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Jesmond Mountainbike Trails
Some big news coming out of Jesmond.
After a few emails I had a chat with Council today and they are keen to see mtb legitimized in Jesmond, but they also want to see a decent sized race put on.
They seem to be pushing the healthy lifestyle aspect, the fact it links by cycleway to much of the NCC population. We are starting by mapping the trails, but they have a very open mind and maybe with some planning an inner city DH type trail could be possible (not promising anything).
I'll keep this thread updated as everything progresses, but I think this can only be a good thing. It will hopefully allow the load to be taken off glenrock, it will be another area secured for riding in the longer term.
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won't that chew up half of the area? & do not get me started on the other 2 aspects which could/will derail these plans!!!
The info I have on the bypass puts it further west than I thought it was. Irrespective, it's not being built for a while.
What are the other 2 points that will derail this?
unrestrained dogs & motos/mini thumpers it is lot worse up there, that is why it is my trails to ride after rain as it is not regulated in any way so no damage done!!
I grow up riding my bmx in the bush around the old drive-in pre john hunter days get the council in there and let them go nuts i say ..... robbie i wouldn't worry about the by pass my grandkids will be lucky to see that.
In the short term I dont know how much of a push they have to really tweak the trails. We need to sort that, but it looks like to start with it will be the status quo in there. Maybe some signage would be nice and perhaps the race they want could fund that.
Early days and I need to really get redamiliarisef with the trails in there bits been a while b
I wish they would build the bypass, would make my commute a lot smoother, can't see it happening this century though.
lets go, lets get in their and do some trail work.
Going for a run down there today bout 11 o'clock,will keep you posted on what i find.Havn't ridden there since i was a kid 35 odd years ago
Never been in there so would be ood to have a map and details on where to get in etc.
I'm a local to the area, and have ridden most if not all the trails in there.
I can map the trails using an iPhone app that exports as a .KMZ and .GPX file.
If anyone wants to go for a ride through there either Saturday or Sunday let me know. My bike is in the shop, but im sure i can ninja my brothers Reign over the weekend.
Its still going to be wet in there over the weekend, but i would rather ride here so as to give Glenrock a chance to recover.
Have even seen a gokart flogging around some of the trails at the top of Jesmond. The lower trails are quite good tho in regards to no motos. Some of the trails are quite narrow tho and dont give a great ability for walkers to step to the side to allow a rider to pass let alone pass whilst walking the bike. Have noticed a few directional arrows of late on the lower trails once on the trail, nothing at the trail heads so its a little confusing as to whether they are valid or if someone has just put some arrows on trees.
Me & a mate went down there yesterday with limited time & found a few trails to have a blap on with a fair bit of climbing involved but still had fun though.Today was a different story myself & 2 other mates went down again wwith plenty of time to have a look around found a fair bit of single track which wasnt bad to ride albeit a little overgrown & washed out in some places plus there was a lot of fallen branches(and some bloody big ones @ that)littering the trals probably from the big winds last week.From what we seen today there is a lot of potential with excellent geography for some great trails to be built & existing ones to be fixed & even upgraded.Will certainly be going back for another go.
What sort of distance are we talking wit te trails in there - 1k, 2 -5K, 5K + ?
Been a while since I've been in there, but well over 5.
with some more secret trails to ride which would add another 5km+(short road section needed)
Including a short ride along the cycleway towards lambton pool to a local coffee shop for a fix and back for some more bush bashing we probably covered 20+ ks, that included the cycleway from jhh down to jesmond park which is about 1.8 ks.
Likes this place is worth a look then.
Anyone want o a post a GPS map of the place ?
D
I'd prefer they didn't until we lock it in officially. Do it be PM or email, just don't want to scuttle the chance to make them legit.
still deciding to ride here or some parts of G'rock tomorrow(missing the wet sections)
Hey 'RO'
Not in Newy this weekend, but would be keen to hook up for a ride next time I'm up there.
Thanks for being sociable though mate !
D
I've always been keen to ride in this area ever since a mate of mine once saw a 20-something rather fit young lady going for a jog...absolutely starkers.
Just out of interest, was it any members from here that did a ride at Jesmond/JHH on the weekend that had a stack coming back down Cambronne Pde, turning into the small cul de sac after their ride?
Lenny do you have anything to do with the blue ribbons placed on trees along the main trail?-did about 13kms up there with heaps more I could have ridden-have you mapped it out yet?
Not mapped yet, I don't have a functional bike at the moment, so no the ribbons aren't me.
I've heard stories of some directional signs inthere of late as well.
(I am a Mountain Biker and ride in Jesmond Bushland. There is a trail which is on a large pipe that runs from the top of the hill (North of John Hunter Hospital) to the base heading North-East and ending at the rear of Kerrai Close, Lambton Gardens. (See Diagram)
The existing trail is full of ruts and evidence of erosion. It is very difficult to ride or even to walk. The trail is also very wide destroying the surrounding ecosystem.
My proposal is for a new single trail that is made entirely by myself and friends which has many grade reversals and is extremely weather proof. It may even include obstacles such as ladder bridges. We do not require any budget but just permission to dig. We will make clear signage for the new trail. We will follow IMBA’s guide to building trails and this trail will be made easy to be accessed both ways. The new trail will go past some very scenic areas of the bush. We expect this trail to be entirely built in one month.
Thank you for your time and please reply as soon as possible. )
That is a letter I sent to the council regarding this topic. I would love for this to be able to be built. It is a downhill trail. I will be mapping this proposal tommorrow with a GPS. It would be a great help if the Trail Alliance could help build this with me. I am still waiting for approval from the council. Thank You.
as to the reply from council-I know the trail you are talking about