You are here
Northern Beaches Trail Advocacy
Manly Dam Track Works - Allambie Heights - 4-8 July 2011
Simon, Singlespeeder, Hawkeye and Hawkeye Jnr spent a few hours today looking at the Allambie trail section from 19th Hole to Cootamundra Drive/Monserra Road. If you were naughty and had been riding there today you will have noticed lots of yellow spraypaint on the ground by the side of the trail.
The circles with crosses through them will be where the contractor places large rocks to corral riders and - we hope - stop trail widening.
It was surprising how long it took. The key issue was to confine the track while both reducing speeds and maintaining trail flow.
Response from the mayor
Just thought I'd share a quick note I received (to my surprise) from the Warringah Council mayor Michael Regan. I sent an email to council after the recent trackworks lamenting the lack of consultation, and got a fairly detailed and good response letter from Michael Keelan (Manager Parks, Reserves and Foreshores). I replied thanking them for the reply and expressing my confidence that things are looking like improving in terms of communication between council and the mtb community. This was the mayor's response:
Manly Dam Trail Works Update 27/6/11
Hi All, here's an update on the trail works situation since last week.
A nobmob member talked and walked with a Manly Dam ranger and the trail maintenance contractor last Friday regarding the placement of corralling rocks on the Golf Course tracks. The track as we all know has progressively widened over the years and they are looking at ways to tighten it up a little. Given the POM and all other things re routing of exiting lines is unrealistic in the short term so we have to conserve and make do with what is there.
Notes:
Dumping at Oxford Falls
Hey guys,
think this is the right spot for this but this afternoon a couple of mates and i were out riding Oxford falls. When we'd finished and were packing up to leave at the bottom of the hill we noticed an old bloke come in with a cruddy old ute (looked like an old ford courier or similar) loaded up with a trailer..
Completed Manly Dam Works 12/6/11
After recent discussion (see Manly Dam Closed for works and Manly Dam Golf Course single track works) about the works at Manly Dam here are some images taken today.
This currently doesn't look that bad. Here's hoping the dirt on top of the BBQ pavers stays there!
Manly Dam... This won't be the last works!
The recent works to Manly Dam would have required a level of planning. Its got me thinking there is likely to be another 'attack' on the track in the near future.
I can't understand the council on this. They ran forums where there was overwhelming support by mountain bikers. A key theme by this group was no dumbing down of the trail.
I'm going to call council today to ask who is responsible for these planned works and request a meeting. Perhaps we also need to organize a large group of us to attend the next council meeting in protest.
End of rant...
Daniel
Manly Dam Closed for works
Hello Mountain Bikers,
Sorry for the late notice, but we are having some work done on the track commencing today, Monday 6th June. These works will continue for a few weeks and will involve the use of heavy materials and as such we will need to CLOSE the track to all bike traffic during this time for the safety of riders and contractors. We will advise once the track is re-opened. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Kind regards,
Manly Dam Rangers
[Mod. moved to trail advocacy]
Ride only authorised trails - Ignorance is no excuse
The first of IMBA's rules of the trail is this:
1. Ride Open Trails: Respect trail and road closures - ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.
Manly Dam Mailing List is Offline
Given all the rain of late, some people might be wondering why the council rangers haven't sent an official closure notice for the dam.
Just a heads up on that... I spoke to someone today who had met with the rangers and the topic came up. It seems the mailing list is currently offline and no updates will be sent.
At this time, please then use your common sense and take note of Manly Dam status update.
Please do not ride this track in the wet for obvious reasons (see General Trail Etiquette).
Thank you 