Trail Damage from Selfish Riders
- Thread starter MuniMan
- Start date
MuniMan
Well-Known Member
But hoverbikes won't work over water so you will still be building dry puddleless paths.
As seen in Colorado.
You are correct, some trails systems handle the wet and others dont. It angers me but I get it, most of the population is stupid and think that being muddy at the end of a ride is what makes it cool. Educate (shame, if needed), the people you know/ come in contact with, but broad level education is a losing battle.
rick81721
Lothar
Riiiigght... fat bikes magically defy the laws of physics. I have seen fat bike ruts on trails
I think when all is said and done this is the best way to protect the trails in winter. Post advertising at trail heads that a clean bike is equal to one free, first time admission. Tons of warehouses in Central NJ (close to 6 Mile) where it seems a lot of newbies go. Would be a good revenue stream for bike shops in the colder months.
only thing stopping this from happening. Lawyers. or, insurance companies, depending which way you want to look at it.
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
Or the price of commercial real estate in NJ. Ray's building is 92,000 sq ft. A crappy 2,400 sq ft industrial building in central NJ goes for $500k.
Mr.Moto
Well-Known Member
I've been inside the ski structure in Xanadu. That would be a great area to take over. But it is sloped, so maybe downhill with ramps and features.
rlb
Well-Known Member
We know the majority of the problem is ignorance/lack of education. Would it help if JORBA had more exposure at every local shop? I know there are some shops that do a great job of supporting JORBA and trying to educate riders. Would it help if every shop asked "Have you heard of JORBA?" with every purchase? It would be cool if a new MTB purchase could include 1 free year of basic JORBA membership. Not sure how we could financially make that happen.
(this is also a good reminder to renew my membership which expires today or tomorrow)
(this is also a good reminder to renew my membership which expires today or tomorrow)
When I first started riding, I recall thinking that they're just trails, you can't destroy them. They even have (or had) tires specifically meant for riding in the mud. Don't worry, my attitude has completely changed. Riding in Lewis Morris just pisses me off sometimes. I know what those trails were like when new versus what they're like now (triple the width). I know that the trails that have been closed for 20 years have not regrown at all. Losing battle at the high travel areas - 20 people showing up for a group ride are unlikely to "do the right thing" and go home.
stilluf
Well-Known Member
This is an annual battle. When I started riding, I was ignorant, probably like most here, about the lasting damage to trails, and to access, that comes from riding when wet.
After I was educated, I was definitely in the lead on damning all who violated the rule. Over time I've mellowed a bit. Now I see the situation for what it is: most riders do their best to stay off wet trails. A small minority of riders are educated, but don't care, and will ride regardless of the conditions (and then enjoy other's labor to fix their damage). The rest are just ignorant, and maybe believe that muddy riding is "real" MTB.
I can also say that there are gradients of opinion on "too wet" to ride, from bone dry being the only acceptable condition, to riding in all conditions unless physically impossible. I keep a running tab in my head of TM "owed" for my own trail transgressions. ;^)
To my mind, the best option is to keep educating riders in a non-confrontational way, showing up for trail maintenance, and inviting others to do the same.
After I was educated, I was definitely in the lead on damning all who violated the rule. Over time I've mellowed a bit. Now I see the situation for what it is: most riders do their best to stay off wet trails. A small minority of riders are educated, but don't care, and will ride regardless of the conditions (and then enjoy other's labor to fix their damage). The rest are just ignorant, and maybe believe that muddy riding is "real" MTB.
I can also say that there are gradients of opinion on "too wet" to ride, from bone dry being the only acceptable condition, to riding in all conditions unless physically impossible. I keep a running tab in my head of TM "owed" for my own trail transgressions. ;^)
To my mind, the best option is to keep educating riders in a non-confrontational way, showing up for trail maintenance, and inviting others to do the same.
Fat Trout
Well-Known Member
LOL...I've showed up at some TM's with this in mind.
The Squirrel
Well-Known Member
What if there was a phone app, which offered up-to-date trail conditions, sponsored by JORBA and the other organizations in the tri-state area. Conditions could be modified by selected organization members only. Any trail's status would be marked by a red or green circle and not why it gets a red or green circle. Maybe on the app the trails could be grouped by location, so a party that has shown up for a ride can easily find a close, alternative location. Selecting a location could give you directions from your current location.
When someone buys a new bike, along with the owners manual is a card tied to the handlebars. It gives information about the app, the local organization, and general trail etiquette.
There could also be signs at trailheads, guiding people to the app, for those who maybe are still unaware.
When someone buys a new bike, along with the owners manual is a card tied to the handlebars. It gives information about the app, the local organization, and general trail etiquette.
There could also be signs at trailheads, guiding people to the app, for those who maybe are still unaware.