Regarding the new trails in Ashton Court, Bristol, I have a couple of gripes:
Firstly, it's not really mountain biking is it? Even my hardtail with the forks wound right down isn't the best bike to ride them on. Ideally I'd want a BMX to be really quick. Where's the roots and rocks and technical aspect that actually needs off road riding skills that rather than being able to ride berms and rollers!
Secondly, when in a few months we've all perfected our BMX skills, we'll be lusting after a bit of real technical mountain bike riding. This will push us out of Ashton Court into other (probably illegal) areas causing friction with walkers, landowners etc. The shiny new paved trails will also encourage a whole load more new riders. These in turn will become bored of berms and rollers and move out to the illegal trails. Even the 'secret' places to ride are getting discovered and churned up as the numbers of riders who use them increases.
Superficially the new trails seem like a great idea. But I can't help thinking it'll never be as good as it was. The sustainable trails also have to cater for better riders and not be one dimensional so we all get bored and move on.
What d'ya tink?
Give them time to bed in.
I think I'd like to hear what you would do differently.
The trails were unsustainable, they have to cater for less rad people first. 'Do nothing' was not an option - what is your answer?
They're beginners trails aren't they?
If so, good. It will be easier to get the mrs into biking somewhere not too far from home.
TooTall
I think I'd like to hear what you would do differently... ...'Do nothing' was not an option - what is your answer?
+1
I think I mention my solution at the bottom of the post...
At the same time as building tracks of berms and rollers, build some technically challenging tracks with rocks and roots and line chices and bigger jumps and off camber corners and a flowing downhill gradient.
I know the hills aren't that big, but there's no reason we couldn't build section like some of the better section ot Coed y Brenin or similar.
You say doing nothing isn't an answer. But if we overpopulate the trails, we may end up in a situation worse than if we did nothing?
There wasn't anything partic techy in AC, the techyish stuff in LW is still there. I think 80% of traffic will stick to the newly reworked trails, especially once complete, so conflict elsewhere will not be any greater than currently, prehaps less.
No - properly managed trails that are funded give a baseline that can be measured against. These official trails get popular, more people attracted to the area, new 'tea hut' gets more use, impetus to expand trails to meet demand. The same way most trail centres develop - start small-ish. The proximity to Bristol means that beginners type trails have to be developed first, then the harder stuff can follow. You can't expect the first official trails in Bristol to be red routes. There will be an increase in cyclists over there no matter what you do.
50 acre wood is staying as it is, actually the trail builders will have more time to concentrate on it cos they won't have to maintain AC so much.