[GCM]

Came across this on a ride this weekend. Don't see too many trees this big in Ct…

This is on a Quad trail in the general Castle Craig area (Meriden Ct). The structure of the land around there is interesting - about half way up the 'mountain' (using that term very loosely) is a plateau where a series of old dirt roads exist. They have not been used for vehicle traffic for a long time so they have narrowed and deteriorated into MX/Quad trails. I don't usually ride this section of the trail because it's basically an out-and-back but Sunday I was just out for an 'easy-does-it' ride and once you climb up to the plateau, the trail is flat and a lazy ride. I ran into a group of about 10 Quad riders just after taking the pics - had to smell exhaust for a long way...

 

[crisillo]

nice pics... that is a huge log by anybody's standards..

so did you give it a shot? :lol:

 

[Nat]

That's a fatty. All the other trees behind it are so small in comparison.

Here's one that Shiggy, Tappoix, and I encountered last summer:
.

 

[Phi.Design]

i wonder if it made a sound?

 

[ZoSoSwiM]

that'd be one sweet log pile ride. Build over it and cut a path through for newbies Nice and fun!

 

[Cygnus]

died of a broken heart...

the second pic (big conifer in OR) died by collapsing due to most of its wood structure being decayed by brown rot fungi (heart rot). hard to tell, but it looks like the first tree (in CT) died of a wood decay in the coarse roots. big trees are usually old, and internal wood decay is highly correlated with tree age. often overlooked, the wood decay fungi are major disturbance factors. they kill old trees in a scattered manner, particularly in old forests, creating gaps for new trees.

 

[Nat]

i wonder if it made a sound?

I bet each tree when it fell said, "D'oh!"

 

[Tracerboy]

Did you check for a bike under that tree?

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

line up some dirt and make a jump

 

[hab1b]

i jumped a log that large on my big wheel.

 

[Sixty Fiver]

Yeah...I bunny hop logs like that all the time... in my freakin' dreams.

 

[santacruzer]

We were putting on "The 12 Hours of Stank" race back in 2000 when we started getting reports that a huge tree had fallen. I went out on the course armed with a machete to take care of it. I was a little surprised when I found it, this was in the third hour of a 12 hour race and the two forks of a tree had split and it fell both directions effectively blocking the trail for a hundred feet each direction.

We had no choice except to go over it; we dug up some wood from a low area and made a makeshift "Tree Bridge". Over the years we have widened it a little and put indoor/outdoor carpet on it.

Now it's a hell of a jump, it's a good thing because the two ramps have never quite lined up right, it gives it a little character.

 

[crisillo]

We were putting on "The 12 Hours of Stank" race back in 2000 when we started getting reports that a huge tree had fallen. I went out on the course armed with a machete to take care of it. I was a little surprised when I found it, this was in the third hour of a 12 hour race and the two forks of a tree had split and it fell both directions effectively blocking the trail for a hundred feet each direction.

We had no choice except to go over it; we dug up some wood from a low area and made a makeshift "Tree Bridge". Over the years we have widened it a little and put indoor/outdoor carpet on it.

Now it's a hell of a jump, it's a good thing because the two ramps have never quite lined up right, it gives it a little character.

That sure turned out like a nice trail stunt

 

[radair]

that'd be one sweet log pile ride. Build over it and cut a path through for newbies Nice and fun!

Even better as a log ride, that baby is a monster. Peel the bark and build an entry & exit with a minor reroute. Or do what we did and use a come-a-long to line it up.

 

[michigantammy]

Came across this on a ride this weekend. Don't see too many trees this big in Ct…

Well, I haven't ridden lately, but this one should be a big obstacle for everyone,eh? This pic was taken in Siem Reap where they filmed the Tomb Raider.

 

[crisillo]

Well, I haven't ridden lately, but this one should be a big obstacle for everyone,eh? This pic was taken in Siem Reap where they filmed the Tomb Raider.

That sure is one big waterbar drop

:lol:

 

[radair]

Tammy! Welcome back!

 

[GCM]

Even better as a log ride, that baby is a monster. Peel the bark and build an entry & exit with a minor reroute. Or do what we did and use a come-a-long to line it up.

I like your "entry & exit with minor reroute" idea - brings a new definition to the trem "skinny" - even I could ride that one. As for the "come-a-long" idea to line it up - whoa, that would sure take some 'doing'.

I know, next time I see that group of 10 Quad riders I'll ask 'em to hook up some tow-lines and pull it in-line with the trail - maybe they could do some good for a change.

 

[michigantammy]

Tammy! Welcome back!

Thanks, Radair. Yes, it's just about 2 legs.... I hope I still can bike. It seems so long ago that I've done it. I might forget how . Hopefully, I can ride in the spring. I just don't like winter riding as much. I can't take the cold. Not like you, riding on ice. You're my hero!

 

[x-ker]

no need to bunny hop those trees

There's no need to bunny hop those trees, just buy a 29er and according to the zealots you should be able to roll right over them :lol: