[Closed] Queen Elizabeth Country Park QECP trail building

hey! sorry, but I wont be able to make it this weekend. the last couple of digs were very productive and I'm looking forward to coming next month 😀

rups

I should be able to make one of these days - probably Sunday. Loads of work's gone into this so far and the trails are getting so much better!

Cool the more we get the better

Next dig weekend is 10th & 11th sept 2011

Trail digging weekend @ QECP. We will be Putting in some tabletops and more burms to the newest section of the orange trail. Meet main car park at 10.30 both days. Any help would be great.

pics from last dig day

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may I suggest somewhere on either here or your facebook page you say where this magical queen elizabeth country park is?

Its Hampshire, south of Petersfield. If you havent heard of it, chances are you are not local at all, so please ignore.

Right. Was confused with Queen Elizabeth Forest Park for a bit there.
Just to join in the vibe, I'm not going to say where that is either.

And I was confused with Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee country park in , so I couldn't ignore it!

EDIT I'm not saying where my Queen Elizabeth park is either...

"[i]may I suggest somewhere on either here or your facebook page you say where this magical queen elizabeth country park is? [/i]"

[url= http://lmgtfy.com/?q=queen+elizabeth+country+park ]It's here.[/url]

Haven't ridden QE for a while but the last time I did saw some new bits extending the A3 singletrack going to the rooty climb. Where are the bits shown in the photo's above?

After the rooty climb, up the fire road climb and its on your right. It is being sign posted to day.

Cool I think I know where you mean will have get me arse in gear and have a go on all your hard work. Kept up boys I will have to see if I get some spare time and join you on your dig days.

With all this work you are doing is there any plans of pushing any new/recutting trails in other parts of the park like re-vitalising the old DH track that runs down by the quarry?

Possibly there are lots of plans/ideas. The park want us to work on the existing trails at the moment. There will.be a big meeting at the park at soon point. We are concentrating on the orange trail for now with will be a red in the near future. Then a green and a blue trail to replace the purple.

Will be up for helping once I'm able to. Really enjoy the trails there, just don't get out there often enough.

Sorry about all the question Scott but you seem to know a lot whats going on. Are they happy as can be for the already existing off piste trails (Buriton Trail) to still remain or is there pressure to close these as there are new legal stuff and original trail renovation?

As said before I can get some spare time I will try and get involved more.

They don't want them to be ridden, as always. We will try and get them to let is us them in a red/black trail but as I said we don't want to push it. If you come along one dig day we can explain all the plans.

On another note there are some of us going up there on Friday afternoon for a bit of a dig 4 o'clock at the new bit of trail.

Some stats about the new section

1.1km long

Elev gained 47m

Max elev 274m

Min elev 253m
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By [URL= http://profile.imageshack.us/user/scottfitz ]scottfitz[/URL] at 2011-08-17

Hi Scott, I have been wanting to help with the trails at QE since I have been riding there!

I was planning on a ride on Friday, so I figure I will do just that till you arrive and then I will gladly muck in. Car park at 4? I am very keen to get involved and I will do so at every opportunity, be nice to give something back.

Going to have to pop up there. Not ridden the park for ages

Been a few years since I rode the QECP and looks like it's due a visit. Nice work by the trail builders, it's great to see something happening there. Sadly, thanks to a 8-8 job, I'm weekends only these days but I can still ride there from my house, just.

Hi Scott, I have been wanting to help with the trails at QE since I have been riding there!

I was planning on a ride on Friday, so I figure I will do just that till you arrive and then I will gladly muck in. Car park at 4? I am very keen to get involved and I will do so at every opportunity, be nice to give something back.

We are meeting up the new bit of trail because we have a couple of peeps coming at different times.

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By [URL= http://profile.imageshack.us/user/scottfitz ]scottfitz[/URL] at 2011-08-17

Nice work guys, rode your new section this a/noon - great stuff 🙂

Great work....i rode QECP last week and loved it, very short but did a couple of laps instead to make the mileage.

I remember riding there 10 years ago and it was rubbish....will try and come along to the dig days when i'm free.

yer we rode it tonight. the bit thats cut in and burmed is great, can't wait to finish it off. 🙂

So it's you guys doing the work then! Rode there a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised by the new bit on the A3 singletrack; if the rest of your plans are similar it should mean some great additions the park has needed for ages.
At BBB this weekend but I'll definately be along to help at a later date if required.

Any help on 10th and or 11th would be great.

Working 11th but 10th now in my diary.

There will be a dig weekend ever 4 weekends until the park say stop build those massive jumps and Burms in our woods.

So who is coming on the 10th and 11th of September?

Me and a friend for Sat 10th, work allowing.

I'll be there on 11th Scott. Should hopefully be with a couple of other regular QE bikers

Just thought I'd post a thankyou to you chaps hard work.

After reading this I thought I would make the trip to check it out, I used to ride there regulary about 5 years ago whenever I needed to train up for events.

Got to say it is massively better, it always upset me that my hard earned climbing disappeared in a straight down the hill run. The long offcamber section was interesting on my 2.1 RR's! Some pretty tough climbs too with those tight switchbacks, was kind of wishing I had a smaller granny (using 26 at mo)

One thing to ask - is the trail now both directions? I actually met more people coming down the climbs to the car park. One guy nearly took me out.

I was also surprised at how quiet the trail was despite the car park being rammed. I always remember having to dodge dogs/walkers. Must be now you've moved the trail and it is obviously waymarked they are avoiding it.

Anyways good work guys, post up here the dig days, if I can get the weekend free from the family for more than a couple of hours I'll help out

DT78 the trails have been really quiet every time I've been there too for the last couple of years. There was one Sunday when I saw more running and walkers on the tracks than cyclists.

Signage for tracks only goes one way but there wasn't a stipulation on the boards to say you must go in a certain direction just one to say keep to the tracks. I'm pretty guilty of doing some of the tracks the wrong way round though

The trails are ment to be one way. That's why we need to improve the downs so people don't need to use up's as down's. The first climb is an ok down (yes I have ridden it that way) but its a better climb and bit dangerous to ride it as a down in the day time.

The trails have been quiet for a long time cos they have been poorly maintained and not improved. We hope to change all that. Any help we can get would be great. Even spreading the word around all the local bikers.

Sly bump, as I went for a quick solo ride (well, trailhound in tow) after work yesterday.
I must say - great work on the new sections. I've been riding QE on and off for around 15 years, so it's great to have some new stuff there at last. (Especially that first berm, means the little drop to it can be blatted without worrying about a muddy landing at the bottom!)
It did seem like a climb-fest and was wondering myself about riding it the other way (probably just my lack of fitness though!)
My only worry is the weather - in the wet those off camber sections are going to be unrideable, don't you think? Most of the new stuff is dug out of the mud, so it'll be a killer in winter!
Any plans for a more all-weather surface?
At the moment its running fast, so is proper fun. Luckily no-one around last night to hear me laughing out loud to myself and making motorbike noises! 😳
(Also my dog says could you provide a paddling pool at the end of the run 😉 )

You didnt see a large group of us last night then? I was out with Scott's clan, trails were still running good as you say. The berms on the latest section (of the doubletrack up) are lovely and fast. Yes, I'm dreading the winter at QE on this new stuff! It was hardwork anyway. The off camber sections may bed in more and sink a little to the harder rock below...
Some ****ers have gone and vandalised the start of the latest new section. All of Scott's hardwork in making the start rockgarden and post entrance has been torn down and chucked off the trail, signs removed from trees - gits. I suppose you have to come to accept that until things are more permanently settled in, things will get broken up from time to time, esp over school holidays.

Some ****ers have gone and vandalised the start of the latest new section. All of Scott's hardwork in making the start rockgarden and post entrance has been torn down and chucked off the trail, signs removed from trees - gits. I suppose you have to come to accept that until things are more permanently settled in, things will get broken up from time to time, esp over school holidays.

Probably some member of the Purple Rinse brigade who are vehemently opposed to you doing this sort of thing in their wood. 😈

[i]You didnt see a large group of us last night then?[/i]

Just as I was leaving a big group was starting up the first climb, that was probably you (around 7pm).
I did wonder about the rocks in the pics above, but the way the trail was running didn't really notice anything was missing.

DezB most of the off camber stuff is still to be finished. We do need more help to get it done buy winter 😉 . There has been a lot of time and effort put in to the trails and to see the rock garden smashed up last night was a bit sh*t. Hay Ho next time I will make it bigger 🙂

I'd really love to help! I don't get enough time to ride the blimmin' bike, let alone build trails though! Appreciate hugely what you folks are doing 🙂

ditto... very happy to shovel some dirt if/when you need

Cheers Guys its good to know the time we are puting in is worth it.

And about the all weather surface, we have no bugget so its not going to happen. QE will supply us with chalk and stacks for the back of burms but thats about it. That main thing its to get the trails in first and the work on maintaining/imporving them.

Rode this morning and was pretty impressed with your work so far. I ride with my dog,so not having to pop out onto the road on the first climb was a pleasant surprise. Rest of new stuff was good, but will be glad when the off camber is sorted; washed out my front wheel on it!
In my ideal QECP, once the new sections are complete the switchbacks could be tweaked a little to improve the flow (mainly the first two berms) and the steep climb immediately afterwards before the bombhole climb could do with being more defined. At the moment the trail is about 15' wide with maybe 2 'cleanable' lines. That's just me being fussy though, and thinking that the quality of your new stuff you could breathe new life into old bits. As long as the last descent stays as it is though!

Have to agree with all the comment on here rode the new bits on Sunday and it has breathed new life in to the old trails. Liking the new big berm on the first drop in the singletrack no more worring about the big hole that use to be there but not sure about the kicky jumpy thing straight after it. Was also concerned about the off camber stuff come the wet season but glad to here you boys will digging it in.

While riding was thinkng about user comflict etc and also ridden some checky stuff in the past in Headdown Plantation which I think is Forestry land could there be scoop if things got more organsied that some thing could be done there which could be link to QE?

Just found this

Headdown is FC land and there is some talk of it linking in with the existing orange trail to make a nice long red. Scott is the man in know about all this. Have a look on [url= http://kingleyvalemountainbikers.ning.com/ ]KingleyVale bikers[/url] for more info and some dig dates.

Yep headdown is in the master plan but its more like a 5 year master plan. It will all take time little by little. We are riding the trail as we put them in, so any thing that don't work we will change/cut in/repair. Switch backs will be changed but there is lots to do first.

Tbh I liked the switch backs, can't say I thought they needed anything, they looked like they were getting wider because people were riding down the climbs and skidding round them.

DT78 the switchbacks we are talking about are the older one on the orange trail, the second one is so tight you have to nearly stop. We will be opening the tight ones up a bit eventually. Not that pressing because they ride ok at the mo.

Ah ok thought you were talking about the new ones

thought you were talking about the new ones

just a reminder/bump about this weekend's trail dig at QECP in Hampshire 😉 meeting at 10:30 at the main car park or later up on the trail, both days! going to be finishing off the latest new section and starting to put some tables in 😀

just rock up with a spade yes?

hey guys, I went riding up to QE with mates again today, and we really appreciate the work you are putting in. when is the next digging sesh? and do you accept 15 year olds?

People are normally up there on a Friday afternoons, doing small pieces. The next official day will be October now.

We'll accept anyone! It's a varied group.

OK cool, may see you guys up there at some point then

The next dig weekend will be 8/9th oct. will be working on the orange trail tabletops, burms and cutting in etc....

Any help we can get would be great and spread the word that big things are afoot at QECP

Pic from the latest dig weekend 10 & 11 Sept

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You've built the 'shore sideways! 😉

Where is that? On the new section, approaching the drop down to the older berms?

All on this new 1.1km extention to the orange trail

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All on this new 1.1km extention to the orange trail.

Hello mate,

Is that a tabletop I see 😉 I've still got about 6 weeks off the mtb, so I'll catch up with you when I'm healed and come and lend a hand. Try and get pat to come and help out with the jumps!

Jules

I'll try and lend a hand when I've time, will not be around for the next dig though.
Wheres the best place to look for updates/planned days etc? Here or facebook?
Thanks, keep up the good work!

I should be able to get a pass for the 8/9th Scott, but I'm not sure what help/state I'll be in. Its my birthday bash 8th lol! Expect me to be late 🙂

Will keep here and Facebook up to date. Or you could search kingley vale mountain bikers on Google we post dig days and pics on there.

Friday 23rd informal dig up at QECP, continue cutting in work on the new section from 4pm. who's with me?

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Anyone coming this weekend?

Possibly, working Sat but should be able to come over Sunday....just to say well done on the trails, rode there again last week and loved it.

Tracked the route on my GPS and it came out at a smidge over 7km which ties in nicely with what you've said about adding an extra kilometre as the signs in the carpark say the orange route is 6k....its actually pretty hard going for a short trail, which is good!

The climbs and switchbacks arent my favourite but if i just wanted to ride downhill i'd buy a DH bike and do uplift days somewhere, this is mountain biking and the trail at QE park makes you work for the rewards....my favourite part is about the midway point where you come through some bushes and the hill drops away to the right and looking down there are about 6 lovely banked turns all the way to the bottom, makes the climbing prior to that all worth while!

Slightly annoying thing last time was the small number of riders i came across who were riding the route the other (wrong) way...the signs are quite clear about where the trail starts and if you're going the wrong way then the back of the signs are all you can see, this must give some people a clue?!

Thanks for the feed back deviant, we are having a meeting with the park manager this friday about trail and other bit and bobs like poss. XC and Enduro races at the park.

I can see a Gravity Enduro type event working really well there....its a small area but the event at Eastridge earlier in the year by 661 Gravity Enduro showed how well an event can run on a small piece of land.

If the trail was closed off for the weekend then you could have some excellent stages involving current uphill sections running the other way and obviously use the existing downhill parts....i'd sign up for that!

The XC race would be first as a easy test event. 2.5km laps for an hour. See how it goes then poss a mini enduro with lost of skill sections 🙂

I am sure back in the dark distant past there has been a NPS round held at the park, I will ask my work mate tomorrow if he remembers when it was could help with your case.

Yer there was a nps round at the park in the mid 90s. Aswell as a dh race if you could call it that and some small xc races.

Loving that old skool XC racing Vid. Tried to spot as many parts of the course that I still ride now.

Yep its a classic vid

Jeez, that's a blast from the past. I'd forgotten some of those names

Wasn't around this eekend but local and can help out in future

Tim we have a dig weekend every 4 weeks.