Topic: Alafia's Gatorback - Ver-3.0

[AlwaysGoForward]

If you like mountain biking on “flowing trails” – stop reading this right now, nothing here for you. But, if you like challenging trails, where you may not make every climb or descent - read on.

Alafia's Gatorback (GB) trail is restructured to “Ver-3.0”. After many months of neglect, GB degraded into raw chaos - many of you choosing to no longer ride it. GB has 180° switchbacks, steep descents/ascents, wooden and rocky features. For those who’ve never pedaled GB and don’t mind getting off occasionally, perhaps it’s time. And for those who, like me, love wild and gnarly trails, GB guarantees an adrenaline rush. Go for it.

After several days of trail maintenance, GB has been transformed:
- drainage damaged canyons are rerouted;
- bench cut trails are drainage contoured;
- compression areas are cleaned with rolling grade dip drainage preventing sand buildup;
- restructured rocky descents for challenge instead of terror;
- awkward, dead roots and specific rock impediments are covered or removed;
- rock steps facilitate high rollovers;
- alternate paths provide challenging or very challenging ascents;
- wheel stoppers, pedal catchers and extraneous brush are removed.

Thanks to trail-boss Art North and all the trail maintenance SWAMP volunteers who created and maintained Gatorback over the years.

Your humble trail maintenance servant:  Jeff White
December 17, 2010

[orion_134]

Sounds great, hope it isn't too wet tomorrow.

[mksandoz]

Thanks Jeff!

[northbkr1]

Thanks for All you do out there Jeff, you make my life a Whole Lot Easier . I'll check it out on Sunday

[mellowme17]

cant wait to ride it... was one of my fav trails...

[ProEdgeBiker.com]

Sounds like Gatorback - Ver-3.0  Video needs to be made soon.. SWEET!

[Scott]

Awesome, thanks Jeff

[JamesinIT]

Dang, I stopped reading when it said stop reading if you like flowing trails!

While I'll personally likely never ride Gatorback (I like flowing trails!), I appreciate that you guys put as much effort into all the trails at our parks and that there is such a wide variety that there is something for everybody!

[slowfatguy]

Rode it today. I wouldn't call it version 3.0. No real major changes were made like the last time. A couple small, short re-routes that should lead to better long term sustainability, and few other spots that were fixed up. I went in thinking to see major changes and was pleased to see that wasn't the case. I'd call it Gatorback 2.1.   Overall I like it.

[BillT]

Maybe a great video of Gatorback 2.1 will make it on Tosh.0

[Triple T]

Overall I like it.

Me too.

[orion_134]

For those not liking the gnar, pick a better line and make it flowing

[anthonyi]

Much nicer than the old version.

[northbkr1]

Rode it on Friday, Great Job Jeff
THANKS!!!!!!!!!

[jnsnbch]

I'm heading west for my first time ride of both Alafia and Boyette in the a.m.. Thanks for all your hard work. From what I have read and heard the place is sick. I look forward to planning a trip over to help out on some maintence days and catch some ride time. Thankfully my sister in law lives in St. Pete Beach and can occupy my wifes time to take the heat off of me 

An grateful right coast rider in search of the black diamonds