retroenduro
Likes Dirt
PV map takes a while to get updated as it need to go to their GIS department and then get signed off etc etc. so signs are the most up to date way we have of closing the trails. We will get there eventually with consistant signage for closed trails but in the meantime its simple....if there is a sign there saying the trail is closed, then it is closed.....end of story. If there is orange bunting its closed. If there is a one legged kangaroo standing guard at the trail entarnce its closed.To be fair though, the consistency in signs was lacking last night.
Snipe for example, is listed as open on the PV map, but has a closed sign at the damn wall end, and no sign at the Blair Witch end. If you were running down from Blair then it appears to be open. If you read the PV map, it appears to be open, if you ride from Trail mix track it's signed as closed.
Lower Buckle, is signed as closed from the lake end, listed as closed on LDTR site, shown as open on PV map and not signed at Lamberts end. So, if you were riding a lake loop, onto Lamberts and passed the Lamberts end of Buckle you'd think it was open.
There were definitely riders out last night that "know" whats closed, but rode anyway, but there were also a lot of newbie looking riders out that may not look at PV site, or LDTR site and go by what they pass at a trail head. Can't blame them for taking what appears to be an open trail head only to find a closed sign at the other end when they pop out.
The new closed signs are great with the single spike and laminated notice, way better than the old orange tape, but without consistency, signs at both ends and unison between PV's trail list, trail map and LDTR's condition report then it's a little unfair to blanketly berate anyone you see pop out of a closed trail, as there will absolutely be genuine cases of not knowing the trail was closed.
Once upon a time there were signs at each trail entrance but alot of these have managed to teleport their way into the nearby bushes too. The folk we berated were quite clearly riding from the direction where there were signs and no other way into the trails so either they did teleport or just didnt give a shit (whilst i live in hope of this new technology i somehow believe it was the latter). And they were regulars as well who do know better. Have seen them on closed trails before (dude with the full face helmet and mate who did a quick 180 when he saw us walking down the trail im talking to you!).
And the reason why we close them? well there are some real boggy sections out there. Over the past few months (whilst closed) they have gone from one boggy section with a cheeky reroute to one boggy section with about 40 cheeky reroutes. Which now means its a complete mess that cant be drained and fixed without getting someone in to build a boardwalk which means more time and money and that its closed for longer. Upper Buckle is a perfect example of this.
I wish i could call the shots and say right we are now fining those caught but alas no, thats Parks call and we would need to get signage sorted first although hmmm...might help to pay for repairs
ah well eventually we will get there.