[Closed] Ashton Court Trail Edging

Why? Can't you manage to stay within the trail?

Yes. Don't you care what things look like?

I've not seen it. How does it offend you then?

I think it would offend any chimp who'd attended a half day dry stone walling course and considered himself to be a master craftsman.

Got any pictures number? Haven't been up in a month or so now. Although there's certainly a few spots on the last blue section that could do with it, people keep missing corners and turning it into the Somme.

I cannot wait to fall off on them 😯

No piccies. 1st time I've been there this morning for a while. Yeah, the short section across the edge of the field to Beggar Bush Lane got a bit shitty very quickly with people cutting the corners but the quarry section? The odd cut corner there was no problem was it? Far less ugly that what's there now.

Guess it will keep people honest at Bikefest though.

i think its just for the run up to bike fest (looks very temp)- the new rocks at the entrance/exits to each section were a pain (although now slightly less so they have shifted the middle one)...

Along with the random patches of loose gravel, it makes things quite "interesting".

Anyhoo, what are you doing on the official trails in this weather? Make the most of the dryness & seek out the "old" trails, which could do with riding to clear the encroaching undergrowth & stickman activity.

Anyhoo, what are you doing on the official trails in this weather?

I woke up at 5am so I thought it would be a good opportunity to have a spin round before breakfast while there weren't any proper mountain bikers there to laugh at me for having a crap bike and wearing swim shorts and sandals.

The work's being done by a Community Payback programme. No I don't think it's going to be particularly permanent (intentionally or not) but it'll give the edges a chance to "green in" over summer.

The odd cut corner there was no problem was it?

Cast your mind back to how it looked before the revamp - a muddy trench about 6 feet wide.

[img] [/img]

Along with the random patches of loose gravel, it makes things quite "interesting".

I spoke to the rangers this week and they're planning to get out and leafblow the trail, which should shift any surplus gravel.

I was curious about the gravel - guess it would amalgamate with typical wet conditions.

Speculation: maybe some extra prep fettling for BBF? (Curious now - Does the BBF 'invest' in the trails like this at all?)

In the dusty dry conditions it's certainly twitched a few sphincters 🙂

Still enjoying the conditions though - Take care all!

The gravel's part of the "snagging" for the original build and was put down by the original contractors. I don't think it's achieved very much (apart from causing numerous sketchy moments) but you live and learn I guess.

BBF don't "invest" in the trails as such, although Mikey's helped out on dig days and Paul's given the Trails Group support, financially and in kind.

There's been the suggestion of introducing a rider levy on the entry fees - one or two pounds extra which would be ringfenced for use on the trails. I like the idea but not sure what stage it's at yet.

@[b]number562554 [/b] - the problem with cutting corners is that a) it annoys those who don't want us mountain bikers there and b) more importantly when wet it drags all the mud onto the trail. I agree the edging looks artificial but if it allows the under growth to encroach more it should help the general appearance of the trail in the long run. Of course it does stop people cutting corners to beat their Strava times 🙄
The new calming measures are also a good thing to avoid conflict, Ashton Court is mixed use a very close to the city centre, it shouldn't be needed but as some riders can't act with consideration theses measures are needed. As it is it appears than some clever dicks have moved some of the rocks so it doesn't slow down their Strava time 🙄
The gravel however is a stupid waste of time and money. It may work on the old muddy trails where it beds in but putting gravel and rock dust on not of hard packed trails doesn't work. In a few week it will all have been swept of the trail by traffic. In the meantime it's an accident waiting to happen, especially as much of it has collected in piles on the middle and top of the berms.
Above all like Rondo said now with the amazing weather is the perfect time to be using the off piste trails and leaving the new stuff to the families and beginners.

It's not just on the corners though is it. It's logs and rocks lining most of the lower quarry trail... straight bits included. Ugly. Serving no useful purpose.

Cast your mind back to how it looked before the revamp - a muddy trench about 6 feet wide.

a)That's clearly not a 6ft wide trench in your photo.
b)It was taken before Architrail rebuilt it with tonnes of stone wasn't it?
c)Still looks a damn site better than what's there now.

cheers_drive - Member
......it's an accident waiting to happen

It's already happened. I have bloody big bruise and some crusty scabs on my upper arm to show for it. I'm definately blaming the loose gravel and not my (lack of) riding skills for the front wheel wash out.

a)That's clearly not a 6ft wide trench in your photo.
b)It was taken before Architrail rebuilt it with tonnes of stone wasn't it?
c)Still looks a damn site better than what's there now.

Just ride it and stop whinging or have you thought about riding elsewhere?

I'd just be grateful for all the hard work that the people who build and maintain the trails put in. 🙂

Really need to pop back into Bristol with the bike and try out the trails now.

a) Not a trench.

Why the hell are you riding there when the Mendip Hills are totally awesome at the moment?

Blimey, keep your toys in the pram eh? The surface of the old trail [i]was [/i]eroded to the point where it was lower than the bits to either side.

I know this because I've been spending my weekends fixing it for the past 8 years - as have a lot of other local riders who give a stuff about the impact we cause, and the rapidly-dwindling number of days per year when we have something solid to ride on, rather than slithering through bog.

Sorry I couldn't find a photo showing a worse-looking bit, god knows I've had plenty of opportunities to take one. That photo clearly does show the widening that was taking place, as well as the mud, and I reckon if you posted it on MTBR, More Dirt, etc, as an example of your super sweet local trails, you'd (rightly) be laughed at.

Why the hell are you riding there when the Mendip Hills are totally awesome at the moment?

shhh

We don't want those townies coming down and ruining our peace and quiet!

Something else: it's clear that a few people on here have issues with what's been done to "their" trails, and it seems to have become a badge of honour to slag them off.

By any yardstick they've been wildly successful so far. [url= http://www.1sw.org.uk/experience/a-measure-of-success-for-ashton-court/ ]Tens of thousands of people have used them.[/url] Go up there and you'll rub shoulders with families, people on knackered old rigids, XC racers, rad doods in Megavalanche jerseys sessioning the red section.

Yes, you're entitled to an opinion, but you really don't understand what the new trails are, or why they're such a positive thing for riding, and for their surroundings. Moaning about them for being "man-made" or restricting your line choice is like going to the British Museum and complaining that everything's a bit old.

Well said Anthony, I just don't get the resistance to the new trails. I could easily do a 2hr+ local ride without spending more than 10 minutes on the new trails. If you don't like them you don't have to use them!
The gravel is stupid though

Mr Agreeable... as usual your reading skills and incapacity for any kind of logical thought process let you down. I wasn't making any comment on the resurfacing of the trails done by Architrail. A good thing as far as I'm concerned. Just the aesthetics and pointless nature of the recently added logs and rocks edging along both sides of large sections of the trail. That's it.

It's a bit of a blunt instrument, but the trail was getting braided, and unfortunately the tendency is for lazy lines to get adopted unless you close them off with extremely obvious obstacles. Being unsurfaced, the shortcut lines become muddy ruts and you get lines either side of them. Then the trail's back to being six feet wide (Actually the old trail was fifteen feet wide in places - that definitely raised a few eyebrows when the ecologists were surveying it).

Cheersdrive, as I say, the gravel should be gone pretty soon.

I was pretty pleased to see the edging. I hate it when trails get straightened over time. this might stop it.

Mr Agreeable... as usual your reading skills and incapacity for any kind of logical thought process let you down. I wasn't making any comment on the resurfacing of the trails done by Architrail. A good thing as far as I'm concerned. Just the aesthetics and pointless nature of the recently added logs and rocks edging along both sides of large sections of the trail. That's it.

The work's being done by a Community Payback programme. No I don't think it's going to be particularly permanent (intentionally or not) but it'll give the edges a chance to "green in" over summer.

Re-arrange these words,

Kettle, Black, Pot, Calling

🙄

Anyway, it's Saturday night. What else is there to do apart from having a pointless argument on the internet? 😉

I was up there this morning, I didn't notice any gravel, where is it?

Thanks MrA - Interesting feedback on the BBF. It's nice to think the exposure benefits all round.

Trails, door step, somewhat weather proof - what's not to like.Genuine soul feeding resource

It occurred to me: a slim possibility community paybackers could even be failed bike bandits - evidence of karma!

Why the hell are you riding there when the Mendip Hills are totally awesome at the moment?

+1

Seems to open season for taking a pop at volunteer trail builders this month?

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-the-hell-are-they-putting-in-the-tap-water-at-thetford

The Ashton court project has been a great success. See it for what it is. It introduces people to what we love, mountain biking. If your looking for more got to Wales, Lakes or Quantocks. Gravel on my trail shocker - yawn zzzz

Ashton Court/LW trails are ace - fact. As is 50 Acre.

Thanks to the volunteers for fixing up the old trails and for Architrail/Clixbys for building the new ones. Without their excellent work, the haterz wouldn't be able to whine on about how easy the trails are and that they could ride them on their roadbike/unicycles/shopping trollies etc.

If you want to whine, whine on. The rest of us, we're out there having fun 😉

Gotta agree with fuzzhead, the trails are AWESOME at the moment.

Ashton Court/LW trails are ace - fact. As is 50 Acre.

+1. We now have decent year-round riding on our doorsteps. As others have said, the nice weather means we can leave the built trails to the families, and go and explore.

bit of old, bit of new, it's all good at the mo. Loving the trails - 50 Acre's a bit special at the mo 🙂

I remember a story about little girl who whined that some porridge was too muddy, some was too artificial, some was too gravelly, some had braking bumps, and then some bears brutally ripped her head off and ate the soft bits and everyone said "thank God for that".

A tale of caution.

lol! [100% agree]

Post of the year, klumpy. 😀

Chortling at klumpy....

It must be a terrible thing to ride a trail with gravel on it, someone could skid and fall off. If only we had bikes with brakes, suspension, grippy tyres and round things in the front of our head to see with.

Heavens forbid that there's grave, maybe we should all chip in to have tarmac laid and the corners removed, tht way it would be way more fun for the Strava lovers.

Gravel? Well indeed,

Tom KP

Double post oops

I had a particularilly carp day yesterday, rode AC then round and round Yer Tiz at LW 'til I got giddy, came away with a smile. To have that on my doorstep, I count myself as really lucky. The 3 Cheesy rides last night also proved if you don't want to ride the manmade stuff, there's lots of alternatives, which now don't get trashed as much, as most peeps ride the circuits..........

A tale of caution.

Comedy Gold. 😀

Never know if I should laugh or cry at these threads

The trails are great for the crappy Bristol Winters (July to Arpil 🙁 )

They are also fun as part of a much bigger and challenging route in the better weather. Flashes is right the 'off piste' now holds up soooooo much better as well.

The AC edging is a bit of a blunt instrument no doubt but blame that on the lazy muppets cutting all the corners.

Do wonder about the BBF though. Passing was hard at the Oktoberfest. Will be very tricky in the BBF 😕

Anyway. Seriously doubt any major city comes even close to rivalling the Bristol set up.
Fast & flowy - Yer Tiz & Nova,
Flat & rooty - 50 Acre & top of Leigh Woods
Steep & Techy - Leigh Woods Gorge

I'm avoiding Bikefest this year, too many "elite" riders trying to get past in stupid places only for me to able past on the up hills.......

First off I'm not complaining, having AC on my door step is brilliant,having year round hassle free riding for those times I can't be assed to drive anywhere is a luxury.
But, I think the large stone edging is/was getting a bit obsessive, have also come across times when the stones have been placed/fallen/rolled or whatever onto the middle of the trail. I'm a huge believer of making these trails as accessible to everyone and get a huge kick to see so many people using them, but I think the odd person cutting a corner is a small price to pay in keeping the trail as safe and enjoyable as possible for all skill levels.

but I think the odd person cutting a corner is a small price to pay in keeping the trail as safe and enjoyable as possible for all skill levels.

Actually, it's quite a big price: those cut corners damage an ecologically sensitive area (AC is a SSSI), and create muddy ruts which ends up all over the proper path.

I don't see any other options to the stone edging but I but there'll be some nasty injuries happening as a result @ BBF this year.

have also come across times when the stones have been placed/fallen/rolled or whatever onto the middle of the trail

If anyone does spot this, it would be great if you could take a moment to kick them back to the edges. You may have to pause your Strava, but it'll be appreciated.

I love the new trails but i think putting all these rocks on the fast sections is really stupid. Previously if you slid out you could normally recover without too much fuss. Now you smack into a load of rocks which could cause some serious and unnecessary damage to the rider and or the bike. Fair enough you could say ride slower so you don't risk sliding out, but where's the fun in that?

I love the new trails but i think putting all these rocks on the fast sections is really stupid. Previously if you slid out you could normally recover without too much fuss.

I think, riding in such an uncontrolled way that you slide off the trail is known as 'riding like a cock', just so you know for the future

If anyone does spot this, it would be great if you could take a moment to kick them back to the edges. You may have to pause your Strava, but it'll be appreciated.

I just shout 'STRAVA' at the rocks and the put themselves back.

As it happens I took a nasty off at the Oktoberfest last year and had a pretty bad faceplant as I lost the wheel over the edge of the trail as I let someone pass me, had the trail been lined this would have been less likely to have happened IMO.

I'm all for it.

Now you smack into a load of rocks which could cause some serious and unnecessary damage to the rider and or the bike.

Pick yourself up
Dust yourself off
Dry your eyes
Wipe your nose
Pull your big girl pants back on
Go and try something more in your comfort zone. Fluffy toy collecting?

Pick yourself up
Dust yourself off
Dry your eyes
Wipe your nose
Pull your big girl pants back on

That's exactly what I did, then finished my lap.

[url= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6160/6253553388_a00eb03557.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6160/6253553388_a00eb03557.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/40838958@N07/6253553388/ ]305469_261820643855703_100000833094677_676330_1003843202_n[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/40838958@N07/ ]KINGTUT2009[/url], on Flickr

😉

Pull your big girl pants back on

See, if he'd had big girl pants on, they'd have acted like a parachute, thereby keeping his velocity in check and averting disaster.

Are rocks more or less dangerous than trees? I spotted some of those in the general locality of the trail the other day, maybe we'd better remove them and replace with foam pits either side of the trail?

Rocks on a fast bit of trail. Oh lordy lordy save the children [img] [/img]

What about angry wasps? Can we install anti-insect lasers?

Rocks on a fast bit of trail. Oh lordy lordy save the children

But have you seen the gravel as well? GRAVEL I tell you.

My god. I don't even want to think about the consequences of falling onto gravel at 15.4 mph. My very blood runs cold.

Obviously i don't ride around in an uncontrolled manner continuously sliding off the track. All riders going at a reasonable pace are bound to slide off, or misjudge a corner at some point. Only now what would have probably been a harmless mistake has the potential to be far worse.

My god. I don't even want to think about the consequences of falling onto gravel at 15.4 mph. My very blood runs cold.

Nah you'd be reet, you'd bounce. 😉

The thought of ADH lying injured and sobbing on the ground, having fallen from his tiny bicycle, has cold shivers running down my spine. How DARE Mr Agreeable go out there and put ROCKS ON THE GROUND!

Has anyone told the riders in such areas as the Peak District of these horrors known as 'rocks', or are they specific to the manmade sections of Ashton Court? START A PETITION!

goodbyegti - Member

Obviously i don't ride around in an uncontrolled manner continuously sliding off the track. All riders going at a reasonable pace are bound to slide off, or misjudge a corner at some point. Only now what would have probably been a harmless mistake has the potential to be far worse.

ummm, tough titty?

stay near the back, you slide out, your fall will be cushioned by the crumpled heap of riders that have failed before you.

i can only imagine that if they'd been walking instead of riding their bikes any form of ingury would have been completely mitigated.........

Not wishing to get all gushing but AC, Leigh Woods and 50 Acre are superb and we're so lucky to have them in Bristol - I'm extremely grateful for their continued maintenance.

As members of STW it goes with out saying that negotiating some small rocks and graveled sections is not beyond our considerable riding abilities.

Personally i think that mountain biking is most fun when you're pushing your limit. On an artifical trail as smooth as AC you have to be going fast to get near it. The rocks don't slow you down, they don't add to the fun of riding the trail, they just make it more likely you're going to bust something and have to take time off the bike. I don't see the point in that.

How DARE Mr Agreeable go out there and put ROCKS ON THE GROUND!

As I say above, it's not the volunteer group doing this, and we wouldn't take the same approach, mainly because it's a bit unsubtle and we'd rather any rocks used in the trail were firmly fixed.

The ideal situation you want is for every rider to naturally follow the armoured line of the trail and not braid or widen it, without making it too obvious what's happening.

In Ashton Court this is really difficult. There are so many types of user of a huge range of abilities. Our experiences with the old trail and the amount it was widened over a period of 5-6 years - from an average width of a couple of feet to 5 or even 15 in places - make me think that taking a heavy-handed approach outweighs the negative effect of having to choose your line more carefully.

As other people have said, there's no trail that's free of obstacles at the sides. I did a rather spectacular somersault on one of the natural trails the other night, thanks to catching a pedal on a hidden stump that was lurking in the undergrowth. By contrast in Ashton Court it's very easy to see what's at the side of the trail.

As other people have said, there's no trail that's free of obstacles at the sides. I did a rather spectacular somersault on one of the natural trails the other night, thanks to catching a pedal on a hidden stump that was lurking in the undergrowth

Photos?

I just turned it into a front flip and rode it out. 😉

Rad skills dood.

The gravel ought to have been compacted into the trail, not left loose. Doing so helps prevent water damage.

Edging the trails with rocks is a bad idea because as mud fills the gaps between these rocks there is no longer anywhere for the water to escape off the side of the trail. If water collects it gradually loosens the stone, allowing bikes to cause damage as they ride through puddles.

Personally I think mountain biking is most fun when you're riding your bike off road away from arseholes, without having to worry that some plonker has tried to alter the trail.

Personally I think mountain biking is most fun when you're riding your bike off road away from arseholes, without having to worry that some plonker has tried to alter the trail.

You'd best stick to bridleways then, seeing as the AC trail is an entirely artificial construction.

You'd best stick to bridleways then, seeing as the AC trail is an entirely artificial construction.

What, bridleways aren't manmade?
I did specify [i]plonker[/i].

And Bristol is full of arseholes..

I think the rocks are this year's Bridge of Doom. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/bristol-bikefest-roll-call/page/4#post-419595

The gravel ought to have been compacted into the trail, not left loose.

I believe that's the feedback that's been passed on to the contractors.

Edging the trails with rocks is a bad idea because as mud fills the gaps between these rocks there is no longer anywhere for the water to escape off the side of the trail. If water collects it gradually loosens the stone, allowing bikes to cause damage as they ride through puddles.

The issue at this time of year is definitely people widening the trail and cutting corners, not standing water.

What, bridleways aren't manmade?

Looks like it's the road for you then. Oh wait - that's manmade too. You'd best give up cycling.

Honestly, the things people choose to moan about.

Honestly, the things people choose to moan about.

I was simply paraphrasing goodbyegti's comment above, changing his pushing youself theme for one of, it's nice when nobody tries to improve the trail in the style of a plonker.

Wish I had Mr Agreeable's confidence in the upcoming weather.