New addition to Bird Farm trails

[bird man]

Iron bridge being installed upstream from washed out wood bridge.



Washed out wood bridge being raised from the deep and put back across the creek.



We have only rescued the old bridge for now but have plans to rebuild.

[troy]

AWESOME!

Larry, with the $100 entry fee for the trails, you'll eventually make your money back on all this work!

Seriously, THANK YOU for your generosity!

[bird man]

Finished the bridges the next day after setting the main frame. Over the holiday I then set out to put the trails in order. I had not checked them out yet this year and there was a lot more damage than I had anticipated. Several hours with the chain saw cutting away fallen trees and drifted in logs,then they were passable with the tractor. Another half day of brush hogging and moving trees with the tractor and another day with the mower doing the final cutting. Now all that really remains is trimming face slapping branches. The trails are basically the same but with some changes ,some of which are man made and some by nature. We now have "mattress" sections ,places where corn stalks have drifted in making a thick spongy mat. I left at least one drifted in log for a log crossing, yes there is a go round, for those who choose. In a few places the creek banks had cut away enough that the trail was no long safe so a new course was made.
I rode them all today on the cycle for the first time this year and all is in order.
Old wooden, not as good as before, bridge rebuilt

A very sturdy steel bridge that hopefully will last longer than the wooden one.

[troy]

Sweet! Can't wait to get the suspension back in my 500 EXC and come try out those trails and the bridges!

[bird man]

Just got back from another afternoon of trail maintance. Made good progress, mowed some new places to ride, and did some weed eating of the places cant go with a mower (the "dangerous" spots) Found a place down in the deep woods next to the creek where we can do a high bank 90 degree turn followed or preceded by a jump opportunity.
Yesterday eve was so nice I enjoyed a leisurely ride for a while, the first time this summer I think. It is good to have them back in operation and a lot of fun also.

So now to figure out a date for the 4th annual bird farm trail ride. In the meantime if anyone wants to come ride and test them out just contact me and we'll set up a time.
Open to suggestions on a possible date.
Last years ride details and etc.
http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2271

[bird man]

Yea.... I have now again completed chain sawing and removing the trees and limbs that fell on the trail over the winter. We also have put the wood bridge back in place as it also washed out over the winter. .....but I think I am going to retire the wood bridge as it seems more rickety and is washing out every year it seems. With the new steel one in place mud less crossing is still available.
Last time Troy and Rob was here several weeks ago we ,mostly Rob, blazed out a few new tracks to ride, down in the less maintained area where the high bank turn is. I cleared out the fallen large branches and trees so the rest of us can now ride these new tracks also.
So now I need some riders to come, ride in, these new tracks and keep the old ones open. The trails are nice and dry just a little mud and water in the creek.

[Savage]

I'm ready to ride whenever! (almost)

My son and I were sitting down eating at Arby's a few weeks ago when the lady said "Larry your order is ready." My son said "Wouldn't it be funny if it was birdman?" We chuckled. Then he asked when are we going to go back to birdman's place to ride? LOL

[DanielKeimTS]

I'm about all healed up and ready to ride and break in some trails, I want to talk my wife into coming down with our little boy now that he's a little older, he would love to watch any of the bigger kids ride. Just got him his first bike (sorta), i found a cheap power wheels thing with training wheels and took all the stickers off and its all orange. Just need to find some ktm stickers for it.