232: observation

Here is an observation on the local trail systems:

The trail systems that are the most engineered, the ones that have been grated, and approved and praised by everyone, and have been developed so anyone can ride them take the worst beating.

I have a theory about that. First the trails that are less engineered, or were even originally scab trail, most came to existence because people where using the trail to get from one place to another. That or the trail was a farm path, or was made to be hearty. They have roots, and rocks and other natural features that hold the trail together. Frankly these features also keep the system from being a network of dirt sidewalks.

From my observations, the systems in our area that are the least engineered, the least “paved” are the ones that hold up best to tough weather.

I’d also point out that the over engineered trail system attract a number of people to the system who normally would stay away or at least avoid a tougher more hearty trail system:

First new guys (newbies) who don’t realize that it’s a bad idea to be on the trails after a rain, or when the trails have thawed out. There are days when riding the trail at 7:00am is fine, but by 9:00 when it’s thawed it’s totally inappropriate. For the record you really only get to play the newbie card for a month or so then you become one of the other groups.

The second group of destroyers is the guys who think it’s fun to roost up the trails (morons).

The third type are the guys who realize that there is this sweet totally engineered easy trail system down in Delaware and they have been planning on riding for weeks, so they are going no matter what the weather is. That or they don’t want to have to leave too early, so if we start the ride at 11:00, who really cares, it’s not our trails.. (idiots).

Finally are the guys that know better, that have probably done some trail work in their time that have been around, but are so self-important and selfish that they just don’t give a shit. Worst case they are often racers and if anyone sees them out there all racers take a black eye. (fuckin’ dicks).

So now you have this totally engineered trail system, with no roots, or rocks to hold the soil in place, everyone and their brother thinks it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, except when the conditions get a little nasty, and you end up having some newbies, morons, idiots, and fuckin’ dicks out just destroying the place. How great is that system of dirt sidewalks now? Build a system that any newbie, moron, idiot, fuckin’ dick can ride, and well, they will.

What is a brother to do?

Nothing. Write a blog about the absurdity of it all.

Oh, and the horses at fairhill? Are you kidding me? No one at fairhill can really complain about anyone riding when the trails are wet after what the damn horses did to the place on that warm February weekend. I would never even consider cancelling a race there if I promoted it. The destruction from the horses will take months to smooth out. And the poor equestrians are oblivious to what they are doing. It's not in their culture at all. It’s just silly.

You know I used to get really upset about it. A while ago, I basically said, “fuck it, it’s the cycle of trails, happens every year, I'm not wasting my energy on it…” I just accept it as the cycle. The same thing happens every year. Life is better for me like that, for too short to be angry every time you drive by the parking lot and see it full of horse vans, or trucks with empty bike racks.

This is another reason why I’d rather volunteer at races, or give back to the sport through avenues other than frankly smacking my head against a brick wall.

Truth is, I ride my mountain bike a fraction of what I used to, and when I do, I prefer the more hearty trail systems to the over engineered. Hell, whilst riding one of the scab systems recently, which has held up quite well thank you, Ted Logic was making fun of an ugly line that I took, and I responded, “dude, I wouldn’t even describe myself as a mountain biker anymore, the fact that I didn’t crash there was a huge victory for me!!” we both laughed…

Wait until the "friends" chase us out of there the dirt sidewalk network. Oh, the irony.

Respect
Fatmarc