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:

• Trig track clearing has been done by surveyors not manly dam personnel.
• Steep climb boardwalk they are placing a small flat rock at base of rock platform to re establish original approach angle. Will be closing off the alternate LH line and inside line at both top and base of the boardwalk to ensure no alternate lines are developed.
• Boardwalk has been re bolted and set.
• Are looking at different options for greater grip on boardwalk. Suggestions welcome via this forum

Trig single track:

• 3 rocks to close off expanding lines

Trig Track after climb

• needs significant work to re establish original line
• volunteer day earmarked.

New Boardwalk area prior to golf rock.

• Establish large rocks to align sight angle onto rock platform and allow regeneration of lower area.
• Boardwalk is routed onto line off platform rock already.
• Small flat rock to enable step up onto flat rock to be achievable.

Rest of the work done looks really tidy. Contractor was pretty upset and put out about some of the comments made about the "patio area". A new body has been set up by local mountain bikers to improve the consultation process and reduce the misinformation sometimes delivered when things are sighted before completion and assumptions are made. (More will be advised on this advocacy development in the next 2-3 weeks).

It was reinforced to the contractor that once people have seen the completed works they were very happy and that the concern came from a lack of consultation and information in the process and mountain bikers felt removed from the decision process when we thought there were greater priorities on the trail.

The mayor should be our last port of call not the first. We have re established a communication with the ranger and management of the dam and they are listening (thanks to you all contacting the mayor). Lets keep the momentum positive and forward.

So if you see the contractor working, he is pretty chuffed at his 3 reverse grades at the patio area, and the work is great so say hello and thanks. He is working to make our trails better.

There will be another chance for input before the next section of trail work this week so nobmob and MWMTB reps are keep a morning open between them.

There are still numerous areas on the golf course track we sighted to require work that was outside the scope of the current contract work and ideally suited to volunteer days. These shall be approached in the future as POM comes to light and allows the degree of flexibility for the rangers to manage volunteers.