Last week TRC held a training and information day in Alice Springs for applicants interested in working on the Red Centre Adventure Ride. The group spent the day talking all things trails, learning what makes a great trail and why operational health and safety is vital when working in remote locations. TRC Trail Specialist Chris Halstead facilitated a session on how to plan and design a mountain bike trail graded green. Chris explained the uses of the Garmin GPS, clinometer and other ways to mark a trail including mapping, flagging, using marker pins, spray paint, measuring tapes, photography and codes to describe the terrain. The team then headed out on country with Tricky Tracks to ground truth how to build a sustainable trail while still creating a dynamic experience for the user. Tricky Tracks showed the team several trails they had built exclusively by hand using dry stone construction techniques. These techniques ensure an aesthetic and sustainable finish and minimal footprint on the land.
