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Manly Dam - Email from Rangers
Received this -
"The mountain bike trail has been reopened. We were extremely disappointed with the level of non-compliance with the mountain bike trail closure. This was a particular problem on Sunday, with Rangers having to speak to over 50 riders on the trail. This was despite 17 trail closure signs along the trail, physical closure of the trail with a slip-rail gate, over a thousand emails alerts being sent, notifications of trail closure on local mountain bike clubs webpages and notifications on Council’s Manly Dam webpage. The Manly Dam mountain bike trail is only closed when riding will result in significant damage to the trail surface, and trail closures are kept to a minimum. The growing level on non-compliance with trail closures is unacceptable and we need some impetus from the mountain bike community to turn this attitude around."
That's highly disappointing. I live 5 mins away, yet I went out to Yellowmundee because the Dam was closed.
I think the problem is people who don't live nearby that have traveled a distance to get to the Dam. They see it's closed, but don't care because of the time taken to get there.
Locals wouldn't ride it when it's closed or wet (I hope).
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http://nobmob.com/node/9870#comment-35183
Yeah, sorry - just saw that.
Whatever we feel about the effects on riding the dam in the wet if we don't go along with it we are going to get more restrictions,not less. Unfortunately the dam trail location has been imposed on us , skirting round the back of poorly drained residential propoertyies , not necessarily where you would put the trail if you had a choice . At places like Yellomundee or Ourimbah the trails have been much better placed with much less on going problems with rain (apart from the Graveyard that is).
It would be nice to be given a relatively small chunk of ridge top or hillside park to develop a Sparrow Hill type intensive network of trails ,but that seems pretty unlikely anywhere close.
Having said that is there anything we as a group can do to help compliance . Can we help spread the word to clubs etc that riding the Dam in the wet is not good. Short of letting the car tyres down of any culprits our actions are likely to be pretty limited.
The DuckHole - Central track loop needs to be advertised as a wet weather consolation prize, as it must be hard on a group leader who has spent all week cajoling his mates to ride with him , only to find it is closed when they all arrive there .
Just one thing, apart from this site, is there any other web site that always says whether the Dam is open or closed
I believe this is their official site where they update the status of the trail.
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/community/mounta...
They seem to be on top of it recently as I've been checking every morning and at around 10am they changed the status from closed to open. I'm guessing they did a round of checking as soon as they got into work so that's pretty impressive and appreciate as I was itching to do a lap this morning. Still fairly wet though.
Edit: Rob, what do you think about adding that link to the Manly Dam ride page just for a bit more visibility?
Or better still, perhaps scrape that into data to operate the traffic light system?
If it's raining and you've canned your Manly Dam ride, why don't a group of you go there anyway when it's closed, park yourselves at the school car park entry with a bunch of leaflets with the council's "state of the track" website on it and ask people to not ride the track.
OK so you can't physically force people to not go but, assuming as everyone seems to that the bad ones aren't local riders, you can:
Tell them not to ride in the wet because they're stuffing things up for you, the local rider, and how would they like it if you runied their tracks?;
Count how many dickheads flaunt the rules to independently corroborate the council's numbers;
Show people where they can ride at eg Terrey Hills (give them a map);
Give them the council's web site so they can check if it's open before they leave;
Show the council you're prepared to help by doing something rather than blabbing about it;
Tell them the penalties (if there are any) a ranger might impose if they catch them. Or if you're brave, threaten to dob them in yourself.
Every time the council has to fix a bit of the trail it costs them time and $, and that's after they've had to spend time dealing with the complaints from local residents and other stakeholders, so they ain't whingeing about it just to keep mountain bikers off the dirt.
@morgan... a sign would do just that, 24x7 even. Only... erm... as discussed, the council don't want our help with signs
@Morgan: Post it as a ride and I'll join you.
A group would be a good idea ! I live on King St, when tell punters the dam is shut, they just stare at you blankly and selective hearing kicks in.
How about pushing for an article in the mags regarding this topic, including council contact emails etc, you dont go the snow without checking conditions, or a surf for that matter. The word needs to be spread beyond the beaches comminity.
B
The beauty of me putting that idea up is that I live in Canberra and will never have to sit in the rain at the trailhead! Sorry!
I'm thinking a game of cricket with a group of us in the carpark outside Manly Vale PS to intercept riders might be the go. Printed handouts with directions to Terry Hills for those who are prepared to ride elsewhere. Weight of numbers to provide some persuasion for those who aren't.
We won't be able to stop 100% of riders but we'll be able to send a message that riding the Dam in the wet is not cool. Some photos sent to the Council of the "operation" would be some useful PR.
Cricket in the Rain? Heathens!
Bring some planks and milk crates, a trials bike or two, and perhaps a portable BBQ
We need a handout to give out, outlining wet weather options with some trail maps. Say, A4 page with a 1/2 page blurb and 3 x 1/2-page trail outlines on a double-sided A4 page.
I was thinking the cricket bats might have an alternative use in providing some additional persuasion for the exceptionally persistent...
You know - handouts are handouts. You don't need council permission or endorsement to do this so could get some sponsorship from some LBS for printing, etc.
Note I've now added a 'Trail Status Update' content type, the first of which is here:
http://nobmob.com/node/9940
These will appear on the front page with the requested traffic lights when I get time to build some graphics.
I too would be up for spending part of a wet day helping to inform our less considerate brethren. Happy to help putting a flyer together, but as you are all aware, I have trouble stringing together two coherent written sentences.
Maybe council needs some of those highway advisory signs.
First let me say I am sorry that the rangers are disappointed, We know that it is by their grace we are able to ride the dam. I think one of the reasons why so many people rode the trail after it was closed is that there is no where else to ride, and out of pure frustration rules get broken. It is my believe that most cyclist want to do the right thing. We are in large nice,professionals and educated people, so we should know better. I think maybe a few more areas could be opened to cyclist, it might help ease some of the pressure .
Frankly I don't know why more areas are not open; we should have a good strong lobby right, or is the cycling community dropping the ball. I am sure I could not do a better job but as a tax payer I expect more from the government I support. I personally paid $75,562.80 in tax this last year and yes I know that's not a lot but all of us combined its a load. How about you, are you getting your dollars worth. I paid my cycling nsw and Australia memberships and I have a national parks car pass that cost another $200. I support my local bike shop. I live on the northern beaches and pay huge rates and all there other fees. Most of us are riding bikes worth small cars. Where is the value guys.
So the bottom line is I believe the riders should respect the rangers and not brake any laws or the trust we have been given but I don't think we are not getting what we are paying for.
At the end of the day the parks and government work for you. They want you to think its the other way around but just look at the cash you pay vs what you get in return. Sorry maybe to political and one sided I'm sure. But that's my two cents and no if you don't agree its ok. Peace dont feel you have to respond it's just my rant
cheers stacey