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View Full Version : Leaf Blowing - Friday Afternoon, Nov. 10


gopherhockey
11-10-2005, 03:59 PM
Yes, its that time again... the always controvercial but always "the right thing to do" removal of leaves at Lebanon.

I'm going to head out there with the backpack leaf blower sometime in the afternoon. If anyone wants to come out with a rake or leaf blower and help out, please post and we can make it something more formal.

We can continue the effort on Saturday for those that wish to join in.

I can't do it all myself, but I can probably get a good amount done in a few hours.

For those planning to ride, please understand that I can't hear (or see) very well when doing this - but I go backwards to try avoid holding up traffic. If you hear the blower or see people out raking please give them some room (and respect - even if you don't agree with it..)

We do this yearly for many reasons - among them:

- Save obstacle rot
- Keep intermediate and beginner trails from becoming expert trails
- Uncover obstacles that can cause harm on less challenging trails
- The trail will dry out much faster in the spring and we'll be riding weeks earlier than we would if we do not
- Keeps organic material builup off the trails
- Land Managers request it be done
- Proven positive results for 3 years now

What it is not:

- Dumbing down the trail
- Done just to annoy riders
- Easy to do (so respect those doing it!)
- Something we only do at Lebanon (see Wirth Trailwork this Sunday)
- Something every trail must do

What can you do if you don't like power blowers or you don't understand?

- Come out and join us with a rake. The more raking the less use of gas powered equipment
- Keep silent and respect the work we do to keep our trails maintained
- Ask more questions offline for proper clarification

Your patience while we do this one some of our area trails in the fall is appreciated. You'll thank us next spring if not earlier....

Tim Wegner
11-10-2005, 06:09 PM
John

I have a bunch of mixed gas that I need to get rid of before the end of the season. Let me know how I can get it to you and it is yours.
TW

DanB
11-10-2005, 06:53 PM
I read the controversy last year and had to shake my head, what you do and the effort you put forth to maintain that trail should be commended over and over again!

So a big thank you from me!!!:banana:

tedsti
11-11-2005, 08:58 AM
I am in for any daylight hours after work today (not much) and tomorrow morning as well. I will bring a rake, but am willing to use a blower if someone has a spare :crazy2: .

bikeoutback
11-11-2005, 12:57 PM
what time tomorrow are you looking at? I may have a blower can use otherwise definatly have a rake. let me know I want to try and make it hopefully tomorrow to help out, I was planning on riding a lap anyways.

timmy
11-11-2005, 04:33 PM
I can make it out tomorrow. I will bring a rake and leaf blower. What time?

gopherhockey
11-11-2005, 05:12 PM
After appx. 5 hours of wanding the trails with a 200 lb. leaf blower strapped to my back - its done!

Thanks to those who offered to help. I couldn't do much Sat. so I figured I'd take a half day off and do it Friday... less riders too.

Next year we can do something a bit more coordinated. I think I aged about 20 years today carrying that thing around. I have dirt and leaves in places I never knew they could reach. DOH! ;)

I apologize to anyone who rode today that got dusted. I tried to stop when I saw bikers, but a few people had to ride through the cloud. One even stopped in the middle of the dust to thank me - that was cool....

I think the timing was good. It can rain now without worrying about too many leves getting glued down.

bigwheel
11-14-2005, 08:23 AM
After appx. 5 hours of wanding the trails with a 200 lb. leaf blower strapped to my back - its done!


Thanks John! :banana::banana::banana:

tedsti
11-14-2005, 08:41 AM
Blowing is much easier than raking. I got there with about an hour of daylight left on Friday and headed up Dream II with a rake. It is a PITA to rake in the tight areas since you keep hitting the trees with the rake handle. Plus you can't get out of your own way.

gopherhockey
11-14-2005, 10:21 AM
Blowing is much easier than raking. I got there with about an hour of daylight left on Friday and headed up Dream II with a rake. It is a PITA to rake in the tight areas since you keep hitting the trees with the rake handle. Plus you can't get out of your own way.

There is also still some green vegitation outside of the trail - even blowing leafs would get stuck in there. As I walked I imagined what it would be like raking into that brush. I think it would have been very slow going and frustrating to use rakes in most areas. Maybe if it were more matted down rakes would have helped.

Glad it got done before the rain came.

FSSS
11-14-2005, 11:21 AM
"Glad it got done before the rain came."


:cryin:


;)