Trailbuilding Basics

International Mountain Bicycling Association

PO Box 7578
Boulder, Colorado 80306
303-545-9011
www.imba.com

Sponsored by Subaru of America

Special Thanks

This booklet was conceived and created by Jan and Mike Riter, the first Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew. Between March 1997 and January 2000 the Riters taught trail construction and maintenance techniques to thousands of land managers, mountain bike club leaders and other trail users. Their pioneering work took them to 48 U.S. states, several Canadian provinces and nine countries in Europe. The Riters established a Georgia-based consulting business, Trail Design Services, early in 2000. They can be reached at: TDS.@mindspring.com

Thanks to IMBA's Wisconsin state representative Scott Frey, of Hyperionstudios Inc., for design and layout assistance.

	If you would like to print your own copy of Trailbuilding Basics you may download the pdf document (400K). This pdf is designed for printing a folded, two-sided, 8.5 x 5.5 inch trail book, centered stapled. It is not designed for online viewing. Printed copies can also be purchased from the IMBA Online Store for $5 each.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction

A. The Trail Care Crew Program
B. Meet the Crews
C. Subaru/IMBA Partnership

Chapter 2 - Philosophy

A. Erosion
B. Try to Mimic Mother Nature

Chapter 3 - Layout

A. Get Permission
B. Know the Area
C. Establish the Route
D. Building Flow Into Route

Chapter 4 - Construction

A. Knowing the Grade
B. Flagging the Trail
C. Clearing the Trail Corridor
D. Constructing the Tread
E. Bridges
F. Switchbacks

Chapter 5 - Maintenance

A. Deberming the Tread
B. Drainage

Chapter 6 - Glossary

Chapter 7 - Other Resources