Looking back on last year, I feel as if we crossed a major milestone by completing re-routes on the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail to Skyline Project. We projected the project to take three to five years and at times some thought it could never be done. Three years later and now that it is done, there is much satisfaction each time I go out and ride this section.
Besides establishing a legal for bikes connector trail between Ringwood and Ramapo Mountain State Forest, the engineering project itself was quite ambitious, as the original trail was aligned in very steep rocky terrain. This project was our most challenging project to date, and has been a great learning experience in many ways. We both hope that we are better trail builders for gaining this experience.
After completion of this project in August, Art and I scheduled a well deserved break from trail work to absorb all that we had learned as well as to take the time to start the ground work for the next project. However, mother nature had it’s own plans, when Hurricane Sandy blew down many trees in Ringwood and Ramapo, leaving some areas un-passable by foot or bike. Thankfully, for the many volunteers that stepped up, we were out there working and clearing the trails before we had power and communications back at our homes. I suppose these parks are like home to many of us.
Many thanks to our hard working volunteers that give their time to our trails! Jorba volunteers logged 664 hours at Ringwood in 2012. Looking forward to new and exciting projects in spring!
