I need to vent.
This trail session has had it's ups and downs. Ups in that the other local and I have gotten some pretty cool stuff built. Downs in that everyone that seems to ride in the area enjoys it but us.
I stopped by today to get some water on some small trees I transplanted. Found three kids having a little photo session. I've meet 2 of them before and one of them, I told him to get in contact w/ me next time he wants to ride. Well, seems like that wasn't happening as that conversation was about a month ago and since then he's had some sessions at our trails inviting some "Sasha The Pro" from Sinister.
The 3rd kid I've never meet, decided to start his own "pump track". Bear in mind, I built a roller/tabletop/berm line mostly for my son but so if beginners show, they have something to ride - it's fun and fast and all of us ride it. In the process, he tried to chop down a nice medium sized tree and destroyed a bunch of other small ones. Also moved a pile of dirt into those destroyed trees that we had planned for a landing someplace else.
This kids live in my town, and that's the reason I know them. They said they knew about our trails for a couple years. One kid said he has trails "up at school" and would help dig. Well I heard that from the last 10 or so people I've found riding there and live in the area. Haven't seen them since except for some more hacked landings and busted lips.
Last summer the sides were squared off, lips felt great, landings smooth. This year, stuff is hacked, trees and bushes clipped, knobby marks all over. The funny thing is: all the curprits have been mountain bikers. I've been riding trails w/ BMX'ers since 1996 - seems I know the reason why. And our spot isn't the only one - I got yelled at by Burger at Whip City Trails a couple years ago for being on a big wheeled bike. Seems those local mountain bikers up there like to ride and hack but not dig too.
So, this is the end of it. I tried to give some kids a chance - but they blew it. I'd rather have 2 or 3 good friends that I know contributed instead of a crew of poachers. Chains and locks are going up soon: no dig, no key, no ride.
Here are a few rules for you guys without a clue that want to ride Dirt Jumps:
I'm hoping some of you trail locals have some good stuff to add.
This trail session has had it's ups and downs. Ups in that the other local and I have gotten some pretty cool stuff built. Downs in that everyone that seems to ride in the area enjoys it but us.
I stopped by today to get some water on some small trees I transplanted. Found three kids having a little photo session. I've meet 2 of them before and one of them, I told him to get in contact w/ me next time he wants to ride. Well, seems like that wasn't happening as that conversation was about a month ago and since then he's had some sessions at our trails inviting some "Sasha The Pro" from Sinister.
The 3rd kid I've never meet, decided to start his own "pump track". Bear in mind, I built a roller/tabletop/berm line mostly for my son but so if beginners show, they have something to ride - it's fun and fast and all of us ride it. In the process, he tried to chop down a nice medium sized tree and destroyed a bunch of other small ones. Also moved a pile of dirt into those destroyed trees that we had planned for a landing someplace else.
This kids live in my town, and that's the reason I know them. They said they knew about our trails for a couple years. One kid said he has trails "up at school" and would help dig. Well I heard that from the last 10 or so people I've found riding there and live in the area. Haven't seen them since except for some more hacked landings and busted lips.
Last summer the sides were squared off, lips felt great, landings smooth. This year, stuff is hacked, trees and bushes clipped, knobby marks all over. The funny thing is: all the curprits have been mountain bikers. I've been riding trails w/ BMX'ers since 1996 - seems I know the reason why. And our spot isn't the only one - I got yelled at by Burger at Whip City Trails a couple years ago for being on a big wheeled bike. Seems those local mountain bikers up there like to ride and hack but not dig too.
So, this is the end of it. I tried to give some kids a chance - but they blew it. I'd rather have 2 or 3 good friends that I know contributed instead of a crew of poachers. Chains and locks are going up soon: no dig, no key, no ride.
Here are a few rules for you guys without a clue that want to ride Dirt Jumps:
- If you know of trails nearby, find out who the locals are and check with them about riding. It's not the local mtn bike state park where you can hack up as you please.
- Take out what you take in. Seems easy. But I pick up more stuff at the trails than what my kids leave around the house
- Leave the knobbies at home - they do more f'n damage that you would believe. We had to tell one guy about 10x to switch tires. K-Rads are fine and cheap and will actually be better on the jumps than your DH skins.
- Know how to ride. If you get loose on one set, shut it down. Have brakes that work and don't skid. I'm 220 and run a rear 990 and can do it. You smaller guys w/ dual disks should be able to stop on the landing. If you can't ride the sets go to the box at the park and learn or better yet build your own smaller stuff someplace else.
- Don't show up one day w/ a shovel and start making stupid stuff. I have a half-ass tree ride I have to eventually take down. Haven't seen the kid since he made it (Thank God). The dumb ass even took dirt from a landing because he was too dumb to do it the proper way.
- Next time you go session, bring a rake and broom instead of a shovel if you don't know exactly what you are doing. I'd rather see, clean and smooth runs that crappy patches.
- Keep the place quiet - don't bring the boombox, and definitely don't be broadcasting about the "cool Dirt jumps down the road" to the other freeriders at the XC spot.
I'm hoping some of you trail locals have some good stuff to add.