So over the winter some people at my local trail network built up some berms to help them get through of camber corners.
While they were building I mentioned that they were probably left flat for a reason by the professional trail builders that established the trails.
I proceeded to inform them that the dirt in the area turns to a fine dust in summer and they need to put a sufficient amount of dirt there to keep them sustainable.
They fired up at me and said if I was so "hardcore" and "pro", I should be there helping them. I said I would be if I didn't work 6 days a weeks as it is.
Fast forward to today, I was riding along at pace, it was dusty and I was riding well within my limits. Next minute I enter one of the new berms and bang, I hit the deck. After checking for wet spots and lumps, I turn around to see half the berm gone and a whole bunch of rocks in its place.
After inspection I noticed the berm has been built up with rocks and a thin layer of dirt placed over the rocks to make it ride able. Now, I know this technique can be extremely effective with clay and more malleable and vicious dirt but, this dust did nothing to hold the structure together.
After I come home and clean my now shredded arm and ribs, I leave a festive message on the local Facebook group. Basically I said that the berms are dangerous and perhaps should be re-worked. In reply I got ripped to shred by others on the page for not riding within my limits etc.
What I want to know is, was i in the wrong? Or was it ok of me to point this out to fellow riders?
While they were building I mentioned that they were probably left flat for a reason by the professional trail builders that established the trails.
I proceeded to inform them that the dirt in the area turns to a fine dust in summer and they need to put a sufficient amount of dirt there to keep them sustainable.
They fired up at me and said if I was so "hardcore" and "pro", I should be there helping them. I said I would be if I didn't work 6 days a weeks as it is.
Fast forward to today, I was riding along at pace, it was dusty and I was riding well within my limits. Next minute I enter one of the new berms and bang, I hit the deck. After checking for wet spots and lumps, I turn around to see half the berm gone and a whole bunch of rocks in its place.
After inspection I noticed the berm has been built up with rocks and a thin layer of dirt placed over the rocks to make it ride able. Now, I know this technique can be extremely effective with clay and more malleable and vicious dirt but, this dust did nothing to hold the structure together.
After I come home and clean my now shredded arm and ribs, I leave a festive message on the local Facebook group. Basically I said that the berms are dangerous and perhaps should be re-worked. In reply I got ripped to shred by others on the page for not riding within my limits etc.
What I want to know is, was i in the wrong? Or was it ok of me to point this out to fellow riders?