Several years ago I undertook to extend my basic --totally unplannned--figure-8 over and under layout. However, any direction I went required an elevated roadbed. My pike is outdoors at 9,000' in the Colo Rockies and operates only when I'm there in the summertime. And the ground is....seriously rocky. The normal suggestions for building an elevated roadbed involve digging down or pushing down foundations into the ground. This ground however is so rocky that those normal suggestions just aren't feasible. On an MLS thread that I started back then looking for guidance, one of our Canadian members posted a photo that showed how his club used a concrete block as a base and this started me off. That summer (2007) I put in the first extension which was about 24" at the highest. It was so easy that the next summer I put in an even larger one, with track elevated about 5 feet off the ground. I used commercially available concrete blocks used to support deck bases that are cast to accept vertical 4 x 4's. Because our ground is subject to frost, a local guy suggested I base the blocks on sand as sand could be adjusted easily in the future. Rather than have the track base (redwood 2 x 4's and 2 x 6's) rest on the top of the 4 x 4's, I cut the 4 x 4's an inch or two short of the needed final grade and used a short 1 x 2 block screwed into the sides of the 4 x 4's to reach the final grade, attaching the former to the latter with two screws. The track base rests on the top of the 1 x 2's and is scrwed into the tops of the blocks. If the ground shifts from season to season I can simply re-screw the 1 x 2 block to restore grade. (However, in 3 years I have not yet had to do so.) I know that this elevated track is far from prototypical and for those of us who have the time, inclination and talent to construct something more pleasing, this approach may not be helpful. However, I was amazed at how easily and quickly this type of construction can be done and....having experienced working with so much of my pike on the ground (Ohhh, my aching back!), if I had it to do over again, I would build it all elevated. This layout is primarily (???!) for my grandchildren, of whom I have eight. (Who am I kidding?) Another factor is the wildlife. We have so much deer and in the winter elk coming through our area that it didn't seem to warrant putting in anything that was too permanent. However, again I have been surprised at how the wildlife will jump over and even squeeze under this structure without damaging it. (I do have a bridge that I take out in the winter so big elk can get through if they want.....they can go whereever they want!) Anyhow, hope this helps someone.
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This is exactly what i was looking for - my one big question is how sturdy are the 4x4 posts? I was very concerned that over a long straight run it would be very easy for the roadbed to tip over especially at higher elevations. In a loop or oval this isn't so much an issue as you kind of have a deck with the center cut out...still pretty stable. Also how far apart are the posts? From the pictures I am guessing around three feet?
