Cost of building trails / process

[marko35s]

Thanks. Any other builders that can be recommended? I'll talk to Deon as I know him a bit there was a guy called Troops who I chatted to when he was building but couldn't remember his company. 

 

I found this riding area / blog and have asked to meet them when I am in that area next month. 

 

http://www.gvbconservancy.co.za/conservancyblog/from-trail-rider-to-trail-builder-nine-mountain-bike-trail-building-myths

If you do talk to Deon don't mention DH0, the memory of building that is still too fresh...

As has been mentioned the cost per meter varies greatly and depends a lot on type of track/terrain etc.

As an example DH0, Lizzard and the AM track at Tokai are roughly the same length but DH0 cost double Lizzard to build and Lizzard cost more than double the cost of the AM Track. 

Also a lot of the estimates seen on this thread are wildly optimistic.

[marko35s]

Yo dude, it comes down to one price: It Depends.

 

 

The more raw the trail is, the less it'll cost. For a "hack and ride" sort of ride, which means natural trails and no manicuring - just clearing brush / grass and "cutting a line" it can be pretty cheap and easy to cut trail. In the region of R 1,000 to R 2,000 per km or so (I think)

 

If you're moving rock, sculpting trails, putting clay in, building jumps or making it smooth like butter, then it can run to more than R 10,000 per km pretty damn fast. 

Add a zero on to those figures and you are in the ballpark 

It is genuinely shocking how much these things cost to build.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

If you do talk to Deon don't mention DH0, the memory of building that is still too fresh...

As has been mentioned the cost per meter varies greatly and depends a lot on type of track/terrain etc.

As an example DH0, Lizzard and the AM track at Tokai are roughly the same length but DH0 cost double Lizzard to build and Lizzard cost more than double the cost of the AM Track. 

Also a lot of the estimates seen on this thread are wildly optimistic.

LOL!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Add a zero on to those figures and you are in the ballpark 

It is genuinely shocking how much these things cost to build.

Yes, you're right. I need more coffee... Edited to show more appropriate figures. Managed to dig out of an old mail somewhere. 

 

End of the day: It depends. The less work, the less cost. More days & more material = MUCH higher cost of build. 

 

I shudder to think what would have been charged had an external trail builder built the old Cascades dh track in SW, before it went up in flames. 

[Yo-Yo]

Thank you to everyone for the information and advice. It has been a great help and started the ball rolling. A lot to think about and quite eye opening, It does make you think that a lot of the wineries with new tracks won't be making their money back at any time soon with the permits alone. 

[Yo-Yo]

And a massive thank you to anyone who works endlessly for us here in CT and across the country to create these trails be they for 'profit' or the larger cycling community. Special thanks to those who work with landowners, farmers, TMNP etc. I realise that it's mostly unheralded and very under appreciated. I think most people who ride them have the slightest idea as to the cost and the behind the scenes effort invested in the dirt they roll over. Respect to all. 

[PhilipV]

Thank you to everyone for the information and advice. It has been a great help and started the ball rolling. A lot to think about and quite eye opening, It does make you think that a lot of the wineries with new tracks won't be making their money back at any time soon with the permits alone.

Nope, it's all about the wine (and other hospitality facility) sales.

[JanJan]

If there is existing cattle tracks available (30 cm wide trampled ground), my experience is that 1 worker can progress about 400 m a day on level ground and 200 m a day on hilly areas. This includes removing large rocks, plowing/cutting forage and cleaning to ensure a reasonable single track. The intensity of the work requires about R250 per day wage.

 

Just for some reference...

[Boerklong]

Cant help with costs but we have helped a couple of farms in the Winelands with trails.

They walk a piece with simple markings and we go and ride it on our enduro bikes.

Once they have a trail/spoor its up to them to sort out the berms, switchbacks and bridges ect.

We normally ride it a couple of times to open it up.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

If there is existing cattle tracks available (30 cm wide trampled ground), my experience is that 1 worker can progress about 400 m a day on level ground and 200 m a day on hilly areas. This includes removing large rocks, plowing/cutting forage and cleaning to ensure a reasonable single track. The intensity of the work requires about R250 per day wage.

 

Just for some reference...

if there's cattle track, it should remain untouched to be ridden in it's raw state. ????

[Goosebay]

Hi

 

PhilipV is correct   If you have a farm that would like feet or wheels that will help.  They would be prepared to put money in for the draw card and not necessarily the monetary return.  If you want to get some of the consultant trail builders (Bennet or Shaun) it will probably cost you in the region of R3500 per day.  The layout of the trail is quite critical and if you haven't done that before then some advice would be usefull.  You can download lots of info re trail building.  More about help at the end.....

 

We used the EPWP (extanded public works program) to help cover costs.  They will through your municipality pay for labour.  The idea is that you train the builders for a year and then provide employment for them after that.  The year can be extended depending on what you have done etc. This can be quite useful to get something started and provide employment.

 

A lot can be done with strong backs and proper tools.  A few of our trails are in remote areas and we could just leave everything on the trail for the next day.  Fynbos trails are relatively easy but rocks can complicate and slow down work tremendously. 

 

One of the farmers in your area (Danie, can't remember his surname.  He is in the Rawsonville area) has built some of the trails for the Gravel and Grape.  The Slanghoek person I think is on the hub.  They will be able to give you a very accurate idea of what it costs to build in your area.  They were very willing to help us and even offered to train our guys.  It might be worth your while to chat to them via the Gravel and Grape race people.  Loads of expertise in your area and it might even benefit them to have more trails.  Community is lekker.

 

Cheers

[JanJan]

if there's cattle track, it should remain untouched to be ridden in it's raw state.

I agree in theory, and a lot of the raw track can be kept on downhills, but I found that our cattle trample some sadistic lines on uphills that not even Nino Schurter can negotiate.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I agree in theory, and a lot of the raw track can be kept on downhills, but I found that our cattle trample some sadistic lines on uphills that not even Nino Schurter can negotiate.

LOL. Yes, I know the type you're talking about. 

 

For dem climbs, a bit of massaging may be required. 

[SwissVan]

Very Interesting topic.

Hope you don't mind me posting a comparison with planet Zug

 

About 2 years ago thanks to the efforts of some local Zugerberg mountain bikers (our little home hill in Zug) an official trail was built by a professional trail building group with the permission of the local municipality (Gemeinde). Funds came from crowd funding, donations and the local municipality

 

Trail info:

Length - 2.1 km

Height Difference - 340m

Average grade - 16%

There are a lot of berms, 1 tunnel under a tar road, a number of jumps and wooden sections plus electric fencing to keep cattle of the track on the top section.

Also includes a bike wash facility at the bottom next to the train station...so no excuse for taking a dirty bike on the train.

 

See the video to get an idea:

 

 

 

The budgeted building cost was CHF 632'156.40 (ZAR to CHF +/- 13:1)

and annual maintenance costs CHF 36'800

 

See attached PDF page 5 8.3 for costs, sorry in German only

English translation: For the ZugerbergTrail, CHF 632'156.40 are budgeted for the construction and CHF 36'800.- per year for maintenance.

 

 

No costs to ride, you ride for free as many times as you like. There is venicular train that can be used to get back up to the start and for this you pay (season ticket or 1 off ticket), or you can ride back up on a nice smooth but steep tar road of +/- 2.4 km (btw the record for this up ride stands at about 11 minutes on a mtb)

 

Zugerberg_Trail_Kurzinfo.pdf