Should be great, I can understand peoples concerns when a trail they love is changed in the name of sustainability. I too like the steep bit at the end but more trail and less road is always an improvement. I look forward to a future visit to Peaslake stores via the new BKB.
Bike Forum
[closed]
Now Barry Knows Better
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Bobster - I'm going up there the weekend after next (15th) assuming its open if you want to join me
Would post it on SMTB but as I'm sure you know its been hacked again
That looks superfast Staffy
Posted 2 years ago # -
Although it all going very well, and on schedule, I don't think it will be open this weekend unfortunately.
Just a little more patience! It is looking mighty fine though - the picture above looks good enough, but I can assure you it is doubly impressive in the flesh.
Posted 2 years ago # -
It'll need a little while (and a bit of rain) to bed in so, please keep off until Southernstaffy gives the all clear. It's tempting to ride it right away, but doing that could cause a fair bit of damage before the trail is ready. Think of it like a fine wine...
Posted 2 years ago # -
The Trailbuilder has informed Hurtwood that the new end section currently under construction may need up to a month to settle before it can be ridden.
So, please: DO NOT RIDE THE NEW SECTION UNTIL IT'S READY!
It's taken a lot of effort, so please don't damage it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Bumping the thread to reiterate that the new bit is not finished and we will be put-back if it is ridden now.
We will be picking the right moment to whack and consolidate the trail surface - it has gone from deep dust to slippery squelch in a matter of hours! The trail is not finished until we are able to get the surface to bind together and form a "crust" - part of that finishing process is just waiting.
How boring! But it will be worth the wait!
Posted 2 years ago # -
good news :o)
Posted 2 years ago # -
If I was to be riding that way later this week, what is the end of the trail now then? Still the rutty bit down to the road?
Posted 2 years ago # -
what is the end of the trail now then?
It's still the same ending for now.
Went and had a look first light this morning, some scally wags already been riding it though
Any one know when it'll be ready?
Posted 2 years ago # -
as Glen and Sonor mention above, it's likely to be weeks rather than days until it has settled down and the old route is still open.
The main area of concern is the main/biggest bermed corner which was being built last right up until it rained so heavily. This meant that the machine wacker plate stuck to the material and so couldn't be used. Therefore we need the whole corner to settle down a bit, dry a little and then get manually bashed by hand (back of a spade).
There will be some volunteer work required to sort this and then close the old line. We also have some bits and pieces to do that the rain prevented the machine from doing before it headed back down the M4 to Wales.
Thanks for your patience and please do get the message out that the new line MUST NOT be ridden or it will be badly damaged. Please do have a word with anyone that you see tempted to even have a look at the trail - it can't be walked in places either for these reasons.
Posted 2 years ago # -
By the way, you don't have to ride the rutty nutty bit - you can always swing left down the bridlepath to the road!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Some signage might be a good idea to prevent premature use?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Some signage might be a good idea to prevent premature use?
2nd this. I know the Hurtwood policy is no signage put surely something temporary is ok? Loads of people riding round there will not be on this forum...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Could you not tape off the new stuff, so you would have to be a total <£$& to break the tape and ride on.
Signs would help, and maybe some notifications at Peaselake Stores? & and the Bus Stop?
I know its against the grain to restrict access in the Hurtwood, but surely the protection of the new trail until it can fend for it self is a necessary evil?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Any new photos of the reworked ending?
Posted 2 years ago # -
If there are no signs it will be trashed before its ever open.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Don't worry - signs, tape and more are in the works. If you do see someone trying to ride it in the mean time, please ask them not to - usually when you explain why, people understand.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Had a look at the new part of the trail today.
Very very impressed, lots more metres os swoopy Surrey singletrack. And a few large berms too!
The surface of the trail is bedding in nicely, but stil fragile. Remember kids, leave it alone until told you can ride it..............
Posted 2 years ago # -
Had a nose today as well, good work and thanks for the efforts!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Went for a gander yesterday,
some sweet looking berms in there, could do with some doubles or table tops - but doubt these would be allowed?Posted 2 years ago # -
I really like the rutty bit shame it's going really.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Doubles/tabletops - can't be part of it, I'm afraid. However, I do think you will find that the trail (when open - please don't ride now!) will have ample reward for the better rider, in so much as if you ride faster it will take on a different quality. But the relative novice will still be able to get down in reasonable safety and without dragging brakes and ripping up the surface.
Rutty bit is going going (not quite but will be) gone, I'm afraid. There are other similar challenges in the woods thereabouts (esp Pitch) if you know where to look.
Posted 2 years ago # -
whoo-hoo. Excited. An early Xmas present
Posted 2 years ago # -
Table tops and/or other features were simply outside of the scope of the budget as they take days not hours and you can do 100m of trail in a day (the new trail section is almost 600m). Had things gone quicker then yes, something may have appeared as long as they met the strict requirement of being robust. It's still an excellent bit of trail. Will post a message about next steps in a mo..
Oh, and please don't straightline any of the new (or old) stuff - whoever you are that is doing it a lot at the moment. I can recommend a good local skills training company that can help you get around corners!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Why is the new ending of BKB currently closed?
The new ending to Barry Knows Best (Golden Birdies) is now complete and the trail now needs to consolidate before being ridden. This will ensure that the trail surface has settled and that the life of the trail is extended. We have estimated that it will take a month of consolidation before being ready to ride. We will be monitoring the trail and will open the trail as soon as we can.
Your co-operation is appreciated during the consolidation period is appreciated. This is your trail and if you keep off it for one month it will give you years of quality riding.
Ian Warby, CTC
On a similar note, there will shortly be a communication to people that have been added to the volunteer email list (send an email to mtb@hurtwoodcontrol.co.uk) arranging sessions to get the finish on the trail done. We now have a trail report from Ian Warby that we can use to get the trail up to a standard that it can be considered finished - mixed with the right weather over the next month and we should see the trail openened soon!
If you wish to help with the trails and their future on the Hurtwood estate, there is no greater way than to become a Friend of the Hurtwood with an annual donation. This can be done online now with a very wide range of payment options. Only takes a few minutes at http://www.hurtwoodcontrol.co.uk - hit the Donate Now button at the top of the page.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I took some pics for my club forum yesterday, didnt ride it and it doesnt look ready to ride so DONT! On the lower berm you can already see where people have been riding it and ruining it.
Very impressed with the work and the short time it was done it. Well done to all the builders. It looks like it will ride very well and fits in nicely to the old trails character, looking forward ti riding it.
It starts just after the small jump after the berms, you can see the old trail continuing down the middel of the pic. New trail carves off to the right and switches back on itself.
Looking down trail,
Looking down trail, possible small jump and into berm
Berm after jump
Looking up trail, after berm it comes back on itself and goes past new starting point
Looking up trail, bit further down
Looking down trail from same point as above photo
Looking up trail from bit further down
Looking down trail from same point as above photo
Looking up trail and same bit in photo above
Looking down trail, it then flows into this beauty of a berm
Looking up trail, exit of berm in above photo
Looking down trail, trail then continues
Looking down trail, into large berm
Looking up trail, exit of berm
Looking down trail, it then goes into another berm and finishes, you can see where soem idiots have ridden it here and scuffed the berm up.
If you dont want the pics on here then get a mod to delete it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Great job guys. Looking good.
Posted 2 years ago # -
looks good. Who has been riding it then?
Posted 2 years ago # -
It's going to be hard to resist. I suspect there will be a lot of people who either won't know they aren't allowed to ride it or will just disregard that direction.
Posted 2 years ago # -
s'right altho as mentioned above some signage would help. I havent been there yet meself but in that first pic it does look like the fork is optional, no indication which way you should go and which is 'closed'.
(yes, I guess that the tape in the bushes on the right hand side previously barred the way but it doesn't anymore...)
Posted 2 years ago # -
There is signage and tape - some f@*kwits have ignored the former and broken through the latter. Morons.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Lots of people riding the new bit today --****.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Tapes were up today so they must have been deliberately going through them
Interesting, but I'm concerned this is a step towards sanitising the trails. The end section is the best bit of BKB. It's tricky and requires skills, and can scare you. It's important to get scared sometimes :D. I can understand the concern of riders dropping onto the road though. Is this more of a concern from residents though than real danger?
Posted 2 years ago # -
i think it also has to do with preserving the side of the hill which the current end of BKB is not doing
Lots of other nice stuff to ride in the Surry Hills if you don't like the new trail.
Well done to those who have helped build this new ending, fantastic job
It looks fantastic and i can't wait till we are given the all clear to ride it, please no locking up of brakes into the berms people
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yup, someone broke the tapes today - one of us has been up there tonight in the dark to fix everything up.
Please- if you see the tapes broken again, tie the bits back together and ask people to resist the urge to ride it - it will have to remain closed for longer, and need work to repair if people keep riding it.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
This topic has been closed to new replies.
