TRAIL WORK - Metric Auto Parts Welch MTB Jam

[mnscs]

The Metric Auto Parts Welch MTB Jam (http://www.mnscs.com/welchmtbjam) on August 17th, 2003 is fast approaching, like always, this event is sure to be one of the premier mountain bike races in Minnesota.

Myself and co-race director Scott Finne are activity looking for volunteers to help get the race course ready for the 2003 event. As Welch Village does not allow riding except for this event the trails are always in need of major work.

Our plan is to utilize much of the same trails in the past years but also maybe re-work the initial climb so it is more gradual and possibly bring back some old single track sections that were logged out a few years back. We also plan to use the Metric Auto Parts Drop (aka The Drop) on the front of the ski hill for the Comp and Expert events.

If you’d like to help please drop me a line by e-mail or phone to let me know that you’ll be coming down. Unfortunately Welch doesn’t really want us at the ski area on the weekend sso we have to do most of the work during the weekdays. There is a possibility of working on Saturday, August 9th, if we can I’ll post an update. If you work during the day and want to come down in the evening you’re more than welcome to. We will plan to have a regrouping at 6pm on all the work days by the main chalet.

Tools – Welch Village has not yet agreed to lend us tools so if you have any snips, weed whackers, mowers, racks, shoves please bring them.

Trail Work days will take place on the following days.

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2003 - 2:00pm till Sunset.
Initial cutting and trimming.

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 -10:00 am till Sunset
Continue grooming the race course and possibly add a few new sections of single track. Finalize actual race course and map with GPS.

Wednesday, August 6, 2003 10:00 am till Sunset
Welch has agreed to allow us to ride dirt bikes on the race course in order to break it in. If you have a dirt bike you may bring it and ride it on the race course. The use of dirt bikes will be limited, so if want to bring a dirt bike you MUST e-mail or call me (Greg Blasko, 651-246-2451) prior to coming down to the Welch Village, as you will need to sign a liability waiver. The use of dirt bikes has been done in the past and has proven to be an effective method for quickly breaking in the race course. If it is raining or the course is wet from previous days, dirt bikes will not be allowed on the race course.

Continue grooming the race course where needed, clean, cut and clear Metric Auto Parts Drop area.

Wednesday, August 13, 2003 1pm till Sunset
Final preparation of the race course, taping and signing where needed. Dirt bikes will again be allowed to ride on this day, however again you must contact me before coming down.
Final marking of the race course, taping and signing where necessary.

Saturday, August 16th, 2003
Final marking of race course, setup of finish line and start area.
NO DIRT BIKES ALLOWED on either Saturday, August 16th or Sunday, August 17th!
Free pre-ride to registered riders between 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. All riders must
be off the race course by 3:00 p.m. due to an outdoor wedding scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 17th, 2003
The Race. We are also looking for volunteer help on race day. Please contact me if you are interested.

Anyone helping with course preparation for 5 hours or more will receive a free race entry.


I look forward to seeing some of you out at Welch Village.


Regards,
Greg Blasko
g r e g @ m n s c s . c o m
651-246-2451

http://www.mnscs.com/welchmtbjam

[mnscs]

Trail Work is in full swing at Welch Village and the race course is starting to reshape itself from previous years. In another two weeks the course is sure to be in awesome shape for the Metric Auto Parts Welch MTB Jam.

Just a reminder that our Trail Work days are still happening at Welch Village on August 6th and August 13th. At this point in time the race course has been passed through and cut with a DR Field and Brush cutter three times now. What still needs to be done is some weed wacking and trimming of brush that is hanging into the trail and raking most of the single track sections from fallen leaves and branches.

Dirt Bike riding will still be allowed on August 6th and August 13th. However since this is a real privilege to be able to ride Dirt Bikes at Welch Village we ask that you help us rake and trim for at least 1 - 2 hours before riding the course.

If you are interested in helping out with trail work or dirt bike riding please e-mail or call me at 651-246-2451 to let me know the days and times before you come down to Welch Village.

Thanks,
Greg Blasko
651-246-2451
g r e g @ m n s c s . c o m

[martini]

Ya know, if they'd just let us ride there in the first place, we wouldn't have to put so much effort into getting the course set and ready to go! Ski areas are SO determined to make money off of any endeavour that they have that they just can't see the benefits of having open trails on thier land. I'm sure its simply due to the fact that they don't want to have to staff the hill in the summer, but there's ways around that. Either that, or they don't wanna get sued by some jackass rider.

[mnscs]

Trail work has been going great at Welch Village. Today about 10 dirt bikes were out in the afternoon breaking in the race course. What a difference they make, as you can start to see a great smooth line in the course again.

We have also been working on a new 1/2 mile section of single track in place of a short downhill/uphill climb on a ski run. The single track should be a great addition come race day.

Registration is still open. For more information on the race or to register visit http://www.mnscs.com/welchmtbjam.

We'll be out at Welch Village again tomorrow (Thursday, August 7th from about 9 am till 4pm.) If anyone is interested in joining us and helping with the new single track feel free to come on down. Drive you vehicle up the ski hill as you would follow the race course. Once at the top, take a right (don't drive your car into the single track!:D) and follow the access trail/road and you'll run into my Ford Ranger. Or feel free to call me at 651-246-2451.