ST240 operator training and TDPP status

The second group of Operator trainee's completed initial training this past weekend.   Both of the NWTA resources who went thru July training have been greenlighted by instructor for further training.   In total, there were 10 resources who went thru both 2-day training sessions.  These were opportunities both for partner agency/organization resources as well as our own NWTA resources to get trained up on use of ST240 for construction of single track trails.  We had resources from Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Parks & Recreation Department as well as volunteer operator resources from Black Rock Mountain Bike Association and Westside Trail Federation take part in the training program so far.  Planned future training opporunities will be available on case-by-case basis pairing skilled operators with those who are still ramping up.   There's also coordination happening to provide training during the 2012 Trail Skill College hosted in Cascade Locks (mid-April).

One thing group learned was that ST240 has a lower 2" mount which makes it easy to attach a bike rack...  (normally this is where the recovery winch gets mounted but it's also nice to have / useful feature for bike rack mount because certain projects require "walking" (top speed is 2.7 MPH) machine far back in to a trail system, and having a way to ride back out saves time...)

There will be additional opportunities for Operator trainees to get seat time with the ST240.  Making arrangements now.

Pilot phase of NWTA's new Trail Development Partnership Program (mainly focused on management / rental of ST240) is slated thru September 2011.  After that we'll be ramping up to include additional partners.   If you are aware of trail manager with ongoing projects, please contact me for further information.  We would like to make NWTA's asset available especially to use on projects where single track intended for mountain biking will be built.