Trail damage at the 909

Forest_biker · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 859

It seems that with each Spring comes a new crop of riders testing out their skills at the 909.

With this comes a few whose skills may not be up to par with some of the trails that they are riding, so instead of imagining that they need more practice, they figure that no one can ride these tricky spots too.
This leads to serious trail damage in the form of dumbing things down to make them easier.

Lately, I've seen this in a few spots at the 909, on Timbuk2 trail in particular.

If you are engaging in this type of behavior, please stop. If you see this happening and have the time fix it, back to it's original condition, please do, you'll be a real hero.

REMEMBER, JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T RIDE IT YET, DOESN'T MEAN OTHERS CAN'T.

If you come across someone doing this let them know it's not an acceptable type of trailwork.

Then take their picture so we can hunt them down and fix them. Twisted Evil

....just kidding.....really.........unless they don't stop...........

Bud · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:05 am Post subject:

Especially Timbuk2 !!!
Thanks for posting this much more elegantly than I was about to.
I've got plenty of time to continue to re-block those unwanted re-routes.
I borrowed this from another site (thank you) since it is so fitting for this situation !!

80% of 909 is Intermediate .... ride those trails !

Forest_biker · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 859

Yeah I couldn't find the right words, but "Sissypants," hits it right on the mark. Laughing

Kevin · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 1414 Location: Kingston

If any newbie riders that haven't done a group ride are reading this, please join our newbie rides with Sunie D!

The group rides at a friendly pace and stops at obstacles so that you learn how to negotiate them successfully.

http://www.fatsinthecats.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4065

BillB3 · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:15 pm Post subject:

Are you sure it is riders? The ranger at Jockey Hill did some maintenance last year that included removing some obstacles. I believe the intent was to make the trail friendlier for non-cyclists.

Forest_biker · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 859

Yes, I'm sure.
Rangers don't make mary lines and leave the original trail open.

..or add dirt to ramp up and over log crossings...the ranger would just cut the tree.....

....or remove stones from a stone wall crossing....etc

If you saw it you'd understand.

BillB3 · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:43 pm Post subject:

yep, doesn't sound like a ranger. Haven't been there myself.

tim · Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Posts: 60 Location: marlboro

fats, i actually have a ranger that works part time for me and that is her territory, NOT rangers doing this, and they are working on some things to stop some "unwanted" users....nothing to concern us though

masterofnone · Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 225

I was there wednesday evening and noticed many spots where someone was locking up the brakes at the top and/or bottom of a descent, any technical section, or just blowing through the turn and skidding off. I guess its not really that big of a deal, just trail ettiquette mostly.

HVmtb · Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Posts: 147 Location: Pleasant Valley

masterofnone - I've seen what your describing too and I'd attribute that to the last months ultra dry and seriously fast conditions at 909. I ride there all the time and have found myself doing normal loops faster and more aggresively than in the past and combined with the dry dirt, this type of wheel induced washout is inevitble (for now).

The recent rains should help the dirt become tacky again and we will prob see less of this, plus once the leaves and underbrush fill in over there, overshooting becomes dangerous with the damn prickers! Shocked

my 2cents :
As per the "trail work" on TB2 - I agree that it was sanitized a bit much, but i disagree with putting the trail back as it was, as that might cause worse damage.

I'd suggest that we all work together to coordinate some official trail work time at 909 this season as there are lots of little hot spots and adjustments that should be done.
_________________
Jim

www.HVmtb.com

The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine. ~John Howard

Downhill dave · Joined: 02 May 2012 Posts: 74 Location: Potown

Was there Thursday and saw the dirt mound. Didnt really notice anything else since I dont ride that trail too often. And the prickers have already grown in on top! Why must they grow in first!?! Trail work there would be great, Im down.
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By God, I WILL be doing manuals this year!

ProfessorCracker · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 733 Location: Taghkanic ny

Just rude for someone to go in and start changing a trail!
I just hope we can get the word out and stop further changes. As one of the many who work on building tb2, it's crazy to think someone would go into area and do a bunch of work on an already established trail because they think it's too difficult!?!
WHO ARE YOU??? STOP IT!!! We need more technical not less! Go join Pearson and hit the rails-to-trails.(just kidding AP-who is algeric to the gut)
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I like big bikes and I can not lie.

masterofnone · Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 225

Which trail is tb2? I looked for it on the map but dont know which one it is, i ride there a lot, i dont know the names of most of them.

Forest_biker · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 859

Tim845 · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 3684 Location: Poughkeepsie

Its pretty awesome to see Timbuktu evolve from what it was originally -the two "skid" trails that were "Buck" & "Skidder" on the old map...to what it is now...a very durable fun trail. Built legit in 2010 by the club with a few hundred hours of love & sweat.

Personally, I would rather more people pitched in with basic normal maintenance like pruning -but really, the trail is in fantastic shape. There are no blown out turns etc like one would think from the content of this thread...Its still very much just as it was, or better!

To those who close the "Mary Lines" many thanks, what I saw on todays TB2 ride was just fantastic.
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Pedal, b*tches!!

ProfessorCracker · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 733 Location: Taghkanic ny

Good to hear Pedler.
My thoughts turned to how damaged Blue has gotten over the years.
Some areas have multiple lines as it gets wider, and wider.
_________________
I like big bikes and I can not lie.