Almost time to give back to the trails!

[Principal (Snake) Skinner]

The 2010 Saw Wee Kee trail workdays are now up! Look'em up on the CAMBr calendar, add them to your calendar, and make a point to join us. Every trail needs work to keep it in good shape. Just like a road needs patching from time to time to keep the cracks, potholes, broken shoulders, etc. from getting out of hand. There's no official work crew to do the job—we need you to help keep a great trail great!

Giving back not only helps enhance the ride, it gives you a chance to meet other riders, get in on group rides, learn more about your bike, and have some good times with good people. You might even get some free bike swag from time to time!

Mark the dates and make a plan to be there. Here's a link to the CAMBr West work dates, separated by park.

[Bearfan]

The Saw Wee Kee trail workdays are the ones I'm planning for.  So since I've never done this, what do I need to bring?  Shovel, rake, my bike, beer?

[IllinoisRider]

Typically old jeans and long sleeve shirt, work gloves, boots, water for yourself and optionally Ivy Block if you're sensitive to poison ivy as well as rubbing alcohol in case you fall in it (I always manage to somehow, and alcohol gets the oil off your skin).  Tools should be provided, and sometimes food is as well.  Beer is not mandatory but is always a welcome addition. 

Oh, don't forget your bike if the trials are ridable!  Part of the work day is the after work ride!

SWK ROCKS!

[Principal (Snake) Skinner]

Cool, Bearsfan! And the early-year workdays are more fun, I think.

Check the write-up at the top of the workdays page. Basically, we're covered for tools unless we put out a call for something like extra wheel barrows. Just dress for the work. I usually change clothes before heading home in case I get into poison ivy. As long as you wrap up the clothes and throw them in the washer you'll be fine. And if you're inclined, there is the post-workday opportunity to share beers with some good people and maybe get a ride in. If you're not, there's the post-workday opportunity to roll pathetic, beer-swilling losers into the river!    It's fun for the WHOLE family!

[IllinoisRider]

One more thing, wash your poison ivy laden clothes by themselves in warm water with liquid dish soap. 

[Bearfan]

Is there that much poison ivy out there?  I haven't run into that nasty weed since I was a kid.

[IllinoisRider]

In a nutshell, YES.  It's not that bad if you know what it looks like, but it's definitely there in certain places along the trail.  On one enormous group ride (the pseudo Redneck Olympics ride last year), I bailed into an enormous patch of it.  I rolled in it and practically had it on my whole body. 

Luckily another rider gave me some rubbing alcohol to rub down with afterwards, and I never even got a rash.  I am VERY sensitive to it FWIW.

Don't worry about it, but be prepared.

[Principal (Snake) Skinner]

One more thing, wash your poison ivy laden clothes by themselves in warm water with liquid dish soap. 

Actually, std laundry detergent is supposed to be fine to use. I run my stuff thru the laundry with the rest of my clothes and my family has never gotten it. If they did, I'd be dead! For washing your skin you should go for cold water and a grease-cutting dishwashing liquid. Your garden variety liquid soap wouldn't break down the oil, just move it around.

Yeah, SWK is bad with poison ivy. But if you take it seriously you can deal with it without it being a big hassle. I assume I get it every time I'm there just to be safe. I take my clothes off inside out so I don't spread it, and I wipe down exposed skin with rubbing alcohol from my bike gear crate. You could even put rubbing alcohol-soaked baby wipes in a ziplock bag and stuff it in your pack so you can hit any exposure right away (they say you need to within 20 min.). There's sites that give you more info if you want to know, like the poison ivy/sumac/something info center site. The best thing you can do is learn to ride the place without falling! 

[Jimmy S.]

hopefully I can talk to the store owner of Culvers. And get some much needed butter burgers

[IllinoisRider]

I've found that if you're really sweaty, you're less likely to get a rash.  It's like the oil doesn't stick as well.

I also have found that if you DO get a rash, there are creams like Zanfel that almost immediately stop the itch, but you can get the same active ingredient for a lot less.  The main ingredient is also found in Mean Green Power Hand Scrub.  http://www.meangreen.com/pages/handcleaners.htm

Supposedly, the guy who started Zanfel stole the formula from Mean Green when he was a sale rep for them.

[r0ckh0und]

The Saw Wee Kee trail workdays are the ones I'm planning for.  So since I've never done this, what do I need to bring?  Shovel, rake, my bike, beer?

Yes, post workday beer is mandatory! 

[Seanbikes]

We have the tools covered, a snack to share or a couple cold ones to pass around are always welcome though.

I've been working and riding out at SWK since West took on this spot and (knocking on wood right now) have never had poison ivy.  I think I'm either one of the lucky ones that is immune or maybe it's the fact I'm a sweaty fool every time I lift a shovel or ride there.  It's hard not to break a sweat with Dom cracking that whip

[Captain Slow]

I plan on doing some trail work on the 21st of march! The only problem is im really allergic to poison ivy. so i will be in long pants and shirt with ivy lotion on

[baudler]

The only problem is im really allergic to poison ivy. so i will be in long pants and shirt with ivy lotion on

Don't worry, there is barely any out there