Standards of riding and fitness at trail centres

cloudynights

Northwind wrote:

cloudynights wrote:

your not the only one who thinks this, think trail centres are fine but a tiny bit over hyped as to how good they are and what kinda bike you need to ride them

You need to find some better trailcentres



dont need too am lucky to live in a area that has great cross country mountain biking

Holyzeus

Markmjh wrote:

Chinley Churner wrote:

surely you should ride the uphills as hard as you do the downs.

I CAN'T!!!!!!!! I am in granny because if i'm not then the air ambulance will be fetching me shortly!

Not just me then

Northwind

Chinley Churner wrote:

at least riders twiddling uphill in the granny aren't chucking their bike in a pick-up or getting on a chairlift

Ooh you obvious troll you. Uplift days are harder on the body than normal "ride up then down" rides.

*AL* wrote:

Perhaps they wasn't aware the was some serious 'sessioning' going on :roll:

Does it matter? Blocking the trail is blocking the trail, and always a stupid thing to do, no excuses.

*AL*

Northwind wrote:

*AL* wrote:

Perhaps they wasn't aware the was some serious 'sessioning' going on :roll:

Does it matter? Blocking the trail is blocking the trail, and always a stupid thing to do, no excuses.

I know that and you know that (although your sarcasm detector is way off tonight),
but unless the people bocking the trail know that they're doing wrong/care that they're doing wrong, nothing's going to change.

paul.skibum

I have to admit - sessioning a section of trail for jumps or what not sounds suspiciously like there would be some pushing/riding back up the trail against the flow which sounds more dangerous than stopping on the trail.....

Back to the OP - happens the world over - French Alps, BC bike parks - plenty of people who would benefit from more fitness and more skill clogging up the trails - that's why I try to find the routes people don't ride so no one gets in my way.

In the UK I'd prefer to by an OS map and go explore than tootle round W2 although w2 is fun.

Eranu

In the UK I'd prefer to by an OS map and go explore

Careful or the hill police may call that treking not MTB!

FBM.BMX

MTB is full of consumerism, this is the western world, deal with it.

If people are working hard 45+hr weeks, what gives anyone the right to say how they should spend their money?

Bikes are toys you use as kids, they're still toys when you use them as an adult (though this is condescending for many), who's to say how others should be having fun?

Not everyone has fun burning their selves out sprinting uphills.

There's no rules on how you should enjoy bikes, so why are people offended when the sport is "misused"?

Chat and make friends, you're all out to have a lovely day, negativity is only going to ruin that.

Though i cant help but vomit in my mouth a little when i go downhilling at the pristine race kits, expensive bikes, giving all the chat, then not actually riding/rubbish at riding clones. Mainly because it's normally hoards of kids, spending thousands of their parent hard earned cash.

MountainMonster

FBM.BMX wrote:

MTB is full of consumerism, this is the western world, deal with it.

If people are working hard 45+hr weeks, what gives anyone the right to say how they should spend their money?

Bikes are toys you use as kids, they're still toys when you use them as an adult (though this is condescending for many), who's to say how others should be having fun?

Not everyone has fun burning their selves out sprinting uphills.

There's no rules on how you should enjoy bikes, so why are people offended when the sport is "misused"?

Chat and make friends, you're all out to have a lovely day, negativity is only going to ruin that.

Though i cant help but vomit in my mouth a little when i go downhilling at the pristine race kits, expensive bikes, giving all the chat, then not actually riding/rubbish at riding clones. Mainly because it's normally hoards of kids, spending thousands of their parent hard earned cash.

If their parents are happy to spend the money, it's no different than to them spending the money on themselves. Who knows, maybe that bike gives the kids the confidence they want to tackle things they wouldn't try, therefore learning new skills.

Long_Time_Lurker

This is starting to sound like the bad old days of snowboarding.
As it got more commercialised, more people jopined in, but had no idea about piste ettiquette.

The same is happening on trail centres. People have yet to understand that stopping in the middle of a trail is dangerous and that if you don't have the required skills you shouldn't be attempting a red/black run.

They will have to start doing what they do on the slopes in the US/Canada. More signs and warnings and if you don't follow them, you get reported and kicked off the slopes.

1mancity2

paul.skibum wrote:

I have to admit - sessioning a section of trail for jumps or what not sounds suspiciously like there would be some pushing/riding back up the trail against the flow which sounds more dangerous than stopping on the trail.....

The Hope line is designed just off the "8" red loop and when you are going back up your actually going in the right direction, so no its not against the flow.

Red.Devil.Ghost

I think MTBing is just like Snowboarding/Skiing. There are plenty of people that enjoy doing it and spend money on it for kit that's probably not going to get used to its full potential. Its also similar with regards to people getting out of the way of a track or piste etc. Common courtesy and being respectful to other riders or boarders, be they better or not as good as you, costs nothing at all. There will always be people that sit in the way etc but on the whole I think most people are decent about it.

As a relative newcomer to MTBing, I myself will probably be buying a bike that is far better than my ability level (I'm looking at a 2011 Trance X4). While I know that its better than my ability, I'd rather just buy the slightly more expensive bike now than buy one, use it for a year, then buy another one. Plus, I love the look of the X4 - the White with black and red touches works well. And I reckon the red specialised pedals in MBR this month will match the colour scheme perfectly! I can also get it for less than a 1000 which seems a good deal. Plus, as I do improve, the X4 can be easily upgraded without buying a whole new bike, as I understand it uses the same frame as the top spec bikes.

I do have a Shogun Curfew XC at the moment, but once I've serviced it, I'll be using that for road use mainly, and maybe a tiny bit of off road. I wont be taking the Trance to work everyday that's for sure. Plus, having a second bike means my brother can come as well. Bonus.

The more people out biking the better, until they get in your way!

Chinley Churner

Northwind wrote:

Chinley Churner wrote:

at least riders twiddling uphill in the granny aren't chucking their bike in a pick-up or getting on a chairlift

Ooh you obvious troll you. Uplift days are harder on the body than normal "ride up then down" rides.

*AL* wrote:

Perhaps they wasn't aware the was some serious 'sessioning' going on :roll:

Does it matter? Blocking the trail is blocking the trail, and always a stupid thing to do, no excuses.

Sorry.. guilty as charged... penance will be extra hill reps tonight... off now to shave my legs.

1mancity2

TneBiker wrote:

II myself will probably be buying a bike that is far better than my ability level (I'm looking at a 2011 Trance X4)!

Brilliant bike!

rtorbs

Fecking hate the phrase 'all the gear, no idea' and you could say i fall into that catergory as only really been riding again this year after a good 10 years off....but am i forced to buy a cr@p bike cos im just starting out again when i dont have to?

I mean i work hard (or I did) and ive got money to spend as i dont have any kids etc (yet !) and I choose to spend whatever i want.....the key thing is that you use the gear that youve got despite your ability and as mentioned you have a laugh and it keeps you motivated and getting out!

But as for trail centres....they have their place......nothing beats getting off the beaten track though finding that fresh new downhill section or where a sudden rain shower might change everything from the day prior.....

oh and just for the record...i still choose to ride a hardtail too

paul.skibum

rtorbs wrote:

Fecking hate the phrase 'all the gear, no idea'

I think the expression should actually be :all the gear, no inclination to get an idea" because its those people that get most peoples gander up.

If you have a bike that you are riding a lot, trying to get better and fitter on and generally immersing yourself in biking then fair play to you. If you bought a really expensive bike and ride it once a month, slowly, badly and get in everyones way and rip the track to pieces skidding then you have no business.

Same in skiing or boarding - sideslipping the snow of a run as you have no skill and no inclination to learn is the original sin.

cooldad

paul.skibum wrote:

rtorbs wrote:

Fecking hate the phrase 'all the gear, no idea'

I think the expression should actually be :all the gear, no inclination to get an idea" because its those people that get most peoples gander up.

If you have a bike that you are riding a lot, trying to get better and fitter on and generally immersing yourself in biking then fair play to you. If you bought a really expensive bike and ride it once a month, slowly, badly and get in everyones way and rip the track to pieces skidding then you have no business.

Same in skiing or boarding - sideslipping the snow of a run as you have no skill and no inclination to learn is the original sin.

Balls. Anyone can buy any bike they want, anyone can ride anywhere, anyway, anyhow, anytime, for any reason and none of it is any of your business.

rtorbs

cooldad wrote:

Balls. Anyone can buy any bike they want, anyone can ride anywhere, anyway, anyhow, anytime, for any reason and none of it is any of your business.

Amen to that...

I mean how are you supoosed to get any good if your not out riding trail centres etc ? I do agree that you need to pay attention if you stop and move to one side though....but thats just common sense/courtesy.....plus any stopping I do is usally down to lack of fitness rather than lack of skills (i think!) especially if its a first time at that centre and your not sure where you should be conserving energy for etc etc

be interesting to know what riders who are moaning at slower riders think of learners drivers?!.....everyone was a noob at some point!

Tbh i keep away from trail centres for 90% of the time and 'practice' around local paths and trails and i do so for 2 reasons.....1 so I dont hold anyone up and just cos I can repeat sections over and over and 2 its a more realistic environment......technically thats 3

rtorbs

paul.skibum wrote:

I think the expression should actually be :all the gear, no inclination to get an idea" because its those people that get most peoples gander up.
.

You cant tar everyone in that catergory who has a lesser ability on a bike than yourself though.....I go out on my own on days when I might be off work if no one else is about and im both inclined and motivated....

Atz

This whole thread can be summarised as:

"People on BR pissed off because people buy what they want with their own money and use them how they want"

or alternatively

"Waaaaaaah"

If you don't like trail centre people, don't go to trail centres. Moaning on a forum isn't solving the problem, talking to people won't either so the only way to avoid it is not go.

Northwind

cooldad wrote:

Balls. Anyone can buy any bike they want, anyone can ride anywhere, anyway, anyhow, anytime, for any reason and none of it is any of your business.

Weeeelll... No man's an island, some of this stuff does affect other people. It's my business when people lock up their brakes everywhere because I spend some of my time fixing the damage that causes, frinstance. And it's my business when people ride like knobs on the local trails because that can impact on everyone else. And it's definately my business when fannies stop in the middle of the trail for no reason.

campbellrae1

The number of stop where ever they fancy numpties seems to be very different in other trail centres, I guess it's all down to how easy it is to get there, Glentress for example was plagued by the buggers the last tiime I was there, and yet I don't think I have ever seen any of them at Kirroughtree. That could be down to the fact that it's MUCH quieter though!

As far as newbies/muppets on expensive bikes goes, who cares, hopefully they are helping an LBS stay afloat! Do you think the same thing about someone driving a sports car, if your not going to do track days sod off and buy a nice sedate Volvo? Sorry, I sound like a right twit!

How do people think we can get across the message of considerate riding then? Maybe a message on the trail head maps, other than that I'm not sure. My best guess is that it would have sod all effect though.

cooldad

Northwind wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Balls. Anyone can buy any bike they want, anyone can ride anywhere, anyway, anyhow, anytime, for any reason and none of it is any of your business.

Weeeelll... No man's an island, some of this stuff does affect other people. It's my business when people lock up their brakes everywhere because I spend some of my time fixing the damage that causes, frinstance. And it's my business when people ride like knobs on the local trails because that can impact on everyone else. And it's definitely my business when fannies stop in the middle of the trail for no reason.

It's not your business, you are however perfectly at liberty to make it your business.
TBH I was trolling a bit - rude stupid people who wreck trails, annoy walkers and stop on trails etc p1ss me off as well.
I was really getting annoyed at the riding gods on here who think they can decide who has the skilll to buy what bikes, and ride which trails.
Balls to them.

GhallTN6

I'd rather someone spent a decent amount of cash on the right kit so at least they were prepared for what a trail can throw at them rather than some 150 quid argos special that is more likely to fall apart and kill them!

I didn't have any trouble on the seven staines trails, but Bedgebury is a nightmare for all types of bikes and people due to it being tame and the only official trail in the South East.

mrmonkfinger

for any weight lifters on here, this thread = "curls in the squat rack".


With the exception of messing up the trails or doing dangerous stuff, anyone is perfectly at liberty to spend their money on whatever bike they want, and then do whatever they want with it (as long as the pervy stuff is kept in private).


Either that, or £300 bike price limit unless you can pull a one handed wheelie.

supersonic

The only thing I ask is that the people with expensive bikes don't look down or sneer at those on cheaper ones. That is what is annoying.

cooldad

supersonic wrote:

The only thing I ask is that the people with good bikes don't look down or sneer at those on GT's. That is what is annoying.

Who would do something like that?

Duggan13

Counting people you pass on your bike is daft- you have no idea how far they have gone, how many laps they have done etc.

It's like looking down on someone struggling up a small climb- it might be their 20th of the day after 7hrs riding for all you know.

Northwind

supersonic wrote:

The only thing I ask is that the people with expensive bikes don't look down or sneer at those on cheaper ones. That is what is annoying.

But it's oh so sweet sometimes... My rigid carrera's undeniably a bit s**t- intentionally so... And it gets me some right funny comments, not all of them very funny. I never normally get caught up with who's faster, who's slower but overtaking someone on a big bike who's just been an arse to you because your bike is crap, is a good feeling regardless.

Shaggy_Dog

The reason you see so many nOObs at trail centres is because all of the real mountain bikers are either riding gnarly secret trails in their local woods or mashing out huge mileage on backend-of-beyond bridleways because they are hacked off with nOObs slowing them down on the trail and/or talking sh!t in the car park

cooldad

Shaggy_Dog wrote:

The reason you see so many nOObs at trail centres is because all of the real mountain bikers are either riding gnarly secret trails in their local woods or mashing out huge mileage on backend-of-beyond bridleways because they are hacked off with nOObs slowing them down on the trail and/or talking sh!t in the car park

Way to encourage new people (and sound like a d1ck)