Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Bridge Wood Sealing

Special Wednesday night session. Guess where?

If everybody does a section we'll be out of here in less than an hour...



Yep, you three do those...



You guys go those, good...



Sharing is good, yes...



...and done. Thanks everybody!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Between Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha & Rapid City

Update: well ok, Mankato not Minneapolis and Sioux City not Omaha.

Introducing the longest publicly accessable contiguous singletrack in a 250 mile radius...



...and these are some of the people that made it.



Please note, the trail is not complete. It simply dead-ends. Also, the twists and turns need some adjustments based on ridability. There is no reason to bring your bikes here to try it...yet.

The other thing that happened today is bridge #1 was completed. Most of the work here occurred Saturday. Our task today was to reinforce everything by placing two more screws where there was already one screw.

Here's the bridge team.



Getting some leverage.



It is finished.



All the activity in the park is starting to attract the kids in the neighborhood. As we worked on this bridge today there were up to nine kids playing in the area.

But really as cool at that bridge is, the singletrack is the reason we're all here. So here are some photos of the builders. I'll let them speak for themselves.










Yes, it's a little bit like Christmas.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Building Bridges

Honestly - that this thing made it this far into the woods before it fell apart is remarkable. This is some pretty rough terrain.



Saturday's highest priority was to make as much progress on the bridges as possible. We made our way to the site of bridge #1. Since every steel piece involved with the bridges is 300lbs, it's nice that all the hardware had already been placed in close proximity to it's final resting place.

Nine of us manhandled the two trusses into place across the creek and found the footings to be within inches of where they needed to be. With them in place it was up to the 7ft tall grizzly people to put the cross bracing in place.



After a little bit of wrangling it was declared good...



...and we were off to site #2.

In meetings with the neighborhood they voiced their concern that sometimes things happen in the park that are not necessarily in the true spirit of neighborliness. Those words proved prescient as we found this set of bridge footings in the creek.



Push back on projects like these is not uncommon. In fact, the FAST big picture requires some of this in order to become what we want to be. Right now it's more of an annoyance than anything. We're working with the land manager (the city) to address the issue.

We made quick work resetting the footings, manhandling the trusses in place, and finally attaching the cross bracing.



This one was declared good by Adam/Ant.



Next step, water seal wood planks and screw them into place on top of the trusses.

FAST work sessions remain Saturday 9 to 12, Saturday 2 to 5, Sunday 1 to 4. All are welcome.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

I Like To Move It

Weekend #2 at Leaders Park. Saturday was a gorgeous day to frolic amongst the trees.



--- the Bridges of Leaders Park ---

Last week we talked about bridge work. Here are a couple shots of their progress. We let them lie this weekend pending trail routing review from a neighborhood representative.



Heavy metal.



Footings.

--- the Rocks of Leaders Park ---

Remember that pile of rock mentioned a few posts ago that LG Everist gifted FAST? Task #1 for the weekend: MOVE IT.



Down the hill on a motorized, tractorized wheel barrow.



Down the hill in a regular human controlled wheelbarrow. What's a FAST event in the park without a dog present? Woof!



Here's Mr. Clean - gettin' dirty.



In the end the rocks are placed in proximity to where they will be needed.



Here's one of those meddling kids involved in that singletrack trail building stuff. Smiling after another trek down the hill.



I hope he can find his way back out of there.



As of late Saturday - thanks to the efforts of a team of 15 volunteers the rock pile was a small fraction of its former self.

We should be able to wrap the task up by quitting time Sunday. It's simply bonus that park neighbors requested the "eyesore" rocks be moved ASAP. Within a few weeks, job done.

Yep, FAST Rocks!

--- the Trails of Leaders Park ---

Last but not least, a rough draft of the easy trail has been flagged.



In the end a clinometer will be used to assure the trail grades remain sustainable and pin flags will be placed frequently enough to guarantee proper digging. For now the flags are placed at eye level every 10 or 15 feet.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Ol' Hallows Weekend

Next weekend. We're focusing on three tasks.

1. Rocks and roll. Move the rocks from the pile at the top of park to the bottom of the park, at or near final placement. This will involve copius amounts of walking with loaded four wheel carts.

2. Bridge work of a non-dental variety. Span the drainage-way with the steel trusses and lay the decking on the bridges. Upon completion enjoy crossing the drainage in proper bridge-like comfort. This will be a landmark reason to celebrate!

3. Trail work. Placement of pin flags, corridor clearing and ground scraping. This is the final priority and might not occur until the final work session.

Three work sessions are available:
Saturday from 9 to noon.
Saturday from 2 to 5.
Sunday from 1 to 4.

To volunteer pick one or more sessions and contact Volunteer Wrangler Chris.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

It's On!

A week ago, to prepare for a neighborhood representative tour, we climbed through Leaders Park with an eye toward explaining the trail routes. Each time we visit the park we learn a little bit more about it.

In one particular section there is a coffee table, a vacuum, and this microwave. The Kitchen seems an apt name for this section.





The park needs some bridges. FAST has bridges. We selected two locations for placement. Trail design will connect them.

The FAST braintrust met on the east side of the park for some base touching too.



This gal kept us all honest.



Over the course of the week FAST paid its first annual insurance premium, had the waiver approved by the lawyer, and was told by the parks department to go ahead with the plan.



Word went out and volunteers were aligned. Yesterday's task was to get the bridge work as far along as possible. The FAST cart and another powered wheelbarrow were employed to place the four bridge footings.



Also four 30ft steel trusses were placed in proximity to their final position.

Many thanks to the awesome team of 10 people that lent thier muscles to FAST on it's very first work day.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Help Wanted: Saturday

It's starting to start. There are two chances to jump into the process Saturday.

First, 1pm there will be a painting party. 1 coat of primer. 1 coat of paint. Enough 2x4's and 2x6's to span the Leaders Park drainage three times.

Second, 2pm moving bridges into place. This will occur at the park. We've got rocks, and large pieces of steel to move and assemble over the drainage. Many hands will make lighter work.

Please RSVP to President Chris your intent to attend. Indicate your interest by including the word "painting" or "bridges."

FAST is implementing a program offering naming rights of trail sections to the volunteers who volunteer the most hours. Get started early.

Our completion target is 11/30/11.

Go.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

This Rocks!

We all know that FAST rocks. What most don't know is that FAST has a pile of rocks.



The trail in Leaders Park will feature three bridges to cross the creek. The pile of rocks will be used as bridge abutment ballast. This pile currently sits at the top of the park.

The materials and delivery were provided by LG Everist - Rock Solid Since 1876. Thank you LG Everist.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Celebrate!


Click for big.

Our Approval Celebration!

September 25, 7:30pm

Monk's House of Ale Repute

All FAST supporters are invited.

Rogue Dead Ale by Snakebite Productions. Don't drink and drive.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

September Update

First. The fifth item in this list is an announcement of a party for FAST people. Don’t miss it.

Second. The trailbuiding tools are here – and by tools we DON’T mean you honorable people who have signed up to be trailbuilding volunteers. We mean Mcleods and Pulaskis and Clinometers and OH MY! Yes this could be the biggest gathering of such tools in Sioux Falls – ever!

WAIT, who paid for this? Ummm…shuffle, shuffle, and shuffle – YOU DID. Are you a FAST member? Did you attend a Snakebite Bike Swap? Did you buy an “I Bike SF” t-shirt? Did you just plain hand FAST some cold hard cash? Yeah, that’s right, we pooled our resources and now we have tools.

Third. FAST went through the Leaders Park project with The City’s ADA Review Board. It was yet another cross the “I” and dot the “T” necessity when making use of public land. We appreciate that board’s encouragement of, openness to, and happiness of - our plan. We passed.

Forth. FAST leadership meets this week with Park’s staff to begin to hammer out the agreement between The City and FAST. This agreement will define how we use the park.

Fifth. It’s a Party. September 25, 7:30pm at Monk’s House of Ale Repute. Mark your calendars and be alert for additional details. Keg provided by Snakebite Productions. View and play with the tools. Purchase the brand new heretofore unseen FAST t-shirts. Become a member. Signup to volunteer. Etc.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

It's August...Do You Know Where Your Singletrack Is?

First off - even when it looks like there's nothing going on - oh yes - there's stuff going on. For example, since most FASTies aren't up watching TV at 6:30am, and even if you were you might not have been watching KDLT - President Chris broadcast the FAST message Friday morning.

Watch it here. Big thanks to KDLT - they really seem to like the bike stuff.

Second off - it's been raining. So much so that Public Works has been forced into messing up many of the parks with raw sewage. Keeping the parks open requires much work to cleanse the equipment and buildings. Yup they've been busy.

So our meeting to form the draft agreement between FAST and PARKS has been delayed. But not indefinitely.

Third off - this month FAST will be explaining the Leaders Park plan with the ADA Review Board. Some level of approval from them is necessary as we're making a new use of the public land.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Another Hurdle. Jumped.

Tuesday evening FAST stood in front of the park board and explained the case for allowing singletrack trail within Leaders Park. President Chris handled spokesperson duties while a neighborhood representative summarized the concerns and reasons to oppose our project.

In the end the board unanimously approved the FAST plan for the park.

The Argus Leader covered the story here.

Wednesday Chris & FAST were the topic du jour on an Argus Leader live chat. See that here.

Last week FAST was featured on Keloland TV. View that story here.

This is not the final hurdle for FAST and Leaders Park. There is still plenty of effort to put in before a shovel hits dirt at the park. But it's not the end of the trail either.

Next step, draw up an agreement between the Parks Department and FAST for use of the park. This will be subject to park board approval.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Is This It?

Tuesday, July 20, 4pm, Kenny Anderson Community Center, 3701 E. 3rd St.

FAST will appear in front of the park's board and present our case for allowing us to build singletrack in Leaders Park.

We invite all supporters to attend. High attendance is crucial.

For more information check out President Chris' blog post.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Road Trip!

Who: Adam "Atom" Weischedel, Vice Prez-o-FAST, You, and three others (maybe more, maybe less).

What: Tear up super sweet singletrack via MORC (morcmtb.org)

Where: Staying up in the Twin Cities at my "old" casa in Inver Grove Heights (FREE LODGING)

When: Depart Friday 5/21/10 latter PM, ride Saturday mornin, Saturday day, Saturday early evening, Sunday mornin and arrive Sunday 5/23/10 early PM

Why: Give FAST members an idea of what Leaders and Sioux Falls could have for sweet&#$ singletrack! See first hand the potential obstacles, technicals, controls devices and the awesomeness of well built trails. Lodging IS free and beer is on me because of the second reason why I ask for "man" power.

I am moving my girlfriend's and my belongings back to Sioux Falls this weekend. Unfortunately I need at least one strong back to assist me in about 60 minutes of moving labor. A day and half of riding and beer for 1/24th of a day's work moving my belongings; think about it!

How: My stuff will be hauled via my work truck and trailer. I can haul two peeps red neck style and all bikes via the truck as well, negating the need for roof racks and/or rear racks on a second vehicle.

Contact Info:
Adam Royal Weischedel
adam.weischedel@gmail.com
Cell: 605-929-8164
Work: 605-332-2291

If you have not decided by 5/21/10 I will be attending the FAST table
at Bike2Work @ MoVM. Check me out just so the "stranger danger"
element can be eliminated and you can meet me personally if you have
not done so already.

I thank you all personally for considering,

Atom

Monday, May 17, 2010

5/18 Hearing -- POSTPONED! Seriously.

Singletrack Supporters,

There has been a last minute postponement of the Leaders Park hearing with the Parks and Recreation Board. We have been told the new mayor would like an opportunity to get up to speed with our proposal before the Board takes action.

What this means is there is no hearing on Tuesday May 18th. I will provide the new hearing date as soon as it has been established.

Thank you for your support. Without it this project could not happen.

Chris Pierson
President, FAST Inc.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Next Step: Day of Reckoning

On Tuesday May 18th Falls Area SingleTrack (FAST) will appear before the Parks and Recreation Board. We will present our case for approval of the singletrack project in Leaders Park. The hearing will be held at the Oyate Community Center, 2421 West 15th Street, beginning at 4:00 PM.

All of our hard work over the last year and a half come down to this hearing. It is imperative that FAST supporters make every effort to attend. The Board MUST know there is community wide support for this project.

Please come!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Leaders Park Cleanup

What – A clean up of Leaders Park

When – Saturday April 24th beginning at 12:55 PM

Where – Leaders Park! Meet by the “Leaders Park” sign on the corner of E. 6th St and N. Leadale Ave.

Why – The Park could use some picking up, it’s good for the environment, and it shows the neighborhood and the Parks and Recreation department that Falls Area Single Track (FAST) is serious about stewardship.

Particulars – Please join FAST in our mission to do something to help make our city cleaner. We’ll meet by the “Leaders Park” sign on the corner of E 6th St and N Leadale Ave. Please bring one (1) kitchen sized or garbage can sized garbage bag. It might be a good idea to wear gloves.

Once everyone’s congregated we’ll fan out through the park. Designated FAST representatives will help to fan you out so all corners of the park get covered. Please pick up any trash you can find. Once your bag is full, please bring it to the designated drop spot, and you’re done! That’s it! Pretty easy and it won’t kill your whole weekend!

One more thing, if you have a pick up truck, and don’t mind hauling a load of garbage, please bring it as well. After we get the trash collected we’ll need to dispose of it properly.

Thanks in advanced from the FAST gang!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Volunteer or Join

17 people joined FAST while attending Snakebite's Sioux Falls Bike Swap. Now you can to. Go here - http://tinyurl.com/y998hda - and fill out the form. Membership and donation payments can be made through PayPal - details for that will be available soon and delivered directly to you using the information you provide on the form.

The form - http://tinyurl.com/y998hda

Get a piece of FAST!

Memberships are only $5.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, February 24 @ 5:30pm @ Kenny Anderson Community Center - Leaders Park neighborhood meeting #2. Comments have been received and considered. It’s looking like some significant bits of new information will be shared at this meeting. Come. Be informed.

Sunday, February 28 @ 9:30 to 2:00 @ Holiday Inn City CenterSnakebite’s Sioux Falls Bike Swap. FAST will have a table with membership opportunities. Proceeds above and beyond event expenses will go to FAST.

Mid-May – the spring trailbuilding workshop. Learn about trailbuilding. See trailbuilding. Practice trailbuilding. Get educated by one of the country’s move coveted trail designers & builders.

Later-May – FAST goes to Minneapolis. Get inspired. Ride Theodore Wirth to see what it is we’re aiming for.

Trailbuilding weekends – preliminary planning shows one trailbuilding weekend a month June to November. 3 hours Saturday, 3 hours Sunday. Come out, we’ll try to make it worth your while.

Trailbuilding weekdays – Monday evenings. June to November.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Snakebite's Bike Swap To Benefit FAST!

Snakebite's 2nd Annual Bike Swap will again benefit FAST. We are grateful to him for giving us a chance to sell our junk AND for putting trailbuilding dollars in our bank account.

Snakebite’s 2010 Sioux Falls Bike Swap

Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Time: 9:30-2:00
Location: Holiday Inn City Center, 100 W. 8th St, Sioux Falls, SD
Registration form PDF.
Greetings!

Here is the pertinent information regarding my second annual Bike Swap.

This Bike Swap is to buy and sell anything bike related. It could be bikes, bicycling apparel, bike parts, bike posters – anything bike related. Anyone can sell stuff at the swap. Tables are $25 until February 21st and then $35 from February 22nd up to and including the day of the event. If you want to sell some stuff but don’t have that much you are welcome to find others to team up with. You work it out amongst yourselves.

Your table registration gets you a 8 foot x 3 foot table, some chairs, and two admissions to the event. You may get as many tables as you’d like – sorry, no discounts for multiple tables.

If you have complete bikes to sell, they will be sold from the Bike Corral. The Bike Corral will be just that - a corral in which you’ll put the bike. YOU must keep an eye on it. The $10 fee for the Corral gets your bike in there and one admission. Each additional bike to sell will be an additional $5. NOTE: IF YOU HAVE A TABLE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SELL A COMPLETE BIKE IN THE CORRAL. YOU MAY SELL IT FROM YOUR TABLE.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at your convenience. My email address is fearlessdiamond69@gmail.com.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

...And The Beat Goes On

The Parks Department has considered the comments left by the bike community and the neighborhood. There is a need to address some concerns. FAST and Parks sat in a room together Friday afternoon so we could all look at the same picture of what the next month looks like.

That picture shows them addressing the things they need to address and FAST addressing some things FAST needs to address. By the end of the month things will be addressed and the next step will be taken.

In much less interesting news...

FAST has a shiny new address, PO Box 90144, SF, SD, 57109-0145. Go ahead, send something. Money.

Do you like Twitter? fast_inc

Articles of Incorporation have been signed and delivered to the South Dakota Secretary of State. A process.

Bylaws will be drafted and ratified.

Your chance to officially join FAST is on the horizon.

The spring build kickoff event is in our thoughts and the summer build schedule is in our dreams.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

You're The Sort Of Fellow We'd Like To Meet...



The December issue of bike Magazine contains information about the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s new model – “Ride Centers.” Figuring heavy in to the IMBA’s Ride Centers effort is Crosby, Minnesota’s Cuyuna Lakes Ride Center, 2.5 miles north of the Twin Cities. This is certainly exciting news for the future of Minnesota mountain biking.

Figuring heavy into the creation of this Ride Center is a guy named Tim Wegner. “We’re going to start off with 23 miles, because that’s all the acreage that’s available to us right now. But the trail system here has the potential to be 40 miles.”

“So far, Wegner has helped oversee a fundraising effort that’s garnered some $700,000 from the FHA, $250,000 from the Minnesota DNR, $150,000 from a state bonding bill, and about $90,000 in donations from groups like IMBA and bike-parts distributor QBP.”

This guy Tim seems like the sort of fellow a fledging trail building group like ours should spend some time with. Maybe get to know a little.

Saturday, January 2, 2010