shake_rattle_and_ roll
Pumpin'
With absolute respect to you & the other YTT volunteers who've been working in Candlebark, George, I too share grave concerns at not only what you're promoting, with regards to the area being publicised as a conglomeration of "all-weather" trails, but also the very distinct autocratic mono-culture that has developed within the Yarra Tracks & Trails community interest group; something that is now unfortunately translating across what could be considered once intrinsic trail values of that part of the Yarra Trail network. No question, there are things that need to be removed, areas that need extensive rehabilitation & improvements made (both in terms of how riders engage with the area & how they feel encouraged to engage with you/yourselves) in Candlebark, but it's a situation that while being successful for you in formalising your relationship with PV has unfortunately continued to fracture & drive away a large number of people within the community whose historical & technical knowledge would be invaluable to the YTT group, & Parks Victoria, whilst also missing a great opportunity for you to not only preserve & enhance the existing trails but also the user experience for all levels of rider across the XC/trail disciplines.
The work you guys are doing, in the interest of preserving & legitimately establishing the area as a legal portion of an extensive network founded, created & tirelessly maintained by mtbers before you, is fantastic & the efforts appreciated, however as a self-appointed body (& in your case, the leader of) it's unfortunate when you come onto a forum such as this & start throwing labels about & soap-boxing, irrespective of how entitled you might feel you are to do so.
From what I can see & understand going by your images, both historically & from an IMBA framework perspective, clearly there are a number of drainage issues that need to be addressed & revised through that section along with others. I'm sure whoever has made those small 'eye-sores' was merely providing a temporary measure/solution to what certainly appears to be a recurring issue. Undoubtedly they've staved off what would otherwise be extensive damage to that corner given the propensity & insistence for an extraordinary number of tiny-brained MTB & CX riders to ride the network when it's very wet. Rather than you being divisive & throwing labels such as 'serial pest' around, take it on board, mark & note the location & remedy the drainage properly. Particularly if you're going to try & promote the area as being suitable for year-round riding. It's winter, which means wet days out there & the need for regular real-time assessing of how various areas are coping; noting & amending the trail accordingly, in real-time instead of long after the damage is done.
Don't make a spectacle out of it- just fix it.
The work you guys are doing, in the interest of preserving & legitimately establishing the area as a legal portion of an extensive network founded, created & tirelessly maintained by mtbers before you, is fantastic & the efforts appreciated, however as a self-appointed body (& in your case, the leader of) it's unfortunate when you come onto a forum such as this & start throwing labels about & soap-boxing, irrespective of how entitled you might feel you are to do so.
From what I can see & understand going by your images, both historically & from an IMBA framework perspective, clearly there are a number of drainage issues that need to be addressed & revised through that section along with others. I'm sure whoever has made those small 'eye-sores' was merely providing a temporary measure/solution to what certainly appears to be a recurring issue. Undoubtedly they've staved off what would otherwise be extensive damage to that corner given the propensity & insistence for an extraordinary number of tiny-brained MTB & CX riders to ride the network when it's very wet. Rather than you being divisive & throwing labels such as 'serial pest' around, take it on board, mark & note the location & remedy the drainage properly. Particularly if you're going to try & promote the area as being suitable for year-round riding. It's winter, which means wet days out there & the need for regular real-time assessing of how various areas are coping; noting & amending the trail accordingly, in real-time instead of long after the damage is done.
Don't make a spectacle out of it- just fix it.
Last edited: