We’re seven weeks into the the Dirt Lab build at Portland, Oregon’s Gateway Green. While it’s been a bit wet, construction continues with progress on track for spring when volunteers will be gathering to dial in both single track and dirt jump lines.
Dirt jumps have been formed as well as a single track loop, both of which are visible to riders passing the site on the 205 bike path. Though the hope is to have additional material delivered over the next few months, enough soil was available to rough in the first line of dirt jumps, giving us solid idea of what the first sanctioned dirt jumps in Portland will look like.
The dirt jumps are now covered to dry and settle as construction continues on the “woods line”.
The initial trail through the wooded section is close to complete; routing through the wooded area, it loops most of the way around and currently ends just below the jump line, though a loop can be made via the graveled road pictured above. (Photos shot week 4 and 5, 11/11 & 11/22)
The initial woods line as it currently stands give us .7 miles of new, bike optimized single track in Portland. Portland Parks is planning a second, more technical line through the wooded area (yes, you heard that right) that is intended to be a bit more technical and offer additional mileage as well as challenge, as the woods line is more of a groomed flow trail suitable for a variety of riders and skill levels.
With the paid contractors focusing on creating a more challenging route through the wooded zone, the 1/4 mile of trail still needed to close the loop may be performed by volunteers. Build dates are currently being planned, and we’ll post updates as soon as we have them.
