The Rock trail in Gainesville Florida

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    • #92462

      I didn’t want to stray off topic from the Dual Slalom course in the other thread so I figured this would be better for planning trail work or anything else since there seems to be a few members on here from Gainesville now and a few of them have contact with the the property owners.

      That said,Rareform…that is a great start on a ladder bridge! That is very solid feeling and will be very cool winding back and forth across the trail like that.The bridge I have in my yard would actually make a good addition somewhere on the downhill section so I’ll det that ready to move this weekend and have it ready to go for Monday if you want to mess with it.

    • #92463

      Thanks, got most everything cut today and hopefully will finish that section monday. Hope to see ya there. I think I’m over the concussion, took a few days but I’m good. Think I’ll leave the slalom to you guys!!!

    • #92464

      Oh yea, tried to take the first section like a table top and overshot, hit the second jump unprepared. LOL Ate shit. Have pics with a rock in the vent of the helmet and was loopy for atleast 5 minutes. I had no clue I was out either!!! Too old and inexperienced for the slalom, will be on the trails if you need me. 😃

    • #92465

      Hey Galaxy, check out TheRareForm page on facebook. Video of you on the ladders at the Rock. Anyone else that cares to can check it out also. Not "great" riders but we do what we can. Time for the next section at the Rock. If anyone has wood/lumber to donate pm me please. Thanks

    • #92466

      Speak for yourself….I ripped that bridge!!! haha!

      I went out yesterday and hit it fast from the top of the hill and about shot off the right side at the tabletop and into the tree,I luckily pulled it back on track and saved my shoulder though.

      I have not dis-assembled my bridge yet,I have a tooth screwin with me again so I didn’t take it down today like I had planned.I most likely won’t make it tomorrow,I’ve gotta find a dentist with an open appointment slot and get this tooth taken care of but the bridge will be down and ready to go next monday,we just have to get the ground ready and assemble it.I’ll try to get the ground cleared this week.

      Nice sign too!

    • #92467

      Figured something was up, missed you today. And I was talking more about me than anyone else. haha Almost got the entire thing mapped today. Have to do the roads, obstacles and parking and it will be a full and complete map of the Rock!!

    • #92468

      From Clint Gibbs, Rock church liaison and avid Mountain Biker.

      This is for all of you mountain bikers out there, or parents of kids who ride/race BMX or mountain bikes. As some of you know we now have a pretty sweet pump track at the Rock trail built by the guys with the University of Florida and other local riders. It was used for a race a month or so ago.

      We need to do some maintenance on the track to make it easier to ride for the masses, which involves taming the jumps down a bit, solving some drainage issues, and possibly extending the track. This will involve renting a Bobcat or similar machine. This is where we could use some help!

      If you would like to donate to this project, we’d really appreciate it! $5 or $10 from a group of interested people would really help.

      The Rock trail has become so much more than I imagined when I first got out there with a machete over 5 years ago. It excites me to see the scope of the trail expand, and I really get excited when I see my 6 year old son enjoying the new track.

      Please email me directly at [email protected] if you’d like to help with donations and/or time.

      Thank you!

      Clint Gibbs

    • #92469

      Sent you a email, more than happy to help. Need more people to get on board. Everyone please pitch in!! Thanks

    • #92470

      Hey Galaxy, It just so happens that I hafta take a ride to Gainesville this weekend. I ordered a bike from Santa Fe bikes for the son and didn’t get the right one. So we’re headin up there to exchange it and would like to check out The Rock. The shop doesn’t open ’til 1:oo pm and I wanna get him on a bike first so it’ll be later in the afternoon. Any suggestions for hittin your trail?. You guys gonna be out there? Holla back
      Ride On

    • #92471
      "ChiliPepper" wrote

      Hey Scott, how old is your son? BTW, I am going to try and plan for either Saturday or Sunday up at SC and maybe even the EC across the road. I miss riding that trail. Anyways, whats your scedule for that weekend. Let me know bro.

      On-On

      Little dude’s 14yrs old and 6ft tall 😮 still haven’t figured out what we’re feedin him but I know its alot 😆, gotta be in Gainesville sat. to take this bike back (too much to ship it back, plus the dude’s got alot of nice bikes wholesaled), I’m open sunday. We tore up SC and EC last week, always a great ride, definiately let me know watcha decide Bro
      Ride On

    • #92472

      Bro,I have to move Saturday,the whole house…but I’m still gonna try to break away for a couple hours in the afternoon to come ride with you guys.It may not happen but I’m damn sure gonna try to make it,that would be very cool!

      Be ready for the Roots!!! 😃

    • #92473

      Yea plenty of roots. Galaxy give me a call you need help moving the stuff, more than happy to help out. Got the 3rd section ready to go and will be putting it together on Monday!!

    • #92474

      The Rock, well all I can say is it ROCKS!!! We cruised up to Gator country saturday afternoon, picked the boy up a sweet new KHS DJ200. Nice dirt jumper! and headed to the Rock, found a local with a little Rock knowledge and proceeded to fly through some of the coolest singletrack I’ve ridden in Fla. Long sections of slight grade you don’t even hafta twist the cranks, but if you do…SPEED!!! 😮 . The Rock is the perfect name for this place, the ground is so hard it is amazingly fast. Good job guys. I saw singletracks stickers everywhere too 😃. The cool structures in the pics are mostly decayed beyond use, kinda bummed on that but don’t let that deter you from going there. The slalom course was fun, not recomended for a XC bike though. The DJ200 was perfect Image
      All in all two thumbs way up
      Ride On

    • #92475

      Wow, Thanks for this good news scotkrzy.

    • #92476

      Thanks and btw we are trying to redo all the structures and add some too!! Any ideas hit me up @ TheRareForm on FB. Thanks We use mostly donated supplies so any help is appreciated. Galaxy hit me up soon, or see ya Monday!!

    • #92477
      "rareform" wrote

      Thanks and btw we are trying to redo all the structures and add some too!! Any ideas hit me up @ TheRareForm on FB. Thanks We use mostly donated supplies so any help is appreciated. Galaxy hit me up soon, or see ya Monday!!

      Yeah I saw your previous threads, I was hopin’ to run into Galaxy when we were there and drop him a little donation the trails are realy great and the more stuff you add the funner they’ll get. We probly won’t make it back up that way ’til Memorial day for a bunch of drunken debauchery at Ginnie Springs but if things change I’ll holla.
      Ride On
      P.S. Come on down to CentFla and I’ll show you some roots 😆

    • #92478

      Hey guys great work on the trail so far, here is another e-mail from Clint Gibbs:

      It looks like the only Saturday that will work this year (working around races and stuff) is October 30th. We will begin at 10 a.m on the pump track and will have a Bobcat tractor. Please bring shovels, rakes, tamping tools and even a wheelbarrow if you have one and can transport it. Also bring a machete and loppers in case we have extra hands and can do trail trimming too. And of course remember to bring a lunch and some water.

      Also, if you had mentioned that you want to donate to the Rock trail, now would be the time to get it to me! We need to rent the Bobcat and get a load of dirt. Thanks!

      Clint Gibbs
      [email protected]

      PS Please shoot me an email if you can make it so I’ll know how many people we’ll have out there.

    • #92479

      Hey everyone! I finally have internet service here at the new place so I’m back!

      I’m gonna try to be there at the trail with $20 and a shovel and rake Saturday morning.

      I still have not dismantled the bridge at the other place but I have to get it done this week so next Monday if you want to come by here with the truck we can get it out there.

    • #92480

      Sounds good Galaxy, will get in touch this weekend. Thanks

    • #92481

      A reminder about the work day this Saturday:

      Just a reminder that we’ll be working on the Rock trail at 10 a.m. this Saturday. We’ll be working on the pump track (actually making the dual slalom into more of a pump track and making it longer). If you have them, bring shovels, rakes, tamping tools, and wheel barrows.

      I’ll buy pizza for everyone for lunch. Bring water and snacks. We’ll get most of the work done by 3 so we can watch the game (or go ride).

      Call/email me if you have any questions or need directions.

    • #92482
      "RunandBike0519" wrote

      A reminder about the work day this Saturday:

      Just a reminder that we’ll be working on the Rock trail at 10 a.m. this Saturday. We’ll be working on the pump track (actually making the dual slalom into more of a pump track and making it longer). If you have them, bring shovels, rakes, tamping tools, and wheel barrows.

      I’ll buy pizza for everyone for lunch. Bring water and snacks. We’ll get most of the work done by 3 so we can watch the game (or go ride).

      Call/email me if you have any questions or need directions.

      Sorry myself and none the guys will be there, we work @ Bestbuy and Saturday is kinda a requirement. If yall need tools or anything let me know I’ll get them to you. I’m really sorry we can’t make it. PM me if you need anything and I’ll send the phone number. I really hope a lot of people show, we have been working on some new obstacles and plan on refurbishing some of the older ones so they are ridable again. If anyone has any ideas hit us up! Thanks for all the help @ The Rock. We really hope we can contribute to everyones riding enjoyment. Thanks for all the effort and hard work. God Bless!

    • #92483

      Hope there is a great turn out!! Riding Monday, Thursday, and Friday night. Anyone interested hit me up!!

    • #92484

      Friday night around midnight? Haha.

      You gonna come by Monday morning and try to load up the bridge? I’ll try to call you tonight and figure that out.

      Not a huge turnout at The Rock,was Clint,Me and another guy to start,then Justin and Brian showed up with the bobcat and some work actually got done then,haha.

    • #92485

      Actually going Friday right at dark, haha. Yep give me a call we can meet up monday.

    • #92486

      I’m headed out in an hour or so to shape up the jumps on the dual slalom extension if anyone is bored.

      Rareform,I should have that bridge down soon so we can get it out there between the first two.You guys headin out there tomorrow?

    • #92487

      No, honey do list Monday – Dusty got married so he’s outta town too. LOL Day off from riding. Give me a call the end of the week, should be no problem next week. We have Mondays off so let me know!! Thanks. We will get together soon and I won’t get knocked out, promise. LOL

    • #92488

      Haha,it’s cool man,I STILL haven’t got the bridge torn down in sections yet but I’m shootin for this week since I only have to work 3 days and am off for 4.

      I went out last night and got that last jump shaped up pretty well and I also tried to level out that rut right before it if you’re coming from the other jumps.The launch of the jump had a big groove in it and I filled that in and shaped the sides a bit.

    • #92489

      For local fans of the Rock trail in Gainesville, I recently bought a new night sensitive digital camera and decided to start shooting some of the interesting features of the trail. The first in this little series is a bottoms-up look at the first rooty downhill part of the trail. Tonight, I’ll measure the distance to the feature from the entrance of the first main loop (you’ll know when you come to it, believe me). I’ll provide the link to Youtube below. Lemme know what you guys think! The first down the downhill is GALAXY, and the second, slower one is me. My bike doesn’t have as long a wheel-length as his bike so I’m a little more cautious. :p

      [url:ei9ncjh2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgXge4Jjt10[/url:ei9ncjh2]

    • #92490

      The dual slalom run has been modified a bit and is really more of a single wide run with passing room everywhere but the last big jump at the finish.It has also been shortened back to it’s original length.There is a big pressure treated bridge filling in the gap on what would be a big double,much thanks for the time and money spent building that!

      The rest of the trail is doing great! There is one log crossing that got taken out to put in a gas line where it bordered a neighborhood but it’s rollin nicely other than that.Someone had also redone the bridge over the dry creek bed and it is in great shape now too.

      I feel the one thing the trail is lacking,at least for now,is a good drop to a transition.I’m going to see what I can do about that. 😎

    • #92491
      "GALAXY" wrote

      The dual slalom run has been modified a bit and is really more of a single wide run with passing room everywhere but the last big jump at the finish.It has also been shortened back to it’s original length.There is a big pressure treated bridge filling in the gap on what would be a big double,much thanks for the time and money spent building that!

      The rest of the trail is doing great! There is one log crossing that got taken out to put in a gas line where it bordered a neighborhood but it’s rollin nicely other than that.Someone had also redone the bridge over the dry creek bed and it is in great shape now too.

      I feel the one thing the trail is lacking,at least for now,is a good drop to a transition.I’m going to see what I can do about that. 😎

      Now I’m really kickin myself 😆 Sounds awesome probly be back at Ginnie for Memorial day, not gonna miss the Rock again TTYL
      Ride On

    • #92492

      I am brand new to the area so if there is ever another "fix the trail" day sign me up.

    • #92493
      "aeathb" wrote

      I am brand new to the area so if there is ever another "fix the trail" day sign me up.

      Hey bro, knew youd find it.

    • #92494

      I’m actually gonna head out there today and survey a few spots and see if I can’t figure out somewhere to put a 2 foot drop to transition.There won’t be much actual work done other than raking and trimming a tiny section.

      Clint Gibbs had set up a work day last year around this time for the dual slalom and it was hard to get more than 5 people out there and he knows way more riders than I do.I will sometimes take a "maintenance ride" with a pair of hand pruners and cut things back as I go but I’ll try to email him and see if he has any work day plans.If I hear of anything I’ll put it up in here.

    • #92495
      "GALAXY" wrote

      I’m actually gonna head out there today and survey a few spots and see if I can’t figure out somewhere to put a 2 foot drop to transition.There won’t be much actual work done other than raking and trimming a tiny section.

      Hey bro, you still shredding 2 footers….LOL! 😆

      I figured you would be pounding at least 5 footers by now. You slacking on me bro…LOL. 😆

      Got some sweet jumps and drops in today until an awkward crash off a drop into a big kicker to tail whip off. Thought i fractured my left thumb, but it just got over stretched backwards. Go figure! Had a blast on the ole GFT again. 😄

      I want to make it up your way to the Rock and check out that newly built slalom (2X).

    • #92496

      Today, GALAXY and I, made a new part of the front ‘bowl’ trail as I call it at the front of the Rock. It’s about 1/10th of a mile long. We cut back trees, roots, and various plants to make it ridable in 2 hours. We also raked it so there’s no leaves on the ground. Our intended goal is to have a good drop at the end of our trail, so there’s another good feature at the end of this private land. Hell, just the downhill part is fun as anyone could have at the end. A good drop bridge is our intended goal. We encourage people to ride it, but don’t brake until you’re at the end of the downhill as we don’t want to create a groove in the soil. Enjoy at your own risk, haha.

    • #92497
      "Bonsai-CP" wrote

      ]
      Hey bro, you still shredding 2 footers….LOL! 😆

      I figured you would be pounding at least 5 footers by now. You slacking on me bro…LOL. 😆

      I want to make it up your way to the Rock and check out that newly built slalom (2X).

      Man,if anyone would build a 5 footer I’d eventually hit it.I took a 5 month break from the bike and just got back into riding the last month.Plus, it’ll only be a 2 foot drop if I hit it slow,with that decent transition we found it’ll be easy to get 5 feet if you want.It’s a really smooth transition already,very proud of it,haha.

      The slalom is very fun though…very fast!

      The new trail section is very nice and I’m proud to have not cut anything bigger than a 2" sapling to do it.With the exception of a downed tree that you have to cross at an odd angle,it flows smoothly downhill for 85% of it and goes through a couple cool trees on the way to the lip of the bowl where it will drop.I’ll try to get a few pics later.

    • #92498

      I will be heading out there Wednesday and Saturday to ride the new section in a bit and finish trimming.May put a small bridge over the log.If anyone wants to come check it out,email me at [email protected].I’ll get back to you and let you know when I’ll be there.

      If we get a few people with tools,I’m game for trimming back a few sections if we have time.

    • #92499

      I got good log/dirt bridge up to cross the log,as well as a temporary little drop and it’s starting to flow a bit better.I hit it close to 15 times yesterday and it is just fun!!! Can’t wait to get the pressure treated ledge finished and built a bit higher,it’ll be even more fun!

    • #92500

      Had to rebuild the drop without the dead log,it’s a bit sturdier now.The trail itself has been groomed nicely,there’s still a couple little things that need trimmed but it’s rolling very smooth now.The log crossing is real nice as well,flows nicely with the trail and adds as much speed as you pump out of it right before the drop.

      Look for the finished bridge in about a month,then another skinny in the same area afterwards.

    • #92501

      Learned of a night ride @ The Rock… Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm.

      Gonna head out this week and check it out 😃

    • #92502

      Please quit riding around the new drop.You will erode the right side of the landing and make it unsafe for for better riders that hit the drop.I appreciate the fact that you like the new addition to the trail and want to ride it,but please have the respect to ride it the way in was intended.Do not alter the trail feature that I have spent hours working on.

      Thank you.

    • #92503
      "GALAXY" wrote

      Please quit riding around the new drop.You will erode the right side of the landing and make it unsafe for for better riders that hit the drop.I appreciate the fact that you like the new addition to the trail and want to ride it,but please have the respect to ride it the way in was intended.Do not alter the trail feature that I have spent hours working on.

      Thank you.

      Why not, you altered it….LOL! 😆 😆 😆

      Just kidding bro. Isn’t there another rolling drop near that one that can be used? If so, then seal off the sides of this one, so they may get a clue. If not, you really cannot stop these riders taking the easier side (rolling drop) over the skinny drop.

      Some riders may not have the skill for that, are just too afraid, or maybe not the right bike bro. If no bypass for this feature, then make one for them either there or near it. 😉

      This is what we do on our local technical trail.

      On-On!

    • #92504

      There is the rolling drop with the roots 10 feet to the left of this one that is the main line,this line breaks off 30-40 feet before that and goes between 2 skinny trees and over the log so if you can ride the beginning there is no reason to go around the drop.The drop is so small you can roll it if you need to anyway.

      What I think it is, is the roots on the main line are too much for someone and they see that smooth transition and want to ride down it.The problem with this is the transition will look like the rooty section to the left after awhile.What also gets me is the path they take is so close to the edge of the lip I’m surprised nobody has clipped a pedal on it.

      The main thing is,there will be a bridge in the way in a month and there will be no room to go around it.

    • #92505

      Bottom of second page are a couple pics

      [url:3c81lslp]http://forums.singletracks.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=6968&start=15[/url:3c81lslp]

    • #92506

      Make a bypass around the drop down so they can ride the smoother roll in. 😉

    • #92507

      I believe I’m getting about 5 feet out of the drop when I hit it right so the end result may be closer to 8.Woooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! 😃

    • #92508

      I added a new little board over a pit at the bottom of the bowl.Nothing huge,just another feature to ride!

      Image

      Image

      Image

      Image

    • #92509

      This is such an old thread but hopefully some will see this. Me and my buddies have been riding the rock alot and would like to donate our time and possibly some money and help fix it up. I was wondering if there was a contact number for the person that manages the trails, so we can organize a day to volunteer.

    • #92510

      CP1
      "zeebeeee" wrote

      This is such an old thread but hopefully some will see this. Me and my buddies have been riding the rock alot and would like to donate our time and possibly some money and help fix it up. I was wondering if there was a contact number for the person that manages the trails, so we can organize a day to volunteer.

      Contact ‘Galaxy’ (Aaron Begin) here on ST’s (above) or on FB (obviously you will have to sign into FB for this link below to open)…

      https://www.facebook.com/aaron.begin

      He can give you all that info you need for this or at least give some contacts for this. Ride on bro! 😄

    • #92511

      If you’re a Facebook user,there is a "The Rock Trail" group. Clint Gibbs is the trail guy and member of the group so if there is a workday,you will see it on there.

      [url:29jldzav]https://www.facebook.com/groups/203917056395535/?fref=ts[/url:29jldzav]

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