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Seems like there are proposals to turn Golfie into a bike park. Personally I think this is one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard of in my life, it would not be sustainable and I reckon all the handbuilt trails would be trashed in under a year if there was a large jump in traffic.
Obviously you could upgrade the trails and build new man-made trails as such, but commercialisation sort of loses what makes golfie such a great place to ride IMO. Would be much better to develop the DH side of Inners further and turn that into a bike park.
Would be much better to develop the DH side of Inners further and turn that into a bike park.
Was saying exactly that to a couple of mates this afternoon while chatting at the top fireroad.
The bottom of the field where Nationals finished in in the 90s is perfect for a visitor centre, facilities and a car park and the top half is perfect for a jump park with a pumptrack. and the top fireroad (uplift road) is prime to be extended to the top of plora craig (as was already looked into 25yrs ago)
Just for me, what's the difference between a bike park and a trail centre?
ust for me, what’s the difference between a bike park and a trail centre
The riders are better at a bike park, the vehicles are better at a trail centre
a bikepark just for Colin?
A baron heather/gorse strewn boggy wilderness with one guy a bivy bag and an ugly bike with a steering wheel for handlebars
Bike park riders pay to ride
Trail centre riders pay for parking
so that makes perfect sense Colp
The problem with adding infrastructure to Inners is the car park is on the river flood plain. A small cafe up the slope from the car park is planned by Adrenalin Uplift though. They're looking to do that soon and it's not related to this Golfie stuff.
Are there really going to be the numbers using it to support the installation, running and maintenance of a chair lift?
https://www.trailforks.com/region/caberston/ridelogstats/
Seems like there are proposals to turn Golfie into a bike park. Personally I think this is one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard of in my life, it would not be sustainable and I reckon all the handbuilt trails would be trashed in under a year if there was a large jump in traffic.
**Stats Disclaimer**
Trailforks is seeing an upturn is user base at the moment but...
It's getting that level of attention and the number of riders seems to be jumping up, potentially using the hillside to good effect would help spread the load, build more sustainable trail and leave the steep loose for those who still want it.
There were 3 folk riding there yesterday stat boy
I'm sure you think that means something, no idea what that is though, were you watching from the 19th?
Trailforks is seeing an upturn is user base at the moment but…
It’s getting that level of attention and the number of riders seems to be jumping up, potentially using the hillside to good effect would help spread the load, build more sustainable trail and leave the steep loose for those who still want it.
True but you just need to look at the large jump in traffic at the dh side when adrenalin uplift started operating to get an idea of the implications. The trails at golfie are much more fragile however and would struggle with sustained traffic, as an example look at what happened to New York New York after being used as a stage for two enduro races last year, trail got completely trashed.
You may also end up with a scenario where newbies end up going down trails which are way beyond their abilities and ending up having an accident (Seems to be a common occurrence at glentress these days).
a bikepark just for Colin?
A baron heather/gorse strewn boggy wilderness with one guy a bivy bag and an ugly bike with a steering wheel for handlebars
Genuine LOLs.
Make it so #1!!
Trailforks is seeing an upturn is user base at the moment but…
It’s getting that level of attention and the number of riders seems to be jumping up, potentially using the hillside to good effect would help spread the load, build more sustainable trail and leave the steep loose for those who still want it.
Have a look at the stats for the Inners DH side, the stats look the same in jump. Almost a 100% increase since 2017.
There is a new manmade track or 2 planned in the proposal to provide some relief to existing trails. Alongside a full time trail building team for maintenance/development.
Considering that all the local trail builders seem to be onboard with the idea then it should be great.
I reckon all the handbuilt trails would be trashed in under a year if there was a large jump in traffic
my guess would be that the existing trails would be made more robust. If it were my local spot my fear would be that the trails unsuitable for a bike park would be closed.
Colp - astute and funny.
Sounds good. Golfie has some steep stuff though, which presumably is harder to keep in good shape with a lot of traffic?
I guess it would depend on where the uplift is as to how much traffic. I've no idea whether a chairlift is realistic but if that was on the Inners side then that's where folks would go I guess. Until we all have e bikes that is...
How do Scottish access laws affect this? With no law of trespass then surely you could just turn up, pedal up and ride the trails as normal?
How do Scottish access laws affect this? With no law of trespass then surely you could just turn up, pedal up and ride the trails as normal?
There are exceptions for land allocated for a certain purpose that has charged access. It might be a fight trying to establish it if the ramblers/dog walkers/other cyclists object though.
Didn't the access laws get covered in the bpw thread? Ie how do golf courses manage to charge.
Where are the planning to head for funding?
The charge would be for the lift access on the hill and parking rather than using the trails.
.
The charge would be for the lift access on the hill and parking rather than using the trails.
In which case, what's the difference between a bike park and a trail centre again?
In which case, what’s the difference between a bike park and a trail centre again?
The name?
The charge would be for the lift access on the hill and parking rather than using the trails.
Nope, need to pay for BPW whether you use the uplift or not.
Nope, need to pay for BPW whether you use the uplift or not.
Yeah, hence my question really. If this is to create Bike Park Scotland along the lines of the Welsh model then access laws come into play. Or is it just a more fashionable name for a trail centre?
Nope, need to pay for BPW whether you use the uplift or not.
I think the point here though is that Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies which, in theory, gives you an automatic right of access to ride. Although, as others have said, maintained trails designed for a specific purpose are likely to be exempt.
The main places where access rights do not apply are:
- land developed and in use for recreation and where the
exercise of access rights would interfere with such use;
Bike Park = Trail centre. Same thing, the first one is just a different name to make the likes of "Park rats" pony up for trails like the rest of the population while still managing to maintain the level of internalised smug that their ego demands.
As said above, golf courses manage it.
Personally, I'd prefer to see it somewhere else, but that's a purely selfish point of view, as Inners is a shit drive from here. 🙂
franksinatra - you've highlighted the right part of the legislation and that shows exemptions are possible. However, exempting new areas can lead to a legal battle. I guess it depends on whether anyone feels like objecting, but there is a presumption against removing access rights.
As said above, golf courses manage it.
Really? I've walked, ridden run and skied through a few - perfectly legally.
Bike Park = Trail centre. Same thing, the first one is just a different name to make the likes of “Park rats” pony up for trails like the rest of the population while still managing to maintain the level of internalised smug that their ego demands.
Or, the other type of folk that want to turn up somewhere, have stuff built for them, and never lift a mattock in their life, and pay nowt for the privilege.
I'm happy to pay for quality trails (and spend a fair few days a year building/maintaining), that are well maintained, and evolve/expand as is required. Not really sure Caberston is the right place for that though.
A couple of questions which may have been addressed at the event which would be good to know the answer to.
Where is the money coming from to maintain and build?
How is the purchase going to be funded?
With Brexit looming, the door to European Funding is about to slam shut. Bike Park Wales was match funded with ERDF money. The headline build figure was £1.8 million but then there are the ongoing running, build and maintenance costs to consider.
Keen to see the business plan for the venture to cast my accountant's eye over it.
Sanny
Really? I’ve walked, ridden run and skied through a few – perfectly legally.
How about ski fields? I understood if you're ski touring (and not paid for a lift ticket) you're allowed to cross the ski field but not really ok to use the groomed pistes, unless you need to cross them.
How about ski fields? I understood if you’re ski touring (and not paid for a lift ticket) you’re allowed to cross the ski field but not really ok to use the groomed pistes, unless you need to cross them.
Like taking your own clubs to a golf course?
That would be Rule 1.
Don't be a dick
Nope, need to pay for BPW whether you use the uplift or not.
That’s wales though. Given the current free access and current trails I don’t think they would be able to stop that
Bike park? Commercial operation which owns and runs the area and sets access rules and payments to use. Nothing to do with ego just a differentiation on how it's operated.
For instance bpw new development entirely by the operator = charge for all access.
Whistler bike park no charge for ride up access but lift access costs. Also some definitions of cover and bike patrol "within" the park.
Trail centre public space?
Given the current free access and current trails I don’t think they would be able to stop that
Yep, but golf courses manage it, and as Colin rightly says, rule 1. The only reason I can run through Royal Troon or Old Prestwick is beacuse there are recognised ROW's through them, I can't run on the fairways for obvious safety reasons. This wouldn't be too hard an argument to apply to a forest to be honest.
The question of paying to access the trails was asked at the meeting, and the answer given by the consultant blokey was free access but pay for use of lift, cafe, parking only..
Like taking your own clubs to a golf course?
That would be Rule 1.
Don’t be a dick
My thinking is there is a difference between simply crossing land that's used for a specific purpose and using facilities without paying. On a golf course this difference is obvious, but for a bike park it may not be so. I think the solution here will be you just pay for a lift pass, if you choose to ride up the fire road then you can use the the trails for free.
There is a much better location for a lift accessed bike park. Hillend.
In which case, what’s the difference between a bike park and a trail centre again?
Swinley is a Bike Park, Glentress is a Trail Center.
As a visitor to the area (currently planning our next lads trip) i love the vibe off The Tweed valley area, I would hate it to turn into a BPW style thing. We absolutely adored the Golfie trails, in fact could spend weeks riding them. It would be nice to see more investment in the outlying infrastructure (better places to eat, drink and socialise) But I love the charm of the place.
Swinley is a Bike Park, Glentress is a Trail Center.
I've never been to and have no idea what is at Swinley so that tells me nothing 🙂
I’ve never been to and have no idea what is at Swinley so that tells me nothing 🙂
Good job there were no other explanations there too...
Agree with the post that better rider facilities are needed for the whole inners area, like a ride hub for parking and changing/showers/bike wash, an overall plan for the town makes sense really with developments being coordinated.
Good job there were no other explanations there too…
OK cleverclogs, what's the difference?