I'm not racing but i think the track lacks a few corners. It definitley favours those with alot of confidence.
The reason for the lack of corners is the fact that it is a small hill and we needed to make the most of what speed you can get.
Sick track, absolutely loved it. Although there are a few bits where rocks have been put in really stupid places and those steps are stupid, please tell me that they have a point.
The rocks in "really stupid places" are there to make people ride the feature as if you leave room for them to ride around it they will.You then end up with a track that is 4 metres wide(parks victoria don't like that) and a feature that is barely ridden.There is always going to be trees and rocks next to the track whether they are put there or they are already there.
Those steps are there to stop stupid people riding up the track.We have massive signs saying it is a one way track and not to push up there and people just ignore them.These signs cost a lot of money and this money could be better spent on trail maintenance.
My thoughs,
Unnecessarily dangerous.
Yes your not suppose to crash but its does happen and in my opinion that hasn't been taking into consideration when building the track.
This is the reason why i didnt race
Sorry you feel this way but there is quite easy b-lines and sometimes c-lines around every feature so it is only as dangerous as you want to make it.
First of all a congratulations on the first event held by YYMTB Club. Everything was awesome except the uncharged radios
Hope kevin's ok and isn't in a too bad way. Good luck on a smooth recovery if you read this.
And Yes I did get 2:26.
I'll agree that is a bit too dangerous. For example the rocks on the side of the track that sitting there waiting for someone to hit them..... Is there a reason for them apart from showing where the track is?
The radio problem was due to some dodgey radios that for some reason did not hold there charge but we worked around that as best we could,it was out of our control.
As i have explain the rocks don't just show the track,they keep people from riding wherever they want.You spend enough time out there kizz I'm sure you have witnessed what people get up to out there.
Your mum was an awesome help on the weekend so thank her again for me.
over all it was a amazing event and a mint track to ride.
just a few things though, first that last jump, that up ramp is way too steep and kicky for that speed you are pulling into that, second those big pointy rocks that are sitting in the middle of the track after the blind step down i feel should be taken out. they have no purpuse but there to take out you rim. they dont make that track harder just slower and annoying.
other then that it was sick. really enjoyed it. bring on next year.
The last jump will be changed maybe bring the take off back towards the doubles a little and make it a little more mellow.Browny was a little out when he did(no offence Browny)it but it was to late to change it by the time we we were able to ride it and realized.
The rocks you speak of were already there and are easily avoided.If we moved every rock in the middle of the track we may aswell be riding on the footpath.
Yer thats what i mainly talking about, There are a few places where i think some of those rock wouldent hurt to be moved, its not like moving them will open up quicker lines, just make it safer. Surly theres nothing wrong with that.
I never said easier, the track in fine the way it is and is a massive improvement over the old race track, Also Buller and Barjarg will always be some of the harder track in VIC but they also dont have strategically placed giant rocks just off the side of the track that could easily be moved.
The thread asked for my though and i gave them, Im just saying i would rather see someone limp home with bad gravel rash because he stack in the middle rock garden rather than get stretchered out because his arm isn broken in 3 places after hitting a big rock.
Yes its a dangerous sport and thats the risk we take riding DH, but because we all chose to take this risk doesnt mean that event organisers shouldn't take safety into consideration. People do crash you know.
The track has been approved by two commissars and Tony Scott was there and as far as i'm aware his only issue was with a couple of trees and we did what we could to fix this besides chopping trees down as that would be an environmental issue.
Appreciate your feed back and I hope I have explained why stuff not only is done but has to be done.
My Two Cents
We are out there just about every weekend working with parks victoria and building/maintaining trails.We choose to do this I know and I'm not complaining,but you should thank your lucky stars you get to ride your bikes and these trails as we rarely do.
Rocks are not placed there to cause accidents or make it more dangerous it is to stop idiots making there own lines around obstacles.When people wear these new lines in riders see this and think that there is a line there so they then ride it and it just gets worse and worse.Also this just creates more work for us as we have to go back and repair the damage.If we could put giant marshmallows there that can't be moved we would but we have not been able to source any as yet.If people did the right thing and rode the trails that they are capable of riding and did not ride around obstacles this would not be necessary.
If you guys could see the stuff that we see all the time when we are out there,such as:
-Cutting from one track to another just because they can't be arsed riding to the end of the track.
-Clearly ignoring signs and riding or pushing up the one way downhill tracks.
-Riding around features where there is no track because it is above your capability.
-Unnecessary skidding due to people riding tracks above there capabilities and freaking out when ever they come towards any rock or drop.
So next time anybody thinks about doing this or you see somebody doing this think about the ramifications and maybe take the appropriate action to help prevent it from happening.
It baffles me how when bandages and glory was made everybody complained that it lacked flow and was to slow,we tried to rectify that when building this track and it seems we have(as Reese averaged @ 45 kmh)and people now complain that there is rocks and it is dangerous.Maybe we should clear the trees and rocks and just concrete in a footpath.
We are lucky to have the You Yangs mtb facilities and rangers that are a pleasure to work with and want to develop the place into Victorias/Australias best mtb venue.If everyone appreciated and respect the situation that we have at the You Yangs by obeying the rules (that are easily read on massive signs at all mtb carparks)and obeying the signs easily visible around the park we would not have to do the things that we do.
If you can't ride the trail from start to finish go ride an easier trail that you can,for your benefit and ours.
Thanks for your feedback and a good weekend.
Motor
