rain ruts growing into little jumps...

[alex jb]

At KK there are some angled small rollers that are there to collect water and divert it off the multitrac.  They are on the one down hill (ish) section heading west for the bridge.

They seem to be getting larger...
They still perform their primary function, drainage, but they have been noticed by other users too and if you are going to do more than roll them, do so in a controlled manner and give way to dog walkers etc.
We (CAMBr) have had permission to do maintenance in KK for only a short while now and we want to keep MTBers in the good books with Naperville parks.

I hope I don't sound like an old fart   I want KK to get better and be more fun for all, so just respect the trails and other users.
If asked by the park district I will tell them as much as I know, (in bold) and don't be too supprised if they get shaved down (by the parks people) to original size again.

[AnandK]

And all this time I thought their primary purpose was to get a little air.  That can be a worrisome spot though, with all the user traffic.

[Broken Spoke]

I've noticed in previous years a bunch of mulch is usually put on the hill.  It definitely slows things down a bunch but at the same time it seems to help with soil erosion.  Are they planning on doing that again this year? 

[TheNormsk]

Yeah I really don't like wood chips.  Wood chips just suck all your power and make pedaling a chore.  Limestone on the other hand holds up well and even when it does erode and create pot holes, the holes are at least fun to ride through.

If you have a short sighted budget manager I'm sure that wood chips are a lot cheaper in the short term but considering they have to be replenished every year, what is the longer term cost compared to limestone?

I would bet the limestone is more cost effective in the long run.  Anyone have any numbers?

[Broken Spoke]

I like the extra challenge of the wood chips, but yeah I would imagine crushed gravel would require less maintenance.

[alex jb]

I'm not sure, if I'm walking with the kids, the wood chip is great, seems more in keeping with the trails.  On my bike it sucks... quite litterlaly suck the energy from your legs!
I still think it's a beter looking and more natural surface overall though.

If you ride spring brook prarie the limestone is not a bad surface and drains well, still looks rediculously man made though.

[I pick bad lines]

I'm not sure, if I'm walking with the kids, the wood chip is great, seems more in keeping with the trails.  On my bike it sucks... quite litterlaly suck the energy from your legs!
I still think it's a beter looking and more natural surface overall though.

If you ride spring brook prarie the limestone is not a bad surface and drains well, still looks rediculously man made though.

I'm not in favor of limestone at Knoch Knolls. I agree with Alex, the beauty of the park would be marred by a limestone loop. We've got Springbrook for that, and as Alex has said it does look man made, but it'll hopefully be better once the habitat restoration is done. They've done a bang up job with the meandering stream so far. I'm not as enthused by the probable hike in mosquito bites we'll be getting once the wetlands project is completed though.

[TheNormsk]

Having finally ridden KK I can now say that in the areas were the wood chips were put down I did not find the path to be offensive.  The multitrack had a lot more hard pack dirt than I was expecting and that's good.

I agree that limestone would be totally out of place in KK, and the park district should not use it.  KK has a fairly natural feel about it (the same way paths in the English countryside has a natural feel because they've been there hundreds of years) and it would be good to preserve this.

[fat-tyr]

Yeah I really don't like wood chips.  Wood chips just suck all your power and make pedaling a chore.  Limestone on the other hand holds up well and even when it does erode and create pot holes, the holes are at least fun to ride through.

If you have a short sighted budget manager I'm sure that wood chips are a lot cheaper in the short term but considering they have to be replenished every year, what is the longer term cost compared to limestone?

I would bet the limestone is more cost effective in the long run.  Anyone have any numbers?

The wood chips are free. Any park district / village has a pile of them that they are trying to get rid of. Its a very cost effective way to keep the trails from getting muddy. Sucks for MTB's and eventually you will have a layer of organic soil. Not so good in the long term.

[AnandK]

Having finally ridden KK I can now say that in the areas were the wood chips were put down I did not find the path to be offensive.  The multitrack had a lot more hard pack dirt than I was expecting and that's good.

I agree that limestone would be totally out of place in KK, and the park district should not use it.  KK has a fairly natural feel about it (the same way paths in the English countryside has a natural feel because they've been there hundreds of years) and it would be good to preserve this.

As a side note, I'm glad to hear you're finally out riding your rebuilt rig, Kerry!