Raising Awareness During Workdays

[DRaider90]

If we had a tank we could just make our own new trails. That would save the Forest Service thousands on trail construction.

I think or at least hope, between all this we won't have any trouble getting noticed:

1 "Trail Work Ahead" Sign
1 Cone
1 Cone w/ "Slow" Sign
- Work Area: Vehicle with Strobe lights, Someone handing out flyers, and vehicles with magnetic "Trail Work Volunteers" signs
1 Cone w/ "Slow" Sign
1 Cone
1 "Trail Work Ahead" Sign

I almost thought about those reflective vests, but I figured that was taking it a little bit far. It did seem cool to an extent though that the vests could solve the name problem, just put screen names/real names on the back of the vests.

If anyone else has any other ideas just let me know.

And for the "slow" signs and 2 more cones, hopefully we will have the money together before the next work day for these. Every little bit helps, so don't be afraid to donate what ever you can. $63.46 is our goal.

 

[FunkSkunk]

The cones could also be multi-purposed for a crawling event if NC4x4 organized one.

 

[DRaider90]

The cones could also be multi-purposed for a crawling event if NC4x4 organized one.

Yeah the cones would have many different purposes. And for those wondering about storage we have 2 options. Store them with the FS tools under lock and key at Arrowhead, or have someone be in charge of bringing them every trip. I personally vote for storage at Arrowhead. So even if that person doesn't show up, you will be guaranteed we will have access to them.

The cones/signs etc will make a bigger difference than some may think. They will boost safety, raise awareness, and bring an appearance of legitimacy/authenticity if that makes sense. That we are supposed to be out there under the authority of the FS, not just some random group of people.

 

[DRaider90]

Took a quick shot at hooking up the strobe light kit. It is a pretty straight forward kit, basically 90 percent plug n' play. It was easy to hook up to the battery to test it out. BUT it will be a whole different story drilling holes and running wire to the 4 corners of my truck to install it properly.

But daaaaaaamn those things are bright. You can't even look at them straight on for more than a second (common sense). They will be toned down a little sitting behind my turn/rear signals,but I am very happy with the turn out for a 95watt system. They should really grab people's attention on the trails during the work days.

Anyone want to stop by to help run wires etc?

Lastly thanks to the person that donated $10 toward the equipment costs. I will let them speak up for themselves if they want their name mentioned.

 

[DRaider90]

We just got a fairly large donation to cover the cones/signs, $100 to be exact. Again I won't post their name unless they wish for me to for anonymity reasons. With that money 2 cones and 2 slow signs have been ordered. And the remainder of the money will go towards the July work day to help with an Auger rental if need be, or the cabin etc. Thanks again for this donation, and everyone that has donated.

 

[DRaider90]

Wanted to get some opinions on this sign:

There are 3 of them available on ebay. These are full size 30"x30" signs, the ones that retail for $100+. $15 plus $12 shipping is what they are listed for. $27 a sign isn't bad, but is it worth taking the rivets out and taking off the "Utility" part then re-painting the signs with "Trail Work Ahead" or "Trail Construction Ahead". Any thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

 

[tkob1060]

Wanted to get some opinions on this sign:

There are 3 of them available on ebay. These are full size 30"x30" signs, the ones that retail for $100+. $15 plus $12 shipping is what they are listed for. $27 a sign isn't bad, but is it worth taking the rivets out and taking off the "Utility" part then re-painting the signs with "Trail Work Ahead" or "Trail Construction Ahead". Any thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

they are HEAVY and dont come with the stand to hold them, a cone wont hold them up thats for sure. How would you stand them up? against a tree?

How big were you making the other signs?

 

[DRaider90]

they are HEAVY and dont come with the stand to hold them, a cone wont hold them up thats for sure. How would you stand them up? against a tree?
How big were you making the other signs?

Oh I know they are really heavy, I have had to move these types of signs before (back when I worked for the family construction company). Leaning/propped up against a tree or using the aluminum nail(s) in the trees all ready (pull the nail out holding up the diamond blaze marker, put the sign up/nail back in the same hole, then reverse the process to take down). The stands for these signs aren't cheap, $80 or so. We could probably have someone weld up some simple stands out of scrap metal if the tree idea didn't pan out.

I just figured they would be a cheap alternative to buying some. Which I really couldn't wrap my mind around spending $100+ on a sign.

The "Trail Work Ahead" signs I quoted where corrugated plastic 16"x24" signs. But someone else has graciously covered the cost of those signs, and has placed the order themselves. So I don't have the exact dimensions on the signs they ordered, but I am guessing around the same size.

As for the "SLOW" signs that fit on the cones, they are made of ABS plastic and 12 3/4"x10 1/2". They will be arriving at my house with two 8" cones by this up coming Wednesday. Two different people have offered to donate 2 cones each, so that would total 6 cones. I just haven't worked out/heard back from them on the details yet.

I actually just had another idea come up. Put "Trail Construction Zone" on the 30"x30" signs. Put them at each end of the trail. So here is how it would work.

"Trail Construction Zone" - They see this sign near the beginning of the trail and wonder, what is that? It gets them looking around for the "Trail Construction"

"Trail Work Ahead" - By the time they see this sign closer to where we are working, they are all ready looking for it. So they will take the time to read the sign.

"3 Cones, including "SLOW" sign - Right after the work ahead sign they see the 3 cones including the slow sign. By this time they see our group working, and maybe they stop to see what is going on. At the same time this alerts ATVs and Dirt Bikes that travel faster than ORVs on the trail to SLOW down so no one walking back to their truck to get tools etc gets hurt. Or in a another scenario preventing a dirt bike from hitting a parked truck.

Throw in my truck with the strobes on I think we will have everything covered. Anything beyond this would be overkill really, and of course we don't want to waste any money going overboard.

 

[Tech11]

I have a DO NOT PASS sign we could repaint. It's HUGE, I think the statute of limitations has run out since I've had it since trade school. I MAY also have an old really beat up (I ran over it) speed limit sign that might be at my moms. Again from my younger days.

 

[Ron]

just my .02...
with all the signs, cones, barricade etc. you may find yourself spending more time putting up and taking down signs than you do actual trail maintenance.

repeatedly nailing into the same tree hole isnt an option after one or two uses the hole will be wore out...plus those diamonds are stuck in with 5/8" roofing nails I believe they wont support a heavy ass sign

you do realize your cones and signs will be stolen right?

just at our ecors races we have had 4 signs and a banner disappear through 4 events...
have to wonder what th primary goal is here..is it to help or to get attention...

 

[Granny]

just my .02...
with all the signs, cones, barricade etc. you may find yourself spending more time putting up and taking down signs than you do actual trail maintenance.

repeatedly nailing into the same tree hole isnt an option after one or two uses the hole will be wore out...plus those diamonds are stuck in with 5/8" roofing nails I believe they wont support a heavy ass sign

you do realize your cones and signs will be stolen right?

just at our ecors races we have had 4 signs and a banner disappear through 4 events...
have to wonder what th primary goal is here..is it to help or to get attention...

These are very good points... I too wonder if possible this is heading into overkill, and the stealing of signs, etc. has happened, and will undoubtedly happen again. I hate to say it but thievery is alive and well in the URE area. Again, I will mention the K.I.S.S theory (Keep It Simple Stupid).

 

[DRaider90]

just my .02...
with all the signs, cones, barricade etc. you may find yourself spending more time putting up and taking down signs than you do actual trail maintenance.

The time to put out 6 cones, then 2 cone signs that just slip on top of the cones, and 2 signs that have wire frames doesn't take more than 5 minutes. The only time consuming signs to put up would be the large signs, and I could easily do that ahead of time the morning of the work day.

repeatedly nailing into the same tree hole isnt an option after one or two uses the hole will be wore out...plus those diamonds are stuck in with 5/8" roofing nails I believe they wont support a heavy ass sign

If the trees aren't an option then there are other ways to mount a sign. Including metal posts, stands, etc. All having cheap alternatives also than buying. I have a buddy than can weld that I could get to make some posts or stands for cheap.

you do realize your cones and signs will be stolen right?

just at our ecors races we have had 4 signs and a banner disappear through 4 events...
have to wonder what th primary goal is here..is it to help or to get attention...

The 6 cones, and 4 signs will be within immediate view of the working area. So I highly doubt anyone would be able to nab a sign/cone that is within our view. You have to remember we are working out on the trails where the only people walking around are us. In order for someone to steal a cone/sign they would have to stop. Get out of their vehicle and pick it up, then put it in their vehicle.

ATVs/Dirtbikes are eliminated because they have no room to store a cone/sign. And if they did it would be very obvious when they drove by that they had it. This only leaves the larger signs which are 30x30. It would take a good bit of work to steal one of those, and if they did steal one its hard to hide a 30x30 sign. Not to mention their weight etc.

And there are 2 primary goals. First one is to raise awareness (which involves drawing attention to ourselves) as best as possible with our resources. Second is to provide a safe environment to work in. The safety issue mainly being the dirt bikes, and ATVs that travel faster through the forest at a faster speed than we do.

Keep in mind 4 of the cones I am presuming we will have are all based on people donating them. Which I haven't heard back from them yet.

So all we are guaranteed at this point is 2 cones, 2 "Slow" cone signs that fit on the cones, and 2 "Trail Work Ahead Signs".

I understand the point of overkill, and I don't think we have reached that. If I was proposing we buy Type II barricades, have everyone wearing reflective vests, put up warning tape, and buy traffic wands then yeah I would say its overkill. A couple signs and a couple cones isn't.

 

[DRaider90]

Cones and "SLOW" signs arrived today:

Only thing to do now is make some stencils and paint "NC4X4" on them. I hunted down the font they use on construction signs. I will clear this with Shawn first, but since this has been discussed in the past and it will be a theft deterrent I don't think there will be any issues.

 

[DRaider90]

We have been authorized to put "Friends of Uwharrie" on the cones. But in reality that won't fit on the cones. So if you are donating cones and wanting to paint something on them here are some options:

URE
UNF
FOREST (on one side of the cone) SERVICE (on the other)

Out of the above "FOREST" and "SERVICE" will be your best bet. URE and UNF are too generic. Putting that on there is about the equivalent of putting "SCURRY" or "BLYTHE" etc (construction companies). I know people wanted to put NC4X4 on signs/cones but for legal reasons we can't.

 

[trailhugger]

What about "Friends Of" on one side and "Uwharrie" on the other? Or "Friends of URE" or "Friends of UNF"?

 

[DRaider90]

What about "Friends Of" on one side and "Uwharrie" on the other? Or "Friends of URE" or "Friends of UNF"?

It would be close but we can see if it would fit. When the stencils get printed out I can check. I also found out Safety Orange as its called is expensive compared to regular spray paint. Because I will be picking up Safety Orange for the road signs, and some kind of enamel black for the cones/signs.

 

[DodgeRam2500]

@ DRaider90..
Strobes are less visible during the day..
LED's are the way to go. And alot cheaper too. Get clear/white or red. Will be visible for miles. ^_^

 

[DRaider90]

@ DRaider90..
Strobes are less visible during the day..
LED's are the way to go. And alot cheaper too. Get clear/white or red. Will be visible for miles. ^_^

If I had the money and not all ready purchased the strobe kit I would go with LEDs. But For $35, I am not complaining. The strobes will be behind my turn signs and tail lights, so the amber up front and red in the back will help with the visibility.