We all want the same result, but the devil is in the detail
Firstly I want to make the point that it is illegal to build a trail in NP, but not to ride it (unless signposted otherwise)
So saying the trails are 'illegal', I believe is incorrect - unauthorised is a less offensive and more correct term
So it seems obvious from this thread that the builders of the unauthorised work know what they are doing and are sick of trudging through mud while they wait for the NP to tick it off their to do list
There are obviously good builders willing to put in the time, but want to do it outside of the organised build days - and this is not only the case in the shire
It is also obvious that the demand for MTB trails greatly outweighs the somewhat lacklustre efforts of some councils and NP to provide areas in which to do it
Because demand is so out of kilter with supply, unauthorised trails are the only way to achieve some sort of equilibrium (at a local level)
I see the slowness in progress of many trails due mainly to council, NP or other officials having to be present at every single build day to 'oversee'
I believe that the NP and councils are working off outdated walking trail 'guidelines' where generally old people with no knowledge turn up on a few weekends a year to help maintain a walking trail
Major work is done by contractors or specialised staff, or alternatively left to erode
But with MTB, funding is minimal in all but the most progressive councils, so the vast majority of work is left to riders and can only be done when some sort of official is present
With the huge workload, it can never be completed as it needs to be
Surely in the group of people that turn up, some can continue and complete work between these organised days
If some attempt had been made previously to remedy the situation, then those that sought to fix it would use their skill to finish off or improve the incomplete work
Or a worst case, would not have cut a diversion where the NP don't want one as they would have seen that the problem is being dealt with
But instead, they were almost forced to remedy the situation
And, as a result, the NP can now say how bad we all are and how we may lose our access
And we all argue amongst each other as to how bad some of us are and not acting in the best interests of the sport causing a loss of access
Like Johnny Rotten said, 'ever get the feeling you're being cheated?'
We are dying of thirst and given a thimble full of water by someone with a gallon to spare
I'm sorry - are we expected to be grateful for that?
Sure, NP can erect signs and use their minimal budget to enforce it
Sure, we can remove the signs and ride anyway
But wouldn't it be more prudent for them to think outside the square
When I went to a meeting a few years back to discuss MTB in NP's, they were struggling with declining popularity of parks particularly amongst younger people
They are running the risk of becoming increasingly irrelevant and need to get with the times for all our sakes
Parks need to be there for the enjoyment and education of all, not to be put on a pedestal and admired from a book