Today's TM was brought to you by the letters R and H

I had originally planned to spend the day riding in Nassarica but those plans fell through so I decided to do a reroute on the Upper Gussy Trail because Hurricane Sandy knocked over some trees that really jammed up the trail.

There is one big tree that knocked over two more.  Even if you cut up the two that are lower to the ground I think you would have needed to take care of the higher one and that would have been a killer job.

After laying out pin flags, raking, cutting trees and tweaking the trail someone it was time to bring out the big gun:  My new 7 inch Rogue Hoe.  Basically it's a heavy duty McCleod that is the perfect tool for trail building.

Reroute on the way up starts right after this little up and over coming up from the big up and over further back on the trail.

 

 

Benched the opening section if you were coming down the Gussy but more benching will be required. 

Post Hurricane Sandy Ride after TM

Found this at the trail head - this is too eclectic for hunters and mountain bikers wouldn't leave a can laying in the forest.  A mystery abounds!

 

The Poly Brody is back open once again!
No KOM today because I was gawking at the progress.

The new up and over and additional ramp is soooo smooth!

Post Hurricane Sandy TM on the Gussy

Day 6 of no power, well, I do have a generator that I like to call Genny.  Between coping with no power, generating our own, and trying to work among all the stress this latest storm has created I haven't had any time for much else, less riding.  Granted, both Upper Paugussett and Waldo were hit hard.  Paula spent the last two days at Waldo and was supposed to help me on the Gussy Saturday afternoon but she was wiped out - I can understand that, so I headed into the woods with a long handled and my Friskas hand axes, bow saw, and clippers.

This clump of three trees needs a chainsaw.

 

I was able to do this one with my clippers.

I cleared around this Widow Maker and foot raked a go around. 

 

The long handled axe came in handy here.  I was able to chop halfway through the tree and let gravity do the rest. 

  

Then I did a little ramping to with the go with the flow

   

Post Hurricane Sandy Upper Gussy Update

On Tuesday, I got out for a quick assessment ride at Upper Paugussett State Forest.
It wasn't pretty.

 

Entering into Upper Pagussett State Forest

This was an easy move but I may have put too much strain on my shoulder injury (non biking related) from the summer.

 

These two require a chain say (which I don't have).  Hopefully a kind sole will get out there and fix these on the Poly Brody.

Prerequisite Spot Longboard 9 Bike Porn shot!

This is on the Gussy

Leaner on some spring poles

Blocking the reroute from the last storm

 

The Coup de Grass.  Three trees in this mess.  It could make for some nice features once it's done.