[Closed] Queen Elizabeth Country Park QECP trail building

Good dig weekend guys, Thanks for all the help about 13 Volunteers over the weekend and 15 Volunteers fro SSE on friday.
Oh and ranger steve of course. Happy trails.

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Jumps test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z1UmD2NZJI&feature=mh_lolz&list=HL1318236190

We have lots of bits to complete before the winter kicks in.
Next dig weekend is 5th and 6th Nov if you can spear a day or both i would be a big help.

The park manager has agreed for a FREE QECP car park 1 year season tickets available for everyone who dose 60 hours of Volunteering on the mountain bike trails. 🙂

Rode QECP tonight for the first time in months. Was really surprised by all the new trails which are nice and quick. Berms are feeling a lot nicer to ride the the original switchbacks built a few years ago. Wasn't expecting so much new stuff, the only bits I didn't like we're the off camber uphill switchbacks which brought me to an almost complete stand still which may have been because of the darkness or too much time spent on the road bike! Don't remember seeing those doubles though, hit a few kickers and very nearly a deer

Ps when did the price of parking there double?! Used to park near Buriton so was shocked to see it's gone up

Brilliant to see trails going in there. Went there with the family 2 years ago and walked a fair bit out of Aberfoyle. Thought to myself "this would make a great trail"
Top job fellas. Got to get back up there soon for some hoonin roond the fairie moond.

The two table tops are after the first uphill switchbacks. Not open yet as we haven't finished the bit of trail after them, which will add another berm and some kind of drop thing. They are optional so not on the 'main' trail, you would have riden right past them.

As for the parking been a few months, its a quid for an hour and 2 for all day. Still not bad when you compare it to places like Alice Holt.

Yea saw the jumps last weekend, with loads of logs over so assumed they were work in progress - looks interesting. £2 parking all day is hardly extortionate...

You can park for free if you help us for 60 hours! Or buy a season ticket which is £30.

Yeah it's not extortionate but luckily I managed to find another 50p in the car! Was quite happy to pay it to park under a street light!

Yep you can get a years parking for qe if you help out with the trail building. The park manager said if you do around 60 hours he will give you your year parking permit. Also parking is free for trail builders on dig weekends and they provide tea, coffee and biscuits at lunch time.

Trails were running hard and fast at the weekend, top fun.

Just rode today all the way through for the first time, you've done a good job. Will be up on the 6th to help out - is there anything in particular that you are thinking of adding?

Hi all,

Im working in portsmouth next week and planning to ride QE park. I have been before but was 2 years ago. Are the trails different to then?

Is there any more info on the trails, grades, where they start, ? etc etc.

Quite a lot has changed since two years ago

Orange Route is plotted here - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1327634

Lots more singletrack where once there was fire road, and a new section added too.

Great cheers for that, Im quite looking forward to it.

Is the Orange trail the most gnarr? Also is it marked out on the ground by posts? Bear in mind Ill be night riding and dont want to get lost.

Cheers

That's the most gnarr that's marked out yes 🙂

There's a combination of posts, or signs but all easily followed in the dark (as I did on Friday)

Great thanks for your help.

Is there stuff thats easily found, but not marked, if you get my drift.

Rode there today after doing SDW. Was nice to ride the orange in daylight and it seemed really different. Went down for first time in ages today on the soft loam to the edge of an off camber section and also had my first QE puncture made worse by the fact I got back to the car and lost my computer. Found it again luckily but my legs are struggling this evening!

Great thanks for your help.
Is there stuff thats easily found, but not marked, if you get my drift

Will be riding at qe on Wednesday night if your interested. We will be riding all the best bits.

Defo interested, Would be great to have some local knowledge.

email scottreid1974ATyahooDOTcoDOTuk

Cheers

Emailed

Scottfitz

Rode there today and noticed loads of branches and logs across part of the orange route that leads off a footpath up into the woods and singletrack....you probably know the bit, downhill along the footpath after the initial climb and this part branches off to the right and up into the hill....the logs and branches looked like they'd been put there deliberately?....wondered if the trail is closed for some reason?....or if some disgruntled walker tried to block off the trail?

Either way, i stopped for a bit and cleared the way through as best i could, thought you might like to be aware.

The table tops look good cant wait for that part to open!....was challenging this evening to say the least, rooty and slippery, time for winter tyres i think!

Devient - was this after the first uphill near the BBQ area ie the new down hill section from the fire road to the existing single track along the A3. If so there were a few bits over those on Sunday which I moved

Taff, yes i think we're talking about the same place....there was loads today, seriously would've taken somebody a while to put it all there....the walkers (i assume its them?) have the entire place to roam and the mountain bike trail is a mere 7 kilometres of QECP yet they still get spiteful about sharing....i cleared a route through so that its rideable again, this kind of thing really annoys me....i'll be at the next dig if for no other reason than to smash up any decent sized logs around that area so it cant be blocked off again.

I rode 3 laps tonight in the pouring rain. First time i have been for a few years and I though it was bloomin great. So much better than last time I went.

Only a couple of small moans 🙂

I think that the table tops need to be increased in size, to me they dont really serve a purpose. Also the switchback downhill bit was very dissapointing. It has the potential to be a great little section. I noticed that some digging was going on there, Is it going to be worked on?

But aside from my two small grumbles I though it was great. Good work everyone.

I am only visiting the area, but soon i will be down for a few months mon to fri. More than willing to lend a hand with my spade if you do any midweek work.

Scottfitz

Rode there today and noticed loads of branches and logs across part of the orange route that leads off a footpath up into the woods and singletrack....you probably know the bit, downhill along the footpath after the initial climb and this part branches off to the right and up into the hill....the logs and branches looked like they'd been put there deliberately?....wondered if the trail is closed for some reason?....or if some disgruntled walker tried to block off the trail?

it should be all open apart from the table tops because there not finished. I will have a look tomorrow night on my ride.

I think that the table tops need to be increased in size, to me they dont really serve a purpose. Also the switchback downhill bit was very dissapointing. It has the potential to be a great little section. I noticed that some digging was going on there, Is it going to be worked on?

there will be bigger tables when we finish them ones. We didn't make the switch backs but will be tidying them up in the winter.

Main issue is the have lots to do with a buget of £0 and only 6 to 10 people per dig day.

the main thing thought the winter willbe to keep the trails maintained and a bit of trail building. then crack on with new bits next year. £100k and a digger would help 😉

i posted this on the facebook site but will repost it on here:

Please can no one ride the tabletops on the orange route because they are not finished. On Wednesday all the logs had been removed. It is dangerous to open a close section and then leave it open. It is closed because it is not finished. It will be open after the next dig weekend. If you would like sections opened quicker then come and help on the next dig weekend (5th & 6th Nov) Thanks

if anyone see the logs have been removed from the table can they put them back, Thank guys they will be open after 5th & 6th

Great weekend guys, biggest turn out so far 12 people both days. Thanks to everyone that helped and everyone who stopped for a chat, the feed back was great.

All the trails are now open and rideable. The next weekend will be fixing up bits of the trail that need it. There are several bits that need doing, open up some switchbacks, fix muddy bits etc...

Will post some pics when I get round to it.

Doing some great work there Scott (and crew). 🙂

Here is a map of the orange trail with new bits on it. Will update as we do bits.

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Pic from Nov trail build weekend.

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nice work guys!

Thats me that is 8)

Thats me that is

yes it is and you look like your having a poo 😐

just filling in the holes..

Riding really nicely this afternoon, like the new jumpy bit!

Rode the new parts today, top job.....rapidly becoming my favourite place to ride.

I need to change my tyres though!....the Panaracer Cinder 2.25s on there at the moment became clogged with leaves and mud almost instantly....then the mud attracted more leaves and the leaves attracted more mud etc etc....very shortly after setting off both my wheels looked like slicks, the tread was completely obscured and the bike was sliding all over the place, even mild climbs had me wheel spinning and stalling....any recommendations guys?....i've seen 'Dirty Dans' for a good price?

Dirty dans... Great for a rear wheel, I'm not sold on running one on the front

Cheers for the comments dev, there are a few bit we have done that need sorting out i.e bit more cutting in and opening up some switchbacks. the trail is riding well for the time of year.

Mud x front and rear for Qe in the winter 😉

I rode the new bits last night and although lots of surface water and mud around a QE, the berms and tables rode brilliantly! I was shocked at how quick it was riding. OK it was night, and I was on my HT (so it felt faster), but it seemed as if the trail wasnt slowed by the conditions at all! First part "Electric Avenue", skipping out the fireroad down, was a bit boggy, but its low down, gets washed with collected water from higher up and that area was always the boggiest in winters past. The more its used, the quicker we get to the harder stuff underneath!

Well chuffed with whats been done so far 8)

As Scott says, MudX front and rear (I use a 1.8 back, 2.0 front on FS) or Spec Storm Controls (2.0 f/r) on my HT, they are almost identical to MudX and are currently £35/pair (2bliss tubeless ready) http://www.bikeplus.co.uk/products.php?and=1&keywords=specialized+storm&search.x=0&search.y=0

Pana TrailRakers are also good, but more extreme.

http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m5b195s120p3270/BONTRAGER_MUD-X_TLR_Pair/RS_GB/7218

Mud x pair 26.99 i find them a bit better on the roots than the Spec. 2.0 front and rear for QE 8)

£36.99 a pair Scott, not £26.99. They are such a similar pattern I doubt there is much if any difference?!

Gum-Bi 60/50a dual compound for fast rolling and exceptional grip on wet roots and rocks

Yer sorry £36.99 a pair typo!

Who's up for a bit of trail building? Meet in main car park at 10.30 on sat 3rd and sun 4th December. There will be no Steve so one of us will have to go down to get coffee and no guarantee of biscuits so bring a bite to eat. As it is now winter and getting dark we will be working to 3.30. Fancy dress optional as its nearly Christmas, I will bring some beers and tasty treats

Almost embarrassed to be posting on this thread as a bit of a freeloader! (I don't get time to help with building though 🙁 )

Just to say the trails were riding beautifully this morning.
Me and the trailhound had a lovely blast.

Is the jumpy section accessed from a bit further up the fire-road than where the "extended orange trail" signs are?

The jumpy bit is on the new bit of trail that starts on the top of the fireroad climb just before it cross the horse trail. We understand not everyone can help, but hope you all are having fun on the trails 🙂

Cheers Scott. Yeah I passed the jumps on the parallel bit of trail below them. Looked like fun.

Sorry dez I see what you mean now. Just before the jump on the switchbacks there is a skull and crossbones with an arrow on a tree, follow that mate.

Riding at qecp on Friday evening, if anyone wants a guided tour in the dark feel free to come along. Meeting in the main carpark at 7.00, 2 hour ish ride. Bring lights and some warm cloths etc......

We have had a bit PR drive Here are some links-

http://dirt.mpora.com/news/winter-diggingqueen-elizabeth-country-park.html

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/bike-news-round-up-latest-gear-events-33013

http://blog.wiggle.com/2011/11/18/trail-building-at-q-e-park/

Thanks to the guys at dirt, wiggle, Thomas Dibley (for the bike radar one)

And a big thanks to all thoughs that keep on coming to the dig days.

Next dig days are:28/29 January, 25/26 February and 24/25 March, Main carpark at 10.30

Dig next weekend 25th/26th had 32 people over for the last one. Lets get some more there this time. Lots of people on here ride there so come on pick up a spade/mattock and come help us.

10:30 either day at the centre.

Im working in Bordon from April - July, so will lend a hand over that period. Ill make sure my spade is in the back of my car 🙂

Keep up the great work. Working down in that part of the world is alot more appealing now that the trail is at the standard it is now 🙂

The Queen Elizabeth Country Park Collective would like to invite you to the launch of the new red (yet to be named) mountain bike trail at Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield in Hampshire on Saturday 19th May 2012. By that time the Collective would have added nearly 2km of extra trail to the existing orange trail, as well as tidying up and improving bits of the old trail. By then the Collective will have been working on the trail for one year, with thousands of hours of planning and digging done by volunteers with the assistance of one of the Park’s Rangers. The budget for all the work is £0 and at the moment we are still within the budget!

This is not the end of the work. There are still many years of digging ahead but we would like to invite you to celebrate with us the remarkable achievement made by a remarkable group of volunteers that are focused on building mountain bike trails that everyone can use. At 12 noon on 19th May at the park visitor centre there will be a presentation made by members of the collective where the trail will become officially “open”.

That weekend Hargroves Cycles have organised a cycle festival at QE park, which will include a kids race, enduro race, live music and a demo day on 20th May. We have scheduled our launch so as not to clash with the activities Hargroves are putting on. There will also be camping facilities available should you wish to stay overnight.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park is situated on the A3, 45 minutes south of the M25 and only an hour from south london. If you would like any more information on the launch then please contact qecptrailbuilding@yahoo.co.uk or check out the QECP mountain bike trail build facebook page.

Many thanks,

The QECP Collective

Viva la trail revolution!

This weekends Dig & test!

Is that last section above the 'horsebox' car park ? Sort of below the fast rooty end to the old orange trail.
Looks almost mud free , rode round last weekend and it was claggy . Good workout tho.

Looking good. Will have to take a trip up this week

Is that last section above the 'horsebox' car park ? Sort of below the fast rooty end to the old orange trail.
Looks almost mud free , rode round last weekend and it was claggy . Good workout tho.

Pics from this weekends dig:

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Really good fun, 20+ people both days.

Edit from the big finish.

is the last bit rideable or is it closed off until completion

Taff- Ride with caution because its not official open but it will be fine if you have a little test on the berms that are complete.

Snakebits are open and now one of my fav bits of the park 🙂

Snakebits? Where is that? Haven't been up for a while so probably behind on a lot of the changes!

Its the Switch backs that were added in 2009 by velocity and updated by the QECP collective past to dig weekends. The bit in the start of the youtube vid.

Its the Switch backs that were added in 2009 by velocity and updated by the QECP collective past to dig weekends. The bit in the start of the youtube vid.

That never worked as the berms wernt high enough , or long enough ,for the rate of descent and angulation of the corners

Ah right, I do like those, there were a few berms that didn't quite work before. I thught that was the palce int he youtube clip but for some reason it look different. Will have a wander up there tomorrow night I reckon

Give them a go now singletrackmind we have changed 80% of corners, loads more flow.

Bit of test of the new bits at qecp: http://www.pinkbike.com/video/248587/

From now till the launch (19th May) we are not starting anything new just, Just touching up the new bits, some of them are still bedding in and will need patching up next dig days Fri 30th March, 21th & 22nd April. If you would like to help feel free to come along.

Happy trails guys.

is the last bit rideable or is it closed off until completion

I even helped build that berm .
Wish I had done abit more now.
Not ridden the new section but the rest of new sections are riding very well now its dry.

If you were there Sunday you did a great job. Lots of effort went into them.

Yep . Sunday. Did 2 laps then stopped by and wheeled barrows around for about an hour .
Had stuff to do so unforunatly couldnt stay longer .

Going to head up there at 12.30 on friday for a ride and then do some tweets to the finish. If anyone want to join me let me know.

A vid from yesterday, shows most of the new stuff.
Lovely and flowy atm

rode it last week for the first time in the dry. Absolutley fantastic. if the aim of the track is speed and flow ( with short brutal climbs!!!!! )then it is 100 % successful. it is now a great place to ride. a massive thanks to all those who have made it happen

brutal climbs

The switchbacks are much better now, thanks trail fairies 🙂

I rode all the new stuff for the first time on Sunday (been away in the alps skiing)

The new stuff is ace I really like the totally new section by the red horse trail.

Good work guys !!!

I've been really enjoying it. Don't normally stick to the park but had some fun in there recently... made even more fun with the addition of Strava!

Im going to have to get back over there for the day, looks vastly more flowy than before! Cant wait!

Congrats to all involved here! With the tunnel, this should be much more accessible for others including me! Last week I saw a post with a map and a description of the new trails on a forum. Can't remember which one. Does it ring a bell with anyone? Thanks in advance for any link.

It's on bike radar forum in pics and vids section.

Did 3 laps on Sunday .
Really enjoyed it , despite binning it like a newbie on lap 2 .
It seems really hard now , like a mini trail center , but without the fire roads to catch your breath .
NOt sure how a 4 hr enduro will work as there are very few overtaking spots. A 2 / 4 / 6 lap format with a staggered start might work abit better , with the feild thinning out as the 2 and 4 lappers finish .

Race route will be different, with fireroad climbs section for overtaking 😉 Should be about 6 laps. 🙂

Jeez it's wet up there! Came off the bike for the first time in ages just after the last berm on the final descent where it's a little off camber. Not really helped my Strava attempts!