MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
TRAIL CREW CHRONICLES
Sponsored by Alterra Resorts
Welcome back for the second installment of our Mammoth Bike Park column, presented by Alterra Resorts. This month we get to know two members of the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park Trail Crew. With over 80 miles of trails to maintain, inspect and of course ride, it’s a surprise Allison and Jake had time to get these questions answered for us.
If you haven’t been to Mammoth yet, be sure to check the link here and scope the park and incredibly beautiful region out. It’s well worth a trip as the one of a kind terrain and countless activities make it a worthwhile destination. If you didn’t see our Bike Park Review Tour episode from Mammoth Mountain, give it a watch here for even more inspiration.
ALLISON BURCH
What is your favorite tool and why?
The McCloud for sure because you can do more with it than any tool in my opinion, pulling dirt/ rocks, pumice, snow removal, packing dirt, cutting roots.
When you’re riding or hiking a trail for maintenance, what sort of things stand out most to you? What is the order of importance when it comes to what needs to be repaired ASAP vs, “that can wait”?
Things to be done asap I’d say would be looking for snow on trail that would need to be dug out, erosion from snow melt, loose pavers, water flow from runoff that needs to be irrigated, redundant loose dirt and pumice to dig out, pine cones, and rocks that could potentially pop tires are the more important things to look out for, then there are the minuscule things like pine needles and smaller rocks that aren’t really any hindrance at all.
What is your favorite snack or beverage to keep you energized while working?
Burritos, classic turkey sammy, and a large coffee with my cream all day is preferred to get me by.
Do you play music while you’re digging? If so, what?
Punk, rock, new wave, post punk. The typical go to is probably The Cramps, Fugazi, New Order, Joy Division, Have A Nice Life, and Minor Threat haha.
What is something that most people don’t know or you think is a misconception about trail builders and bike park maintenance guys?
We walk over 10 miles every day. “Hey Allison want to go for a hike?” “Yeah, right. I’ll be limbs blended into the couch behind a book and then probably sleeping in till noon or getting bottomless mimosas.”
JAKE ABSTON aka “MEMPHIS”
What is your favorite tool and why?
Rake for sure. I earned the name Jake the Rake early in my trail crew career for good reason.
When you’re riding or hiking a trail for maintenance, what sort of things stand out most to you? What is the order of importance when it comes to what needs to be repaired ASAP vs, “that can wait”?
If a trail is changed significantly. Whether rocks crumbling down the hill, erosion or snowmelt. We know what the trail is supposed to look and ride like, so if there is anything that stands out as altering the trail we fix it ASAP. But our trails are in nature and they’re going to change, sometimes for the better. We just need to keep eyes on things. And we have a lot of trails to keep eyes on.
What is your favorite snack or beverage to keep you energized while working?
Turkey and provolone, classic trail snack.
Do you play music while you’re digging? If so, what?
Hard rock, while I’m from Memphis, and all my friends call me Memphis, I’m not great with country music.
What is something that most people don’t know or you think is a misconception about trail builders and bike park maintenance guys?
Just how much work goes into getting this park dialed in. Over 80 miles of trail, that’s a lot…
What is something that most people don’t know or you think is a misconception about trail builders and bike park maintenance guys?
We walk over 10 miles every day. My friends hit me up on the weekend and ask to go for a hike. Ya, right. I’ll be at the skate park…
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