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OP isn't actually getting into the TC vs PROW arguement. More the type of trail being built, to get numbers into the trail centre seems to be going in the berm/jump direction, over the tricky traversey direction of old.
, but suspect you are not the target demographic of those building trails,
Other thing woth remembering is not all trails are built by the same people. As Mubgboo says above somewhere, niggly trails are being built - Homebaked at Gisburn, Stainburn's Norwood trail are totally un surfaced trails through the woods, not weather proof but not at all roller coastery.
But there's two way of building trails, and then hybrid mixtures of the two.
Machine built. - Gets the job done, but by the nature of getting machine in there, will be wide, at least a bit motorwayish, and tend to be vulnerable to the weather.
Man [hand] made. - all but weather proof, rock armoured - no machines so can get in between trees and pay a fine level of attention to detail. But - Takes for bloody ever. Dependant on Volunteer numbers - no contractor is going to built trails like that, economically unviable.
The Hybrid tends to come (IME) when machine built trails degrade and get patched and repaired by hand, by Volunteers. this can allow for the best in both worlds... but is never the intention when designing a trail, just how it ends up
My own reason for disliking bermy jumpy roller coaster bits is unless there's a very good maintenence program the surface gets shagged cos people ride into stuff too fast and panic break, create short cuts rather than make a corner etc.
OP isn't actually getting into the TC vs PROW arguement. More the type of trail being built, to get numbers into the trail centre seems to be going in the berm/jump direction, over the tricky traversey direction of old.
That's exactly my point. 🙂
Here's the quote from the builder / designer in the mag that got me to post:
The market has started to all ask for the same things; pump tracks, jump parks, berms, skill areas, fall zones, massively overbuilt greens and blues for the family...
Those are all the things I have little interest in as a rider.
Did you know: GlenLivit (of exceptional trail juice fame) are just completing their new mountain bike trails. now that could make for a messy weekend. That area has natural trails in every possible direction as well as a trail centre. ironic really, given the thread above...
it's about time that those south of the border campaigned their government to allow bikes the "right to roam" like the Scottish Countryside Act.
We are doing... but there's these chaps in red socks and gaters, and they're like the masons, they have people everywhere.
We are doing... but there's these chaps in red socks and gaters, and they're like the masons, they have people everywhere.
It's a bizzare British trait that people will put more energy into campaigning [b]against[/b] the rights of others than [b]for[/b] rights for themselves. The redsocks are a case in point.
Can anyone show me an example of a concerted campaign by the Ramblers, or any other national organisation, to restrict access to mountain bikes?
The problem isn't them, it's opposition from individual landowners, and the fact that we're terminally disorganised at a local and national level.
massively overbuilt greens and blues for the family...
As a dad of 2 who rides with the kids more often than not these days, those bits ar essential.
More variety at TC's would be great, but when you're catering for the masses you tend to generalise a bit too much sometimes.
Can anyone show me an example of a concerted campaign by the Ramblers, or any other national organisation, to restrict access to mountain bikes?
Ramblers have extablishged themselves (through being VERY well organised and articulate, and large) as being a go to on consultations over 'shared use' paths. That's all that's happened so far, individual footpaths being considered for upgrade. They consider them all unsuitlable unless they are many metres wide, this becomes received opinion, same as erosion and yobbishness from all mtbers that outwieghs the reality of a tiny minority. The latter arguably more by the individuals than the group. No there is not national campaign, because the mtbers have yet to come together with something for the to campaign against (we should, needs spearheading though). But this is way OT from the original post, I was just being half hearted/humourous etc (seriously though, they are everywhere, special hand shakes and everything.) 😉
As a dad of 2 who rides with the kids more often than not these days, those bits ar essential.
I've nowt against a good green or blue. Should be more of them IMO and they should be more than just loops of fire road. Gisburn has a great one, soon to be extended. The one at GT is a hoot as well. The new Gis one looks like it will be a lot of fun, like a massive pump track.
Hmm, their policy could be a bit more welcoming, I'll give you that:
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ramblers-shared-use-policy
But I still don't understand the persecution complex that mountain bikers display whenever walkers are mentioned. I used to go riding with a guy for whom any windfall tree or bit of stick on the trail was evidence of "red socks" at work. Go along to your local access forum, meet these people and make your own mind up.
I would, but my local one is nowhere near as local. While maybe not actual members of RGB I meet Ramblers every day. Rude joyless souless people most of them. But always very clean boots, so not the people I meet when out on a bike, who tend to be lovely!