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I am currently organising a rail jam for an event at my uni. It consists of a scaffolding ramp and a couple of down rails (street entry) and the ramp dimensions are below. Does anyone have any info on how big/what angles the lips should be? How steep the rail should be etc.? This event has been run for the past 10 years so we've got some idea of what we're doing but i want to make it perfect and safe for the riders. Any tips would be much appreciated, cheers
I would go for maximum speed because you can never have too much speed. Also a good variation in rails and boxes so you can get people of all skill levels involved.
I can't really tell what any of those specs are from the quality of the pic. There's several factors that are in play here such as feature length, snow availability, and whether or not you want any actual flat before the take-off but from here the angles look alright. Personally I prefer a flat approach to setups like this but I guess if that's what has worked in the past go with that and make minor adjustments if needed next year when you see how the whole thing goes down.
the drop in for my uni's railjam was steep - it seemed like a lot but it ended up being perfect - and there was the option to drop in a bit lower as well. From the looks of your drop in, more speed will deff be needed unless you wanna salt for days
the drop in for my uni's railjam was steep - it seemed like a lot but it ended up being perfect - and there was the option to drop in a bit lower as well. From the looks of your drop in, more speed will deff be needed unless you wanna salt for days
exactly, you can always cut speed...can't add it very well if your inrun is too small/flat
I don't know if I'd go all side entry for a uni rail jam. If it's only 2 features maybe a side entry down tube and then a down box with a take off in front. That sounds pretty boring but you can do a lot of tricks on those 2 rails, and it also opens it up for more people to hit stuff.
If you can fit 3, I'd rock something like above and then maybe throw in a donkey or down flat rail. A dfd could work but tough unless it's built to an even pitch on the bottom so that the feet are all making contract with your ramp.
If they've been running the event for 10 years, how has the speed been? How many features? What kind of ability level on the turnout? Use that to help judge.
BRING A FUCK TON OF SALT
It really depends on the weather but I'd give it a heavy salt. Especially the in run and lips. You can layer it a little bit to. Freeze out a layer hard and then rake in a little bit of softer stuff to grip. If you don't salt your lips you're going to have trenches in them unless it's cold as fuck wherever you're at.
I would even think about salting the landing depending on how much snow you have and what the depth it. A firm run out is better than having giant bomb holes. Also if it's limited snow stacked on a parking lot etc, better than going through to the base. Can drop a light salt or go heavy, and throw another layer of snow on top to add some grip.
You definitely want a solid base if things going to ride for a while. With warm snow and a bunch of people it doesn't take long.
As far as lips it's all preference. I generally like flatter lips unless it's a gap feature. Just do what seems right for the features you put in. Ut can help maintenance wise if all features are on one wide lip, but don't be afraid to make them different angles if it will ride better.
It might not be bad to run one lip even if the sections are different heights and angles just to keep from pushing the corners out when riding it. If somebody hits the side of a soft take off it'll implode. If you keep the gaps filled in, you only have to worry about the backs.
I would throw an angled slope on the back of the take offs rather than straight cut them to keep them in good shape and keep it easy to fix.
SALT IS YOUR FRIEND. Use that shit. It'll keep the setup from getting jacked early and will hold your snow for much longer.
more speed, a variety of features like side by side sets of 2 rails with a simple down box next to a down rail and then some kinked features and maybe a wallride/jib at the end, one guy always has to flip at a rail jam.
Some more info, the concept looks like this, and is actually one rail and a wallride/quarterpipe
Here is an edit from the past, if you notice anything that could be improved please say
I would try and get 2 features. 2 rails, one higher and maybe one lower or ride on ish. Or throw a down box next to the rail or flat box/ flat rail after the down rail.
The video looked like a great time, looks more aimed toward older people so Id stick with some rails. Personally Id go a down bar and a donkey dick rail, and if you decide to implement the wall ride maybe put it down at the bottom for people to hit after the rails. One rail probably wouldn't be rad enough for a rail jam
Previous setup looked solid. I dont tbink your have enough speed for much of a 1/4 hip wallride deal. Could probably work in a small redirect feature at the end but that about it.
Over the last couple years I've been way more into creative, less trickable features, it forces creativity out of everyone. I'd maybe draw up a stock jam setup and a weird tech one, then ask riders which they would rather see set up.
Seven Springs does a railjam similar to your drawing (Motown Throwdown). It's in downtown Morgantown, WV. Search it up on Vimeo or something for more info. Or search Ride7Springs on Vimeo and look at their videos, some are the Motown throw down ones.
Over the last couple years I've been way more into creative, less trickable features, it forces creativity out of everyone. I'd maybe draw up a stock jam setup and a weird tech one, then ask riders which they would rather see set up.
It all depends who you're building for. I love to design creative setups but sometimes less is more. Everyone can have fun on a down rail rail and down box. You might not remember it as the feature of the year but it's fucking may. It's a post season college rail jam. This means variety of skill level and limited snow. Most people would go with the cooler looking, creative setup. The top two 2 features I see hiked and seshed in the park is down rail and flat boxes.
When your working with a scaffold frame and limited snow simple trumps overly "creative" imo.