View Full Version : busy busy diggy diggy (mtb/bmx)
ferretca18
12-02-2010, 14:09
Well, i cant reall be arsed to write it all up again but Ill post some progress pics.
Seeing as im unemployed at the moment (till the end of the month anyway) I decided to build a pump track, as we need some dirt based riding. Was inspired by the digmore trails in Bristol if you know of them (amazing trails in a secret spot, including a massive dirt bowl!)
So I found a spot miles away from everything and anyone (you need a car to get there) Good dirt, flatish. got diggint. Wanted a pumptrack thing with the possibility of building trails at a later date.
Here is where Im at so far:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/ferretca18/hobo%20trails/Photo052.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/ferretca18/hobo%20trails/Photo054.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/ferretca18/hobo%20trails/Photo062.jpg
The pics really dont do it justice, the berms are about waist height, going to be pretty much shaped ready for compacting next week:)
Theres a full build diary here:
http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=95410
Nice mate, ours are being flattened as we speak. I could cry. Good luck with yours though
ferretca18
12-02-2010, 17:58
mate that sucks:( this one is under threat as well! not sure about getting flattened but probably no more building (which is a shame as the dirt is perfect for doubles)
:( the sad thing is its very rare to get something like this official (there are exceptions like wisley but they are few and far between)
Why are yours getting dozered?
The pump track and doubles/singles in my local woods are gone too :(
ferretca18
12-02-2010, 18:45
lame, the fun police are everywhere arent they... at the end of the day we just move mud around to ride bikes on and were even denied that! :annoyed: New Zealand has the right attitude, build a massive council operated jump park, so riders dont have to build secret trails!
Lame it is :nod: i suppose it's to do with potential injuries and location..... air ambulances are expensive. But if it was council run then access would be a lot better but then they'd have to spend money and they hate doing that.
ferretca18
12-02-2010, 19:11
im kind of in charge of a council project, started out as a pump track and doubles but due to the fact that they want it to be safety inspected (which is fair) it means an inspection by RoSPA, whcih means no doubles, transfers, gaps or multi directional trails, which is why everywhere just goes for a bmx track, which is what we are trying for now, not a bad thing but it was being built for a mainly mtb user base (although i ride bmx as well)
Theres no such thing as a secret track anymore, everything gets found eventually. unless its on private land:(
Turns out our trials are on two pieces of property. Only the very top bit has been flattened. So we have actually managed to keep 85% and might have gotten away with carrying on. Unfortunately the council has come to have a look as they own some land up there. But they are not sure what. Hard to believe i know. These surveyors were ok tbh. The trouble has come from a Tree specialist (read jobsworth tree hugger) and i'm not just saying that because i am angry.
For want of a better phrase he couldn't see the woods for the trees. He had a very quick look round and all he saw was holes in the ground and soil piled round trees. We tried to point how much dead brush , ivy and brambles that we had cleared so the big oaks could flourish. How we had encouraged the local wildlife, Red Squirrels, Pheasants, Woodpeckers and even Grass snakes.
Also that we had just replanted new Sycamores that wouldn't have survived where they were before to provide more cover for the trails.
He just wasn't interested, all he seemed to think was that all the trees were about to fall over at any minute. Like trees only grow on flat level ground.
Forestry Commission was mentioned and they left, leaving us little doubt what will happen soon.
What pisses me off most is that if the developer hadn't cleared the top bit, the Council wouldn't have bothered to even take notice even though they new of the trails.
Sorry for the essay but i am understandably annoyed.
I Feel for you dealing with your council mate and really wish you good luck with it.
ferretca18
12-02-2010, 22:56
Mate that sucks:(I hate hearing about trails that are established getting torn down...
The ranger that found mine is Forestry commission, but he didnt object to riding in the woodlands, just that there are a few issues, gonna try and get that sorted (maybe have a club where we pay liability and have a designated area to build in, seeing as the woods arent really used by the general public, due to its location.) BUT until i get a deffinate, stop digging or we will arrest you, im gonna carry on! Scoping new places every day to build, just have the problem of good locations with crap earth at the moment.
Are you aware of the digmore trails in Bristol? Ill dig (lol) out the link to the blog, very impressive trails in the best location ever!
it all looks very good ferret. must pop down and help dig and ride when i get my hardtail fixed up !
ferretca18
13-02-2010, 19:06
no worries mate, youre always welcome! May also have found a secret safe spot that we are allowed to dig (well we have 2, one in cornwall and one in devon, devon one is just for dirt jumps tho:))
Im off at the end of the monh for the yacht season but Steve (my mate on the demo) knows where it is;)
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