The past two weekends, I had a great time volunteering with IMBA’s Trail Solutions teams to help create some world class mountain bike trails for Anniston, AL.  The first weekend, turned out to be an all-day adventure deep in the woods on Coldwater Mountain hauling rock and armoring sections to create a rock garden trail that will be one of the centerpieces of the first phase of trails to be built on the mountain.  I had a great time learning from the master, Joey Klein how to effectively rock armor sections of trail.  This process provides a solid base for tires and feet, and a great experience for riders to travel over a slightly more advanced rock path rather than an easier line around the feature.

Jake and Jenny summarized the potential of the Coldwater Mountain trail project nicely:

The system will include professionally, purpose-built mountain bike trails for all ability levels, a gravity area, a skills park, and a pump track. The project has been twelve years in the making, and it is so exciting to see all of the hard work and planning coming to fruition. This world-class trail system is within a couple hours of Birmingham, Montgomery, Atlanta, and Chattanooga.

Here I am trying to help rock armor a section.  I will admit to no skill whatsoever.  The credit of a successful section goes entirely to Joey from IMBA.  He’s been all over the world laying trail, and learning from the in-country experts the techniques for effective trail building across any terrain.

How many people get to work with both Subaru Trail Care teams at the same time?  Morgan and Steve Lommele were in town as well to educate and lend a hand to laying some trail.

Check out this video of building and testing out the flow of the Coldwater Mountain trails.

If you want to come be a part of the great things IMBA, NEABA, and local volunteers are doing on Coldwater Mountain, if you’re coming in for the Parker House B&B.  It’s THE Bed and Breakfast in Anniston.