XC loop at Oxford Falls - who to talk to about maintenance/building?

[Techno Destructo]

There are some consistently bad areas on the XC loop where large, deep pools of water and mud have been pounded in over the years.

A good example is the corner section after the initial climb up.

The side of the trail in that area is well suited for a ladder-bridge, and would allow riders to bypass the problem area (hopefully allowing it to regenerate and giving riders a fun alternative as well).

It would branch off the main trail, run along side it for about 5-6 meters and then roll back in after the problem area. With the natural terrain there of sloping flat rock, it would make a fun diversion which wouldn't impact on the normal XC trail.

Who would one talk to about the ramifications and possibility of doing some work there?

It would include a small amount of clear bush, posts inserted into the ground (reinforced with concrete) and a ladder bridge (that would be about 50cm wide?).

Would there be a negative reaction to creating this diversion, keeping in mind that it would be built strong and built to last?

[b there soon]

Not sure who's land it it, but if u need any help i can come down. i ride there quite a bit.

Cheers Gazz

[PDogg]

Who would one talk to about the ramifications and possibility of doing some work there?

It would include a small amount of clear bush, posts inserted into the ground (reinforced with concrete) and a ladder bridge (that would be about 50cm wide?).

Would there be a negative reaction to creating this diversion, keeping in mind that it would be built strong and built to last?

That part of Oxford Falls is managed by NPWS (although it appears a fairly lawless place!). Seeing as their mandate is conseravtion over recreation I'd think they would be more inclined to close the trail and regenerate it as opposed to altering the natural environment. More so as riding singletrack is illegal in NP's (with a few exceptions).

Building in the area would most likely bring more attention to the fact that we pretty much have free reign in the area at the moment. The local residents and horse riders have been pretty vicious (and imaginative) in voicing their concerns about MTB to council in times past also.

Although you're actually trying to help the environment, I'd leave it alone and be happy that Lizard rock, Bernie's etc are there and we can ride them.

my 2 cents.... (as goody goody two shoes as it may be)

[NCR600]

Funny, I was just thinking something similar today! There really needs to be some work done in that area. I'd also like to see some of the heavily eroded areas fixed up, mostly to make the loop a little easier for beginners. My G/F nearly killed me after I told her it was easy!

I think a precedent has been set for it being a public use area by having the model aeroplane club down there, certainly MTB's are quieter, and less polluting than tiny aircraft.

And maybe if the residents want to complain about MTB riders, they should look a little closer to home, I have seen a kid come out of one of those houses up the top there, and strop his dirtbike up and down the top of the downhill for about an hour.

Anyway, I'd be into doing some work there

[fatkat]

funny, i almost got taken out by a little kid on his dirtbike a couple of weeks back at oxford falls... Also almost got taken out by one of the cars from the r/c plane guys...

The track does need some work, some of the sections are sketch as.. for example that huge ditch about 1/2 way through the track.. for the novice its pretty difficult to navigate (ive come off there a few times.. last time was last week at night)

[Cuthbert]

Hey Techno,

I also ride there heaps & agree some trail maintenance on the xc loop is warranted to a) alleviate having to run through the rut/pools in wet weather, thus causing erosion and b) to prevent track widening where new lines are worn trying to avoid these. The DH tracks are also in pretty bad shape and are in need of serious maintenance. I would also suggest some 'official' B lines are needed for these to prevent the trail blow out that is occurring at present

I believe the area is controlled/owned bythe Aboriginal Land Council, and from what I'm told is why racing no longer occurs there. Maybe someone who knows more about this this could comment....Not sure what kind of control Nat Parks may also have.

I for one would love to see an organised trail maintenance group for the area. You see a lot of regulars and I'm sure if they were willing to chip in a fair crew could be arranged.

If Nat Parks have any degree of control going through them would be a dead end. However, not sure what would come from contacting the land council.... Would be ideal if some arrangement could be made with them to allow ongoing trail works and maybe even a resumption of racing. However, contacting them also has the potential to bring attention to riding in the area with adverse affects...

But I reckon some minor maintenance works would all good without permission. Realistically, if the built stuff on the DH runs still exists noone is going to remove less obtrusive structures in relatively isolated areas...... and its doing its bit to prevent erosion, so you can't lose really...

I'd be keen to help out.

Cuthbert

[zoidberg]

Count me in. I love riding up there, and if i can help out i will! Pm me and let me know when you're going to do some work, but i suggest contacting national parks before you do anything, or they'll more than likely tear it down... I definitely agree that some preventative work needs to be done to prevent further erosion, so if you contact the right people and show them the work you intend to do to help the area out, they might even cough up some help/cash towards it!

or my head is stuck in the clouds...

[bradmc]

I agree, the aero club circuit needs some trail maintenance. I would be happy to lend a hand, if a day is organised.
In response to building wooden bridges to cover the mud pools, my concern is that the horseriders may complain about them. I have seen horses on that circuit in the past, but if constructed well, they would be a blast.

My two cents worth.

[Techno Destructo]

I have to stress that NO structures will be built directly on the main trail. There would be an (hopefully) unobtrusive branch off the side of the main trail, which would run alongside the main trail.

I know that if we mess with the main trail, in putting unavoidable structures, the equestrians would rip that down as soon as they saw it.

PDogg raised some very good points however that we have to think about...

[NCR600]

Not sure what kind of control Nat Parks may also have.


Cuthbert

Not too sure either, but I know that the NPWS were responsible for re grading the main fire road.

I think some erosion control structures similar to what is at Manly Dam could be a good idea in some of the worst sections, but maybe they could be worked out in some way to be horse friendly. Anyway the horsey folks should be ok about it, they're the ones that caused most of the erosion in the first place.

[dj jedijunglesnow]

The "horsy folks" caus ethe most erosion/damage up there and yet are the biggest group of complainers in the entire area!

I am yet to meet one pleasant horse person, and have had a couple of them go off at me for doing little more than riding by on the main fire road on my bike (what do they do when a car or 4wd or even a walker goes by?).

The best was the time when we passed a woman on a horse at the first gate at the very beginning. My mate was a bit cautious of the horse so he got off his bike to walk around it and the gate, the woman told him to be careful. He said sorry, I'm not much a horse person. She responds by saying "Well I'm not much of a bike person"!!?

A bike doesn't have a mind of it's own and isn't likely to kick you in the head with a rear leg! (and doesn't leave great big piles of turd everywhere that are worse than dogs turds [ even dog owners have to bring plastic bags for their dogs turds]).

Sorry, got a bit carried away there, that's my rant for the day.

[PDogg]

Hey Techno,
I believe the area is controlled/owned bythe Aboriginal Land Council, and from what I'm told is why racing no longer occurs there. Maybe someone who knows more about this this could comment....Not sure what kind of control Nat Parks may also have.


Cuthbert

The area of the old DH race course is controlled by the local Aboriginal land owners. This area is cool, they actually like MTBer's and horses (non-motorised). However they do object to new trails etc, as they don't want the enviro damaged. There is no racing here due to local resident complaints after the last DH race (something along the lines of 'there were 500 competitors, 4 shops set up....' seriously!). Police said no go.

If you think about where the course finishes (right infront of a busy road), and the fact that there is no real parking/event centre area, and that shuttles go up and down the public road hill, you can understand why the Police and residents would object.

The land around the model plane field is NP, which is why XC hasn't been there for a while.

[Cuthbert]

PDogg,

Thanks for the info. Yes, agreed its not the best area for racing given the constraints you mentioned. As a side note, has the MW club ever looked at alternative venues to hold DH events ? I know the options on the northern beaches are somewhat (understatement) limited.... I'd love to join a club and race DH at local level and living at Forestville would rather it be based locally, even if the track was further afield. Have a number of mates with the same thoughts. Would be great to hear your comments on this.... maybe you could pm to avoid highjacking the thread.

Cuthbert