[Closed] Seeing damage being done by riders

Dobbo, yes I was posting BS, to highlight the BS from everyone else, hence the Jaws picture! - you must have missed that one! 🙄

Edit: Posted before LHS edited to "I have nothing worthwhile to add" Point proved.

Obviously upset someone with "The power" who can edit my post as I didn't write that.

They must feel REALLY big.

Just for those who missed it:

[img] [/img]

shaggmiester - Member

Some of the best trails we have is through erosion! Erosion is something you will never be able to stop its part of life get over it!

Aye, and some of the best trails we had are now s**t because of erosion. It's just not that black and white no matter how much some people on both sides would like it to be.

Funnilly enough, whenever you get people going to extremes on one end of the argument or the other, they tend to both turn out to be talking mince and the truth's somewhere inbetween. But it's hard to argue furiously on the internet about the sensible middle ground.

Aye, and some of the best trails we had are now s**t because of erosion.

Rebuild them then!

Sometimes that works... But you can't always get back what was there, and the tendancy is to end up with something durable, that isn't always that much fun. And you're still spending time replacing something, that could have been spent building something new of course.

Its been proven that skidding is actually better for trails than slow braking and riding around the puddles causes less long term damage than straight through them.

for me skidding is used more to change direction than slow down and is done by un-weighting the tyre as much as by locking the wheel (I've been accused of skidding when I haven't actually touched a brake more than once) skidding properly won't damage a top surface nearly as much as sitting down and over braking without skidding in a straight line before the turn or braking all the way round it IMO.

it stands to reason riding through the soaked mud in the centre of puddles will cause more damage to the ground underneath not to mention soak the surrrounding ground leaving it more prone to damage from those riding round the edge than riding round it on a dry hardpack alternative route or just jumping the ****ing thing..

Think people mean riding round the edge of puddles, rather than taking a totally dry line.

Sometimes that works... But you can't always get back what was there, and the tendancy is to end up with something durable, that isn't always that much fun. And you're still spending time replacing something, that could have been spent building something new.

I'm not talking about ****ing trail centres.

I have seen trails end up as 30ft wide muddy swamps as people attempt to ride ( and walk) around the boggy bits

GW - Member

I'm not talking about **** trail centres.

Neither am I- the same applies though, just a matter of degrees. Nobody's going to go and do a glentress surface on their local trail, just not practical as well as undesirable but still built trails tend to be more predictable than random trails. *

(*not going to call them natural, since that's almost always total bollocks)

I can't believe how big this thread has come from something I posted days ago which was just intended as a polite hint to take care of the trails.

For what it's worth, I pointed out that on this particular trail, riders had created a line off the main, hard wearing, durable path, instead flattening heather and skidding away peat. In doing so, they were missing 1) some fantastic riding, 2) a fast swoopy descent with kickers, and seemingly 3) the point.

I’ve been genuinely surprised at the response this thread has brought about. Quite disappointed really in that I’ve been able to highlight a division in the wonderful world of mountain biking that I didn’t previously know existed.

That said, it’s good to see such an animated response to those who suggest it ‘doesn’t matter’.

Anyone done a big group maintenance day before in a national park rather than a trail centre?

GW I totally get where you are coming from, I'd hate to ride slowly or in a way that made me enjoy biking less and I think your voice in this thread represents that. Even so, you do get why it is in everyones interests, including yours, to minimise the visible impact bikes have on the trails and to change the way we are viewed by the wider public? For example, if you are on a decent bit of trail but spot a group of ramblers would you back off or wait for then to pass before giving it some?

Pook - I have had this argument several times on here so I am not surprised by the response you got

[img] [/img]

Think it would take more than a Saturday morning's work by the Trailfairies to sort this blot on the landscape out.A bauxite mine to source the aluminium that most of our bikes and bits are made of...go figure.
Mind you looks like some decent riding could be had there 😉

Slowrider- lets not fall out over something so trivial! And i'v got a confession to make, i dont ride through puddles, i ride round em cos i dont want to get a wet arse an i dont want to put a rear mud guard on cos it meks u look like a gimp, im a bad ass muda f#ka so sue my ass! 😆

[img] http://blog.sironaconsulting.com/.a/6a00d8341c761a53ef0120a623814b970c-320wi [/img]

"Anyone done a big group maintenance day before in a national park..."

You are actually taking the piss aren't you?

No Monksie I'm not. Having seen rangers/NPA staff working fixing trails, and having been on volunteer days where those self same NPAs have had a ton of free help for a day, I know they are 1) useful, and 2) valued.

Please explain why you thought I was taking the piss.

You're seriously suggesting you're going to pitch up with what, 8..10...more? people on bikes with spades, rakes etc. on Whinstone Lee Tor on some random Saturday or Sunday and start laying a trail that you've designated as the correct line? Maybe drag a few rocks up from the waterside to strategically place where you assume is appropriate? The National Park Authority will be ecstatic.
No, you were taking the piss weren't you. Nice one. You got me then.

Where did I suggest that? Hmm? Where?

Or did you just assume that's what I meant and go off on one?

Does my stated experience of having been involved in volunteer days with the NPA ie: NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITIES not suggest to you that mayeb I'd consider asking them if they would appreciate some volunteers helping out with the lifting/grunt work that may need doing.

Did you just make your own little mind up about what I was suggesting, overlooking the clear indications of involving the NPA in the suggested day? Hmm?

Thought so.

Nice one.

"Anyone done a big group maintenance day before in a national park..."

A pretty fair assumption or were you going to stroke the soil gently and sing to it?

"Off on one"? I beg your pardon?

Nice ad.lib. well done.

I'm off now. I'll not introduce myself if ever I come across you on one of your enmass Peak District bike rides. I doubt either of us would enjoy the experience.

To reiterate...

having been on volunteer days where those self same NPAs have had a ton of free help for a day, I know they are 1) useful, and 2) valued.

Oh, and did I use a colloquialism you don't understand? Sorry bud.

[img] http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8q4a4ihGaAPFf9FKSd_-GvUeZ7n-O88NXPs5hI59VLol26RQK&t=1 [/img]

Christ - we've gone over 200 now.

if you are on a decent bit of trail but spot a group of ramblers would you back off or wait for then to pass before giving it some?

I'll just have to settle for calling you a jumped up arrogant soapbox wielding holier than thou muppet who thinks far more of his own opinion than anyone else does.

🙂

(Bows)

How do you get to Epping Forest Fred ? Quite a ride there and back isn't it ?

Not really. 25 mins from my home.

😛

and the Oscar for this years best over reaction goes to... monksie