Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

Anyone know why the (non-impeding) logs were cleared that used to lay between the top of the golf course climb and the lookout, either today or yesterday? Just wondering what the reasoning was... there were two that are now chainsawed out, the remnants just tossed to the side.

-pete

Did I see you today out there?  I was at trying my hand at riding the tree by the golf course and someone stopped and asked if I seen anyone taking out logs.

Either FPC or some rogue "helpers"... In either case, that was a bad call on their part. Those logs were great speed checks. And trail corridor control...

Sad news...

dz

Ha, yeah man that was me. I had just rolled past where they once were and was a little miffed. That log you were on is a fun one, I think everyone's eaten it at least once trying to negotiate the branch at the end. Any damage? :)

Dmitri -- yeah definitely lame. Guess some people need to go as fast as possible without any impediments. Like I've said before, why not pave the effing thing.

-pete

W-T-F.

Did they clear the log that had dirt/rock ramps up and over it too?  The big one by the look out as well?

I guess we need a 5 lane freeway trail....   >:(

I saw that also. That WAS NOT ME. I did create the choke point two years ago at overlook, and the small chokes that gave the option of the rider to take ramp, or go-around. I don't "clear-cut".

Just in  case rumors started.

no damage, pretty close though.  I didnt make it to the small branch even, kept getting about 1/2 or 3/4 the way across the top and going over.  Most times were to the left but twice I went over to the right, they were pretty interesting dismounts.  I think I need to try to hit it at a slower speed next time.

I for one didn't think for a second you might have done that, you've always seemed very conscientious on the matter no question about that.  ;)

-pete

Yeah, the ramped one that choked next to a small tree was removed. The large log by the lookout was untouched thankfully.

-pete

Yea that totally sucks! What idiots would waste their time doing that? Some people just don't get it...

Man that pisses me off! I spent hours builing those ramps. I also built a retaining wall on the low side of that log so users using the easy option had a place to go, it used to drop off and there was no tread so I made one. What idiots!

Is there any dialog between PMBA, FOW, and the FPC about this kinda stuff?  So that we are all on the same page and everyone knows what to expect and why things are the way they are (or why something changes).....

THere are no specifications on this at all. FPC has absolutely no idea what to do besides head out and cut everything and anything just to get it out of the way. These are union guys who are just doing a job. We could try to "teach" them but we would have to get through 50 layers of red tape be even get to that point. Basically anyone who wants to head into the park with a chainsaw can and can do what they please as who will stop them? By being proactive and removing trees ourselves, while leaving a nice feature on the side of the trail using the trees, is really the only thing we can do. We have to make it as userfriendly as possible in the hopes that bike haters will not take it wupon themselves to head out and remove what we did... This particular case really confuses me, as those features have been there for years and were totally off the main trail tread. Someone like Neil who has a huge shainsaw, but without the biker mentality, probably was just itching to get out and cut something... Who deosn't LOVE to cut shit with chain saws?!?!?!!? Anyway, I suggest we get out there and reconstruct these babies soon... 

Just to clarify, no one removed that big "up-and-over" made of logs and stone (I think what Tom was thinking I was talking about), that's still there, it was just the really small log that was built-up slightly on one side of it, next to it was a very small tree. The other log was covered in weed growth and other foliage and just made for a nice bend in the trail instead of a straight shot.

A gnome was able to roll one of the sections that was cut away out of the brush and more trailside (parallel). It's short but fun.

Gnomes are cool...

Well the damage was not too bad. The part that Neil cut out got much wider and one of the three features was removed, as well as the log that was closer to the GCC, which is now a perfect candidate for a small balance beam log ride. Neil you could try your hand at making a log ride for beginners.

http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/logs_on_trails.html

It's been moved into position, just could use some notching/facing...