Riding in the wet - Good/Bad?

[Fidsey]

The concientious rider should really consider not riding after heaps of rain (re: Manly Dam and it's now crappy washed-outness). It seems that a lot of riders don't really care about sustaining the trails and traffic doesn't get any less after rain.

While riding in the wet is fun and more of a challenge, the long term viability of many recreational riders using a wet trail creates erosion and sustainability issues. Yes, a well good trail will be built to handle these conditions, but it doesn't change the fact that Sydney trails are getting really washed out and eroded at the moment. Racing of course is a different matter.......

In terms of trail use and longevity, should there be a limit or stop on riding trails after heavy rain?

[arpit]

In terms of trail use and longevity, should there be a limit or stop on riding trails after heavy rain?

I think it's entirely up to the owner of the land to create such restrictions as they see fit. Certain land owners may have a primary objective of preserving the environment. Others may not care at all.

[norco_maniac]

who cares mate, its fun!

[wat_did_i_do_now]

I dont really like riding in the rain, but alot of people do. The fact that riding when its wet can damage the land i think just sums it up for riders to stop riding in the rain. But in the end, its the lan owners decision. They own the land so if they dont want to fix up the surface every so often, i think they should close places down on wed days.

[No Skid Marks]

who cares mate, its fun!
People with at least half a brain that enjoy riding care because obviously if we trash the tracks/land then we get a poor view from the rest of the population and tracks get closed so there's less places to ride. and it's not fun really,it's novel cause it's different but hardly worth wrecking tracks.

[Fidsey]

who cares mate, its fun!

Are you a trail builder?

I think riding in the wet can be fun, but if it's trashing the trails (especially in Govt managed land) and your not a part of the trail building and maitenance and ACCESS process, that's not so cool. It messes everything up for all of us.

By all means if you build the trail yourself and maintain it that's fine, but specifically, with the amount of riders going through at Manly Dam it's not good.

[scratchy]

I admit to having some awesome rides in the rain, it does trash your bike though.

The reality is though erosion is caused by water travel. Bike ruts/traffic only contribute a small amount. Getting in there when it's wet and soft only helps to accelerate the process. Considering erosion is a major problem of the sport we love, it's not really cool to ride on sensitive trails in the rain.

Another major problem for a lot of Australia is Phytophera (also called Die-Back or PC). A fungas that once is spread kills native vegetation. There is no cure, no treatment, once it's in an area it's simply a question of containment. Phytophera is spread by wet soil, say in a MTBers tyre tread. If we are going to get a wider access to National Parks and pristane bush- we have to show that we won't accelerate the spread of Phytophera.

who cares mate, its fun!
The site of a mud covered Mountain Biker transporting disease long distances is the ultimate nightmare for many landowners. Landowners we're trying to deal with to get more legal places to ride.

[arpit]

Does that mean we should wash our tyres after riding? I do, very occasionally. I let all the mud go into the stormwater drains. Is that a problem?

[scratchy]

No water down stormwater drains is already going somewhere that is farked.
Definately if you're riding in different places you shouldn't take dirty tyres into a new place (unless you know it's Phytophera infected).

[arpit]

I knew that rainwater tank would come in useful sometime! I'll wash my tyres before heading to arcadia!

[nizai]

I think most riders are sensible, and willing to help out with a shovel when asked. But a set rule on not riding in the wet cant really apply, as there are so many different courses, with different soil types, drainage etc.

For instance in Perth theres a trail at Langford Park which is so dry and gravelly most of the time, the round pebble rock we have over here drains a little TOO well at times. You can easily ride it in the wet and hardly touch the surface.

But at the other end of the scale, Northcliffe's XC track which is built in the lush undercanopy of a Karri forest is mud city. I rode it after it had rained for 2 days before and it was a way too wet and I wouldnt do it again in that condition.

I guess it will be down to the land owner, type of course, how its used, how the drainage is etc etc. DH courses where people are drifting and speeds are much higher would probably suffer quite badly when used during/after rains.

N

[starship303]

Hey guys i just thought i would let you know there is an almost identical, more detailed, thread on riding wet trails running in General Discussion...see here:

http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=59271