[trailrider1]

whats the eaisiest way to build a berm for a downhill trail? i seem to be stuck on that.

 

[jimmydean]

A shovel and some dirt seem to work out OK around here. Not sure if those things are available in your area, though.

 

[bdamschen]

whats the eaisiest way to build a berm for a downhill trail? i seem to be stuck on that.

Use a CRF 450r, then pack it down.

 

[jimmydean]

Use a CRF 450r, then pack it down.

gonefirefightin said my YZ450F isn't allowed on his course

 

[bdamschen]

gonefirefightin said my YZ450F isn't allowed on his course

That's probably because you didn't follow step two of my plan.

 

[ultraNoob]

whats the eaisiest way to build a berm for a downhill trail?

uh... have someone else do it?


Shovel some dirt, ride it..... Repeat many many times until you like what you have

 

[trailrider1]

ok i was just wondering if i should use like a peice of plywood as a base or something.

 

[ultraNoob]

nah... dirt works best. If your dirt is a bit powdery... once you've built something up, hose it down and let it dry before you ride it.

Then build it up some more.

 

[jonKranked]

same as you build jumps:

dig
water
pack
dig
water
pack
shape
ride
repeat

 

[trailrider1]

thanks

 

[BIGHITR]

Here on the EAST coast, we take logs and pile them up to create a hill in a curved pattern and then fill in dirt on top, creates a really nice sturdy berm that won't blow out or go away without tearing it down.

 

[BMXman]

yeah when we built them we always had something solid to build upon like logs or tires...D

 

[TheTruth]

Here on the EAST coast, we take logs and pile them up to create a hill in a curved pattern and then fill in dirt on top, creates a really nice sturdy berm that won't blow out or go away without tearing it down.

Or you just do a bunch of blow and dig like a madman.

 

[splat]

yeah when we built them we always had something solid to build upon like logs or tires...D

DO NOT use Logs or trees! USe Rock!!! trees will decay , build it right it will last


we have built a few of them

here is one of our small ones

being built

and then lots of dirt , and be sure you get the good dirt , you have to dif down beyond the Duff layer

done

Another one, note the drainage hole

closer look, it is very important to take the water drainage into account

and finishing it up

and here

another one in process ( this one is big !!! )

done

riding the last one

Berms take a lot of work and a lot of dirt
but built right they are very low maintance. and fun to ride

 

[J-Dubs]

Great post Splat.

 

[Straya]

That's really nice work Splat. I love a bit of good rockwork.

Here is an example of using logs. It wasn't ideal but sometimes you have to work with the local materials available and within the timeframe and money that the employers provide you.

In this case the wood is Maple and will rot as its Vancouver and it rains 364 days a year. Anyway, there is a heap of soil and rock in the base of the berm, I believe it should last a fair while and is certainly a lot better than what was there to start with.

Over 90 man hours of work in that berm and that's with few fancy bits of gear that most people don't get access too.

 

[Straya]

And the view from the top with a bit of a story of what we did.

Here is how it was to start with.

There was a soak running into the trail surface on the left. First step was a couple of culverts to get rid of that and longer term we needed to dig a big trench down the left side of the berm towards the back of it.

The bank to the left had to be pushed back to put the drain in which worked well as the soil was stockpilled to fill the berm and the rocks used to armour the breaking approach to the corner.

The Retaining logs were dragged into position using a petrol powered capstan winch and rigging gear

Berm is filled with soil and packed down

Disturbed areas are then replanted with plants that were removed during the building of the berm and also using cuttings taken from local plants.

 

[Straya]

and finishing it up

Dude! You have a fvcking Jedi with a pink Lightsabre building your trails. That's Awesome!

 

[jonKranked]

Splat is right, use rocks, not logs. Logs will work, but you won't get the longevity you will with rocks. Plus they will retain moisture.


Again, Splat has a good point about drainage. Nothing will ruin a berm faster than sitting water (well, maybe muppet riders will).

A trick I've used before when only a limited amount of dirt can be had, or you're digging solo... break up and dig down where the inside of the berm will be and drag/push it to the outside of the berm. This is more useful for steep areas (which naturally have better drainage) or spots where the terrain just isn't jiving with the flow of the trail.


Also, like jumps, after watering and packing a berm, if you have old carpets, throw them on. It helps control the drying so the berm won't crack and crumble. It will help the berm last longer.

 

[splat]

Dude! You have a fvcking Jedi with a pink Lightsabre building your trails. That's Awesome!

Light Sabers really help in shaping a trail