 person practise gate - it's around $400 last time i checked? Dunno if it'd be any use to you, But if anything, you could ask him, or the person who made it for him (if it was specifically made it for him) for the measurements....


Just a thought :)

[mtbdh_girl]

Another option is talking to some of the mtb clubs... I know FTF used a portable gate for the Eildon 4X. Even if only to have a look at one for ideas on how to build yours...But if you were to get to the stage of running races there you may need 1 or another of the clubs to be involved for insurance reasons etc ie day licences.

Just a thought...Good luck!

[rhyno]

Another option is talking to some of the mtb clubs... I know FTF used a portable gate for the Eildon 4X. Even if only to have a look at one for ideas on how to build yours...But if you were to get to the stage of running races there you may need 1 or another of the clubs to be involved for insurance reasons etc ie day licences.

Just a thought...Good luck!
Yeah already thought of the insurance side of things, if it gets to that stage i will start talking to local clubs. Good idea on contacting FTF and seeing if they can give me diagrams, will do.

Strom's gate will be too skinny and if i'm going to spend any money on it, i may as well spend more and do it properly. Though with free steel and me owning a arc welder, it isn't likely to cost me even $400.

[S.]

I'd try a basic cantilever gate like the Fatties use. Just make the gate as wide as it needs to be with a hinge at the bottom, and set back between lanes 2 and 3 (so right in the middle of the gate) have a see-saw type thing pivoting about 2ft back from the gate (and going back another 2ft or so from the pivot), with a bit of an overhang at the gate end so that the see-saw beam sits on top of the gate with the overhang sitting in front of it. This obviously holds the gate from tipping forwards. To release, just stand on the back of the beam and it'll lift up off the gate letting it drop.

[rhyno]

I'd try a basic cantilever gate like the Fatties use. Just make the gate as wide as it needs to be with a hinge at the bottom, and set back between lanes 2 and 3 (so right in the middle of the gate) have a see-saw type thing pivoting about 2ft back from the gate (and going back another 2ft or so from the pivot), with a bit of an overhang at the gate end so that the see-saw beam sits on top of the gate with the overhang sitting in front of it. This obviously holds the gate from tipping forwards. To release, just stand on the back of the beam and it'll lift up off the gate letting it drop.

Yep, i was thinking along those lines. The old K.I.S.S comes in handy (Keep It Simple Stupid). I had a look at the frankston BMX track one, last time i was there. From the looks of it, they have a hydraulic that they remove when not in use...too exy for me.

[chris_mtb]

hey man nice plans but you can hardly see the pics hope it comes together soon:)

[mf_shifty]

is this the Mafaking(sp?) rover park off the 'Gin Gin' Rd. ?
if so ur right it is overgrown, ive got property 2mins down the road that i ride my motty on a coulpa times a month. i never new there was a bmx track there. do you know of the 'mud bash' they have once a year? because thats a very busy thing. keep in touch and good luck, may see you there.

[rhyno]

Thats the place. Mudbash is next weekend. Thats why i'm not going up to dig this month. My Girlfriends family is going up though, her dad pretty much built the place.

[shmity]

Yep, i was thinking along those lines. The old K.I.S.S comes in handy (Keep It Simple Stupid). I had a look at the frankston BMX track one, last time i was there. From the looks of it, they have a hydraulic that they remove when not in use...too exy for me.

A hydraulic ram gate is the way to go if you ever plan on running races with a set gate cadence, but the way most clubs are going at this stage with random 10 second starts theres really no point to it.

[wkkie]

The track sounds good. We need more 4X tracks in Vic, espically after the demise of Trafalgar (RIP!).

I'd be down there when possible to help out.

Let us know when the days (working or riding) are on!

[northshoremaniac]

That looks pretty good. Wish the pics where a bit bigger though. Cant wait to see the finished product !

[rhyno]

I left home at about 6:00pm on friday and jumped in my mates truck heading for the park. We had a dingo loaded on the back, a bike, our sleeping gear, lots of food and a slab. A trip that usually takes about 2 and a half hours ended up taking 4 due to the shit gear range of the truck (a dyna) and a long wait for our pizza, though it was a good pizza. We arrived at the park at around eleven, had a few drinks with the other people at the park for the weekend and hit the sack for a bit of sleep before we started work.
We woke to the sound of rain, but got out to the track none the less.
We managed to refurbish the first two berms and level the start of the track before the ground turned to slush - the dingo churned the wet ground a little too much.
The afternoon was spent sliding sideways down the track (it was a good test for my Blur B1's, totally covered in mud) and watching the footy on TV, followed by a big night in front of the esky with the other lads.
My pants dried out in front of the fire and were able to stand up on their own due to high mud content.
All in all we got a fair bit done, considering the wet weather.
Trip highlights: Watching the people que for Krispy Creme donuts as we waited at the lights, drifting through the mud on my bike.

Next Work day should be Aug 18-20, 2006.
Huge pics and Video at my Site Forums: http://forum.singletrackimports.com/viewtopic.php?t=25

[taylor-91]

Looks good so far but can't wait to see the final result:p ..haha those tyres look so out of place, are you planning on keeping them there??

[rhyno]

Maybe, adds character.

[rickazz]

yeh keep the tyres its so old school and plus who could be farked digging them out.

make a pole on if you should keep them:D

[VW NUT]

Its sweet your working towards 4X in Victoria... I have been to this place a few times to help out with a team competing in the Mud Bash :D and i have noticed that little track...

Im sure the Scouts wouldnt mind if you ran races there, my Dad is pretty invloved with the XC side of things with FTF and they have a very good relationship with Scouts Victroia so there souldnt be to many problems...

Keep us posted

Cheers James :)

[rhyno]

So a week after my last update i was training at the Frankston BMX track and cased a double, landing on my shoulder. I've since had surgery to put it back together. As you would expect, i can't do much digging, but i went up last week anyway. Ispent my time moving tyres and marking out the general shape of the final course, based on the attached design.

Whilst i believe that this design is both challenging and do able by all skill levels(ie, it's all rollable), i may have overlooked something. If you have any ideas for modifications to the design, i would love to hear from you. You can put your ideas here or PM me.

I'll probably be going up again next month to dig, so if anyone wants to lend a hand, i'd be stoked. I'll possibly even pick you up if it's not too far out of the way. Most likely date will 16th-17th Sept, though we normally leave on the friday night.

[Ryan]

That looks like an excellent design, is it your own or did you 'call in an expert'?

The only thing I'd look at changing is the start straight; there needs to be at least one more decent sized jump or obstacle in it before the first, 90-degree turn to break the field up a bit. Otherwise you're going to end up with heats charging into those 2 berms 4-abreast and turning the first turn into T-bone and take-out city.

Granted, brutal, obvious takeouts are brilliant for spectators, but they tend to piss off competitors when they becoming the defining feature of the track.

[rhyno]

That looks like an excellent design, is it your own or did you 'call in an expert'?

The only thing I'd look at changing is the start straight; there needs to be at least one more decent sized jump or obstacle in it before the first, 90-degree turn to break the field up a bit. Otherwise you're going to end up with heats charging into those 2 berms 4-abreast and turning the first turn into T-bone and take-out city.

Granted, brutal, obvious takeouts are brilliant for spectators, but they tend to piss off competitors when they becoming the defining feature of the track.

My own design, based on what i've seen and ridden.

Good point about the start, i was thinking of extending it a little for that reason, i guess i'll chuck something in there whilst i'm at it.

[shmity]

Perhaps some moguls for that?

[rhyno]

Perhaps some moguls for that?
Sounds like a plan.

Next topic on the agenda - Cleanfill.

The park has a little dirt i can steal, as well as dirt from the soon to be disused part of the old track, but thats no where near enough to see me through the whole track, and i cant go digging up much dirt from the park as it's kinda protected land.
Now this place, whilst it has great facilities there, is out in the sticks, 25 mins from Yea, 15 mins from Rufee(sp?). Theres not alot of construction going on around thats producing cleanfill. Any suggestions where to get it from?

[lucco]

go to a few landscape supply, building supply places round melb/geelong and ask them how much they charge per square metre for cleanfill. some places are pretty cheap. I guess its a pricey way to go but if you couldn't find anywhere else its pretty good as they deliver it all to you and drop it where you want each pile if you ask.

[rhyno]

go to a few landscape supply, building supply places round melb/geelong and ask them how much they charge per square metre for cleanfill. some places are pretty cheap. I guess its a pricey way to go but if you couldn't find anywhere else its pretty good as they deliver it all to you and drop it where you want each pile if you ask.

Yeah, i figure Lillydale would be the closest place with a decent supply, but thats about an hour away from the venue. If it comes to that then so be it.

[BOBCATZZ]

Yeah, i figure Lillydale would be the closest place with a decent supply, but thats about an hour away from the venue. If it comes to that then so be it.

You can always dig a dam or pond as y0u will need water to keep this track in tip top shape . maybe just an idea as i dont no if you are allowed.

[rhyno]

You can always dig a dam or pond as y0u will need water to keep this track in tip top shape . maybe just an idea as i dont no if you are allowed.

Already got 2 dams, and water isn't much of an issue as we have 13 (i think) natural springs on the property, one of which feeds a billabong slightly uphill from the track location.
We are able to get a little dirt by digging out a pit for the septic for the next addition of a 2nd toilet block, though i don't think that we will get anywhere near enough dirt out of that.
We have enough to get us through the next working bee (sept 16th), but we will struggle after that.

[zstreetco]

cant wait to see what the build days bring on, the track idea sounds sweet as, its just so far away for a suburbian/city kinda kid like myself, but i'll see if some mates wanna go up one day to help out. i think i may be away for the next working bee but will try for ones after that

hav you seen trafalgar? that track was super sick cos it would be ridden by both duallies and HT's cos it was goin down a hill the whole time with nice gaps n everything.


best of luck with ur project dude

[---Matt---]

Have you checked around in Seymour? I think there's a bit of industrial development around there. Would be worth investigating for some extra dirt.

---Matt---

[rhyno]

Have you checked around in Seymour? I think there's a bit of industrial development around there. Would be worth investigating for some extra dirt.

---Matt---

Thanks Matt,

Following your suggestion, i had a look online for garden supplies and the like based in Seymour. I didn't find much, so i guess i'll have to look around in person. I did however find a septic tank sale place. They offered me some tyres (which i declined) and also the wash out from the concrete trucks. I figure the wash out will be ok for forming the base of the jumps and berms, but we will still need a good layer of good old dirt on top.

Whats everyones opinions on using the washout? I can't see many problems with it as long as it's kept covered (imagine crashing on it!).

[rhyno]

We took the dingo up again last night for another day of digging. We started digging at around 8.30 and packed it up at 2.30 so we got a good six hours of digging in. Whilst Chris was digging i was marking out the course further down with tyres and marking paint, as a result i now have a very burnt back and neck. We now have the track basically constructed down the the fourth straight and into the fifth. I have a couple of possibilities for cleanfill, so things are definatly looking up. We came home this arvo, sore but happy with the work done.

If any one wants to lend a hand we will be heading up on Fri 13th Oct in the evening. We are happy to pick anyone up if they live along the way, or can get to either Frankston, Boronia or Lillydale Station. We can also give directions if you want to drive out on the friday night or saturday morning. We will most likely stay the whole weekend next month. It's good fun if you want to come, you can swim in the dams, chase kangaroos, drink lots, and dig a bit.

Here are some Pics, sorry about the quality, i forgot my camera again, so had to use the phone.
http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=46076&stc=1&d=1158399908
http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=46077&stc=1&d=1158399908
http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=46078&stc=1&d=1158399908
http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=46079&stc=1&d=1158399908

[rhyno]

Repost of what i said in another thread:

It's getting there slowly. Its been a slow couple of months; my mate who was a dingo driver lost his job, so it's back to the shovel until i can get my girlfriends dad to organise his mate to bring his bobcat up. I've also missed the last two months of working bees due to not having anyone else wanting to come up with me, and i don't think its smart to be digging in the bush alone in snake territory. All going well, i'll be going up on the third weekend of December and should get a full weekend of digging in, albeit hard dirt by then.
If anyone wants to put their hand in to chip in, PM me.

[rhyno]

Its been a while between drinks, as they say, and drink whilst we were up there we did!
So i went up again on the weekend, and got the new tractor out and plowed the second half of the track, so we now have a base to work from. Also managed to scrape together a small amount of fill to start building up the biggest jump.
Things should progress a little faster now.
Photos up after work.