Death Of A Trail

[xizang]

I was riding my old stomping ground today and was gutted to find a lot of the old trails obliterated by the forestry commision. Others were overgrown and left to rack and ruin. A sad day :cry:
TBH I think it all started going this way about 6 years ago when the clearance of the forest started and the downfall of the trailbuilders work was being done.
I know it's all to do with sustainable forests etc but all the work done over the years on the trails has been wiped out.
Still gutted though.

 

[Bike Hoarder]

Xizang, i know it's sad, it happens all the time on the quantock hills where i ride. You get a trail started, the mysterious trail pixies put in days and days of work, then the forestry commision come along and decide that all the trees lining your route need felling........... :cry:

If you're building your own, it's alright i won't tell, start in the younger trees. At least you've got a few years of riding there before the cycle(!) starts all over again.

 

[Pickle]

When I used to live in Norfolk, they regularly obliterated my fave sections of singletrack in Thetford Forest.

You'll eventually find some new trails out of the destruction.....sadly, it just takes time

 

[cherrybomb]

It is sad to see them go, but we do have to remember why the forest is there in the first place.
As much as we'd like to think so, it's primary purpose is not a trail centre for us. :?
Just think of all the fun you can have searching out new routes though.

 

[FSR-Si]

There's an excellent trail where i live that is going to be destroyed shortly and turned into a bus way :evil:

 

[paddy01]

I found the same recently on Woodbury Common in Devon, the quarrying has destroyed some of the best trails.

On the plus side I rode at Haldon Hill just outside Exeter for the first time today and I have to say it's absolutely fantastic.

It's all thanks to a partnership between a local group called Haldon Freeride and the Forestry Commision. A fantastic facility and I've only just scrathed the surface of what's there.

I was way too concerned with my own wellbeing to even think about the black and double black freeride runs

http://www.haldonfreeride.org/index.php

 

[orange71]

I used to live at the foot of Haldon


sadly before the trails were built

 

[paddy01]

I used to live at the foot of Haldon


sadly before the trails were built

Doh!

Should you find yourself, or indeed should anyone find themselves passing it's well worth a visit.

 

[gil_m]

Just what I was about to say guys...

You could always form a trail building group and work with the FE

I have been heavily involved for the last 4-5 years with SingltrAction in the North of England, we have worked very successfully with the Forestry Commission in 5 different areas of North Yorkshire and are now considered the first port of call from both the area Forestry Commission and also the National park when it comes to mountain bike issues

Myself and 2 other guys planned and helped source the funding for Dalby Forest trails and also Stainburn over near Harrogate, we are also working in Guisborough and Wharncliffe.

It’s amazing what a few like minded people and a bit of spare time can do

http://www.singletraction.org.uk/index.php

 

[REKIBorter]

This happens at Chicksands every few years, old trails are destroyed but out of the ashes appear new exciting trails.