Ben Hawes }{ Central

[sprint49]

;D Visited Ben Hawes for the first time Sunday. This place rocks. Great trails and nice people. Here are a few links to some video I took while Carla and I were there.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS1U2aCyj8o

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYg6CkyG7tQ

Rod Cowell

[Tim]

Nice job, added to the video section

[Tim]

So how are things going at ben hawes? Definately need to get back in shape and head over to the mother land

[ricdix]

Hey Tim... I copied the latest below.

www.kymba.org/forum/index.php?topic=236.45

Ben Hawes Trails are still officially closed to the general public. The City is in the process of surveying the property to have the it Annexed. Once completed, the city can be properly Insured to operate the property as a "Park" and officially "Open to the Public".
If you're on the benhawestrailvolunteers - google group distribution list, chances are you've already singed the required Kymba Volunteer Waiver and The City of Owensboro waiver. This allows Kymba Volunteers to design, construct (which includes riding in and packing the tread) and maintain the trail. You have permission to be there...... everyone else is technically trespassing.
If you haven't signed the paper work for some reason, (late arrival etc) Let me know and we'll get you a copy.

The Annex may take a few weeks or a few months. It not clear. However, the survey crew has been given a late March to early April deadline to meet. (Grand Opening is slated for Spring 2012.

I'd like to thank everyone again for an amazing year of trail construction. Many people came together to create nearly 6.5 miles of new sustainable single-track trail.
Wet weather cut our fall construction season short. We'll plan on resuming construction in a few months. We'll focus on converting the out and back trail into a short loop to help eliminate head-ons thus creating safer trail system.
Meanwhile, there's other items on the to-do list that needs addressed. (Rock armoring our ditch crossings, shaping and finishing.

Thanks,
Richard

[sprint49]

Anyone have any information on when Ben Hawes will open to the public?
Thanks
Rod Cowell

[ricdix]

Hey Rod. Late April to early May is the latest estimate from the City. (emergency radio communications upgrade is the latest delay). Meanwhile the Police are still patrolling the HWY 60 West parking lot.
More than likely it will be a low key soft opening (remove the cable) with a more grand opening media event to follow a few weeks later. (once they’ve installed signage, new kiosk etc….)
The good news is KyMBA will begin converting the out and back into a short loop April 19, 20 and 21st when Alex Stewart of Spectrum Trail Design returns to town.
Anyone interested in Volunteering to help just let me know.
Thanks,
Richard Dixon

[ricdix]

We had another very successful trail building blitz last week.
Several volunteers took personal vacation time to show up during the work week.
We had a couple of new volunteers show up from out of town that’s never ridden the trail.
Cris Smith Landscaping offered their personal work tools and equipment.
One of the local bike shops “BRECK’S” sent an employee out on the clock to help out and one of the owners showed up after work.
Alex with Spectrum Trail Design busted it as usual.
Very impressive. These guys get it!
Anticipating an official opening within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for a date!

[Tim]

wow, thats great to hear. Such an improvement from what I remember that place being yrs ago. Keep up the good work.

Kentucky rules!

[bballr4567]

Im excited to get down there on these trails. Good job!

[ricdix]

We’re proud to announce the Official Opening is set for Thursday May 10th at 3:30 pm!
Group ride following. We hope to have a strong turnout to show our appreciation of the trails.

[davidhood]

May 4, 2012 15:40:43 GMT -5 ricdix said:

to show our appreciation of the trails.

Visited Ben Hawes Rudy Mine trail again last week. Rode the full loop twice daily for 3 days in a row. Here is a picture of my 26" Mountain Unicycle (MUni) at spagetti junction where you go left to ride the blue loop clockwise the "right" way and come back out at the trail just to the right. The other two trails (further right out of the picture) are the beginning and end of the yellow loop if I'm reading the map (see 3rd pic) right. It was only my second time there and I never really felt lost. Good flowing trails. A "must ride" if you are in the area when the weather is cooperating.




Congratulations to the city of Owensboro. Between the greenbelt paved paths (where I ride my geared 36" unicycle) and the Mountain Bike trails at Rudy Mine, Louisville (my hometown) is going to have to work hard to keep up as a great cycling destination.

[kylekirkman]

wow. mad props on some wicked skill!

[ricdix]

Ben Hawes - Rudy Mines XC Race - Owensboro, Ky - 8/5/2012

xccrider1.wix.com/kentuckypointseries#!__main-menu

Details and race flyer coming soon!

[ricdix]

BH race flyer posted up on the KPS site:

xccrider1.wix.com/kentuckypointseries#!__main-menu/ben-hawes-race-info

Course Description:
Fun, fast, rolling course with only one challenging climb. To give you an idea of the speed/time the average CAT 2 should turn about a 40 min lap.
The single-track trail was designed and constructed by KyMBA and the City of Owensboro working with Alex Stewart of Spectrum Trail Design.

Directions:
From Owensboro take HWY 60 West past the Ben Hawes Park main entrance on Booth Field Road. Continue traveling west on HWY 60 towards Overstreet Road. The parking lot and trail head is located at the old George H. Rudy Mines and Saw Mill. North side of HWY 60 West.
Latitude 37.78645343442073
Longitude -87.20157623291015

[ricdix]

Pre-registration is open! Sign up early and save a few bucks.

www.usacycling.org/register/2012-2931

Our sponsors are really stepping up to the plate. Plus there’s talk of adding a few more sponsors making the event even better!