Does anyone have any links or tips on building bridges? Specifically one that will turn and change in elevation? Thanks!

Thanks! 

I'm hoping the person(s) that helped build the newer wavy bridge section at beatty will chime in. May ride out there today and just check it out.

Need a turn to the right like this but definitely more gradual and on the ground.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Nothing too special about the Beatty bridge.  We floated it on the ground using 6x6's and then just framed it off that.   

One word of advice would be if you're building with curves, don't cut them too tight.  It took a pretty big radius to make the humps.

SirNotAppearing wrote on 03/31/16 at 12:30pm:


I helped on a couple of the bridges at byt but can't claim to have fully designed any of them.  I did help with the contouring of the left branch bridge/feature (on the climb/approach to the downhill line). Climber did the initial design of that one. 

Climber would be good to talk to as well with regards to the radius needed.  He did the three hump feature at byt on the far side of the service road.  I know when he initially built it, the radius was too tight and it made it next to impossible on larger bikes.  

If its a trail I can get to/nearby I'm happy to help in the build/design if I can match up times.  

I find using utility poles as supports helpful as you can vary the height how you want.  It's basically varying the height of the supports between the ends of the stringers and from stringers side to side that give you the curvature of the bridge.   

It always looks jenky when it's just the supports and stringers but makes sense once you get the decking on.

And yes...with banked turns go big on the radius.

Those are some great pictures! If anyone plans on building something like that again Id definitely like to help to learn how to do it. Ive got to get out and ride fisher one day.

Do you have any framing pictures of the one at beatty? 

This one is just for an access trail to mcmullen greenway. That being said, there's some great areas off the greenway that could be built up.

Well here's how it started.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

This is where I left off. Haha Will need to extend it some. No more energy. If you squint your eyes really really hard you might just see the curves and loop de loos. 

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Tom F wrote on 04/01/16 at 10:50pm:


Flow is key... Tough is tough.. flow is key. 

Given enough chances anyone can tackle tough...  Not everyone can tackle flow... if the trail does not support flow then all you have are obstacles which unnaturally slow down the pace.   

Sure I can ride those sections... but they are very deliberate... I ride them to say I rode them... sometimes it's seems shallow and hollow at best.
Not really enjoyable... 

I think dirkd was talking about the 3 hump feature at BYT - not the advanced flow section at Fisher that Mark posted pics of (which are some of the most fun and flowy man made TTFS in the local trail system and excellent examples of bridge construction).

I skip a lot of TTFs that I feel are there just for the sake of being there (especially raised skinnies). But hey, if people dig 'em, let them ride 'em.

ChosenOne wrote on 04/01/16 at 11:38pm:


Flow is as much or more a function of the rider than the trail.  That being said, there are some trails that don't "transition" well.  Ride what you like. 

The Cycle Path wrote on 04/02/16 at 9:04pm:


Hallelujah! Preach it brother!