Panhandle Trail Riders -(PTR)

[Woods Rider]

Great news folks!

After 14 years of hard work by a few rugged souls, we are finally cutting trail at what will be one of the premiere OHV areas in Florida!

Not sure what the state will call it but it is just north of Milton, Florida. There will be restrooms, camping, picnic area and more.

Yesterday we began cutting trail on the 600 acre site. It is going to take a few months of cutting but when it opens to the public you will have a 1st class place to ride with varied terrain and trails for all skill levels.

Rick

[Vico1]

Check here for more info as work weekends are planned and riding starts to take place. You cant ride a trail unless someone cuts it first.

[Vico1]

There are none as far as I know.

Wanted to keep the site alive.

[Woods Rider]

Originally Posted by Vico1

There are none as far as I know.

Wanted to keep the site alive.

Robin and I cut there for two hours yesterday. John L was there and clared the parking area with his bush hog and tractor. He also cleared a bunch mnore of the perimeter trail you guys worked on.

He sure has a knack for laying out fun, flowing trail.

If you're in town this week, maybe we can head out one weekday after lunch for a few hours.

Also, as soon as I get through the TV show and the birth of our first grandchild, I am all for:\

1) Heading to Trailsaw's slice of heaven near Mobile
2) Hitting Meridian for a weekend camp/ride
3) Cheaha
4) Durhamtown
5) Hatfield McCoy
6) Planning the CO trip with the boyz!!!

[Woods Rider]

Originally Posted by Vico1

Wanted to keep the site alive.

I have an idea on keeping the PTR site rockin.... let's share ideas on how to lay out great single track, I'll start:

1) Make it flow....
2)?

[bzrider]

Originally Posted by Woods Rider

I have an idea on keeping the PTR site rockin.... let's share ideas on how to lay out great single track, I'll start:

1) Make it flow....
2)?

obstacles

[Vico1]

The trail is there already, it is up to us to discover it and make it grow. I believe you must take the path of least resistance, for that is where the trail gods have hidden the single track through natures barriers.

Look ahead for clearing or pathes of light and head the trail for those. Its ok to keep in a direction as long as you are not in a straight line. We are not building Roman Roads.

A few tips I can think of.

[Woods Rider]

Originally Posted by Vico1

The trail is there already, it is up to us to discover it and make it grow. I believe you must take the path of least resistance, for that is where the trail gods have hidden the single track through natures barriers.

Look ahead for clearing or pathes of light and head the trail for those. Its ok to keep in a direction as long as you are not in a straight line. We are not building Roman Roads.

A few tips I can think of.

That's we we did the other day and we were riding it within 90 minutes!

[trailsaw]

Some like a cloverleaf type layout-several perimeter loops with a central home base.

Make the trails as tight as possible to foil the 4 wheelers-for a while anyway.

In this area, it seems, a machete will do it all.

Trailsaw

[Vico1]

Originally Posted by bzrider

obstacles

Lets define obstacles. Something you must go around! Like a big fn tree or several trees. or a locked gate or barbed wire fence.

An obstacle is NOT a log, mud hole, creek, rocks, a downed rider, or stupid spectator on the trail... ALL these should be riden over and through!

Just kiddin of course... there are some mudhole you should go around.

[Vico1]

Originally Posted by trailsaw

Some like a cloverleaf type layout-several perimeter loops with a central home base.

Good point. In our case, we have land that will be around for a long time so some serioius planning on overall layout is critical.

My first comment is that over the years there will be injuries. I would be nice to have a system were you can always get to "a road" quickly. Even a four wheeler trail to get a injured rider back to base/Ranger Station.

Here I envision perimeter roads/trails with tight single track "short loops" feeding back to main loop.

Just more thinking out loud.

[Woods Rider]

Originally Posted by Vico1

Good point. In our case, we have land that will be around for a long time so some serioius planning on overall layout is critical.

My first comment is that over the years there will be injuries. I would be nice to have a system were you can always get to "a road" quickly. Even a four wheeler trail to get a injured rider back to base/Ranger Station.

Here I envision perimeter roads/trails with tight single track "short loops" feeding back to main loop.

Just more thinking out loud.

Another is the need for chicanes to slow riders down before trail or road crossings ...

[bzrider]

Originally Posted by Vico1

Lets define obstacles. Something you must go around! Like a big fn tree or several trees. or a locked gate or barbed wire fence.

An obstacle is NOT a log, mud hole, creek, rocks, a downed rider, or stupid spectator on the trail... ALL these should be riden over and through!

Just kiddin of course... there are some mudhole you should go around.

my bad i had the lingo wrong..... cary on

[Dtntr]

I knew snooping around this site long enough i would find the right crazy people. Tired of work or lack thereof slapping me around. Might as well enjoy face-slappers. I'm up for cutting this weekend. Sat preferable.
Dan
830-8468

[Vico1]

Originally Posted by bzrider

my bad i had the lingo wrong..... cary on

I think we carry on to much anyway, but ....

BZ you comment was spot on - I was just trying to be funny.

When cutting single track who decides when the log gets too big to jump. Even if small, a log is tricky and for general trail riding should be AVOIDED, or at least have a way around with a warning sign. It is probable that people with less skill than Shane Watts will be riding these trails so we need to be careful. Again your point about obsticles is well taken.

You must consider the skill level of rider for the tail... which brings up Trail Ratings such as 1, 2 or 3 Diamond, Beginner, Expert, NFW trails, etc