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Trails at Oxford Falls
It's been a few years since I last rode at Oxford Falls. Now I hear that the natonal parks people aren't too happy about many of the trails there, and have put up 'no cycling' signs.
That's rather unfortunate, because, whilst I also know that they are trying to build something at Bantry Bay or Stringybark Ridge, that will take a very long time to get approved, let alone constructed
Whilst, of course, I don't want to ride on tracks in the national parks without permission, I know, however, that most of the XC loop at Oxford Falls is not within the national parks, and I don't mind doing an out and back to the national park boundary. But now that they've put the signs up, I imagine that fewer riders ride the tracks. have they all become overgrown and unpleasant?
I wouldn't mind walking around the area as well, since some of the topography was really unusual, so I'd really appreciate any light some of you might be able to shed on the condition of the other tracks too. I don't want to go walking there only to have to bash my way though the bush!
Thanks in advance
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Yeah Arpit - go for a nice walk, in the biggest boots you can find. Walking anywhere you like is allowed in any national park!
More seriously though - please respect the signs. I know it's a pain, but we have to show maturity and patience if those trails at Bantry Bay and elsewhere are to become approved.
While you've been away did you learn to drive or obtains funds for a car? Awaba has really come on! Yes - driving 100s of km to ride your bike is not very green, but that's what local 'environmentalists' would rather you do!
Yep, I have a car now! I'll make a trip up to Awaba... thanks for the tip!
The ironic thing is since NPWS has banned mtb from those sections of trails that cross their land, it's had the effect of scaring off the trial fairies who used to maintain the XC network.
The state of what's there is now horrendous, and the culprit ain't bikes because the few tyre tracks we saw weren't that fresh, meaning mountain bikers are for the most part respecting the closures.
No, it's our old friend, water flow. The trails are so badly eroded a large part of the uphills aren't ridable anyway even if you did take a bike. Can't be good for the catchment and plant communities down the hill with that much soil being displaced.
To the NPWS I say: beware unintended consequences.
Please be aware that the Park Boundaries shifted around 2008 and now includes all of the XC course.
This triggered our efforts with government that has in part resulted in the new Strategy and Policy from OEH.
http://nobmob.com/node/10706
I brought this up with a particular ranger at the meeting at bantry who made it known that he loves catching mountain bikers in his 4x4. He had a, "yeah but" answer.
Whilst I am against any new trails ATM without NP direction, The rangers have been instructed to have a practical approach untill this is sorted, this to me means that until there is suitable trails to ride inside national parks(dominant land manager) or current unofficial trails are made official, it is accepted that we need to ride them,and should do our best to keep them sustainable if they are suitable.
My coments are largely Gravity orrientated, however imo the same applies to the XC trails at OXY,
National Parks should focus on stopping Motorbikes ruining those trails.(Mountain bikes are only going to do them good, as we self manage out trails and keep them sustainable.)
National Parks, if you want this process to work you have to involve all diciplines, No official MTB network will ever be sucessfull without sustainable gravity trails,especially when one of the desired effects of the network is to reduce the need for unoffcial trails!
Look at Queenstown, Rotorua, Mt Buller, You Yangs, Mt Stromlo, Thredbo, Ourimba, Awaba, Whistler(Canada)