I had a chat with the Manly Dam rangers today.
Apparently on Monday NPWS were out inspecting the track (for the right reasons) to see how a managed trail works.
However they were very concerned that while the trail was closed, sign posted and on the web site. Over 100 inconsiderate people were seen riding it.
With the great breakthroughs that the MTB community have had in the last two weeks due to the dedication of a select few (thanks Rob and Co). This is really not on.
Damage has been done to the trail, but more importantly to the cause.

End rant.
Andrew

It seems that someone down in Canberra has come up with a plan to redevelop Majura Parkway and turn from standard 2 lane road into 4 lane (+ shoulders) dual carriageway. Red line on the image here shows where they plan to put the road and the thinner orange line shows where it is now.

Note that the proposed road goes straight through the vineyard and some of the most established and iconic tracks in Majura Pines such as Intestinal Track, Pooklestein, Damn Track, BMX Berms.

While Majura is a working forest and we know one day it will be cleared (in stages, sustainably one would hope) building this road in the proposed location makes no sense. Sure, there are sharp corners to remove further South, but why can't they leave the existing route around the forest and vineyard? It's not like it has any sharp turns or hills there and can easily and safely be driven at the speed limit?

Can't find the submission address right now but will post it up when I do.

You can post your comments to [email protected]. I assume just about anyone here would think cutting Majura Pines up like this is a rather bad idea?!

Manly MP Mike Baird brought up the issue of trail access in state Parliament yesterday. This is very good for trail advocacy work and I'd like to publicly thank him for taking an interest in our sport and plight.

Below is the transcript of what was said, taken from http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/h...

This is also available on the member's website here: http://www.mikebaird.com.au/interactive/speeches...

There is a press release here with a comments form to complete if you'd like to show Mr Baird your gratitude directly on his site too. All too often people moan at the bad and don't congratulate the good so it's very worthwhile showing support for this action:

http://www.mikebaird.com.au/interactive/news/acc...

Here's hoping something good can come of this.

I went down to manly dam on sat but as u enter the bit where the golf course is after about 15sec in....... there's at least half a foot of water all the way until that big rock that over looks the golf course i stopped and went back tho but i could just imagine what the rest of the track would of been like.

ANYWAY the funny thing was it wasn't even closed!!!!!

RANGER DO A BETTER JOB

this was pointless but just letting you know RANGER if your reading this