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Future improvements to Manly Dam?
Forgive me if this has been widely discussed but I couldn't find anything.
I'm somewhat aware of the inability we have when it comes to input regarding to Manly Dam. From the discussions I've read here the rangers at this stage aren't interested in suggestions we've made and are more interested in sustainability and safety for multi-use.
Basically, I'm trying to understand if we have any chance of improvements to the trail based on a mountain biker perspective. I love the trail and certainly appreciate the hard work that has gone into it, however every time I ride somewhere else (Majura a couple of days ago) I return saddened knowing Manly Dam could be so much better for mountain bikers. I realise it's not just us Manly Dam has to cater for but every time I envision improvements I can't see an impact on others. These suggestions are based on a basic technical nature so the typical safety issues will be obvious.
Suggestion 1: Addition of a larger berm on the first hard right of the downhill fire trail section. This might just be due to my skill level but I am just to get around this corner without dabbing the brakes a little. Adding an improved berm here would let us flow around this corner much smoother. It wouldn't impact the trail due to it being off to one side. There is actually a slight berm there already due to that line being the best for continuation of speed.
Issues: Speed. The biggest issue would be the continuous risk of collisions with walkers around these blind bends. Surely safety would be improved to the rider as it would create an easier approach to this corner?
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Suggestion 2: A simple jump track in the trail that was recreated last year from Monserra Ave adjacent to Southern Cross Way. Calling it a jump track is excessive, I am looking at a way to cause almost zero impact. Those mounds or speed humps aren't there to keep speed down as they are on flat parts of the trail. If we could widen them slightly they could be used as table tops. Still perfectly rideable at any level, if anything they'd be easier to ride as the top is flat. For any rider who is interested in using them, they of course create a smoother transition if they decide to use the up part to launch from and the down to roll down. I'm not talking about the drainage gullies just the odd mounds they added - just widening them to create a smooth transition for bikers and probably even walkers.
Issues: Safety. For the inexperienced rider who tackled a table top jump and came off second-best. Lucky, these mounds are placed in flat areas of the trail so speed wouldn't be a major issue. The small jumps over the drainage gullies haven't been removed when added many months ago so the rangers mustn't be too worried about safety and small jumps and these of course were added unlawfully. Is this a fire trail? How do their vehicles get over the current mounds anyway? Surely a widened table top would allow vehicles easier access over the top rather than a sharp mound?
I'm just looking at ways that will keep us all interested while causing minimal impact on others using the trail. Small tweaks that keep us interested and possibly even improve safety would be key. Has there been any word of future maintenance days or has that been taken out of our hands and placed into contractors? I'd love to help out where possible if it meant I could continue to enjoy riding at my local trail.
What is the history of the trail? Was the trail created by locals and the rangers decided to allow it? What was the reason for the turning point and attitude we now see weekly/monthly?
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My thinking is the opposite with the Dam, i reckon that speed and jumps are more likely the issue on a broadly used trail and that the
"improvements" are actually detrimental to the mountain biking argument on the trail.
I wish that they had have added more twists and turns and light to medium technical challenges in the downhill sections to slow people down and improve skills (and challenge new and old riders). Its all too easy to pin it and go straight at the dam and each change being made seems to increase rider speed and for me reduce enjoyment and challenge.
It still means that you can go fast but as you may have to get over a log, or balance on a bridge, or take a tight switch back you need to have your wits about you.
Just my two cents
IMHO one of the best possible improvement that could be made to the Manly Dam circuit would be to change it so as to avoid all contact with public roads. This would also be a nice safety improvement.
While it should be possible to avoid the roads in a couple places now, sadly don't think the circuit can ever fully avoid roads given the position of the Hydraulics Lab and the entrance to the golf club.
As I've speculated before, possibly the Dam is destined to become a complete newbies circuit, a more advanced one being built on other council land in the area. Just a guess, but I hope that's the plan given the recent 'improvements'.
Another thought I forgot to mention is having a NoBMoB time trial day. Have time trial race days ever been held at Manly Dam? Is this something that is possible or worth exploring?
I think this has been asked before. The answer was there will never be any racing at Manly Dam. Probably because of the public roads it takes in (not that they couldn't be closed mind).
Feel free to call up the council and ask them, but doubt you'll get any other answer.
Given that a large number of us are constituents of the shire, and that we're probably one of the largest, if not *the* largest user group: if we're being ignored by the rangers in relation to trail maintenance matters, why aren't we talking/writing to our elected representatives on Council?
I think this is something we need to start doing.
Rob, I'm sure you have a collection of links to news articles and reports outlining the community benefit evidence. Hows about PMing me some to help get me started?
Agree with Matt.
Excess speed is always going to cause problems. There is a greater risk of collisions with all types of Dam users and is a good way to get us a bad name simply as bike “hoons”. Excess speed also invites less control, particularly for unskilled riders. This can lead to skidding which causes further trail damage.
Anything which invites greater risk than is already there is a surefire way to cause accidents, attract negative press and ultimately get us kicked out. To those who still feel the need to prove themselves, PLEASE make sure you at least demonstrate courtesy (and more importantly common sense) by slowing RIGHT DOWN in the kids play area.
I think that many people forget that it IS a privilege to have the MTB track at Manly Dam. Therefore by increasing speed (risk) is to surely to jeopardise this access.
If technical sections can be added with minimal to no expense and with no real risk (eg 10 foot north shore) and they will be utterly sustainable (without causing further track erosion due to people going around it – we all know the places where this has happened on the Dam), then great; I’m all for it. Maybe this could be pursued (doubt it would fly tho).
Spoke to the Manly Dam rangers about this. Seems they are not done with the circuit yet and there will be more 'improvements' coming
The context is that Manly Dam is a multi-use trail that Mountain Bikes just happen to be allowed on. That is their line. All we see is the council in the process of ruining one of it's best known and most loved recreational facilities.
The current works are aimed at preventing erosion and for 'the protection of runners and walkers'. There are many local residents that have complemented the rangers on their efforts. It seems that a few locals don't like MTB riders either and the anti-MTB lobby is strong.
Seems we have failed to make ourselves heard. If you don't like the above you need to let the council know. I've asked the rangers for a contact for feedback.
I tried to explain that making the surface smooth, straightening things out and removing all the technical challenges was unwittingly making things more dangerous as one simply cannot help riding faster in smooth straight lines than rough winding ones. This point seemed to be taken on-board and I was invited to send in suggestions of where there should be more curves. Anyone with any ideas email me a KMZ file and lets see what happens.
Could they(we) not cut in some single track beside the fire road descent down to the creek and beyond? That way the walkers/runners/n00bs can use the existing trail and the more skilled users could be blessed with some technical riding.
Put it in a KML and I'll forward it on
Maybe they're already starting!
Just finished a lap and noticed yellow spray marks running across the downhill section behind Allambie where that treacherous speedhump is.
Yep, thought so. Those yellow markings I saw last week have turned into timber logs. Spaced maybe 3-4 metres apart on the downhill section along Allambie across the track.
I like how they add these safety measures (to slow riders down for multi-use purposes) but can't put at a simple email or notice on their website stating new elements on the track and be prepared. Come tomorrow with the conga line of weekend riders lets hope no one gets tripped up with these new additions.
Note: I actually enjoyed them first ride, let me practice my mono-hops and lost zero speed.