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Saw someone ripping the signs off while I was out for a run/balloon watch over Ashton Court this morning. About 8:30am edge of New Barn Wood just up from the new tables. Largish guy, scruffy grey hair, light blue T shirt, khaki/grey shorts, black and white cocker spaniel. When I shouted over and asked why he was doing it he claimed he was putting them back and was the guy who "ran the place" (which he obviously wasn't). Didn't seem angry or confrontational. My guess would be maybe a bit odd rather than militant anti bike protester.
Saw someone ripping the signs off...
If I saw that I would take a photo or video of them.
Are the trails busy with the Ballon Fiesta going on?
If I saw that I would take a photo or video of them.
I don't usually take a camera or phone with me when I'm out running. A gentleman should be smartly dressed at all times with no unsightly bulges in his shorts.
Are the trails busy with the Ballon Fiesta going on?
Only cyclist I saw was a woman who was pushing 90 going round the old rutted bit at the top end of the golf course. I helpfully pointed out the new bit of track for her so she wouldn't wear out the grass any more.
Edit: PS. Going through old posts on here the description of the guy and cocker spaniel possibly matches one of someone putting sticks on Leigh Woods trails some time ago.
number562554 - MemberSaw someone ripping the signs off while I was out for a run/balloon watch over Ashton Court this morning. About 8:30am edge of New Barn Wood just up from the new tables. Largish guy, scruffy grey hair, light blue T shirt, khaki/grey shorts, black and white cocker spaniel.
Told you it was the dog walkers.
The grey haired ye olde stick man from Leigh Woods was very thin,granted he may have put on weight more likely he's dead.
Anyhow that reminds me, I'll be up there tomorrow razzing around on my new non bent forks, I've been gagging to get back up there.
I'll be up after work tomorrow, after a few weeks away for a gentle amble...
What's the word on the street as to what's happening at Leigh Woods? Haven't heard much about the developments there?! Have they even started?
It'd be good if the Bristol Trails Group could get some behind the scenes footgae like they did with Ashton Court?!
Leigh Wood stuff is looking pretty good, from what I've seen of it. Sadly Clixbys aren't keeping everyone updated like Architrail did.
Number 562554, would it be OK if we circulated your description of the sign stealer more widely, e.g. on posters round the estate? He seems to have progressed from removing signs to damaging the actual marker posts so anything that helps to curb his activities would be very welcome.
I think this has been mentioned before, but I was really shocked at the amount of rubbish left at the picnic tables in the roundabout last night.
Take it with you, you morons!
Though I'm sure nobody on this forum would dare leave their litter lying around....
did a practice Bike fest lap last night (30 mins) and going near flat out met someone going the wrong way on Timberland trail when I "mentioned" this he yelled I wasn't the only one to tell him that. I did suggest heeding that advice, reading the maps, reading the signs, etc.
I hope that wasn't one of you............
Moving on to older, natural trails - what's with the "MTB Trail - Twin Peaks" sign on the cyclepath at the bottom of Leigh Woods? Saw it last night for the first time. doesnt really go anywhere mind you...
The Bath MTB Weds Night lot headed over for (a mostly) first time ride on the new trails last night.
Not a good start, torrential downpour and got absolutely soaked riding over from Bath (on the Railway path).
Rain had stopped tho' by the time we met up with the others at the car park.
Headed into the woods and my glasses steamed up! Things improved when I also remembered to let some of the 65psi I'd put in my tyres for the ride over..!
Local John took us on a guided tour of the new stuff plus a couple of diversions. Trails wet (puddles in places).
Impressions?? "like a long version of the BMX track" "flows amazingly well" "needs to be ridden at speed" "surprisingly hard work" "not a lot of space for overtaking" "where did they get the grippy rock from?" "should be fun at Oktoberfest" "great idea, mini version of the big trail centres close to the City, a great way of introducing newbies" etc. etc.
So positive really 🙂
Saw loads of other riders / groups. All seemed to be enjoying themselves. Passed one tutting dog walker noted the vandalised signs 🙁 already. Saw the police checking the car park (which was good to note).
Does anyone know how busy AC is on a weekeday afternoon at the moment?
what's with the "MTB Trail - Twin Peaks" sign on the cyclepath at the bottom of Leigh Woods?
A case of "I've found a Sharpie, so let's make a new trail!" methinks.
The numbers are starting to thin out a bit I think. Not that it's too much of a problem once you actually start riding.
"Sharpie"?
+ mate's brand new Fox Flux = hours (well, minutes) of fun...
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Mr Agreeable is there any plans to replace the direction signs or make them more permanent.
It all seemed to be looking pretty good before the balloon fiesta but the couple of times I've been there since it seems like someone's on a mission to remove all the new signs.
Personally I wouldn't have thought it would be bikists as the trail flows better the way it currently runs but you never know.
Also are there any plans to put bigger signs up to try and deter walkers / joggers / dog walkers et all from using the trail as the female jogger running up from the gate house had a proper panic when she saw us (she did have headphones in mind) coming towards her and I've also seen a guy go over the bars trying to avoid a couple with their dog walking up the red downhill in new barn wood.
Yes there are plans to make the signage more permanent. The temporary signs have also been replaced several times but unfortunately it seems that someone is systematically removing them. If you look above you'll see that someone has apparently spotted the guy. I passed this description on to the rangers who are keeping an eye out for him.
The old trail was very poorly signed and I've been assured that the new signage will make things a lot clearer for other users of the estate. At the end of the day though it is a busy trail in a country park that gets over a million visitors a year, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye out for randoms.
Yeah I saw that. If I do see anything being abused I'll either find a ranger or let you guys know.
Walked around Leigh Woods on Sunday. Trails looking pretty good 🙂
Strugling to find any updates on opening dates. Anyone (Ant?) happen to know
Early November apparently. Although it might be sooner - this rain is going to help it bed in a treat. 😀
I know it's all a bit media luvvie, but 1SW's Twitter feed is a great place to find out such things: check https://twitter.com/1SouthWest
Cheers Ant. I did not have that link 🙂
Did 3 laps of AC today - it's bedding in great, feeling rougher under wheel, but is just as fast in the wet it seems. Did some new rock steps appear on the Upper Quarry Trail?
All sort of people enjoying it today, including a young fella wearing a cap, iPod and white jeans, yes folks WHITE JEANS!
I had a chat with a nice fella some of you regulars may know: Robin - riding a old Cove Stiffee with 24" wheels and one brake; carrying a shovel 😉
Was up there again today with a couple of mates for a few rounds of AC & 50 Acre. Loads of riders out and about and a big posse up by Wraxall Piece. Good times.
Went to the loo at the tea hut tonight, and whilst I was in there the tea hut man came and locked the toilets! Luckily it was at the start of our ride, and my mates managed to get the guy back to let me out. 😆
Lots of talk above about the numbers of people using the trails.. an amazing 30,146 passes clocked up since mid June
http://www.1sw.org.uk/experience/a-measure-of-success-for-ashton-court/
The cycle counter at Ashton Court Estate near Bristol has been doing overtime since it was installed in mid June.In just six weeks it clocked up a staggering 30,146 passes – that’s an average of 412 cyclists per day using the trail. When you consider the previous average was around 160 cyclists per day, we believe it’s proof that the trail is succeeding in attracting lots of new people into off-road cycling, despite the glorious British summer! The busiest day so far has been Sunday 10 July, when 969 passes were recorded.
All this use is fantastic, but all the images we have so far are lacking people! If you have a favourite photo of yourself or friends riding the new trail and don’t mind sharing it with us, please e-mail it to jonathan.fairhurst@forestry.gsi.gov.uk .
In just six weeks it clocked up a staggering 30,146 passes – that’s [b]an average of 412 cyclists per day[/b] using the trail.
That's actually less than I'd have expected though maybe it's skewed by being quieter in the week.
I went yesterday, first time ive been there since Beggar Bush Lane was re-opened, 2 laps of thoroughly enjoyable riding.
I've only been on a Sunday before, so to me it did seem quiet, but there were still people about which was nice.
A bloke on the Trails Group Facebook group says he bumped into a train of 20 riders on the partly completed Leigh Woods trails last night. I would say that definitely crosses the line from "having a sneaky peek" to "thoughtless douchery". 👿
Been riding the new stuff in AC a lot of late...
my 2p is its great.
Yeah sure its lost the rooty tech of the old layout but it really was the case that trail was getting wider as time went by.
The new stuff is also fun! Did a lap of 50 acre for the first time in ages yesterday and I don't know if its me but it felt like it was in better nick for not being hammered as much as days gone by. Only saw 1 other person and that was 11am on Sunday.
I really think its great to have so much on the doorstep. When its wet, ride the new stuff in AC and when its open, the new stuff Leigh Woods. When its dry go ride all the old stuff in 50acre and Leigh Woods. Paradise bottom, rim trail*, picnic table etc Win win, non?
Oh and 1 for the turbo geeks... I am now the foursquare mayor of timberland trail. Come and get me! 🙂
*hee hee i said rim.
When its dry go ride all the old stuff in 50acre and Leigh Woods. Paradise bottom, [b]rim trail[/b]*, picnic table etc
If it doesn't get incorporated... 😉
Well it was back to winter this morning so I fitted mudguards, rigid fork and lights.
The great news is that the trails hold up very well - sure I got wet and a bit gritty but the bike didn't really need a clean.
Swapping to rigids was interesting though - normally the summer->winter swap from sus fork->rigid is a lesson in how much work a sus fork does for you. This morning it was only at the end of the ride that I actually remembered that I'd swapped. Much smoother evidently.
Hmmm, thinking of doing the Oktoberfest rigid.
I've started riding rigid again since the new trail opened, I don't miss suspension in AC but by back was killing after riding 50 acre and bits of LW too.
I think the numberr of riders on the trail have now peaked and are dropping off - I only saw a handful of others on Monday night.
The fact that so many cyclists are fair weather types and the 'there's something new to ride' novelty factor has worn off means there's bound to be a sharp drop in numbers.
Not that i see ever any one at 7:30 in the morning!
I'm still waiting to ride them! I was planning to wait for Leigh Woods to be finished but think I'm gonna have to have a go before then, maybe in the next couple of weeks. Numbers will reduce which will be good for me as I plan to use AC and LW for training during the winter months when the Quantocks are a mud fest.
Not that i see ever any one at 7:30 in the morning!
Too right, I'm comfortably back home by then 😉
all the old stuff in 50acre and Leigh Woods. Paradise bottom, [b]rim[/b] trail*, picnic table etc
Work on section F to G has begun. 🙁
I'm gutted, tbh. I'm going to really miss the roots, rocks & short sharp technical climbs on that bit of trail - it was everything I like about riding in woods.
I'm starting to think It's becoming a victim of it's own success, the trails were heaving with people on Saturday afternoon mainly families with there little ones which goes to show how easy most of it is, the thing is IMO the best way to get enjoyment out of these new trails is to ride at speed which you can't do with families in the way, nice to see the little ones having fun though.
Also a special mention goes to the group of walkers walking along the BBL section of the trail :mong:.
Also a special mention goes to the group of walkers walking along the BBL section of the trail :mong:.
To be fair as I understand it Ashton Court was opened up to general public access back in the 70s. Surely there was a path there made by walkers before it got adopted by mountain bikers and eventually turned into the Timberland Trail?
I think it was more so a horse riding trail than a walking trail before it became the TT, they may have a right to walk there but why bother putting themselves and others at risk, a bit daft IMO.
Most walkers / runners tend to stick to the edge of the golfcourse and the other more sensible adjacent paths. I suspect a some of them at the moment are just curious about the new trail. I think there'll be a lot more conflict in Leigh Woods with the disgruntled dog walking mafia who weren't consulted and have suddenly had a brand spanking new mountain bike track slapped on 'their woods'.
New pumptrack en route to the trails is looking good! Should be fully open in about 3 weeks.
new pumptrack
It looks ace! Now I just need to rebuild my Supercross BMX race. And get some new knees. 😀