How Much Land For A Private Track and Trails?

Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 8/29/2022 3:58pm
8/29/2022 3:58pm
Spat24 wrote:
Damn - when do you find the time to ride. That appears to be a big track.
It's really small. On about 3 acres, 55 second lap time. Fairly jumpy and technical. It takes me a full day to rip, add sawdust, and till it all in. Then another couple hours to fix jump faces/landings. That's if the dirt is moist and I don't need to water. Watering adds 2 more hours.

I don't have any good pictures of the big track. It's a 2+ minute lap with lots of big elevation changes. About the same size as Washougal but not as wide. It is a ton of work and we don't even water it.

Sargebro387
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Sargebro387 8/29/2022 4:00pm
8/29/2022 4:00pm
I have 10 acres up here in Washington, well outside city limits. Have a 3/4 mile mx track that is about 1:30 lap time. In between the track I have a single track loop that is about 4 min lap time. Haven't had any noise complaints in the 8 years I've been here. But my immediate neighbors also ride, and our other close by neighbors like to stay up late, if you know what I mean.

As others have said it's a ton of work, but something I personally enjoy doing. It's very easy to get carried away and put in too much work on little things that don't matter(appearance) instead of just riding. But I also have a ton of trees that constantly need to be trimmed or cleaned up from blowing down.

As far as equipment if you want to buy something, a 35+ hp 4x4 tractor is very handy. Many implements you can get for soil prep. I have clay up here and you can only till it once or twice while there is still moisture in it so it'll form ruts. Once it's dry it just turns to dust if you try to do anything with it.

Rent the big stuff like dozers and skid steers if you want to cut in the layout or make track changes after you get bored. They are very expensive to fix and maintain if you get your own machine. Better to let the rental company foot that bill.

Also be ready for all the people you don't know that want to be your best friend all of a sudden.

All in all, nothing better than riding out your backdoor and not having to deal with anyone or drive/pay to ride somewhere.


https://youtu.be/WNhI3AB7KqQ
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Mr. Ted
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Mr. Ted 8/29/2022 6:28pm
8/29/2022 6:28pm
Hammer 663s wrote:
Out here you need 1000 acres because there WILL be someone trying to shut you down. You need to hide it and make sure no one...
Out here you need 1000 acres because there WILL be someone trying to shut you down. You need to hide it and make sure no one ever knows it's there. Or, you need to be in an industrial zoned area (like my track is) where no one cares cause there's other noise/dust sources.

And like the Texas dude said, it's a shitload of work. 10:1 ratio of work hours to ride time if you are lucky. And bring $$$$. A real track needs a dozer, skid steer, tiller setup, and water. Lots of water.
R VanKamp77 wrote:
I think you’re being a little bit of a Debbie downer. Watch that vurb video of sexton on the front page (Farm Boy Blues). I think...
I think you’re being a little bit of a Debbie downer. Watch that vurb video of sexton on the front page (Farm Boy Blues). I think most guys want something like that to turn and practice technique on during the week. I don’t feel like you need all that to have a good time.

Some ski jumps, whoops, berms, and a double should suffice. I’m claiming you can have a great time with a 50hp tractor, disk, bucket, and rainwater if you have 6 acres or so.
I'll have to kindly disagree with you and side with Hammer on this one. I have a small track around my house on 7 acres. I have a tractor, tiller, box blade and improvised watering system. It takes a lot of water and work. My wife doesn't need to work, but puts at least 10-15 hours into the track a week on average. We let folks ride and accept donations, but it is not a money making venture. Even if your just doing for yourself, you're going to spend coin and time just to ride.
2
Dave v3.0
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Dave v3.0 8/29/2022 7:28pm
8/29/2022 7:28pm
I don't know what side of Birmingham you're looking at but as long as you stay far away from areas that are Blue(ish) you shouldn't have a lot of problems with noise issues. Until some transplant from somewhere else moves in and starts complaining.Angry

You can get away with fewer acres if they are more rolling because then you can design the track around the terrain. For flat land you will need more acreage to make the riding area interesting.

Check County noise ordinances and zoning before you buy. Then make friends with your Sheriff and County Commissioners and you'll be golden. They need somewhere to ride their Side by Sides and train drug dogs, ya know.Cool
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The Shop

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dbx33
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dbx33 8/29/2022 10:57pm
8/29/2022 10:57pm Edited Date/Time 8/29/2022 10:58pm
none, there's nothing for sale that is under 2m$ in AL GA FL MS or TX that doesn't have nothing but trees, piece of shit location or neighborhoods around it. OR its inside city limits and has insane ordinances as two perfect places I was ready to buy are ruled out for.. Ive been looking every. single. day. for a year. I'm cashed up and ready.
possum_enduro 8/30/2022 7:04am
8/30/2022 7:04am
I live about a mile from Crossbones in AL. Some weekends you can barely hear a 4stroke or two and others you can tell someone is really wringing out a 2stroke. Lots of hills and trees between me and the track.

There are lots of farms & dirt roads around here and 4wheelers and SxS are pretty common to pass on the road so I think the area and people who live there play a part in how much pushback you may or may not get.
1
don'tknowwhy
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don'tknowwhy 8/30/2022 4:35pm
8/30/2022 4:35pm
Just saw this and thought some might find it handy. The comments state this is 10 acres


1
AngryBear
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AngryBear 8/30/2022 5:08pm
8/30/2022 5:08pm
1) you need land for the track
2) you need land for a buffer.
a) track friendly neighbors, farms, commercial, etc, less buffer you need.
b) unknown surroundings, better be large enough to not draw attention and buffer sound.

you'd also be surprised that just being 'rural' doesn't cut it for adequate buffer. neighbors like to shoot guns, ride 4 wheelers, etc? you're good. neighbors like to ride/have horses? better have 100+ acres and the track be on the far side of that...

also, you'll notice most tracks insulate sound MUCH better in the summer vs winter. trees with leaves can do a surprising job as a sound buffer...
WVUpetro2013
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WVUpetro2013 8/30/2022 5:27pm
8/30/2022 5:27pm Edited Date/Time 8/30/2022 5:28pm
20 acres here with very difficult terrain. I personally have a 3.5mi hard enduro loop with room for more
msp332
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msp332 8/30/2022 5:45pm
8/30/2022 5:45pm
I'm an acoustical engineer. I'll offer three bits of advice about noise complaints:
1. Learn the local laws before buying the land. State, county, and city noise ordinances if applicable. There are acoustical consultants who can help decipher what is required and how to achieve it. The National Council of Acoustical Consultants has a national directory here: https://raybourn.force.com/NCAC/s/searchdirectory?id=a2n1U0000003aIk You are also welcome to PM me with specifics.
2. Legal limit compliance typically comes down to distance to the property line, time of day/duration including number of bikes, and possibly some terrain effects (getting something solid to block line of sight, not a few trees).
3. Make friends with the neighbors. Keep it that way.

Or just go electric and not need as much land.
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gharmon
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gharmon 8/31/2022 8:39pm
8/31/2022 8:39pm
Hammer 663s wrote:
Out here you need 1000 acres because there WILL be someone trying to shut you down. You need to hide it and make sure no one...
Out here you need 1000 acres because there WILL be someone trying to shut you down. You need to hide it and make sure no one ever knows it's there. Or, you need to be in an industrial zoned area (like my track is) where no one cares cause there's other noise/dust sources.

And like the Texas dude said, it's a shitload of work. 10:1 ratio of work hours to ride time if you are lucky. And bring $$$$. A real track needs a dozer, skid steer, tiller setup, and water. Lots of water.
yamah177 wrote:
My tracks would essentially be 100% natural or turn tracks. We have a lot of hills in AL, so the trails could be pretty epic, just...
My tracks would essentially be 100% natural or turn tracks.

We have a lot of hills in AL, so the trails could be pretty epic, just depends on if I find a place with a nice big open field in there as well.

As of now, plan would be no dozers or water truck. I would possibly rent a skid to build out some rollers and berms.

It does rain a lot in AL, the dirt is nice and tacky. As long I don't mess it up when it's muddy and ride when it's mostly dry I think I'd be okay.

It would not be a race track or a full fledged moto track.

I would consider renting it out to riders, specifically trails if I had some good ones, maybe setting up some campground, but it wouldn't be a real moto track at all.
Where you looking in alabama?
Braaposphere
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Braaposphere 8/31/2022 8:48pm
8/31/2022 8:48pm
We had a decent (but narrow) practice track on three acres. 1:30’s lap times. I would have to say 10-20 acres minimum for something with even a small off road loop
1
Homey513
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Homey513 9/1/2022 2:05am
9/1/2022 2:05am
We have 40 acres, we probaly use about 8 acres for the actual track,




2
FLmxer
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FLmxer 9/1/2022 9:27pm
9/1/2022 9:27pm
This is a perfect ten acre square and the track used all of the ten acres. Man i miss this place. This was my first time flying a drone.
https://youtu.be/gMHZfVa8wyU
yamah177
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yamah177 9/2/2022 7:22pm
9/2/2022 7:22pm
possum_enduro wrote:
I live about a mile from Crossbones in AL. Some weekends you can barely hear a 4stroke or two and others you can tell someone is...
I live about a mile from Crossbones in AL. Some weekends you can barely hear a 4stroke or two and others you can tell someone is really wringing out a 2stroke. Lots of hills and trees between me and the track.

There are lots of farms & dirt roads around here and 4wheelers and SxS are pretty common to pass on the road so I think the area and people who live there play a part in how much pushback you may or may not get.
I want to do some rides and races there, looks like a track that isn't too intense.
1
yamah177
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yamah177 9/2/2022 7:24pm
9/2/2022 7:24pm
Hammer 663s wrote:
Out here you need 1000 acres because there WILL be someone trying to shut you down. You need to hide it and make sure no one...
Out here you need 1000 acres because there WILL be someone trying to shut you down. You need to hide it and make sure no one ever knows it's there. Or, you need to be in an industrial zoned area (like my track is) where no one cares cause there's other noise/dust sources.

And like the Texas dude said, it's a shitload of work. 10:1 ratio of work hours to ride time if you are lucky. And bring $$$$. A real track needs a dozer, skid steer, tiller setup, and water. Lots of water.
yamah177 wrote:
My tracks would essentially be 100% natural or turn tracks. We have a lot of hills in AL, so the trails could be pretty epic, just...
My tracks would essentially be 100% natural or turn tracks.

We have a lot of hills in AL, so the trails could be pretty epic, just depends on if I find a place with a nice big open field in there as well.

As of now, plan would be no dozers or water truck. I would possibly rent a skid to build out some rollers and berms.

It does rain a lot in AL, the dirt is nice and tacky. As long I don't mess it up when it's muddy and ride when it's mostly dry I think I'd be okay.

It would not be a race track or a full fledged moto track.

I would consider renting it out to riders, specifically trails if I had some good ones, maybe setting up some campground, but it wouldn't be a real moto track at all.
gharmon wrote:
Where you looking in alabama?
I was looking around the Cullman area.
yamah177
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yamah177 9/2/2022 7:29pm
9/2/2022 7:29pm
FLmxer wrote:
This is a perfect ten acre square and the track used all of the ten acres. Man i miss this place. This was my first time...
This is a perfect ten acre square and the track used all of the ten acres. Man i miss this place. This was my first time flying a drone.
https://youtu.be/gMHZfVa8wyU
that track looks fun, thanks for sharing.
1
mxking6
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mxking6 9/3/2022 6:05am
9/3/2022 6:05am
You can get about a mile of trails in 20 acres with good timber.

Pit Row

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ace402
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ace402 9/5/2022 1:47pm
9/5/2022 1:47pm
Go check High Octane Properties on Facebook. They just listed a house with two tracks in Florida.

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