Sawdust and Shovels: How Jarrod’s Place Built Its Own Georgia Loam
Singletracks.com reported that Jarrod Harris, founder and co-owner of Jarrod’s Place, has found a practical fix for southern dirt by mixing sawdust into the soil to create a custom version of Pacific Northwest-style trail loam. The technique was rolled out on the park’s newly rebuilt Amish Country pro line, a trail featuring 45-foot gaps, massive step-ups, and technical sections designed for high-speed riding.
For mountain bikers, the word loam usually evokes the soft, organic top layer of soil found in places like British Columbia or Washington, packed with decomposed leaves and needles that create prime traction often called hero dirt. Northwest Georgia features very different terrain, forcing trail builders to innovate if they want that same tacky surface. Harris borrowed an idea from southwest motocross race promoter King Kelly, whose son Harris raced dirt bikes alongside in their youth.
Mixing Materials on the Pro Line
Building the custom dirt required a straightforward mechanical process rather than complex chemical treatments. Crews first sifted through the native soil on the Amish Country trail to pull out as much shale as possible. They then combined soil and sawdust in roughly a 50/50 ratio, initially churning the ingredients in buckets before bringing in heavy machinery like a skid steer to finish the mix.
I’m excited about it because [Jarrod’s Place], like other parks, is at the mercy of the area you’re in. We have a way now that we can actually create our own soft, loamy dirt.
Harris told Singletracks.com.
After laying down the mixture as the top layer of the trail, the building crew tested the surface. Harris noted that the positive reception from his staff confirmed the experiment was worth the effort, giving riders a more forgiving and grippy surface than the native Georgia clay and rock.
Heavy Rain Tests Sawdust Mixture Stability
Heavy southern downpours presented an immediate test for the sawdust mixture, raising concerns that the light material would easily wash away during severe weather. Recent wet days showed that the sawdust actually holds moisture well for several days and develops ruts under tires much like true PNW loam.
While Harris has not yet applied the mixture to the park’s steepest sections due to erosion worries, the successful water retention on moderate grades has opened the door for broader use. The park relies on marine-grade carpet called Trail Armor on several jump lips and landings to reduce ongoing maintenance costs, and Harris views the sawdust loam as another tool for efficient trail upkeep.
Connecting the freshly rebuilt Amish Country line with the rock-garden-heavy Gravelanche trail creates a run that mimics a World Cup downhill track. Visitors can experience the new sawdust loam firsthand when Jarrod’s Place hosts the grand opening for Amish Country on November 14th.
