BikeTexas Trail Doctors Lead Challenging Trail Project
The BikeTexas Trail Doctors were selected as consultants to lead a difficult trail-building weekend in Houston on November 19-20. A new connector trail was created to allow cyclists and pedestrians access to a piece of land gridlocked by roads.
The new trail takes users from street level to a tunnel that had been previously constructed. The challenge lay in the sandy soil in the area combined with a steep side slope, a sure recipe for erosion if the trail was not designed properly.
The Trail Docs helped coordinate volunteers from Greater Houston Off Road Biking Association (GHORBA) and Houston Area Road Runners Alliance (HARRA) and supervised the construction of a rolling crown switchback and a 40-foot long piece of flagstone armoring, using recycled concrete as the rock. These tools, which have never been employed in Houston before, will allow runners, equestrians and mountain bikers to use the section of trail with little impact on the natural area.
More than 40 volunteers came out to assist with the trail building on the 250-foot long project. Well over 80 man hours were used in constructing the flagstone paving alone! Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this project a reality.
