It’s spring build season at the TRA BMX compound.  Every year we keep 60,000 sq. ft. of jumps and turns running all summer long without the need for daily watering or tarps.  The rugs we use let us get it going after a long hard winter without the need for hand shovel stacking and packing…not something we ever thought would be possible when we started.  Heavy snow, strong winds, and frost are all part of winter trail life in the Northeast.  And when the spring thaw comes, it’s time to get the jumps running and coated before the thunderstorms start.  While the techniques shown here may seem obvious for those who have been doing it for decades, there are lots of new builders out there just starting out.  For those of you who’ve asked us how we do it, this article is for you.  We want to spread the knowledge so our sport can grow and the next generation can start out with better tools than we had.  Rugs, ATV’s, soil hardeners…all of these can be used together or alone to make life easier at the trails.  Once the surface is properly prepared, maintenance is a breeze.

Under a blanket of snow, all the transitions are perfectly preserved using layers of tarp and carpet.  A row of logs across the top and a row of pallets across the bottom keep it all in place against the winter winds.

Utility ATV with car tires. We use these at the trails too. Combined with carpets over the winter, this cuts shovel packing down to almost zero.

Hoses are neatly coiled in cans over the winter.   You can drop 1000′ of hose in no time using the cans to avoid tangles.  We run four 250′ sections so multiple sections of the track can be reached as needed.

ATV first roll.  Dark areas show the frost that hasn’t been rolled in yet.  You don’t have to rake or pick up rocks…just roll it right in and watch last year’s surface come right back.  We roll once to keep the moisture in and again for final prep before applying soil hardeners.

This turn was prepped in less than two hours on a berm that was untarped  all winter.  A few light shovel pats to press in any raised tire marks and it’s ready to spray with soil hardener.

Soil hardeners make the impossible possible.  We go all Summer long without the need for tarps or watering.  During the Summer’s strong torrential downpours, there is barely any erosion damage.  We’ve started using this at Posh on the pump loop and on some of the bigger runs as well.

The last two straights of the TRA pump track are soiltac’ed and ready to go.

We’ll keep updating this article as we go.  Ride soon!

The 2017 TRA Fast as Hell Comp was held at the annual Catty Halloween Jam. With riders from all over the world roasting the big runs, pumps loops for riders of all ages, Halloween costumes, and a bunch of fun contests and raffles throughout the day, the jam serves as both a fundraiser and end-of-year party for riders trying get their laps in before the Northeast frost.

For this years event, TRA expanded the Fast as Hell Comp to include both a kids and a pro class. Amateurs were split into 14 & Under and 15 & over age groups. The pro class was 50% payback, winner-take-all, with all proceeds going to the Posh/Catty non-profit Lehigh Valley Bicycle Association. The riders also competed for the TRA pro-belt, courtest of S&M, FIT, Empire, Dirtsculpt, and Axlerad Screen Printing.

The older amateur and pro classes raced on “Fonzy to 79”, a 40 second run with lots of jumps, turns, and speed changes. The younger amateurs raced on the downhill pump loop which featuring a newly built starting hill and wooden over/under bridge. Each class was run for 30 minutes and were riders allowed to take as many runs as they wanted. Scores went by fastest time for each rider.

In the 14 & Under kids class there were 5 riders including girls and boys ages 8 through 12 years old. 8 year old Jake Rutkowski was on top of the podium with 9 year old and TRA regular Chase Delfino in 2nd. 12 year old Velicity Miller showed that girls have a place on the podium too with a 3rd place finish.

In the 15 & Over amateur class, 1st place went to Ever Peacock with Noah Oliver in 2nd. At 17 years old, Ever just missed being able to enter the pro class but proved himself with a time that would have put him 3rd place on the pro podium. Look out for Ever in 2018!

In the pro class, Evan Eisenhard completely dominated, winning the pro belt and first place money with all of his runs going faster than everyone else in the comp.  2nd place went to three-time TRA Fast as Hell comp champ Chopper Daily who came back to the podium with a vengeance this year. Third place went to “City Boy” John Lynn, rocking the only kind of spandex TRA will allow.   Get ready for more TRA BMX racing in 2018!

2017 TRA Fast as Hell Comp Results:

Pro
1. Evan Eisenhard
2. Chopper Daily
3. John Lynn
4. Greg Custer
5. Chris Bird
6. Michael Gentilcore
7. Zack Andringa

15 & Over Amateur
1. Ever Peacock
2. Noah Oliver

14 & Under Amateur
1. Jake Rutkowitz
2. Chase Delfino
3. Velicity Miller
4. Olivia Miller
5. Mia Custer

Catty Halloween Jam, TRA Fast as Hell Comp – Pro Class Results: Evan Eisenhard 1st, Chopper Daley 2nd, Jon Lynn 3rd. These riders set the trails on FIRE!

15 & Over “Fast as Hell” champ Ever Peacock wasn’t quite old enough to race pro but he sure was fast enough…his time would’ve put him on the pro podium! Look out for him next year.

In the 14 & Under “Fast as Heck” class, Jake Rutkowitz (right) edged out Chase Delfino for the win. Velicity Miller took 3rd and was on road before she had the chance to stand on the podium with the boys, but she made her mark nonetheless!

It’s time for the annual TRA “Fast as Hell” Comp at the Catty Halloween Jam on Saturday, October 14th. This year we’ve added pro and kids classes.  Come on out, have some fun, and help raise funds to keep Posh and Catty Woods alive!

The Catty Flatland Jam went down July 1st 2017 and was held in conjunction with the annual Posh/Catty fourth of July trail jams.   TRA sponsored the event, hosted by ECD OG Mel Cody.  Here is some of the great riding that went down.

Joey Branford – time machine to flail boomerang

Jason Kale ripping it up at the Catty Flatland Jam

Scott Twifford had some fun with the mini box between his flatland runs.

Tracey Anthony – trails, park, flatland…she rides BMX!