in Quarry Ridge (Moderator: schrader)

Option 2 for sure.

Remarkable how many first time posters (at least since we switch forums) were drawn out by this topic...
I guess we struck a nerve!

Option 2 sounds solid.  I'm trying to wrap my head around the ambulance climb with switchbacks.  Usually my head is down, legs burning while climbing.....but isn't that a very narrow channel - can switchbacks be installed? 

I was looking at it sunday... it might be tight but its a lot wider than you realize when grinding up it

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I suppose getting rid of some of the brush on both sides will widen it up as well.  Is that short but steep down hill out of commission?  Its the right turn after climbing just a short way up the ambulance and drops back down to the regular trail, like that drop.

I like option 2.  It would be cool to have two different options to get up there.  But I really feel like I am slowly improving my skills by practicing on the sandy climb even though I mostly suck at it.

Also, I had a few posts before the forum switched, but I am mostly just a newb to the biking world.  I'm a trail runner first and foremost.

My only advice would be to make sure that the book is followed to the T if switchbacks are put it at QR. It seems with the sandy base to make it sustainable it will need to be built just right to make it a nice long-term solution. Besides switchbacks built right are more fun to ride than ones that are not.

Dave, yes thats open but it could definitely use some work. I usually ride that coming from the sandy section tho

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I didn't know there were plans to re-route the sandy climb bit.  That's easily my favorite part of the course.  I'm pretty much only an XC rider, so climbs are much more appealing to me than jumps or downhills (although the rocky bowl is great fun too). 

I was out at QR on Wednesday evening.  The sandy climb seemed to be almost exactly as it was last fall, and I didn't notice it change much over the course of last summer either.  Where (specifically) is the erosion the biggest problem?

I am an allrider. That includes anything, even if I don't know how to do it. I have been hating dirtjumping or trials riding before, but when you are really out there looking at pro riders doing their thing, or talking to them about riding their thing, you hope you had learn a bit more and be more open minded.

Also to clarify, the new route up the ambulence corridor would be to make it into switchbacks.

I agree I like the sandy climb, but in either case we need an easier way up to make the trail rideable by beginners, which it currently isn't.

Maybe we could section the sandy climb into 2 sides, 1 for up and 1 for down?

I find it hard to climb sandy without clips...seriously

As far as the climb accomodating beginners it was always my belief that once you committed to climbing to the top the beginner aspect of QR was done and you entering intermediate/advanced terrain. 

On opening day (the very first ever) at QR a few years back I rode a handful of laps and saw a gentleman struggling with the sandy climb.  His comment to me, "by the end of the summer I'm going to clean this climb".  That, is exactly why that climb shouldn't be routed around or made easier.  It's good progression.

Well nobody said it's not doable, it's just plain not newbie friendly. Like I'd imagine intermediate to harcore XC rider would smile at the climb and others would either do what you said or give up.

I very much agree, the first time I rode that place it kicked my ass, Nick may remember that!  A summer of practice and I can ride it now.  I don't like the idea of making things easier, it should be the other way around.  As for the sandy bowl I really like that it is just a free for all area and would hate to see it be organized.  I think switchbacks up the ambulance is a great idea to make it more rideable.

Sandybowl is real freeriding man...It fits my riding style the best ATM

Please don't get rid of the sandy climb.  I believe we had this same discussion a few years ago, and I don't believe the trail has eroded significantly since then (aside from the lower, pre-sandy part).  As I recall, someone suggested that if occasionally walking one's bike ruined one's whole ride, then perhaps one should stick to the pavement.  Upgrading the ambulance trail to something more interesting sounds like a great idea, but the sandy climb is, as many have said, a highlight of the trail.

This.  I like the sandy climb -- it's my favorite part of the whole loop.  I get better and better at it each time I ride there.

You make me determined to start using my 3 clip pedals...LOL..there is a lot of intricate technique in uphill, similar to trials riding and urban, but I think if anything special it's the anti gravity thing that stand out...

I don't think allmountain should be brought into the equation, because there is something about going uphill that does not relate to being able to bomb down trails afterwards....people who just go up and bomb down need to consider resting once in a while and do the hiker thing(pulling out binoculars LOL)

So far the postings are all pleading to keep the sandy climb. Everyone seems to agree that not much maintenance need be done.  And clearly people care enough about it to rally some extra effort for what maintenance would be needed.  I also think everyone supports a snaking reroute of the ambulance climb.  So let's keep both.

I know with Brendan's schedule he isn't getting on line much - but I'd ask that he review the comments and we discuss this further.   Perhaps he could use an assistant trail steward to watch after the xc work - just a suggestion.

Stoked to get working on the snaked uphill..sure sandy climb is goodness, but if I am one of the snake climb builders I'd do my best to make it a great WORS training and xc rider new favorite.

haha I think it's funny how people think we never ride xc. Yesterday I went and burned 3 laps on my fuel ex. I'm not blind to xc trail improvement and expansion, but it's definitely not my area of expertise.

True, this has probably been written in a melodramatic black and white sort of way, but just more to illustrate the preferences and tastes than to paint people into a particular box.  To demonstrate my point - you would much rather bomb down the rocky bowl but you've tried to ride up it - I sometimes ride down it but really like and prefer riding up it (I'm a sick bastard for that I know).  And to that point - people with freeride and downhill preferences would put more energy into that kind of trail out there if they were forced to make a choice, and vice versa.  And thus, if DH/FR guys are the ones showing up to do most of the work, I think that's the direction in which the decisions will sway.  No judgement in that, just fact. 

Bottom line, the opinions have been heard.  I don't want to lose the main point here.  Whatever it takes to convince the steward do leave the sandy climb along (I'm sure Brendan isn't going to be a ruthless dictator here  ) then can we make it official, and give him whatever extra helps he'd like to see.

I've been there AND i totally hate dictating situations. I'm with you there and I don't think there is anything to worry about,...nobody said anything about taking everything into DH...

bottom line is: riders are diversed, good. Riding styles are diversed, great. Trails are diversed, super awesome....heck QR should become a statement trail system of Madison area.