Please read: it is NOT ok

[ilnadi]

I like the concept of closing the trails when wet but then you will have a debate on who has the right to make that decision for a public park.

If Charlotte is Charlotte, NC, the Raleigh-Durham area has a similar situation in the official parks (used to live there, still drag my bike down when I visit).
AFAIK the people who work at the park manage the gates (and some of them are also the trail builders). Makes the "who has the right" decision a bit easier. Not sure about non-park trails but I've seen open/closed signage there as well. I can ask my buddies who manages them.

 

[stb222]

If Charlotte is Charlotte, NC, the Raleigh-Durham area has a similar situation in the official parks (used to live there, still drag my bike down when I visit).
AFAIK the people who work at the park manage the gates (and some of them are also the trail builders). Makes the "who has the right" decision a bit easier. Not sure about non-park trails but I've seen open/closed signage there as well. I can ask my buddies who manages them.

@pearl

I don't see why people make such a big deal about this in NJ (the closing of trails).

 

[Pearl]

@pearl

I don't see why people make such a big deal about this in NJ (the closing of trails).

I would think its safe to say that the majority of people here would obey, but how many trail systems are we really talking about that can get severely gutted from riding when its wet? The trails up north wouldn't benefit as much as say, Clayton or Six Mile.

 

[mattybfat]

Gladly man this at trail head​

 

[Molasses]

I like the Mud Meter Idea- I agree who has the authority to close a trail to mud- however setting a gauge is pretty straightforward. My only tweak would not ask riders to set the meter as it may provide feelings from riders- who are they to tell me I cant ride, etc...

Do the parking lots have surveillance? I don't think so but if it was even implied it may help. Not a preachy mud meter to identify when trails are good and not good to ride and some signage that alerts all that use the parking lot that the area is patrolled or under surveillance. Just a thought.

 

[bigtwin100]

Agree about the muddy trails but these guys racing around using Strava chasing KOM'S and PR's is a huge problem that really needs to be recognized. I have seen it and im embarrased when it happens. Ive seen riders bomb downhills not yielding or stopping as a man with his wife and 2 small kids were hiking up. I dont blame them for the mtb hate. This is probably the main reason for the intense ban at watchung last august. There were so many complaints mid summer. Wake up people more bans are coming which is a shame. Stupid hurts

 

[wonderturtle]

When I was in HS I thought it was cool to have fenders on my mtb and hit some muddy trails. It wasn't until I was educated on TM much later that I realized I was an inadvertent idiot.

Even more recent for me. When I started riding more regularly it didn't occur to me that riding wet/ muddy trails,was bad. In fact, I once purposely went to allaire and rode during a torrential rain storm (the trails were friggin rivers!) cause I thought it would be fun. Only after I joined mtbnj was I educated that such behavior is destructive. I didn't know better.

So, I agree signage (particularly at sensitive places like 6mr) is CRITICALLY NEEDED to: (1) educate the large proportion of riders that aren't educated by virtue of being an active part of the MTB community (like this forum) and (2) attempt to guilt the selfish a'holes that do know better but ride in such conditions anyway (cause they're selfish a'holes).

 

[Matt_]

@wonderturtle I'll forgive you if you forgive me.

 

[pygmypony]

I could make the call. I just don't want a full time job babysitting

we could establish a "volunteer army" willing and able to help with the babysitting...it's not that different than what we do at the local little league level when fields need to be closed for rainouts...yes, it's a pain in the ass, but a necessary evil...sign me up!

as for the general level of civility toward hikers and other trail users, or lack thereof...unfortunately, i fear that's a symptom of our current state of humanity, and isn't isolated to the trails...the best we can do is lead by example and kill them with kindness...

 

[pygmypony]

Even more recent for me. When I started riding more regularly it didn't occur to me that riding wet/ muddy trails,was bad. In fact, I once purposely went to allaire and rode during a torrential rain storm (the trails were friggin rivers!) cause I thought it would be fun. Only after I joined mtbnj was I educated that such behavior is destructive. I didn't know better.

So, I agree signage (particularly at sensitive places like 6mr) is CRITICALLY NEEDED to: (1) educate the large proportion of riders that aren't educated by virtue of being an active part of the MTB community (like this forum) and (2) attempt to guilt the selfish a'holes that do know better but ride in such conditions anyway (cause they're selfish a'holes).

and yes, back in the day, i totally did the same thing...

 

[Sven Migot]

we could establish a "volunteer army" willing and able to help with the babysitting...it's not that different than what we do at the local little league level when fields need to be closed for rainouts...yes, it's a pain in the ass, but a necessary evil...sign me up!

as for the general level of civility toward hikers and other trail users, or lack thereof...unfortunately, i fear that's a symptom of our current state of humanity, and isn't isolated to the trails...the best we can do is lead by example and kill them with kindness...

JORBA has a Trail Ambassador program.

 

[GHM73]

Mocked this up a little while back. These are cheap. under $30 each, less in higher quantity.

 

[GHM73]

guys racing around using Strava chasing KOM'S and PR's is a huge problem that really needs to be recognized. ...

This is another common sense thing (and a not being a d*ck thing).

Not that I'm fast or going for KOMs AT ALL, but I know if I want to try to improve on my speed (and get a good workout), I do it when the trail is not crowded. I've been out at sunrise and not seen another soul on a Saturday in the summer. It's possible. Early morning weekdays? DESOLATE. When we have the morning daylight, like April through September, it's easy to get your speed fix and not risk running into anyone else (except for Jay doing early morning TM).

Like you said, and the purpose of Jay's original post, people need to be aware of what's going on around them and just be NICE to everyone they meet. Represent the MTB community in a positive light, always.

That said, I'm checking on conditions a few times a week at least, all year. I'd gladly participate in an ambassador/conditions reporting program.

 

[bigtwin100]

This is another common sense thing (and a not being a d*ck thing).

Not that I'm fast or going for KOMs AT ALL, but I know if I want to try to improve on my speed (and get a good workout), I do it when the trail is not crowded. I've been out at sunrise and not seen another soul on a Saturday in the summer. It's possible. Early morning weekdays? DESOLATE. When we have the morning daylight, like April through September, it's easy to get your speed fix and not risk running into anyone else (except for Jay doing early morning TM).

Like you said, and the purpose of Jay's original post, people need to be aware of what's going on around them and just be NICE to everyone they meet. Represent the MTB community in a positive light, always.

That said, I'm checking on conditions a few times a week at least, all year. I'd gladly participate in an ambassador/conditions reporting program.

Totally agree. I could care less what other riders do and if they use Strava who am i to judge. What i do have issue with is blatant disregard for other trail users because they need to race at all costs. Its stupid and if it doesn't change we're all gonna be fucked when parks have had enough complaints

 

[walter]

Mocked this up a little while back. These are cheap. under $30 each, less in higher quantity.

While something like this is a great idea, this thing will disappear in a matter of days. Something permanent needs to be set up.

 

[Pearl]

Tip: If you want to keep this thread a serious one, save the strava stalker stuff for another thread.

While something like this is a great idea, this thing will disappear in a matter of days. Something permanent needs to be set up.

Agreed 100%.

 

[bigtwin100]

Tip: If you want to keep this thread a serious one, save the strava stalker stuff for another thread.


Agreed 100%.

Why it is clearly mentioned in the original first post. The debate about wet trails will go on forever

 

[bigtwin100]

"Also: PLEASE Stop being assholes to hikers. Slow down. Turn off the strava racer mentally and give people on foot A break. Really. Say hello, ask if they need directions. Think of them as your grandmother"

So we just ignore this Pearl? Ok

 

[Pearl]

"Also: PLEASE Stop being assholes to hikers. Slow down. Turn off the strava racer mentally and give people on foot A break. Really. Say hello, ask if they need directions. Think of them as your grandmother"

So we just ignore this Pearl? Ok

ahhhh i see i am wrong, you win @bigtwin100, i thought we were having a good discussion about the signs i was upset to be getting away from it.

 

[Karate Monkey]

While something like this is a great idea, this thing will disappear in a matter of days. Something permanent needs to be set up.

Someone posted a pic of a 'mud meter' a few posts back, seems like a great idea, a la the "smokey the bear" fire danger signs they have everywhere in NJ.