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A few comments suggest this is National Trust land, and that trails are removed quickly. Can anyone confirm?
Sam in some comments suggests you can trail build anywhere when folk ask him.
Sorry, but if this has the case the guy is bang out of order. Grrr.
This is a bloke who posts videos of himself riding an illegal (well definitely fishy) electric 'motorbike' around woods and trails.
I don't think he GAF.
he is not very responsible. On one eposide he got a free retro bike and trashed it on trails until it was dead. Someone would have been really happy with that as a bike. It was given away by a household, left with a 'please take me' note. Was in good condition too. Totally out of order.
Of all the things to get annoyed about, folk building trails. 😂
why do they wear their helmets when digging and not on the bike? it's like when I see cyclists inside a cafe sitting down having a brew wearing their helmets, like WHY?
it's not like putting a helmet on takes a long time or is a complicated process. durr
bad hair day innit!
Sponshership I imagine Jekkyl (not sure about riders outside cafes..)
As for illegal trailbuilding, I would suggest a more camo look, dayglo hoody?
Unless he is working on the hi-viz vest principle...
Jekyll- I wear my helmet down the pub usually because I still have 5 miles to ride and absolutely hate putting a sweaty helmet back on.
It’s almost as if he does these videos to draw attention to himself, and has worked out that controversy brings attention.
It’s almost as if he does these videos to draw attention to himself, and has worked out that controversy brings attention.
This. Cash for clicks.
Fair point.
I'm more frustrated by the encouragement to just go and dig a trail anywhere, like I give a flying f... attitude. How to upset friends and badly influence people.
How to upset friends and badly influence people.
National trust? I ain't bovvered.
What do you expect, he's hardly the sharpest tool in the box is he?
All those blows to the head I suspect.
What do you expect, he’s hardly the sharpest tool in the box is he?
He’s made a career out of it, so I wouldn’t be so quick to call him stupid, just because you don’t ‘get’ it.
why do they wear their helmets when digging and not on the bike? it’s like when I see cyclists inside a cafe sitting down having a brew wearing their helmets, like WHY?
it’s not like putting a helmet on takes a long time or is a complicated process. durr
Dunno if our club is atypical, but there's probably more 'crashes' sliding on a wet cafe floor in disco slippers than on the road!
National trust? I ain’t bovvered.
Whatever your well reasoned and nuanced arguments are against the NT. I'm not sure pissing off one of the biggest landowners in the UK is going to do us any favors in campaigning for greater access.
Its the end of the world as we know it
I'd never heard of Sam Pilgrim prior to this thread, so I suppose his video is achieving his main goal.
It's through illegal trail building that things become more mainstream.I been building since I was a kid.
It’s through illegal trail building that things become more mainstream.I been building since I was a kid.
I don't disagree but there's 'cheeky trails' concisting of footpaths and trails in the woods int he middle of nowhere that no one knows about. And then there's building where you know you're just creating workload and grief for the land manager.
Build smart or the work is for nothing as it gets wrecked
TINAS, you and I have different viewpoints on this, mainly due to where we live, you in the SE IIRC, Me in Scotland, so it would be unexpected for us to agree or argue the point.
Where I live, there is vast, vast swathes of unmanaged, unloved land, ditto forests that no one ever ventures in, that will ultimately end up looking horrific once deforested and left fallow for whatever period the landowner decides.
It is in my opinion that a wee ribbon of mud in one of these areas is hardly a crime, I tend to agree that wooden built jumps are a bit shit, but in the grand scheme of things, there's a hell of a lot worse going on by those that were born into the ownership of that land.
I accept you have a different view, and that land around you is in a different situation, fair enough.
So we can all agree that there are some areas of woodland we shouldn't build cheeky trails on, not simply because getting caught would be a hassle?
I would agree, it breaks rule no.1
Mr Pilgrim putting it out on the internet and encouraging others to build trails wherever they want does smashes, burns, spits on and wipes a bum with rule no.1
TINAS, you and I have different viewpoints on this, mainly due to where we live,
I don't think we disagree actually. Trailbuilding in the woods in the middle of nowhere is on the right side of cheeky. But that's more likely to be FC rather than NT or NTS land. If it's NT land then either it's been purchased because it is loved or bequeathed to them. Their remit is to use/ develop / maintain /manage that land sustainably (i.e. meeting the needs of users without harming the needs of future users, their motto is "forever, for everyone"). sometimes that means a no-cycling sign. Sometimes that means they invest in 8 miles of family trails and a cafe for cyclists.
I support the NT mostly because I grew up on a series of NT farms and houses, nowt to do with moving South.
As soon as I saw him and his buddies making those stupid hand gestures I lost interest and when I saw them using those even more stupid American-style long-handled shovels to almost no effect at all I laughed and turned off. Do people understand the difference between a spade and shovel or even how to use a proper shovel? It must be one of the most efficient tools known to Mankind, used correctly.
Fair enough TINAS.
I have to skip the bits were he does bike building on his drive and is resting brand new FOX 40s on the tarmac whilst hammering the crowns on. Otherwise a talented rider, but like Deakin a bit too much Oi Oi going on.
Ever since National Trust used their block vote to overrule their members in the banning of trail hunting with dogs (a cover for illegal fox hunting) ive concluded its my public duty to do as much illegal riding as possible on their land.
But it's not illegal is it?
They might come after you in a civil Court for the cost of restoring the land to its former state but you're not breaking any law. Unless..... (sound of brain cogs ticking) they tried for a charge of Criminal Damage?
But it’s not illegal is it?
Correct, it was just a figure of speech. I should have said cheeky.
I really like the guy . Carry on Sam
Agreed Blackflag, that and the Glencoe naming rights fiasco.
But it’s not illegal is it?
Currently, no. Boris Chump is planning to change the laws of trespass during the life of his government. Any ammunition for the naysaying landowners is bad news from this point onwards.
No health and safety seeing a few of them have lost two digits at the knuckle
But it’s not illegal is it?
it is actually - criminal damage to someones property and uprooting of wild plants.
If he’s an accredited trail builder and wants a laugh then send him my way to sort the sketchy pumptrack and dj spot in town
But it’s not illegal is it?
Depends if it's an SSSI or not, or any other bylaws.
It amazes me that so many people see rule #1 differently.
There is a land owner in Surrey Hills lets a trail go through their actual garden.
When they asked if people could respect a bit of quiet when the kids are in bed a bunch of #1 thought it was a funny idea to go and make noise and shine their 1000 lumen lights through the house.
and Ahem.... when the location of your own private trails is a pin 10 miles away a phrase with glass houses and stones comes to mind - Just Sayin ...
it is actually – criminal damage to someones property and uprooting of wild plants.
Jesus wept.
Jesus wept.
?
it is actually – criminal damage to someones property and uprooting of wild plants.
Jesus wept.
You may mock but i'm doing a 10 year stretch for skidding on some dandelions by our local park. These are difficult times.
Can't you sue them for personal injury on the basis of the low friction dandelions?
Ever since National Trust used their block vote to overrule their members in the banning of trail hunting with dogs (a cover for illegal fox hunting) ive concluded its my public duty to do as much illegal riding as possible on their land.
Can't fault you for that. It's why me & the Mrs cancelled our NT membership.
Not that they seemed to give a shite when I told them why.
it is actually – criminal damage to someones property and uprooting of wild plants
Any bluebells in there? The fines are big numbers
Any bluebells in there?
Only for the English ones, those Spanish ones can **** right off. Hostile environment time for the Spanish ones.
In the grand scheme of things, who really gives a shit?
If it's where I think it is, yes there will be native bluebells in there, and he'll be creating a load of grief for committed locals who have worked really hard with the National Trust for years to get their riding area recognised. It's a small area, with regular user conflict and sensitive designations and this won't be helping anyone.
Are bluebells this years baby robins?....
Dunno, but they're protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Seagulls are protected, so Bluebells are aligning themselves with the vermin.
Classy.
Haha!
Rule 1 infraction and boring as hell to watch anyway.
Never heard of him until now, just put him on my Death List.
Has he styled himself on Lee Nelson?
Ha ha. Lee Nelson's more embarrassing uncle.
Like how this "mountain bike forum" is full of people who have never heard of a former downhill racer/ slopestyle competitor / freeride mountain bike world champion /rampage competitor / crankworx competitor /urban downhill rider who is sponsored by Monster Energy / Go Pro / Swatch / Haibike.
Just saying...apparently now going on someones Death List....
Met him once at Chicksands, seemed a pretty cool guy. (I know "cool story bro"...)
Like how this “mountain bike forum” is full of people who have never heard of a former downhill racer/ slopestyle competitor / freeride mountain bike world champion /rampage competitor / crankworx competitor /urban downhill rider who is sponsored by Monster Energy / Go Pro / Swatch / Haibike.
I'm not interested in competition at all and rarely watch videos of other folk riding bikes. I'd much rather be riding myself. I couldn't even tell you what "slopestyle", "freeride", Crankworz are.
Like how this “mountain bike forum” is full of people who have never heard of a former downhill racer/ slopestyle competitor / freeride mountain bike world champion /rampage competitor / crankworx competitor /urban downhill rider who is sponsored by Monster Energy / Go Pro / Swatch / Haibike.
Well he obviously needs a decent manager /promo guy...
I think his attitude is crap with regards to ragging his ebike through the woods and building trails.
Just saying…apparently now going on someones Death List….
Aye, that comment was proper 12 year old fat kid stuff.
lol at the fanboi. How often do pro mtbers come up on a question of sport ? (not that i watch it) I'd put money on they've never come up or ever been a panel member. Downhill & Cross Country are duller than darts.
lol at the fanboi. How often do pro mtbers come up on a question of sport ? (not that i watch it) I’d put money on they’ve never come up or ever been a panel member.
Rach Atherton has been on it. As a panellist, not just a question answer.
Sam Pilgrim has been on Take Me Out.
seems like I lost my bet, should do a quick edit and add "male". 🙂
No likey, no bikey...
A question of sport! Ahahahahaha!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Quite like his stuff on youtube, he shows the amount of effort needed, not just the clean jumps at the end of a days riding. As for 'illegal' trail building, i'm more worried about those who keep messing around with trails and building daft jumps/ramps that aren't properly thought out or built, doubt Sam Pilgrim builds poor stuff, so should be useful for others after he's finished.
He is regularly in those woods filming videos (at the place where the trails are permitted) and he's great with the kids there. My mate's boy met Sam there very recently whilst he was filming and he had loads of time for all the young riders, so from most accounts he's a really good guy.
This one is very misguided though. He's a hero to the local kids and if they go and start following the ideas in this film there's a very real chance of undoing a lot of hard work.
A question of sport?
Downhill and XC duller than darts?
🙄
I watched the video, expecting to see some serious damage from some of the comments above. The video shows a guy clearing bracken where it has completely dominated a hillside below a woodland, which is generally considered to be a land management issue.
Obviously I watched it with the sound off in case he said something youthful which would anger me, but genuinely his trail was clearing dead bracken with occasional bramble in the winter. There was a small area of heathland habitat at the top which appeared largely unscathed. The loam scraping under the bracken is arguably beneficial in terms of exposure of bracken rhizomes and reducing regrowth to allow other species to colonise. It's winter, so the disturbance isn't a ground nesting bird issue and the trail went across the hill (ish) so erosion probably won't kick off.
Perhaps it was more by accident than design, but the location and timing of this little activity seems ecologically neutral and could have been much more damaging elsewhere, permission debate aside. Just for balance, like.
The video shows a guy clearing bracken where it has completely dominated a hillside below a woodland.
Aye I suspect people up in arms haven't actually watched what he does. The trails would be reclaimed after a winter in most case, bit of raking here and there and shifting the odd bit of dirt.
He's hardly destroying pristine areas.
Aye I suspect people up in arms haven’t actually watched what he does. The trails would be reclaimed after a winter in most case, bit of raking here and there and shifting the odd bit of dirt.
No wonder our society is borked with that kind of attitude.
DOOMED!
Is the issue what he has done here, or the impression it gives to others? With no warnings/guidance/recommendations about identifying suitable locations it's easy to see how some folk will just crack on without thinking.
I liken this to camp fires. It's possible to have one without causing any damage but few folk take the time to find out how and end up causing both litter and damage (sometimes with fatal consequences).
People advocating chopping stuff down and digging have a responsibility to make sure folk they're showing it to have some understanding of the environment and the impact it could have for access generally.
poah
No wonder our society is borked with that kind of attitude.
Aye, society is gubbed cause of someone with a spade clearing leaves and brambles in a area that sees little usage.
Solved all of societies ills right there ye have! 😆
Like how this “mountain bike forum” is full of people who have never heard of a former downhill racer/ slopestyle competitor / freeride mountain bike world champion /rampage competitor / crankworx competitor /urban downhill rider who is sponsored by Monster Energy / Go Pro / Swatch / Haibike
Pmsl did you copy that from wiki the guys raced down stairs in Mexico hardly a dhiller although you may want to watch his pre ride of the croatia wc track to make up your own mind .he was tightly rinsed for it too .
As mentioned several times recently he's a great bloke in real life but comes across as a bit of a dick on his Chanel.
His fans love him for it and some have even made it on here to defend him.
My personal view is he hasn't done much wrong in he grand scheme of things in this video but he needs to set more of an example but he's done a hell of a lot worse in older videos .
Flying down stairs into pedestrians generally being a dick Infront of oncoming traffic .
Do I really care ....not really I'm a big believer in what goes around comes around and one day it will happen and let's all pray it's not his free fox 40,s that he's fitted with a shovel and sledge hammer that result in his unfortunate fate
Agree he is a bit of a dick. But not even close to the majority of dicks on this so called Mtb forum.
Singletrack, For the few, not the many.
Is he the small guy that sells cheese on a horse?
No wonder our society is borked with that kind of attitude
Right ye are. 😂
Definitely more talent on a bike than everyone on this forum, barring a few notable exceptions. Maybe.
Clearly a genius at parody, the success of which can be determined by some of the responses shown here.
A bit irresponsible at times. Anyone on here remember being young?
Builds a few trails, the kind of thing that got me into BMX back in the day. Gallic shrug from me, you can see plenty of other unnatural features in the background of the video.