So I built a berm last night

[jasevr4]

Or "burm".. however you want to spell it. Well, I almost finished it anyway.

Essentially, I have three curved logs, all pegged into the ground really tight, and I'm going to put bricks behind there in order to strengthen it.. I know this probably isn't the conventional way of doing it (using wood), but there weren't enough rocks around so I made do with what I had.

Now, just so I can work out how I'm going to finish it, how do you fellas build your berms? Is anything other than dirt ok? (wood, grass, etc).. I know it's a big no no for jumps, and I'm guessing for the same reasons that it's bad for jumps it's bad for berms, but damn the mulch/grass is deep where I'm building it!

I looked on the IMBA site but couldn't find much..

Cheers

[Ruckus_Lord]

If you have a Log backing on it use Big chunks of clay for the very back of the berm surface, then once you have a layer of clay just build it out with normal dirt, after you have all of there dirt there start to shape it and compact it hardcore, then give it a slight sprinkle with a hose to make it slightly muddy. Leave it 24hrs then come back to it the next day, make your final adjustments then put another small layer of dirt on it and compact it, then ride it in!;)

This is usually the ways i make my dirt berms, so if done correctly it should be smooth and hold up for quite a while.

If you have any problems just post em' up.

[ran]

Why did this thread get moved? I don't geddit

[jasevr4]

yeah I wasnt sure if it should be downhill or not thats why I didn't post it in here but no worries..

cheers for the hinters Ruckus.. I found some rocks tonight and basically backed it all up with them, then filled it in with (co-incidentally) a very clay-ey mud and dirt combination.. then just sprinkled a bit of water over it.

i had trouble compacting it.. just used my feet and the shovel. how do you usually do it? ride over it a few times? i think i might do that tomorrow

i should have taken photos during the build up

i'm sure i'll get plenty of practice making them though - damn council :p

[Gravjunkie]

Depends where your building it. At home or in suburbia what Ruckus Lord says is the perfect prep.
In the bush, rock backing is best, clay fill if its around but if you use fresh dug up dirt to pack it out, piss on it when you've finished, as freshly dug up dirt, no matter how hard you think you've packed it down, is an open invite for wombats to dig it up again to check for roots. If they smell your piss, they'll usually leave it alone.
Fuck, I sound like David Atenborough.

[emcgough]

Rocks are ideal for backing berms, but if you can't get them, then just use the logs like you have and shove as many other branches/logs into the back of the berm, from the front, so you don't need as much dirt.

Just fill the rest in with dirt, and use heaps of it. The berm will naturally harden up with some rain, drying out, rain, drying out.. etc. You can try packing it in by riding it, but then you run the risk of gutting the thing out prematurely.

When the berm has been out in the elements for a while and there has been some good rain, cut off the top soil of the face of the berm (EDIT: this top soil will be crumbly, skeletal and just looking like it wants to come off) with a shovel (this is why you need to overkill with the dirt), and you'll find that underneath, the soil is really packed hard. I recommend making the berm as vert as you can ride it, that way it shoots you out really quick when riding it.

[benji101]

I have full DH tracks at my house and in them are heaps of berms.What i use is logs that are strong not rotten and then lay them how or where i want them and then put a couple of rocks behind for support you dont need heeps and then put the crapyer dirt at the bottom and when you get your hight and shape fill the last few inchs with the good compackting dirt.My one have last about 1 and a half years and there still good.

[jasevr4]

wow it's pouring today.

i guess it's kind of good, it's compacted it HEAPS. i need a lot more dirt now, but it should be better in the long run this way i guess. i just hope it doesnt rain for the next week like this :( i might get out in the rain this arvo and try and chuck a bit more ..mud.. on top.

thanks for the advice fellas

[hardtails rule man]

wen we were buildn them in beaui we just gatherd heeps of logs and stuff
lined them up, then filld the gaps and stuff with roks and weeds(were wood we b with out weeds), and then just cover it with dirt and compact it with a shovel and then just keep doin it over and over.then once it rains ur laughin
Devo