Nassau is closed indefinitely as of February 15
- Thread starter jShort
- Start date
Nox has been closed all winter.
I think all trails should close January and February
People aren't responsible enough to police themselves.
I think all trails should close January and February
People aren't responsible enough to police themselves.
GSTim
Formerly M3Tim
Don't agree, some of the best rides I've had have been in Jan/Feb. Should we close the trails in spring too? Let's use our heads here.
The Kalmyk
Well-Known Member
Good stuff!
It's just a shame the amount of time and effort put into building and maintaining trails.
Only to get destroyed every winter.by a few misguided individuals.
Only to get destroyed every winter.by a few misguided individuals.
FitmanNJ
Well-Known Member
I'm against trail closures based on the calendar only because there can be conditions/places in the winter and spring during which no trail damage is done from riding. With sub freezing temperatures, preferably on overcast days (or early in the morning), I've been able to get out on a number of rides this year without doing any trail damage. At times, my investment in studded tires has made what otherwise may have been dangerous conditions completely rideable. I know that this doesn't address the poor judgment used by some during this time of the year, but I'd like trail closures, if needed, to be based on actual conditions. Maybe that becomes too complicated a call. The longterm weather forecasts make the foreseeable future look challenging, but I'd hate to see "the baby thrown out with the bath water."
huffster
Well-Known Member
I should start by saying I have never ridden at Nassau and have no sense of how bad the damage is. So, closing it has no effect on me.
But, I am concerned with the idea some mountain bikers are now publicly advocating to broadly close ALL trails in the winter because some mountain bikers are irresponsible.
So, that means you agree with the idea: "Punish the whole class for the behavior of some". Do you really agree with that approach?
The fact that some people don't have good judgment does not mean we all don't. For those that would say: "Well its making MTBers look bad". I could easily start taking pictures of boot marks frozen in the mud to show that some other trail users don't use good judgment, either.
But, I am concerned with the idea some mountain bikers are now publicly advocating to broadly close ALL trails in the winter because some mountain bikers are irresponsible.
So, that means you agree with the idea: "Punish the whole class for the behavior of some". Do you really agree with that approach?
The fact that some people don't have good judgment does not mean we all don't. For those that would say: "Well its making MTBers look bad". I could easily start taking pictures of boot marks frozen in the mud to show that some other trail users don't use good judgment, either.
rick81721
Lothar
I saw horse hoof prints sunk 4+ inches into the mud at 6MR one year. And they were there for weeks
Yes, I think all trails should be closed in the spring thaw, just like all cars are supposed to not drive 120 on the GSP and they don't sell guns at Wawa.
People are brutally irresponsible. Watch the news for 3 minutes to confirm that. Without structure we devolve into a morass of chaos, almost without fail.
But who are we kidding? We as a society think it's ok to sell guns legally to 17-year-old psychopaths. Don't worry, most trails probably won't be closed.
People are brutally irresponsible. Watch the news for 3 minutes to confirm that. Without structure we devolve into a morass of chaos, almost without fail.
But who are we kidding? We as a society think it's ok to sell guns legally to 17-year-old psychopaths. Don't worry, most trails probably won't be closed.
A week or two after they closed Nox, it didn't get above freezing for 2 weeks.
When does spring thaw happen? The past two weekends there was a sort of thaw from previous weeks.
It is a slippery slope. And ideally, you have people that work with the parks and open/close them as needed. In this specific case, I bet I could work with @Jeffreywoliver and @jShort and they could come up with a workable system where Jeff interfaces with the park based on Jeremy's feedback. This specific park is an example of where that could work. But we would need to have our shit together and be ready to work on a continuing basis to open/close the trails as-needed. I am sure there are other people that could be involved, eg the people who bring the machinery into the park.
Point being that sure, ideally this could work. But each park would need the people to do the legwork, etc.
How do you do this at Six Mile? You'd almost need to post an armed guard.
Chimney Rock is impossible. There are like 25 trailheads to deal with.
Frank
Sasquatch
90% of the people out there don't really know the extent of their "it wasn't too bad out there ride". You can leave ruts without leaving a mark on your bike, so until you actually have spent a lot of time digging, you may not realize the damage you do to the trail. Now damage to cycling's reputation to land managers and other user groups is a whole other story.