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Now then, there's a very well-known DH track near me that runs near a popular bridleway descent. It's technically a footpath but sees very little use and just looks like a well used bike track (think it's been there over a decade).
Anyway, went down it today as an alternative descent on the xc bike and there were logs and branches strewn across the trails. Particularly in places likely to cause crashes. I was careful to go slow and lookout for any more sinister 'traps' such as wire or nails but thankfully it was just twigs and shizzle.
I really don't see why someone would waste their evening/ afternoon putting sticks on a trail that people can easily remove in 10 seconds. Someone could have been badly hurt and it just raises more unnecessary agro between trail users. Grr!
Some people are angry inside.
It's technically a footpath but sees very little use and just looks like a well used bike track (think it's been there over a decade).
Someone could have been badly hurt and it just raises more unnecessary agro between trail users. Grr!
Not if they didn't ride down footpaths.
Some people are angry inside
This.
Not if they didn't ride down footpaths.
Aye, but I've ridden the track a lot and never seen anyone walk it, the ground is soft in places with visible tyre marks and never seen a footprint and it has 'built' features that have been there years and never been removed so it would follow that it's not realy used as a footpath all that often. The path in question just spits you out at a main road with no adjoining rights of way, the bridleway lower down takes most of the traffic up the hill.
The track's very open so any approaching walkers can be seen well in advance and it has a fairly gentle gradient so you could stop pretty much instantly; I'd definitely class it as a 'safe' footpath.
I've ridden the track a lot and never seen anyone walk it
perhaps because they know it gets ridden on
I'd definitely class it as a 'safe' footpath
i am off to take the dog for a walk on a safe trail centre
TBH i dont know the area and whether it is cheeky or irresponsible but if you ride on footpaths every now and again you will get this.
This is a problem round the woods local to sherwoodpines. With my kind head on its to stop the motorbikes rriding the paths. But i have see an dog being walk the wrong direction around the red route.
Make it a game.. tell a group of local riders whenever it happens on a particular trail, they all make sure they ride that trail more often and clear it every time. Try Mr Stickman out, see how committed he is ) the more often you ride it the more likely to catch him too, especially if you ride it early morning or evening mid-week.
Try Mr Stickman out, see how committed he is ) the more often you ride it the more likely to catch him too, especially if you ride it early morning or evening mid-week.
+1 for this, wish I could help. Once caught we could surround him and chant about our opinions being different 🙄
Why dont we form gangs and look for dog turd leaving owners too, give em a kickin'... OR WE COULD GO FOR A RIDE. Have you seen it out there?? 😀
Is it a well known DH run on a footpath near a bridleway?
Ive never heard of it...
I've had this, although round my way those who do it are clearly indenting to catch riders out, but fortunately do in a feeble way that does pose much threat/inconvenience.
Its a tricky one, obviously access laws are out of date and inconsistent. I think there is an argument for them also being unfair (trying to be neutral here). But you've two groups who disagree, one really annoys there other who never actually encounters them, so the anger festers. Probably just thinks he's making fall in a simple 'harmless' way, hasn't thought of the risks. Not excusing it, but I know the type.
My advise would be ignore it, but if you meet the chap, be nice. Even if he rants don't get angry in his face no matter what the provocation.
Wait in a bush then when you see him,leap out and beat his head in with one of his branches.
It's not horse riders, probably kids, is it? That user group is well known for the obstacles you describe. If so, just ride slower.
Leave a few red socks hanging from trees by nooses....
Its happening up here in Scotland too and there is legal responsible access. It just became a frustrating game but the trail I mention weaves in and out of trees and bushes with limited visibility...
....and its used responsibly by the local mtb crew.
robsoctane, not quite what I meant ) But I should've known what I wrote could have been taken that way. I saw a guy doing this locally a while back and it all worked out ok. Not everyone's going to have the same reaction, but engaging people can have positive outcomes. The alternative is to do nothing and change nothing.
I always clear trails when I ride locally anyway, whatever the cause of the obstruction, wind, walkers, spring growth.
Built features on a footpath?
Asking for trouble, and worse than that, damaging the reputation of the whole mountainbiking community.
Wether its right or not to ride there is a debate - which ever side of the fence you are on, it's not an issue that warrants people laying 'traps' in order to cause injury or death.
If people are so precious about a certain trail not been used by certain groups, they should approach the local rights of way officer with there concerns - not take the law into their own hands.
It's no joke - [url= http://http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/tm_objectid=15280150&method=full&siteid=50060&page=1&headline=biker-death-probe-name_page.html ]killed a bloke round our way[/url].
hmmm sounds like i know of this area you are on about which was top secret apparently! lol....it became very popular with just the locals... they built things here and then lots of people 'complained' probably walkers, and it had to be all taken down and so branches and forest branches strewn across these tracks to disguise ...... havent been up there since i was shown it some many months ago........
if your going to ride cheeky trials, don't build anything that draws attention to your actions, it always end the same way!!
FFS how difficult is it for people to understand this, time and time again you get a thread on here and it starts trails been blocked, a bit later, but we were riding for years, then, we built some gert big jumps....