Can you build a mountain bike track on your own property? Yes, with careful planning, the right tools, and a lot of hard work, you can build your own mountain bike track. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from initial ideas to the final finishing touches.
Planning Your Trail: The Foundation of Success
Before you even think about picking up a shovel, thorough planning is crucial. This phase sets the stage for a safe, fun, and sustainable mountain bike track. Rushing this step can lead to costly mistakes and a trail that doesn’t ride well.
Site Selection: Finding the Perfect Spot
Choosing the right location is the first big decision. Think about the natural features of your land.
- Terrain: Are there hills, slopes, or flat areas? Slopes are great for gravity-fed trails, while flatter areas can be used for skills areas or pump tracks.
- Soil Type: Is the soil rocky, sandy, clay-heavy, or loamy? Loamy soil is ideal for trail building as it holds its shape well and drains effectively. Sandy soil can be unstable, and heavy clay can become muddy and slick.
- Drainage: Where does water flow on your property? You want to avoid building in areas that will constantly flood or become waterlogged. Natural drainage patterns should be a primary consideration.
- Vegetation: Are there many trees or dense undergrowth? Clearing too much vegetation can cause erosion and harm the environment. Ideally, work with the natural landscape as much as possible.
- Accessibility: How will you get to the track? Consider access for yourself, riders, and potentially maintenance equipment.
Designing Your Dream Track: From Concept to Blueprint
Once you have a location, it’s time to design. What kind of riding do you want to encourage?
- Flow Trail Design: This focuses on smooth transitions, predictable turns, and sculpted features that allow riders to maintain momentum. Think about rollers, berms, and gentle jumps.
- Downhill Track Design: These trails are all about gravity. They often incorporate steeper gradients, technical sections with rocks and roots, and larger jumps and drops.
- Dirt Jumping: This is for riders who love hitting jumps. It requires carefully shaped jumps with good take-offs and landings.
- Skills Area: This could include features like log rides, small bridges, rock gardens, and beginner-friendly jumps to help riders develop their skills.
- Bike Park Construction: If you’re aiming for a larger, more complex facility, you’ll need to think about different zones for various skill levels and types of riding.
Key Design Considerations:
- Gradient: The steepness of the trail. Too steep, and it’s unrideable or dangerous. Too flat, and it’s not fun. Aim for a consistent, enjoyable gradient.
- Line Choice: How many different ways can riders navigate a section? Offering options adds to the replayability of your track.
- Feature Placement: Where will jumps, berms, and other features be located? Ensure they flow logically from one to the next.
- Safety: This is paramount. All features should be built with safety as the top priority. Consider run-off areas, clear sightlines, and appropriate transition radii for jumps.
Creating a Map or Sketch:
A simple sketch can go a long way. Draw out the proposed trail on a piece of paper or use online mapping tools. Mark out where key features will go. This visual representation helps you see how the trail will flow.
Gathering Your Tools and Materials: Essential Equipment
Having the right tools makes trail building much more efficient and enjoyable.
Essential Hand Tools:
- Shovels: Round point for digging and moving dirt, flat point for shaping.
- Rakes: Leaf rakes for clearing debris, garden rakes for smoothing.
- McLeod Tool: A combination rake and hoe, excellent for track shaping and smoothing.
- Pulaski Tool: An axe on one side and a hoe on the other, useful for chopping roots and clearing vegetation.
- Hand Tamper: For compacting dirt on landings and berms.
- Wheelbarrow: For moving dirt, rocks, and debris.
- Gloves: To protect your hands.
- Safety Glasses: Essential for protecting your eyes from flying debris.
- Measuring Tape: For ensuring consistent dimensions.
- Level: To ensure features are built correctly.
Larger Equipment (Optional but helpful):
- Rototiller: For breaking up compacted soil or clearing vegetation.
- Power Tamper (Jumping Jack): For highly compacted surfaces like landings.
- Skid Steer Loader or Mini Excavator: For larger projects where significant earthmoving is required. This is often part of bike park construction on a larger scale.
Materials for Features:
- Wood: For constructing wooden features like bridges, wall rides, and some types of jumps. Treated lumber is recommended for longevity.
- Rocks: Can be incorporated into rock gardens or used for retaining walls.
- Gravel/Crusher Run: Useful for stabilizing surfaces, especially on landings or in wet areas.
Trail Construction: Bringing Your Design to Life
This is where the physical work begins. Take your time, work smart, and build with quality in mind.
Clearing the Path: Starting the Dig
- Mark the Trail Corridor: Use stakes and flagging tape to clearly mark the intended path of your trail. This helps you stay on course.
- Remove Vegetation: Carefully remove trees, bushes, and grass within the marked corridor. Try to minimize the impact on surrounding areas. For larger trees, consider if they can be incorporated as natural features or if they need to be removed carefully.
- Clear Debris: Remove rocks, roots, and any other obstacles from the trail surface.
Excavation and Earthmoving: Shaping the Landscape
This is where track shaping truly begins. You’re essentially sculpting the earth to create the desired riding experience.
- Follow the Contour: Whenever possible, build trails that follow the natural contours of the land. This reduces erosion and creates more natural-feeling trails.
- Cut and Fill: You’ll often need to dig into hillsides (cut) and use that dirt to build up other areas (fill), such as berms and jump lips.
- Proper Drainage: As you excavate, think about how water will flow. Create slight crowns in the trail so water runs off to the sides, not down the middle. Install drainage dips or culverts if necessary.
- Soil Compaction: As you add dirt, it’s crucial to compact it thoroughly. This prevents the trail from breaking down quickly and becoming muddy or rutted. Layer the dirt and compact each layer.
Berm Construction: The Art of Cornering
Berm construction is key to creating flow and allowing riders to maintain speed through corners.
- Locate the Corner: Identify where a corner will be on your trail.
- Shape the Base: Dig out the inside of the corner to create a smooth, flowing turn.
- Build Up the Berm: Use the excavated dirt, or bring in fresh dirt, to build up the outside wall of the corner.
- Layer and Compact: Add dirt in layers (lifts) of 6-8 inches. Compact each lift thoroughly using a tamper or even a vehicle if available.
- Shape and Smooth: Use your rake and shovel to shape the berm smoothly. The angle should be steep enough to hold riders in the corner but not so steep that it feels unstable.
- Finishing Touches: Rake the surface smooth. Consider adding a layer of finer dirt or even gravel for a more durable and grippy surface.
Table: Berm Construction Best Practices
| Aspect | Best Practice | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Varies based on speed, but generally 1-3 feet is a good starting point. | Dictates how much support riders get in corners. |
| Width | Wide enough for riders to choose their line, typically 3-6 feet. | Allows for different rider styles and easier passing. |
| Angle/Slope | Gradual transition from flat to steep, with the steepest part supporting riders. Avoid overly vertical walls. | Prevents riders from sliding out and provides natural support. |
| Compaction | Thoroughly compact each layer of dirt. | Crucial for stability, preventing erosion, and creating a long-lasting feature. |
| Radius | Smooth, flowing transitions that match the intended speed and flow of the trail. | Ensures riders can navigate the corner without scrubbing speed or losing control. |
| Drainage | Ensure water can drain away from the berm, not pool in it. | Prevents erosion and maintains the integrity of the feature. |
Jump Building: Launching into Fun
Jump building requires precision and an understanding of physics. Safety is paramount here.
Types of Jumps:
- Rollers: Small, smoothly shaped mounds of dirt that riders can roll over to maintain speed.
- Tabletops: A jump with a flat top, making them more forgiving for beginners.
- Gap Jumps: Jumps with a space between the takeoff and landing. These are for advanced riders only.
- Whip Jumps: Designed to encourage riders to lean their bikes sideways in the air.
Building a Basic Jump (Tabletop Example):
- Locate the Site: Choose a spot with good drainage and a clear line of sight.
- Mark the Jump: Outline the shape of your jump, including the takeoff, deck, and landing.
- Build the Takeoff (Lip): This is the most critical part. It needs to be smooth, rounded, and have a slight upward curve to launch riders. Avoid sharp edges.
- Start by creating a solid base.
- Add dirt in layers, compacting each one thoroughly.
- Shape the lip with a smooth, parabolic arc. A good rule of thumb is that the radius of the curve should be roughly the height of the jump.
- Build the Deck: The flat area between the takeoff and landing. This should be wide enough and smoothly transitioned.
- Build the Landing: The landing needs to be long enough and have a gentle slope to allow riders to absorb the impact safely. It should also be well-compacted.
- Smooth and Shape: Use your tools to ensure all transitions are smooth and there are no abrupt changes in the surface.
- Compaction: Compact the entire jump thoroughly.
Table: Jump Building Considerations
| Feature | Key Elements | Safety Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lip | Smooth, rounded transition; correct radius; stable base. | Avoid sharp edges; ensure it’s not too steep or too flat. |
| Deck | Flat and wide enough for control; smooth transition from lip. | Sufficient width to allow for rider error; proper grading. |
| Landing | Long enough; gentle slope; well-compacted; no braking bumps. | Too short or steep can cause crashes; ensure it’s smooth and clear of obstacles. |
| Transitions | Smooth, flowing curves between all sections. | Prevents riders from getting bucked off or losing control. |
| Drainage | Ensure water runs off the jump, not pools on it. | Waterlogged features are unstable and dangerous. |
Wooden Features: Adding a Different Dimension
Wooden features add variety and challenge to a track. They are common in bike park construction and can elevate the riding experience.
- Materials: Use pressure-treated lumber to prevent rot and insect damage. Cedar or redwood are also good, naturally resistant options.
- Construction:
- Bridges: Build sturdy bridges with strong supports. Ensure the riding surface is smooth and has good grip.
- Wall Rides: Construct smooth, curved walls that riders can ride up. The radius of the curve is important for stability.
- Manual Pads: Small, raised platforms designed for practicing manuals.
- North Shore Style Features: Involve a series of small wooden elements, like skinny bridges and rollers, often found in more technical trails.
- Fasteners: Use galvanized or stainless steel screws and bolts for durability.
- Anchoring: Secure wooden features firmly to the ground to prevent shifting.
Trail Maintenance: Keeping Your Track in Shape
Building a track is only half the battle. Regular maintenance is essential to keep it safe and enjoyable. This is where flow trail maintenance is crucial for sustained riding fun.
Regular Inspections:
- Check for Wear and Tear: Inspect all features for signs of damage, rot, or loosening components.
- Look for Erosion: Are there any areas where the trail surface is washing away?
- Clear Debris: Remove fallen branches, leaves, and other debris that can create hazards.
- Inspect Drainage: Ensure culverts and drainage ditches are clear and functioning.
Repair and Upkeep:
- Reshape Berms: Add dirt and re-compact berms that have started to break down.
- Repair Jumps: Patch any holes or cracks in jump lips and landings. Add new dirt and compact as needed.
- Tighten Fasteners: On wooden features, check and tighten any loose bolts or screws.
- Address Erosion: Implement measures like water bars or check dams to control erosion.
- Clear Overgrowth: Trim back any vegetation that is encroaching on the trail.
Advanced Trail Building Techniques: Elevating Your Skills
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might want to explore more advanced techniques.
Advanced Berm Construction:
- Compound Berms: Berms with multiple curves or varying radii, offering more technical cornering.
- Suspension Berms: Berms designed with a slight upward curve at the top to help riders pump and maintain speed.
Advanced Jump Building:
- Step-Up Jumps: Jumps where the landing is higher than the takeoff, requiring riders to carry more speed.
- Step-Down Jumps: Jumps where the landing is lower than the takeoff.
- Larger Features: Building bigger jumps and drops requires a deeper understanding of physics, material strength, and safety protocols. Often, this is the realm of professional bike park construction.
Rock Gardens:
- Sourcing Rocks: Find suitable rocks of various sizes.
- Placement: Strategically place rocks to create challenging lines, ensuring they are stable and don’t create pinch points.
- Drainage: Ensure water can flow through and around the rock garden.
Establishing a Flow:
The ultimate goal of track shaping for many is to create a “flow trail.” This means connecting features smoothly, with natural transitions that allow riders to maintain momentum and a rhythmic pace. This involves:
- Roller Clusters: Series of rollers that link corners and jumps.
- Rhythm Sections: Carefully spaced features that require precise timing to ride smoothly.
- Seamless Transitions: Ensuring the exit of one feature flows perfectly into the approach of the next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How much does it cost to build a mountain bike track?
The cost can vary enormously. A simple backyard track might cost only the price of a few tools and some sweat equity. A professionally built bike park construction project can cost tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on size, features, and labor. For a DIY project, factor in tool purchases, materials for features (wood, gravel), and potentially equipment rental if you need heavier machinery.
Q2: Do I need permits to build a mountain bike track?
This depends entirely on your location and the scale of the project. If you’re building on your own private property for personal use, you likely won’t need permits. However, if you’re building on public land, for a business, or if your construction involves significant earthmoving or changes to waterways, you will almost certainly need permits from local authorities. Always check with your local planning department.
Q3: How long does it take to build a mountain bike track?
Again, this varies greatly. A small, simple track might take a few weekends. A more elaborate downhill track design with multiple features could take months or even years, especially if you’re working alone or with a small team. Flow trail maintenance is an ongoing process that requires regular attention.
Q4: What is the best soil for trail building?
The ideal soil is a loam that contains a good mix of sand, silt, and clay. This type of soil holds its shape well when compacted, drains effectively, and provides good traction. Avoid pure sand, which is unstable, and heavy clay, which can become very sticky and slick when wet.
Q5: How do I ensure my jumps are safe?
Safety in jump building comes down to proper design and construction. Key elements include:
* Smooth, well-shaped lips: Avoid sharp edges.
* Appropriate radius on takeoff: Too sharp a radius will send you upwards too quickly; too flat will not provide enough lift.
* Adequate landing length and slope: Landings must be long enough to absorb impact and have a gentle slope.
* Thorough compaction: This is crucial for stability.
* Clear sightlines: Riders should be able to see the landing clearly.
* Progressive difficulty: Start small and gradually build larger features as your skills and experience grow.
Q6: What are “gravity MTB trails”?
Gravity MTB trails are specifically designed to be ridden downhill, relying on gravity for propulsion. They often feature steeper gradients, technical obstacles, jumps, berms, and other features that challenge riders and provide an exciting downhill experience. These are distinct from cross-country trails that involve more climbing and pedaling.
Q7: How can I prevent erosion on my track?
Good drainage is the primary defense against erosion. This includes:
* Shaping the trail with a crown: A slight convex surface allows water to shed to the sides.
* Outsloping corners: Angling the trail surface downhill across its width.
* Water bars: Small mounds of dirt or logs placed across the trail at an angle to divert water.
* Check dams: Small barriers across ditches or ruts to slow water flow and trap sediment.
* Revegetation: Planting grass or other ground cover on bare soil areas can help stabilize them.
Building a mountain bike track is a rewarding endeavor that combines creativity, engineering, and a lot of physical labor. By following these steps and prioritizing safety and sustainability, you can create a fantastic riding experience for yourself and others. Happy building!