Slymobi
E*POWAH Elite
Beautiful ride around the reservoirs today.
Pic of the Day
- Thread starter Kilham5
- Start date
‘Ole Franks’ trail. Frankly the view’s suck. After the winter storms there was some fixing up to do. Day 1.
Entrance to Ole Franks
Hmmm…blow-down snag.
No chicken wire on these features.
Was packin the chainsaw.
That’s better. All clear.
Not me. That’s Ole Frank. He lives here.
Entrance to Ole Franks
Hmmm…blow-down snag.
No chicken wire on these features.
Was packin the chainsaw.
That’s better. All clear.
Not me. That’s Ole Frank. He lives here.
Playin' in the hills above Laguna Beach.
So your allowed to use chainsaw in woods,. Or is it your woods.
Nope. Not my property. This area and our trails are within the Provincial Park system on Burke Mountian. Any maintenance has to be preformed and authorized by the Provincial Government. After a reported need is requested to the Parks Board they determine if funds are available. If the need and funds are available then necessary workers (Park Wardens) are scheduled to address the need. This process can take up to two or more years and countless red-tape and approvals from board members and interested parties.
The local “Trail Building Society” must jump through these hoops. They are publicly funded groups that maintain and build trails. I donate funds to these groups but I do not participate in their group efforts. There’s a reason why we don’t participate with these groups.
That blow-down snag would normally stay there for years rendering that trail useless or further damaging surrounding areas from continuing use because of the trail obstruction or maintenance neglect.
There is a personal financial risk to me and others who decide to take on these measures in the way of fines or other penalties. Several of us take that risk. The powers-that-be probably know who we are. They probably also understand that they may want to look the other way sometimes.
I care about this area because I get use and enjoyment from the network of trails available to everyone. I believe there are up to 70 mapped trails on our mountain. Not all of them are sanctioned trails. But there are many more secret/hidden/camouflaged trails and features that are distributed throughout this area.
Regular maintenance is key. Without the help of volunteers …well, not much would get done. Trail builders realize that they must ’stay in their lane’ and not create any unnecessary liability.
Same happens up on my trails we had a really bad storm late 2021 still loads of trees down . I met a guy doing the same as you . I just wondered .
Ninja
trail maintenance we call it ..my mate has just bought a very nice electric chain saw ..( they are so much quieter ) ...I used to cut trees in winter when offshore work was more seasonal. Enjoyed it but hard graft and definitely under paid.Ninja
Yah, it’s like a balancing act or needing to cross that ’line’.
I’m lucky that these trails are very close by and I have the opportunity and time to maintain some of the trails. In the past I’ve educated some roque trail builders on the implications and effects of their efforts. Wether that helps, who knows? I take with me a unique experience because of my time as a logger and west coast faller. I’ve seen the results of man-made changes to the terrain. Sometimes it’s not good…but that’s what they knew back then.
Water…can be your friend and enemy at the same time. I think @dobbyhasfreinds knows what I mean. When things go bad I’ve said;” Water can ruin your life…electricity will only kill you”. But I’m grateful for air conditioning.
steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
That is a great argument/justification for off-piste trail maintenance!
I carry a folding saw in my backpack and I have cut through fallen trees that were up to 7" diameter. I have also trimmed overhanging branches and slashed back brambles and bracken. Those pointy branches that stick out of the sides of Pine trees are a target too!
I never touch the regular trials that are the responsibility of Forest England, only the ones they are not responsible for. They are however, responsible overall for the whole forest and therefore they can quite rightly object to my activities, but they never have.
I know that there are others that do unofficial trail maintenance in addition to me because I have enjoyed the benefit of their work, but in all the years I have been at it, I have never once come across anyone else in action. I do not dig holes or construct jumps, but if a fallen tree presents across the trail itself as an addition to the enjoyment of the trail, I will help it on its way with a ramp.
I agree. Neither of us have the luxury of a committee who can make decisions in a timely manner. Our efforts might seem small but they are beneficial to all users. A simple folding saw or clearing debris from a culvert is all you need sometimes.
A few years ago 3 large trees (3’to4’ diameter) blocked access to about 20% of our trails. Another user and myself reported this. It took several months but eventually the trail was cleared. This was not something for the average Joe, even though I use to do this many times a day (and much larger trees), this was a line I would not cross. A proper paid crew took care of the problem.
I get the occasional feedback from users who stumble across me. It’s all been positive and appreciated. As you probably know, most trail maintenance goes unnoticed …and that’s good. A small limb in the face or an unexpected log across a trail needs some attention. The secret trail elves continue to quietly work. It’s Magic!
Slymobi
E*POWAH Elite
Big milestone mileage today
Hopefully with 1st motor
Hey, before going back to topic, can Stihldog sent those secret trail elves next summer to the Ruhr please. Had some damned f*ckn blackberry branches hanging in narrow trails that got grip, turned my handle bar while passing throug and made a quick stop and slide right into the whole bushes. 
billwarwick
E*POWAH Elite
Bit sticky today
Slymobi
E*POWAH Elite
Yes sir albeit the motor and controller are the only OEM parts remaining lol.
I don’t carry Bear spray but Invisa-spray makes those hazards “disappear”.Hey, before going back to topic, can Stihldog sent those secret trail elves next summer to the Ruhr please. Had some damned f*ckn blackberry branches hanging in narrow trails that got grip, turned my handle bar while passing throug and made a quick stop and slide right into the whole bushes.
. Trail elves can be temperamental sometimes. 
“Branch-Be-Gone” lotion worked but I’ve none left. Supply issues also.
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I've a spare case of " Wood Will Go " spray but fear that import duty will not make it cost effective ..I don’t carry Bear spray but Invisa-spray makes those hazards “disappear”.
“Branch-Be-Gone” lotion worked but I’ve none left. Supply issues also.
Not quite as good as BBG lotion but I guess that's why you have supply issues ..?
billwarwick
E*POWAH Elite
There’s probably a few old fellas on here who would like a spray to make wood appear!
Have you got a ticket for Wembley, Hodge?
Unfortunately not Bill..
Not likely to get one either ..
I was so disillusioned with the Ashley era that I havent attended regularly for years ..and tickets are like gold dust ..
I did get to the Bournemouth cup game though ..
I 'll attend the week long party in Newcastle if we win though
Not likely to get one either ..
I was so disillusioned with the Ashley era that I havent attended regularly for years ..and tickets are like gold dust ..
I did get to the Bournemouth cup game though ..
I 'll attend the week long party in Newcastle if we win though
Big Tasty and Crispy Chicken are getting a completely different meaning for me….
Bit of an expensive ride that ^^^. Chain's skipping, front brake pads are cooked & the chain stay protector ended up in the chain ring. Time to fire up the bike stand & wave spanners in the general direction of the bike.
But... 1600 hard miles on the original drive train. No complaints from me.
But... 1600 hard miles on the original drive train. No complaints from me.
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Yes sounds good that . It's hard to guess sometimes you can get so paranoid listening to the Shite on here and over think everything . If you are out regularly it doesn't need a lot of mud to wear everything down.
Some folk crave the polishing and also the mechanical aspect probably ex Harley owners haha. Also the mechanical side attracts a lot of weirdos . Hey man I'm just trying to keep my bike clean so lay off okay
North Pennines today with @The EMF & Jaco ..a pretty stiff wind made it hard going from the off with things not in our favour until the last leg over Bolts Law ..
Starting in Edmundbyers but heading out towards Hisehope Resevoir and joining the C2C ( motorway ..in terms of easy riding ) with a cafe stop at Parkend to break the monotony a drop down to Rookhope then a steep climb out to join up with the Bolts Law bridleway back down to the start ..another enjoyable ride cheers to Jaco for the Latte & Wayne for the pint at the end ..
Cheers lads..
Starting in Edmundbyers but heading out towards Hisehope Resevoir and joining the C2C ( motorway ..in terms of easy riding ) with a cafe stop at Parkend to break the monotony a drop down to Rookhope then a steep climb out to join up with the Bolts Law bridleway back down to the start ..another enjoyable ride cheers to Jaco for the Latte & Wayne for the pint at the end ..
Cheers lads..
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