Stupid walkers at Gisburn

stubs
stubs Posts: 5,001
edited January 2012 in Routes
Went for a ride up at Gisburn today it was wet and windy but we were still having fun. Got to Hully Gully and got halfway down the big swoopy berms when I nearly crashed into a couple of walkers with 3 dogs. WTF are people doing cant they see its a MTB track, there was no way I could have stopped luckily there was enough room to get past with an inch to spare.

If there hadnt been room or I had met them at a narrower spot then both of us would have ended up with a free helicopter ride to the nearest A & E. Dont know if there is a sign at the top saying its bikes only, I didnt stop to look but it must be bloody obvious its not a footpath.

Any one planning a ride up there watch out for morons with dogs. The 2 dog walking morons are probably on a walking website now slagging off rude MTBers for barging past them not realising I could have killed one of them.
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Comments

  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    Most people can't tell an MTB track from a footpath we need to be aware of that
  • thekickingmule
    thekickingmule Posts: 7,957
    The last time I was up at Gisburn (maybe a year ago), I noticed there was quite a lack of signs. I had to ask someone where the start was, and they didn't know either. Luckily someone else then pointed the way.

    So maybe there isn't a sign? Probably should get some made up!
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  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    Have to admit signage isnt brilliant, but better than it was. They really need to get some no entry bike track signs or warning a fat MTBer might come flying round the bend because he isnt expecting to come across you and woofly standing in the middle of one of the steepest and fastest set of berms in England.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    Jay dubbleU wrote:
    Most people can't tell an MTB track from a footpath we need to be aware of that

    If they think it looks like a footpath they must have been on some bloody funny footpaths. Not my vid but 0:55 is where I nearly clobbered them coming down off the first high berm into the second they were obscured by the pine tree so never saw them till it was nearly too late.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnZKTmgJxjs
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    There are signs at the top of Hully gully but they don't seem to think they matter, its a accident waiting to happen.

    I've been up there numerous times and riders are coming the wrong way on the routes, stupid.
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  • mattyg2004
    mattyg2004 Posts: 196
    There is a skull and crossbones on the sign. Muppets some people.
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    Not Gisburn but i had to bail off the bike going through the last bridge at Llandegla the other month as there was someone with a dog right in the middle of the trail. Result was some nice grazing on my side and a chunck of paint missing from my bike and yet I was the one who was told i was a menice for not looking where i was going :roll: May head to Gisburn in the morning so will aim for your dog walkers if they are out on the trail :D
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    See if you can park your front wheel in the womans bum crack it would make a good bike rack
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    stubs wrote:
    See if you can park your front wheel in the womans bum crack it would make a good bike rack

    I'll have a go at carving a perfect wound in her cu.... oh wait this aint the crud catcher :twisted:
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • mkf
    mkf Posts: 242
    i had to nudge a dog off the humpty wood section not so long a go, the owner looked shocked asked why i did it and i told him it should have been on a lead and that i weren't risking gettiing injured for no dog
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    mkf wrote:
    i had to nudge a dog off the humpty wood section not so long a go, the owner looked shocked asked why i did it and i told him it should have been on a lead and that i weren't risking gettiing injured for no dog

    One of the blokes i work with is off at the minute after a dog that wasn't on a lead ran into the side of him whilst pedaling along the canal, result broken knee cap and 7 weeks off and a dog owner who is trying to claim vets cost for the dogs injuries :evil:
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • mattyg2004
    mattyg2004 Posts: 196
    Dogs must be under control at all times when out in public. If it causes an injury then thats an offence under the dangerous dogs act. I'd be suing the owner.
  • bjj.andy.w
    bjj.andy.w Posts: 111
    Was at gisburn earlier this year when I came across a jogger running up one of the DH sections as I was going down. Was about to say something but then I thought- what's the point, I'll only get a load of abuse in return.
    When you go to the ground you are in my world. My world is the ocean. I am the shark and most people don't know how to swim
  • frankspencer1979
    frankspencer1979 Posts: 525
    I was at whinlatter a few weeks ago and came across two old dudes having a packed lunch on the south loop! One of them said to me "I don't see why we can't walk round here?" I replied he'd see if someone ran into him on a descent.

    Some people have no commom sense, you gotta spell everything out to cretins!
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Was at Gizzy Sunday 6th Nov and I was going down the Hope line, came out of the berm and to my amazment a guy is stood on the table top admiring the view, to late to stop I had to jump at the side of him, on the way back up he did come over and apoligise, hopefully he learnt a lesson....
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  • ChaosStorm
    ChaosStorm Posts: 3
    Ive lost count of the people I have nearly run over in Whinlatter cos they have been walking on the bike trails. Worst case was riding the Blue (yes i was / am a beginner) and came to the second boardwalk and it had been raining so it was slippery. The people walking in front of me heard me and decided it would be a good idea to stop to let me past ON the boardwalk. :roll: ended up walking past cos there isnt enough room for a biker, a walker and dog to stand 3 abreast on the boardwalk. (should be a boardride really given the trail ISNT a footpath.)

    A different time I past a Chinese guy walking down the very first bit of the blue/red north. Completed the loop and he was STILL walking down the same bit of the track when i came back round again - he had moved a bit but not much, and yes it was the same guy. Then saw him not far from the end of the blue loop for a 3rd time - but significantly further than from where I saw him the 1st/2nd times.
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    I had a chat with head forester today about walkers on the trails, he was a little concerned and a bit incredulous anyone would walk up Hully Gully. There's not a lot he can do but he's going to look at improving the signage on the downhill sections so at least people can't say they haven't been warned.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

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  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    stumpyjon wrote:
    I had a chat with head forester today about walkers on the trails, he was a little concerned and a bit incredulous anyone would walk up Hully Gully. There's not a lot he can do but he's going to look at improving the signage on the downhill sections so at least people can't say they haven't been warned.

    It probably wont stop the morons walking on the bike trails nothing short of electric fences razor wire and ravenous guard dogs would work totally but at least if theres plenty of signs we can point to them when we come across walkers.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    stumpyjon wrote:
    I had a chat with head forester today about walkers on the trails, he was a little concerned and a bit incredulous anyone would walk up Hully Gully. There's not a lot he can do but he's going to look at improving the signage on the downhill sections so at least people can't say they haven't been warned.

    Was on the DH Friday afternoon and the signage has been improved, you now get a warning bikes are crossing the fire road which does make you stop and look.
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  • grant43
    grant43 Posts: 170
    yes but walkers are always right,most ignorant pricks ive met when ive been out on bike had a do at lee quarry with a couple of them walking wrong way up the track on the back bit halfway down them rocks,KILL THEM ALL.
    keep smiling no matter how much it hurts,commencal ramones 1 loving it lol
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    i remember being there last year and we kindly pointed out to some lonesome guy that he was walking up a biking trail. another time we had to warn a old couple they walking down the bike trail to...

    lee quarry on xmass eve seen a guy walking his dog up the final descent (last bit of singletrack in the quarry) we had to wait till he came up before entering the last section of trail..

    then yesterday as we got back to the van i could not believe my eye 3 guys the full face bragade riding the wrong way up the very last bit of single track right at the bottom were you park...
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  • grant43
    grant43 Posts: 170
    steady on i wear a full facer only reason being i used to wear a normal one came off bike at lee going over the stones at back of track and smashed my teeth on one side of my mouth had to have them cut out of gum so dont take no chances now not got too many left lol
    keep smiling no matter how much it hurts,commencal ramones 1 loving it lol
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    I wear Full face but I wouldn't go up the trail the wrong way either.

    I've seen it loads of times especially at Gisburn riders going the wrong way, most do ask if they are going the right way and turn round but some just keep on going........
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  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    Have to admit the very first time I rode at Lee just after it openned I rode up the final descent, the berm started ringing alarm bells just as someone politely pointed out we were going the wrong way.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    Full face here too, ain't risking the money maker :lol:
  • grant43
    grant43 Posts: 170
    was up lee on saturday and was riding up the rocky steppy section near the start is it the stairway or something and 2 nobheads came flying down it so they got it dont think they realise how dangerous it is nearly as bad as the chinks at cragg who stopped in the fast bermy section to take his coat off right in the middle of the track
    keep smiling no matter how much it hurts,commencal ramones 1 loving it lol
  • thistle_
    thistle_ Posts: 7,218
    It's a general problem - happens on the Marin trail and Coed y Brenin too, particularly in the evenings.

    On some bits of the Marin trail there are now 'no walking' symbols painted on the signs.

    I think the only way to stop it is to have greater numbers of people riding on the trails, so that it's unpleasant to walk there.

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