Many thanks to Berrry and his group!

There will be more work going on with this trail. I will be organizing a day in the near future that we can all get out there as a group, and then go for a ride. I will coordinate with Berry.

Tom Kramer

Friends,

Here is the long awaited and much anticipated trail work schedule for the on going project at Water Dog Lake. We are now over 1/3 complete on the first trail and have worked out the alignment for the next segment; things are going well. The weather held until after the work this past Saturday was complete and we all worked as much as we were able. Thanks to all who made a precious Saturday available to do trail work. Leadership of these events will rotate among the four of us planning the project, John finch, Dave Oare, Dave McQuire and myself; there are a couple of others that may also lead events later in the season. So please look over the dates and see if they work for you; please reply to me as I will be coordinating all volunteer efforts. Thanks, Berry

Sunday 3/5, Dave McQuire
Sat 3/11, Dave Oare
Sat 3/25, John Finch
Sunday 4/2, Berry Stevens
Sat 4/8, Dave Oare
Sat 4/15, Berry Stevens
Sat 4/22, John Finch
Sun 4/30, Berry Stevens
Sat 5/6, Dave McQuire
Sat 5/13, Dave Oare
Sat 5/20, John Finch
Sun 5/21, Dave McQuire
Sat 6/3, Berry Stevens

Subject: Water Dog Multi-Use Trail Report

Once again the volunteer trail building efforts at Water Dog were much appreciated by management. The whole crew worked their butts off and a lot of progress was made. At this point 3/4 of the trail has been cleared of brush and poison oak.

After the completion of this trail I believe the park should be re-named Poison Oak Park. So far, I personally have seen no water dogs, but I sure have seen a S load of poison oak. Where is the 55 gallon drum of Round-Up?

Back to the trail. I personally believe this trail will be a mountain bikers dream. The trail has all the ingredients of a smile maker and has a panoramic view of the bay that is incredible.

The trail starts out level and progresses to a warm up mild climb while turning through a dense brush area. As the trail levels out the ride starts loosing altitude while taking a few twists to test the riders fun level.

After a sort climb the trail again levels off before weaving through an area of thick pampas grass and a quick creek crossing. The creek has been rocked in for ultimate traction during the rainy season. Once across the creek the trail starts a gradual climb before crossing the land of GIANT poison oak. Don't stop here to enjoy the view or you will regret it for a couple of weeks.

While proceeding through the first land of PO the trail makes a short down and up to a longer down and up before another down and large water bar. As the trial levels out you pass the skeleton of large buck that was killed by a 300 lb. free range mountain Lyon.

While riding another 40 yards a fast climbing S turn is encountered to signal the rider that the major fun is about to begin. The trail levels off for about 30 yards and makes a dropping 90 degree turn to the left. At this point the rider is advised to tighten up his/her seat belt for a challenging twisty downhill ride.

After zig zagging down an old road cut through the second land of PO, the trail makes a sharp left turn down the side of a steep drainage. At the bottom of the first drop the trail makes a sweeping right turn with a short up and down through a small grove of old growth bay trees. The rider is advised to use caution in this area due to the sharp drop-off to the left.

While the trail exits the land of bay trees it enters a level road cut with a breath taking view of the north bay. After 50 yards the trail starts a mild climb to test the riders ability to maintain bike speed while climbing. As the trail levels out and turns to the right the view moves from the north bay to the central and south bay (we do live in paradise).

Now the fun (and some danger due to that F'ing poison oak) is really going to start if you aren't smiling at this point your whole outlook of life is about to improve significantly. Make sure your Tecnu hasn't worn off and tighten your helmet strap. The trail starts a slight decline on an old road cut though the third land of MAJOR Poison Oak (thanks to Josh the only one not allergic to PO this area is to be cleared this Tuesday night, I hope).

After 30 yards of dense PO (where is the Round-Up?) the trail continues through a dense brushy area blocking the view of the bay. With anticipation rising the trail veers sharply left and starts dropping down the top of a manzanita filled ridge. In order to reduce the need for major excavation the trail falls down the ridge while weaving back and forth to maintain less than a 15 degree slope.

After 5-6 turns the trail makes a 20 yard 20 degree drop to a right turn to a 15 degree drop down the south side of a steep ridge. As the trail descends to another drainage it currently ends due to the need for additional volunteers to brush the last 1/4 of the trail.

If you enjoy working on epic multi-use trail projects you might consider helping with the completion of this one. There is plenty left to do and we certainly would appreciate any help you might be able to give.

Work is done on selective week nights (6:00 to 10:00) and during the day on weekends. So if you would like to help let us know.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who have helped to make this dream trail come true.

Berry, Becky, Dave, David, John and hopefully Josh

Berry T Stevens -------- Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair Oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785