You know it’s hard to come up with new pithy subject headings for posts to the front page of bikePASA; when I resort to using the title of an REO Speedwagon song I know I’ve taken it too far. I mean not that Gary Richrath couldn't slay a mean 80’s axe but really I’ve come to the end of my allegorical rope. Speaking of axes, I went out to Poston yesterday with chainsaw and axe in hand. Sunday afternoon while riding we ran into three significant trees in the trail over near the dam, all too big to cut with a handsaw. One was actually so big that it had fallen over the trail twice, lucky me. To make matters more fun the cap to the bar oil tank on my chainsaw stripped out and would not stay tight. Every time I cut for a few seconds the cap would loosen and bar oil would start to spill out. For those who don’t use chainsaws...no bar oil, no cut. So I used the chainsaw sparingly and relied on an axe and wedges to finish off the cuts. Although it took longer than it should have do to the stripped cap Poston should be clear of any impassable downfall now! A week ago on a ride at Poston we had to stop about six times to cut trees off the trail do to the wind storm; then a few days later this hail storm rolled through and knocks more crap down. Let’s just hope that the storms, winds, hail, and other forms of Armageddon are done for a while at Poston. Then again there are no guarantees so the time to ride is now!

After a bit of a hiatus we got back out to Poston this weekend for a productive work session. The new tight loop needed a little TLC now that it has been ridden in so that's where we spent our morning. Tasks included cleaning up the jump line on the first little downhill, piling more dirt on some on the log crossings (including the monster log), clearing out some small trees on the downhills to speed them up a bit, and making a new line altogether that should improve flow through one section. We also made a cool rock bridge through a small gully, pictured below after it has already been covered in dirt. Thanks to Ben, Carlton, and Scott for coming out this morning and doing work!

Today we put the finishing touches on the newest section of trail at Poston. First we had to cut a new entrance as the one we made a month or so back was not going to cut it; the new entrance we designed today turned out real nice and was really less of a climb than I thought it would be. After a little bench work and a huge dirt/log roller over a monster downed tree (pictured below) we walked the rest of the new trail and cleaned up a few spots. There might be a bit more to do here and there but it's certainly nothing to stop from opening it up so arrow signs have been hung to lead you to the new section. Now we just needs lots of tires on the singletrack to beat down the trail and speed it up so get on out there and ride! Oh yeah, thanks to Ben, Calvin, John, the other Josh, and Kevin for coming out today to build trail. Next week we move towards Spencer Mountain and the real fun begins!